Clann members and people who had gone before or bought Boxtravaganza last year were the initial sales groups and I'm not sure it went beyond that.
At one stage it was just Clann members (WH beer club) being notified. I actually left Clann during the year, but I still got the email.
I can't see anything on WH website about it. Was it email only invite for tickets?
Sounds great to be honest, might try and make it next year.
I am double jabbed and can drink indoors I guess but I'm so out of the habit I haven't bothered doing it yet. I went up to Harry Byrne's the other day and had an outdoor pizza and a couple of pints*, really enjoyed it. To be honest, as long as the weather holds I'd still sooner be outside at the moment. There seemed to have been a noticeable shift indoors by the rest of the patrons though.
*Hope session ale, €6 a pint.
Most normal week I've had in 18 months - went to a match, went to pubs, went to a beer festival. I'm still not sure I've quite recovered...
Got a lift after in to Sligo with the mate of two of the lads at my assigned table who happened to be local (and not attending, hence sober) a bit before it ended, had one pint in the Swagman and taxied to the hotel so got to bed at a reasonable time, but I decide to drink the free wine in the hotel room which was a Bad Idea.
The taproom area was inside with a few well spaced out tables; the bulk of the crowd was in the tent with two and a bit open sides so loads of ventilation. DJ in a far corner as was allowed post-Zappone rules change. 15 beers on the tasting menu brought to you (but you could get more of most of them afterwards if the kegs hadn't run out) in 150ml; ~8 White Hag beers available in 330ml measures whenever you wanted. Fresh dishwashed glasses each time to avoid any cross-contamination problems.
There was a suggestion there'd be multiple food options but in the end it was just Tosta - but their food was good.
The indoor area that was used in the past is being eaten away by expansion to the brewery so I expect it will be all in tents next year.
I had a great time. It was well organised with the marquee and a fantastic buzz even though there was only ~150 people. People were assigned tables in the marquee and menu samples came in flights but there was a bar and tap room to get extra servings from (so many samples came that it wasn't an issue!). My only gripe was that it wasn't obvious where the merchandise was for sale and what was available so I missed out on buying stuff that some of the breweries had sent.
How did Hagstravaganza go for those who ended up in Ballymote?
I very much suspect I'm the youngest here by a year or two, due to the vaccine requirement. Obviously there's plenty of 40+ at these type of events anyway but there seems to be absolutely nobody younger!
I'd tickets to go to Ballymote today but circumstances meant I couldn't go. Emailed Bob and they're giving me store credit for the tickets. I had asked about selling them on but they wanted to be sure those attending adhered to the guidelines.
I'm not fully vaxxed yet (currently in the aviva about to get my 2nd) and wasn't paying 130 for a PCR test.
Got the box yesterday though, looks interesting to say the least
Big change in the Boxstravaganza box this year.. seemed to be mostly stouts and sours last year, but this year is very IPA / DIPA heavy. Not complaining however as not a sour fan (though the Mojito Sour does sound intriguing) and very picky on stouts and completely gone off sweet sugary stouts.
The Kernel Table beer is a nice one to start on I think.
Better quality attached if that's not readable.
Anyone got the full list, won't be getting mine until Monday week unfortunately. Was hoping it would be delivered yesterday in time for staycation but no joy. The wife was delighted with the extra room in the boot anyway
Yep, 4pm on their Youtube channel I presume
You buy the box - we’d advise splitting it with a mate or two - and set up a screen to watch our live stream on YouTube, from 4pm - 10pm on the 7th August. We’ll be looking for home reviews and random participants to join also, so keep a web cam handy!
Nice selection again this year, a few possible standouts.
4pm I believe. Can't find where I saw that though
Mine arrived - pretty happy with the mix. For two of the breweries (Overtone Brewing / Left Handed Giant) it is one of two of their beers included. Happy enough I got the Milk Stout and the IPA.
That said I don't think I've got any emails from them about the livestream tomorrow - do any of you know what time it kicks off at?
"He moved with his father Gerard and his sister Eva to Celbridge, 20 kilometres east of Dublin"
Must have been a very damp house!
Great read, never knew about the dispute with Larkins. I guess you won't ever see a collab between them unless they've patched things up since
30? Was more like 90 in the Bushmills all-deliveries-by-one-harried-man thread.
But maybe 30 is an over-estimate for the current user base tbh.
Indeed. I feel a bit like I'm in a relationship that is really over but I just don't have the heart to finish it due to the length of the relationship and the memory of good times.
Graciously, the Boards update has killed any momentum of any sort in these threads so we'll be spared it this year. :pac:
I'll look forward to 30 posts in this thread:
"I got it"
"Mine hasn't arrived, yet".
"Mine came at 10"
"I'm still waiting"
etc
Email update - to be shipped tomorrow, due to delayed delivery - and one (Kirkstall) isn't going to make it.
Going on DPD performance, nearly everyone will get it in time but some people will be delayed. I'll be in Ballymote and hoping my partner doesn't drink the entire box so a delay wouldn't be the worst! (RIP pacman emoji)
My experience of buying expensive US imports has always been underwhelming. I don't know if it's that they aren't the freshest or don't travel well but they always seem a bit bland. Verdant is the last €8+ beer I bought and it was worth it but I think you get the same level of quality from Whiplash and sometimes Boundary
Whiplash getting the long read treatment from Breandán Kearney.
I haven't read it yet, but as I've previously shared, Breandán has written outstanding features covering West Kerry Brewing, the Irish craft beer scene with a focus on Galway Bay Brewing and Land & Labour, Canvas Brewing and more. If his previous work is anything to go by, this will be excellent.
Looks like the White Hag boxes are about to be sent out https://www.instagram.com/stories/thewhitehag/2632762771325029484/
Feels like there's be a glut in new releases from (Irish) breweries these past few weeks - almost graciously so as I've been needing to clear down my stash and restock. I've had my fill of IPAs again, so am thinking of changing tack and picking up some more European bottle imports.
The shelves, in Cork at least, seem to be awash with US imports going for no less than €8 a can, and more in the region of €10+. Absolutely no way I'm risking that much on a beer. That said, Craft Central seem to be trying to shift their stock of said beers and have some discounts on them. All the same, I'm still not sure I'd want to drop €5-7 on a can that has been around for several months.
Bono, The Edge & Hozier recently invested so it's not outside the realms of possibility one conversation leading to another...
Ha that's gas, there must be some connection there like he knows someone in the brewery or lives locally?
An interesting collaboration...
I'm fairly sure they don't ship overseas to begin with due to the customs issues.]
Tapstravanganza requires you to have both shots (or J&J single shot), or a single shot + PCR test to get in; but does not need the time gap after the second shot that is required for travel. So quite stringent, but won't catch me out at least.
