RDS Craft Beer festival

recipesforme

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew what the story is with this year's Craft Beer festival in the RDS?

The website says it's on from the 9-11th of September but that's it. No updates since last year and no way of buying tickets. The RDS website has it listed but no other info either

Has it been cancelled?

Passenger

Still early days to be fair.

BeerNut

recipesforme wrote: »

Has it been cancelled?

Nope. It's definitely on. 21 breweries signed up so far and the hall still isn't full. The organisers are making a particular effort to attract first-time exhibitors this year. There'll also be a three-day pass available for €15.

recipesforme

That's fantastic!
I've actually just received a very nice reply from one of the organisers saying that tickets will be going on sale this week.
I know it's ages away still but I can't wait!

Losty Dublin

BeerNut wrote: »

There'll also be a three-day pass available for €15.

Will Beoir members be looked after favourably this year?

BeerNut

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Will Beoir members be looked after favourably this year?

Dunno. I'm sure enquiries will be made.

youcancallmeal

Every year they give you less but charge more. Plastic cups last year were last straw for me, highly doubtful I'll be in attendance this year. It was quiet too on the Sat night compared to the previous year so seems like people were voting with their feet.

the beer revolu

youcancallmeal wrote: »

Every year they give you less but charge more. Plastic cups last year were last straw for me, highly doubtful I'll be in attendance this year. It was quiet too on the Sat night compared to the previous year so seems like people were voting with their feet.

What was the last beer festival at which you had a glass vessel?

youcancallmeal

the beer revolu wrote: »

What was the last beer festival at which you had a glass vessel?

Most festivals I've been to actually including the Irish Craft Beer festival up until last year. Have a cupboard at home full of them to prove it. To answer your question I was in England a few weeks ago and could've taken one home from that but didn't, was quite nice too.

L1011

the beer revolu wrote: »

What was the last beer festival at which you had a glass vessel?

Porto 6 weeks ago - the exact same shape and type as the ICBCF used a few years ago.

testaccount123

the beer revolu wrote: »

What was the last beer festival at which you had a glass vessel?

Indyman in Manchester, GBBF and London Craft Beer Festival all had glasses.

The UK festivals are miles ahead of whats on offer in the RDS, same tired lineups of mediocre Irish breweries, crap plastic glasses and a focus on everything but the beer. Silent discos, cover bands and Rugby on big screens. No thanks.

I'll be going to Beavertowns Extravaganza instead this year.

Passenger

testaccount123 wrote: »

The UK festivals are miles ahead of whats on offer in the RDS, same tired lineups of mediocre Irish breweries, crap plastic glasses and a focus on everything but the beer. Silent discos, cover bands and Rugby on big screens. No thanks.

Won't bother with this years festival unless there are some new breweries and beer-related incentives. Last year's festival was a few steps backwards.

The Italian Craft Beer Festival held in Dublin has glass Teku glasses that you get to keep.

Beersmith

The White Hags beer Festival only yesterday had glass

me_irl

youcancallmeal wrote: »

Every year they give you less but charge more. Plastic cups last year were last straw for me, highly doubtful I'll be in attendance this year. It was quiet too on the Sat night compared to the previous year so seems like people were voting with their feet.

Yep. I decided shortly after the beerfest last year that I won't be going to any more. Plastic glasses, paper tokens, pricey food.

Jameson had quite the ostentatious display too. I think it took up far too much room which took away from the already limited seating.

c - 13

Beersmith wrote: »

The White Hags beer Festival only yesterday had glass

And was 2.50 for a 330ml pour as well ... bargain

Zaph

Beersmith wrote: »

The White Hags beer Festival only yesterday had glass

Very nice looking glass too, from what I saw on twitter.

Blut2

Plastic glasses, bands so loud you can't talk over them, Jameson stands etc... The RDS Craft Beer festival has lost its focus on the beer, thats the main problem I think. They seem to be trying to make it into some sort of generic festival at this stage.

I also won't be going this year, for the first time in quite a few years.

slayerking

It has been on a bit of a downward spiral over the past few iterations, I don't mind the music but cannot stand plastic cups.
Went to white hags hagstraviganza at the weekend and it was just a super beer festival. Amazing beer, 2.50 per 330ml serving and proper glass.
I'll give the RDS a miss this year.

the beer revolu

Doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for the RDS this year.
Is anyone planning on going?

L1011

the beer revolu wrote: »

Doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for the RDS this year.
Is anyone planning on going?

If it's plastic tumblers, a silent disco of crap and the price it has been recently, no

I'll probably tip along if I get free tickets, as some of the breweries are usually good for a free pint or two.

All that nonsense with Silent Discos and loud-as-possible (such a contradiction!) annoys me, as does the plastic tomfoolery, and the non-refundable token bolloxology, when you can't make round purchases of tokens.

BeerNut

the beer revolu wrote: »

Is anyone planning on going?

I'll try and catch the trade session but I'm out of town for the rest of it.

RasTa

Bit of resentment towards O'Hara's in the scene too

me_irl

RasTa wrote: »

Bit of resentment towards O'Hara's in the scene too

Is that just regarding space and placement.

Last year I was surprised at how little room certain brewers got, or ones that were hidden away in the corner.

RasTa

Nah, they are always fighting for some reason. Irish thing I guess.

You have to ask why the other brewery from Sligo wasn't at the White Hag eventl.

DelmarODonnell

RasTa wrote: »

Nah, they are always fighting for some reason. Irish thing I guess.

You have to ask why the other brewery from Sligo wasn't at the White Hag eventl.

Was that not because the fella who sold White Hag then went on to start the other Sligo brewery?

Seems fairly awkward to bring him along.....

RasTa

Why not? I think it's crazy stuff considering how small the craft % is.

Creamy Goodness

RasTa wrote: »

Why not? I think it's crazy stuff considering how small the craft % is.

I agreee. It seems like the craft beer industry is like the tech industry in Ireland, it's way too small to piss someone off or hold a grudge. Everyone knows everyone.

DelmarODonnell

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

I agreee. It seems like the craft beer industry is like the tech industry in Ireland, it's way too small to piss someone off or hold a grudge. Everyone knows everyone.

True. But a lot easier said than done when we have no idea of the ins and outs of it. Pure speculation either way.

Losty Dublin

the beer revolu wrote: »

Doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm for the RDS this year.
Is anyone planning on going?

I'll still go to it myself as for all the faults it's ultimately about the beer.

Plastic glasses are less favourable but lads be fair here; it is a large crowd event so the H+S elf's will get their spoke in somewhere or other and last years glasses are a dang side better than the plastic glasses we get at many other events in Ireland. As regards the music, I go on the Thursday and bar 2014 I don't think the music was too loud. Could do without it mind you but it wasn't bad to me. A later wrap up time on Thursday would be nice and some additional token sales points as it can get pretty busy at times.

What I would like to see gone most of all are the pushy and borderline rude security guards who go out of their way to scare you into leaving.