Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

Ideal for chugging honey.

 

This is not in relation to BM, but when i finally made my way up to the bar to order, I tried to order 3 drafts, all different beers, and was told that I could only order 2. Upon making my way back to a table with a group of friends none had an issue with ordering multiple beers. Not a big deal as I was able to sample from others I met up with but some cohesiveness in nice.

As for the inital rush, I would suggest taking a page from JO's releases. They implemented this system and it seems to work somewhat. Have someone at the door, acting as a host/hostess, and only allow in so many people at a time. This allows things to kick off in an orderly fashion. No for them its somewhat better as they have a waitstaff and can take orders and fill them as the go. May be tough with just a bar staff, maybe use the jockey box area for people to get refills as others are still getting initial orders? Think there is a way this could be adapted to VooDoo. Also agree with the pre pours as well. I can see space being an issue, but filling pitchers might alleviate this.

Cant really get behind all the other suggestions. Smaller pours is not the answer, tickets I dont like, just because its more money put out by the customer. I think you have to keep the bar seating, thats probably another 20 or so people that you would have to relocate to somewhere else in the space. Maybe have a "service" area, that other bars use for waitstaff that way it automatically keeps things orderly?

 

Yeah I don't like the ticket idea unless it's fleshed out better. People that missed out on allotments for whatever reason could then try them on tap.

 

Not sure I follow, my take on the ticket comment was that they would hand them out to first in line based on how many pours they anticipate for the specialty beers but not charge any extra for them. This would solve the multiple fills per customer as well.

 

Exactly, think this is pretty common practice with limited drafts. Give people one of those little tickets as they walk in (or before) and they hand it over when they buy their pour. Keeps it to 1pp and avoids a mad rush but still allows them to let everyone in at once.

 

My response was to the suggestion that this type of event become ticketed. It was mentioned that tickets be sold as an option when we signed up for BRCIV. I have never experienced tickets being given out for limited draft pours, and would question how that is calculated. How are spills, overpours and the like accounted for? Not saying its a bad idea, would just be curious about that aspect. I understand that a sixtel or whatever contains x number of pours.

 

Before Saturday, this has never really been an issue at either pub. I guess adding Black Magick into the mix changes things. I can say without a doubt that we will never move to a "ticketed" release party. As you've described, it's not fair to those who weren't able to purchase allotments. That being said, we understand that we need to do better going forward, and we will. We'll have something in place that is not only better for you, but our staff as well, for the Barrel Aged Tap Takeover at Homestead on 4.16.

 

Did you try reselling the BBQ pulled pork sandwich on mysandwichcellar.com at a 400% markup?

 

FT: BBQ pulled pork sammich ISO: Cantillon Blaeber

 

I wouldn't let that go for anything less than Don Q..

 

You guys sure know how to beat the hell out of a dead horse, resurrect it and beat it again!

 

I did send a buddy a fatheads sandwich with juju last month tho since he loved it so much. Held up well in a box to VA, should have thrown in one of these as an extra now if I would have thought of it.

 

To add to everyone's suggestions...

I also think having a bit smaller pours on the limited stuff would be a good way to spread the love, as well as making sure all people serving beer limit it to 2 pours per person, and it can't be the same beer. ie: 2x pours of Black Magick.

Maybe it is overkill, but I honestly wouldn't mind seeing the "corralling" of the line very similar to how we purchased the tickets/allotments. Have most of the bartenders focus on that line, and have 1 or 2 at the main bar for closing out tabs, second rounds etc.

EDIT: Also.. pre-pours! I think pouring off 25ish of each limited beer would help move things along quicker.

 

Sorry man, I couldn't resist.

 

Advice for future releases: don't do smaller pours.

Also, maybe @london1o1 can explain, but there was a roped off section near the far side of the bar. I thought it was for a line to get beers, I don't know though. If it wasn't for lines, what purpose did this roped section serve?

I personally thought things were fine, given the circumstances...but I got there early enough and tried everything. Even had a seat at the bar that some of you guys want to eliminate. Don't do that either.

Get there earlier.

 

Yeah at the end of the day I think everything was fine (no major complanits), but every beer release I have been to could always be a bit better. Overall had a great time and it was a great event.

 

@voodoobrewery you guys make awesome beer. And do the best job you can. I wasn't able to attend. FWIW, I've been to several release types that include tickets for a certain number of pours. Most recently was BA Blackout at Great Lakes. They handed out tickets for anywhere from a 2 or a 5 oz pour for each ticket type. You know how much beer is in the keg and can easily figure out how many tickets will satisfy the kegs you have on hand for the event.

I went to a Founders CBS release recently. They sold tickets in person about a month before the event. Same idea. You can show up anytime during operating hours for your pours of the release beers. Since the announcement of the tickets being sold didn't sell out that night they sold the rest of the tickets when the event opened.

 

Did I miss something?

 

We actually did pre-pour like 25-30 BMs, as well as some glasses of the other stuff. They disappeared pretty much immediately.

 

Couldn't wait anymore... this beer is above and beyond as delicious as I hoped. Great job Voodoo!!