Chatting About Beer

Each time I have the opportunity to help out at a beer festival or event, I never hesitate to do so (when I don’t have the time otherwise spoken for).  I really enjoy interacting and chatting about beer with the people that attend the event and doing that makes the time just fly by.  On top of that, the more that I do these events, the more I get to spend time with some of the same beer industry folks and become (at least somewhat) friends with them.  To date nothing has happened while working at these events that would stop me from continuing to volunteer for everyone that I possibly can.

Did you see how I went on and on about how much I enjoy working at the events and I never even mentioned that I get to sample some good beer?  That is a great bonus on top of everything else.

If you could see through those people you would see a car.

So you have likely guessed by now what The Wife and I did on Saturday.  As hot as it has been here lately, what better place was there to be than at a beer event inside the local Total Wine and More here in Orlando?  I was initially unsure how enough space could be made to serve samples of 150 (or so) beers inside, but after hearing that Tom the Beer Guy had his OBP vehicle inside the store I was certain that we would be enjoying the air conditioning during our time there.

After riding down a bit early with Emily and Ian and doing a bit of a briefing with the other people there to work at the event, I wandered to the corner of the store that I would call home for the afternoon.  Though I bring the camera to these events, once it starts I don’t get away to take as many photos as I would like to.

Our (awesome) neighbors doing work.

The Wife and I found ourselves initially pouring for Merchant du Vin, offering Ayinger Bräu-Weiss, Lindemans Framboise, Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout, and Samuel Smith’s Organic Cider.  As many of these as The Wife has done now, she is a pro (especially after pouring these previously) and did all of the heavy lifting as we were at the table while I tried to stay out of her way.  Fortunately I soon had an opportunity to help out Cindy at the Bell’s Brewery table next to us, allowing me to get out of The Wife’s way and also to pour some really good beer (Oberon, Two Hearted Ale, and Consecrator).

The new photo for their ad campaign.

As a bit of a side note I would like to thank Cindy for not only letting me take over the table for her but also letting me have a sweet Bell’s Brewery bottle opener to take home with me!  It made me feel much better after our cat broke my Bell’s Brewery glass some months ago.

This event was an interesting change for us with it being inside a store where the beers are available for sale.  More so than at other festivals, we were able to really sell the beer.  After describing the beers to people and talking them through the samples, it was nice when they grabbed a bottle or a six pack from the display at the table to take home.  It was great to see people having the opportunity to try some beers they probably walked by numerous times and then buy some shortly after getting a free sample (yes the samples were free).

Even without much publicity for the event there was a pretty good turnout for the afternoon (including Ken and Gregg) and I think it cannot hurt the chances for another similar one there in the future.  I know that I can’t wait to work at the next one, whether there or anywhere else!