The Bar Towel

I've heard this crazy rumour that Ralph will be moving the Cask Days festival to another location for 2009.

It's been talked about for the past 2 years.

For the love of God, don't post a title like that! I immediately thought that Volo would be closing or changing hands!

Bobsy wrote:For the love of God, don't post a title like that! I immediately thought that Volo would be closing or changing hands!

I thought the same thing!

So I've used my Magic Admin Powers to change the subject from 'Volo Rumour' to 'Volo Cask Days Rumour', to make sure no-one else has a mini heart attack.

For the love of God, don't post a title like that! I immediately thought that Volo would be closing or changing hands!

I read it first thing in the morning (5am) and I didn't want to open up the post. I too thought that it was going to be about a possible change. Thank god it wasn't.

As for the relocation of Cask Days, as TorontoBlue mentions, Ralph has been toying with the idea for two years now but has said he loves hosting it at Volo because of its initimate atmosphere.

Um... the title is "Volo Cask Days Rumour" not "Bar Volo Rumour".

Besides, this was a more serious idea this time. There were too many left-overs this year and the tight space is a tad limiting.
I'm telling ya, he's going to move it next year.

denguy wrote:Um... the title is "Volo Cask Days Rumour" not "Bar Volo Rumour".

Besides, this was a more serious idea this time. There were too many left-overs this year and the tight space is a tad limiting.
I'm telling ya, he's going to move it next year.

Way to read the whole thread. (Hint: GregClow's post)

Okay, fine!
I had like 6 666's that night as my local now has it on tap. I was typing with my beer gloves on.

Just giving you a hard time No worries.

Hee-hee, he's arguing about his own post. This board just gets better & better

Ralph is in England at present learning more about the great British brewing tradition first hand. Ralph would tell you at length about the pros and cons of this event moving to a different venue. He always seems to end up deciding Volo is the place it should stay. Perhaps you should give us some idea of the source of this "rumor" or are you simply speculating on your own hunch?

IMHO a different venue implies a larger one. Therefore it would mean an expansion of the event...not necessarily it terms of beer variety but rather in terms of patron quantity. I'm really not keen for the event to get bigger since each year it's felt like our own private jewel that I'm really not keen to share with Joe Sixpack. Bigger events mean greater need for revenue which means more marketing and, all too often, lowering the bar somewhat in terms of quality. I'll use the Buffalo Brewfest as an example...from all accounts a shadow of the glory it was in its first few years.

No, until the event sells out entirely for all sessions I don't feel there's a need to grow it by switching venues...and even then perhaps it should remain small and intimate. But ultimately that'll be up to Ralph. We'll see.

IMHO a different venue implies a larger one. Therefore it would mean an expansion of the event...not necessarily it terms of beer variety but rather in terms of patron quantity. I'm really not keen for the event to get bigger since each year it's felt like our own private jewel that I'm really not keen to share with Joe Sixpack. Bigger events mean greater need for revenue which means more marketing and, all too often, lowering the bar somewhat in terms of quality. I'll use the Buffalo Brewfest as an example...from all accounts a shadow of the glory it was in its first few years.

No, until the event sells out entirely for all sessions I don't feel there's a need to grow it by switching venues...and even then perhaps it should remain small and intimate. But ultimately that'll be up to Ralph. We'll see.

I disagree with this for 2 reasons:

1. If growing this events means more revenue for Ralph, then we should support that wholeheartedly. (Naturally, there may be a dip in quality, but I'm certain that he will make every effort to keep it to a minimum)

2. Bigger events equals increased craft beer awareness. Unless I have completely misunderstood, increased craft beer awareness amongst the public at large is a win win. No?

Jon Walker wrote:No, until the event sells out entirely for all sessions I don't feel there's a need to grow it by switching venues...and even then perhaps it should remain small and intimate. But ultimately that'll be up to Ralph. We'll see.

It was awfully close to a sell-out this year. I think the bulk of the unsold tickets were for the friday afternoon session, which is un surprising, since most people would have been at work. To get tickets for the most popular session, people had to line up more than an hour in advance.

-Josh

Jon Walker wrote:IMHO a different venue implies a larger one. Therefore it would mean an expansion of the event...not necessarily it terms of beer variety but rather in terms of patron quantity. I'm really not keen for the event to get bigger since each year it's felt like our own private jewel that I'm really not keen to share with Joe Sixpack. Bigger events mean greater need for revenue which means more marketing and, all too often, lowering the bar somewhat in terms of quality. I'll use the Buffalo Brewfest as an example...from all accounts a shadow of the glory it was in its first few years.

Holy shit, John, maybe Ralph should just move this event to your house?

Jon Walker wrote:No, until the event sells out entirely for all sessions I don't feel there's a need to grow it by switching venues...and even then perhaps it should remain small and intimate. But ultimately that'll be up to Ralph. We'll see.

Well, I'm sure glad you don't run the event!