MicroBustivus
Last Saturday, from Noon to 6:00 was the Microfestivus in downtown Roanoke, which is a fundraiser for Center in the Square featuring dozens of microbreweries from around the state and elsewhere.
LBB had casually mentioned it a few times, so I knew she wanted to check it out, but we ended up spending most of the afternoon at the pool. About 3:30 a friend offered to take the boy for a couple hours so we decided last minute to scurry home, get ready and get on down there.
We arrived about 4:45. Parked right across the street - I'll say it again (and again and again): parking in downtown Roanoke is never a problem.
After we went through one set of tables where we showed our IDs and got stamped, we were directed to a second set of tables to pay and get wrist bands. Here's what I don't understand: an admission ticket was $5, or for $20 you could buy an admission ticket and 10 beer tastings, or for $30 you could get an admission ticket and 20 tastings.
Keep in mind we have only an hour before the event is over. We asked to buy the $5 admission and then pay for individual tastings inside the event.
Nope. Couldn't do it that way we were told.
Now, I understand wanting to keep things simple. If all the money is transacted at the gate, the breweries can focus on pouring and discussing their different beers. But think about the logic here. Did it really make sense for us to pay $40 to sample beer for one hour? A beer tasting is 4 oz. Ten samples would be about 3 1/3 standard beers. Not an amount a lush like me would shy from, but still, that is quite a lot to gulp down in one hour! Especially if trying navigate around and sample different beers.
Poorly planned. Honestly, unless you got there by 3:00 the pricing would be a rip-off. I'm sure we aren't the only ones who turned and left. Why not a $10 option for 5 tastings? We could have done that in an hour.
Instead we stopped at 7-11, got some beer and sampled it on our own front porch. That turned out just fine for us. We saved some money, but Center in the Square lost out.
Posts
3 comments:
I love it! Tasting beer on the front porch. lol
Simple logistical things like this bother me. I was an event coordinator for so long that it is difficult to go to something like Micrfestivus and not pick it apart. You're correct that the 'tickets' should change as the event nears it end.
And I agree...
There is ample free parking in Downtown Roanoke. Anyone who complains is selfish in my opinion because it is obvious they don't want to walk even one block to reach their destination. It's the "I'm too lazy to walk, but I have the energy to bitch up a storm" mentallity.
I thought it was a fantastic success! Beer festivals should not be rushed in an hour. If you're going to attend an event of this sort, it's best to allow ample time. That way you get the most bang for your buck. And just so you have your facts straight, The Square Society puts this event on, proceeds benefit Center in the Square. Center did not lose out at all. In fact, I heard on the news, and saw in person that they had a record turnout.
Post a Comment