Winterbrewed [General]
2013 Feb 16
Great time, really nice to see some life on Sparks.
Full disclosure, I got there at 11:30 and didn't wait in line for anything, so my experience wasn't typical (from what I'm hearing). Logistics were a mess, ticket booths were a gong show by the time I left at 2:00. Great beer and food though, prices were pretty reasonable too. Brewers were pretty generous with the pours.
Beau's Dubbel Koyt for the win.
Full disclosure, I got there at 11:30 and didn't wait in line for anything, so my experience wasn't typical (from what I'm hearing). Logistics were a mess, ticket booths were a gong show by the time I left at 2:00. Great beer and food though, prices were pretty reasonable too. Brewers were pretty generous with the pours.
Beau's Dubbel Koyt for the win.
2013 Feb 17
We ended up walking over at about 3 and didn't have enough time or desire to stand in the lengthy lines at all 3 ticket booths. There was a separate line (and only one that I saw) for those who had prepaid to pick up their wristbands, glass and tokens. Not much of a lineup to get beer at that point. I was impressed at the number of people out on a cold afternoon. We were not impressed at the lengthy lineups. Sadly we went to the clocktower in the Market for a quick IPA. BTW Darcy McGee's was doing well on the mall - lineups to get in for some warmth and their beer.
2013 Feb 17
Yeah, 3 brasseurs did pretty well off of it too by the sounds of it. We prepaid and were at the Elgin booth at 11:30 behind 2 other people. It took us 10 minutes to get our package. Didn't bode well.
I am curious how much of the delays was due to stricter rules from big brother because of the public street thing. Hearing a lot of negative feedback, hope it doesn't scare them off from doing it next year.
I am curious how much of the delays was due to stricter rules from big brother because of the public street thing. Hearing a lot of negative feedback, hope it doesn't scare them off from doing it next year.
2013 Feb 17
By the time I got there around 3 yesterday, the lines for the tickets were long, even the prepaid line (which I was in).
I couldn't find much information about pricing online, other than the option of buying the standard package (cup plus 1 token for $11) or beer lovers package (cup plus 10 tokens for $31). The tokens are 10 for $20. Most beers are 4oz for 1 token, 8 oz for 2 tokens. The exceptions are some of the more fancy or festive/seasonal beers (cask, gluten-free, etc), which are 2 tokens for 4oz. The food varies, but generally in the 2-4 token range.
Waiting in line, I overheard a guy that worked with the team organizing the security for the event saying that the organizers expected 250 people. That would explain the overall disorganization of the event.
Despite the lines and cold, I had a great time. I enjoyed the selection of beers, particularly the seasonal options that I haven't seen in stores. There was a vanilla bean stout (can't remember which brewery it's from, unfortunately) that smelled like cookies to me. If you think of it as the equivalent of going to the bar for a pint, you may not find great value. I viewed it as entertainment and loved it.
I couldn't find much information about pricing online, other than the option of buying the standard package (cup plus 1 token for $11) or beer lovers package (cup plus 10 tokens for $31). The tokens are 10 for $20. Most beers are 4oz for 1 token, 8 oz for 2 tokens. The exceptions are some of the more fancy or festive/seasonal beers (cask, gluten-free, etc), which are 2 tokens for 4oz. The food varies, but generally in the 2-4 token range.
Waiting in line, I overheard a guy that worked with the team organizing the security for the event saying that the organizers expected 250 people. That would explain the overall disorganization of the event.
Despite the lines and cold, I had a great time. I enjoyed the selection of beers, particularly the seasonal options that I haven't seen in stores. There was a vanilla bean stout (can't remember which brewery it's from, unfortunately) that smelled like cookies to me. If you think of it as the equivalent of going to the bar for a pint, you may not find great value. I viewed it as entertainment and loved it.
2013 Feb 17
"Waiting in line, I overheard a guy that worked with the team organizing the security for the event saying that the organizers expected 250 people. That would explain the overall disorganization of the event."
That guy didn't know what he was talking about. If they expected 250 people the event wouldn't have been worth having and the taps would have run dry by 1PM.
That guy didn't know what he was talking about. If they expected 250 people the event wouldn't have been worth having and the taps would have run dry by 1PM.
2013 Feb 17
I went around 530 PM - initial experience was a bit negative, as I prepaid, but since they used eventbrite, they had to check off the numbers against a masterlist - so the line was about 15 minutes despite prepaying.
I heard that the casks were getting too cold! I know I was! I agree with Nommer - it is not as good value as going to the bar, but it was fun. Beau's definitely represented with 8 - 10 beers, some of the others were a little more lackluster (ex. nothing from Ashton that you cannot get at one of their pubs). Plus it was so cold, the beers were turning icy icy icy if you didn't drink them fast.
Other absurdity was that even tho Metcalfe was closed off, you are not allowed to cross with an open beer. Oh Ontario liquor laws...
I heard that the casks were getting too cold! I know I was! I agree with Nommer - it is not as good value as going to the bar, but it was fun. Beau's definitely represented with 8 - 10 beers, some of the others were a little more lackluster (ex. nothing from Ashton that you cannot get at one of their pubs). Plus it was so cold, the beers were turning icy icy icy if you didn't drink them fast.
Other absurdity was that even tho Metcalfe was closed off, you are not allowed to cross with an open beer. Oh Ontario liquor laws...
2013 Feb 17
Had a great time this late afternoon. No problems getting in, 5 minutes waiting in line for admission. Lots to choose from, Broadhead, Cassel, Beyond the Pale, Spearhead and a bunch more. The beer was too cold though, couldn't get the full taste profile, but still enjoyed them. Hope they do this again next year!
2013 Feb 19
I went on Sunday and bought $40 worth of sampling tickets. I also drank $40 worth of sampling tickets (oops).
I had a chance to try a lot of different beer and really had a good time. It was cold (very cold) but the crowds weren't too bad, the entertainment in the Mill St tent was decent and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. I also had the chance to actually talk to a lot of the people at each of the breweries.
It was also a bit fun to be like "yeah, I went to a completely outdoor beer festival in Canada. In February." I met a couple of visitors who were there just for the experience. One Australian said his friends would NEVER believe what he was up to.
I had a chance to try a lot of different beer and really had a good time. It was cold (very cold) but the crowds weren't too bad, the entertainment in the Mill St tent was decent and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. I also had the chance to actually talk to a lot of the people at each of the breweries.
It was also a bit fun to be like "yeah, I went to a completely outdoor beer festival in Canada. In February." I met a couple of visitors who were there just for the experience. One Australian said his friends would NEVER believe what he was up to.
2014 Jan 21
Winterbrewed 2014
Feb 14/15/16
It's undergone a complete makeover. They are moving indoors to 5th Ave Court and the Arrow and Loon Pub.
I wonder what those Aussies would think about that?
Tickets available now.
www.winterbrewed.com/
Feb 14/15/16
It's undergone a complete makeover. They are moving indoors to 5th Ave Court and the Arrow and Loon Pub.
I wonder what those Aussies would think about that?
Tickets available now.
www.winterbrewed.com/
2014 Jan 21
Well, first of all you'll not likely have to line up in the cold (for the morning session anyways), then you'll have the joy of handing over the prepaid ticket (almost $15 worth of value, think of the glass you'll get and the 4 oz pour that's included, or almost $23 at the door but with the same valued added features), then think of all the valued conversations with like-minded beerlovers you'll treasure like forever! and then there are all those beers to savour from far, far away...for 3 hours max, another unseen value can be found in that part of the deal, no?
zymurgist
www.winterbrewed.com/