Beer Tasting Booth - Need Advice

[dougdecinces]

This weekend is the 200th anniversary of the first steamship to navigate the Ohio River. In honor of the historic event, several local breweries will be brewing their interpretation of the Kentucky Common in downtown Madison, Indiana. Somehow, some way little ole me was invited to participate in the event as well (apparently a bottle of my Goat Holler Brown, which I brought to my local homebrew club meeting, found its way in to the hands of some influential people).

As I have never done anything like this before, I want to make sure I am setting up my area in such a way that I can not completely embarrass myself. Don't get me wrong, I am supremely confident in my beer; it's just that the people I am working with have name recognition and websites and brewpubs and whatnot. I want/need advice from everyone as how to not only sell my beer and myself, but also the concept of homebrewing itself.

Here are things I was thinking of doing:
1) Print business cards - It doesn't cost a lot and if someone wants more information on brewing, it's a lot easier to hand him a business card than have him write down my information manually. Plus this may be a good chance to network with the big breweries.

2) Print out recipe cards to hand out to my fellow homebrewers.

3) Bring some of my homebrewing equipment - I think this would be a good way for patrons to visualize how easy it is to start the hobby themselves. I may also have to bring a copy of How To Brew.

What I can't do is print up labels for my beer. I plan on bringing my beer in a large cooler with ice and there's no way labels will last long in that environment. So what I need to figure out is a good form of signage for the beer itself. What I'm thinking of doing now is taking some big 750 mL beer bottles and capping them empty, putting labels on them and placing them prominently in my booth. Good idea?

I realize this is a long post and for those who did, I appreciate you sticking it out until the end. This is just a big opportunity for me, and I don't want to **** it up. So everyone, please HELP!

And FYI, here is the link to the event. Another way you can help is by showing up; and really, why would you not want to ?

 

[copyright1997]

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And FYI, here is the link to the event. Another way you can help is by showing up; and really, why would you not want to ?

Nice!

Why does the event say "non-alcoholic brew"?
Here's the quote (emphasis mine):

participants come to the streets of Madison and cook their soup stew chili and non-alcoholic brew to sell and benefit a local non-profit organization.

 

[dougdecinces]

I know, I know. Please ignore that. The event I am in is actually a different event running concurrently downtown where there will be real beer. I am not sure why the chamber of commerce is trying to frighten away customers like that.

 

[cyberwollf]

If money is changing hands for homebrew (charity or not) that raises a red flag

 

[dougdecinces]

If money is changing hands for homebrew (charity or not) that raises a red flag

It's not. The beer tastings will be free. I'm paying for everything myself from ingredients, to equipment, to signage. This is a very expensive opportunity.

 

[JeepDiver]

Better check your state laws. Most states the beer has to be for your and your guest's personal comsumption. Giving it to the public would be a no-no not to mention the issue of food/health department issues for an unlicensed vendor

 

[BGates14]

Jesus if you're not going to answer the guys questions why post?

The business card idea is a great idea. Low cost, and even free depending on where you get them from. As far as going through the brewing process (if asked) and general beer questions, this would be a great idea to save time and also build up a reputation

The recipe idea is great, especially paired with the business card (or you could add contact information to this as well) This would allow people to contact you with questions about the beers specifically or if they try to brew it themselves.

Bringing homebrewing equipment would be a great idea, however, depending on the size of the event it might not fit in too well. If there is enough space, then your booth could potentially draw the most interest. It would have a lot going on in terms of information and beer. You'd attract a lot of attention from homebrewers, beer drinkers and maybe even some of the other brewers there.

The 750ml beer idea is alright, it'd obviously be better to have some kind of signage like a poster or something behind you of a logo. Depending on how quickly you could get that together it would make a big difference in my honest opinion.

 

[Phunhog]

Good for you!! I did something similar here in CA. I detailed my experience here https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/pinnacle-my-homebrewing-experience-269499/
I don't know how the laws in IN are, heck I don't know if it was technically legal to pour at a festival in CA. The festival organizers checked on it and said it was "OK"...good enough for me.
I would say you definetly want some sort of signage and maybe "dress up" your booth a little. A table with a cooler full of beer looks a little cheesy. We had table cloths, fresh flowers, a mash paddle, empty bottles, a professional banner, and we even displayed and sold our logo t-shirts. Like others have said you can't sell beer BUT I don't see why you can't sell t-shirts. I actually made enough to cover my costs by selling the t-shirts. Good Luck!!

 

[dougdecinces]

Good for you!! I did something similar here in CA. I detailed my experience here https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/pinnacle-my-homebrewing-experience-269499/
I don't know how the laws in IN are, heck I don't know if it was technically legal to pour at a festival in CA. The festival organizers checked on it and said it was "OK"...good enough for me.
I would say you definetly want some sort of signage and maybe "dress up" your booth a little. A table with a cooler full of beer looks a little cheesy. We had table cloths, fresh flowers, a mash paddle, empty bottles, a professional banner, and we even displayed and sold our logo t-shirts. Like others have said you can't sell beer BUT I don't see why you can't sell t-shirts. I actually made enough to cover my costs by selling the t-shirts. Good Luck!!

I actually read your post a few days after I got invited to the event. It certainly filled me with confidence. Thank you for the advice on decorations. SWMBO is an art student, so she has access to some high quality printing equipment. I think it would be feasible to make a decent-sized sign. Unfortunately, I'm not really established enough to be making and selling my own merchandise--I haven't even been brewing a year--but that is definitely on the horizon.

 

[copyright1997]

I actually read your post a few days after I got invited to the event. It certainly filled me with confidence. Thank you for the advice on decorations. SWMBO is an art student, so she has access to some high quality printing equipment. I think it would be feasible to make a decent-sized sign. Unfortunately, I'm not really established enough to be making and selling my own merchandise--I haven't even been brewing a year--but that is definitely on the horizon.

If your SWMBO is an art student, it will be easy to make t-shirts. Just have her make up the design with your favorite graphics program and take it to a t-shirt maker in your area. They can use a print out and do a transfer. (You can also do these yourself which might make sense if you are only doing a few.) It's been a long time, but I used to do this for road (running) races.

 

[Revvy]

Kentucky Common variations as a theme? How freaking awesome. I just brewed a variation of O'daniel's version using some rye in it.

I'd love to know more about all the variations brewed.

I know you're not giving bottles away but maybe you can use my hanging bottle tags as a handoff instead of cards, or for something. They're larger than business cards.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f46/wine-beer-bottle-hanging-tags-93201/


This sounds cool.

 

[dougdecinces]

Thank you, Revvy. I have used your tags before. They work like a charm.

I am 100% confident in my recipe. In fact, it might be the first one I feel comfortable about posting here. But I too am excited to try all the different variations. Since the description for this recipe is so vague it is open to vast interpretation.

 

[prrriiide]

If money is changing hands for homebrew (charity or not) that raises a red flag

We did this same thing in Kingsport, TN a few weeks ago. All of the homebrewers had to sign a document that stated that the beer was a donation on our part to the charity.

 

[copyright1997]

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f46/wine-beer-bottle-hanging-tags-93201/

These are awesome, thanks for making these available!

 

[brian74]

Labeling empty bottles would be a good idea for a display, but to add authenticity, you could fill them with water, cap them, and then label them. This would obviously add weight and it would give the perception of an actual bottle of beer. If the bottles are within reach of the patrons, they will pick them up. I know I would.