The Veil Brewing - Richmond

That's the other way I took it but was not sure that was the case after doing the math and seeing the $106 full allotment vs. $90 extra VIP. Not a but difference but for those who are going to purchase all anyway it's a great incentive then.

 

Yeah it definitely says at the end of the to go beer list "these are the items included if you purchase VIP ticket for 150."
No brainer if you are going to purchase the full allotment, yes the $16, but also not having to stand in as big a line and waste time during your session would be nice.

 

One concern, capacity. Forever Summer was 150 people per session for 30 beers. It was perfect in that it only felt marginally cramped when everyone came inside for the raffle. This being 300 people (plus DDs, someone mentioned their 5 year old...) it's going to a lot of people for those 7 beers, heaven forbid if it rains.

On VIP, I'm torn. I want almost all the beers but I'd pass on CCAA. If I get VIP I could look at it like "well, they pack it all up for me and I get a free CCAA so, why not?". This all hinges on Eventbrite letting me in tho.

The one thing that I don't see made clear (and really, the detail here is astounding) - while there are 100 VIPs available for each session and 100 GA for each session online, it says the 300 total tickets being sold from the taproom will be given the option of VIP or GA and doesn't specify that there is a cap.

Reading it that way, it sounds like if each session is 300 people, there could theoretically be as many as 200 "VIPs". I get it, Veil gets to presell all those beers, but they better have a good system for getting them in people's hands at the end of each session.

 

You mentioned the numbers in your first paragraph, the way I read it there could be even more. The event info says that you must be on the will-call list, or accompanied by a person who is on the will-call list. So does that mean that ticketholders can bring guests? They said they will be selling extra drink tickets, so it kind of seems like 300 tickets could easily turn into 5-600 if people bring guests who want to attend and have a couple beers but aren't interested in buying take-home beer.

 

Someone asked this same question last night to which Veil responded. Tix are 2pp when they go on sale and the transaction will be in just one person's name. Everyone who attend (except for the 5 year olds) will need a ticket to enter. So if I buy 2 tickets, one for me and one for a friend, my name will be on the will-call list showing 2 tickets and my friend will have to be with me when I enter the premises. The only way it can inflate to many more than 300 per session is if everyone feels like bringing their kids or a lot of non drinking people want to hang out with the kool kids and purchase DD tickets.

Here was the exact exchange:
Q: "So say I purchase a VIP ticket. According to the event description, I could have one person accompany me, correct? Obviously they would not get cans/bottles/glassware but they could share my 7 pours with me. Or would they need a separate ticket?"

The Veil: "They would need a separate ticket. You need to purchase a ticket to enter the grounds. Even DD's need to purchase a ticket. DD's will be given a different colored wrist band. If a DD is seen sampling their friends beers, they will be asked to leave, along with their party.....
.....Guests are able to purchase up to 2 tickets under one name. A plus one for example. So say you're name is Joe Schmoe. If you, Joe Schmoe, bought 2 tickets under your name, you can bring your significant other, friend, family member, etc. Each guest must have a paid ticket to enter the grounds. There will also be an option when purchasing tickets to list the guest specifically you are purchasing a ticket for. Please keep in mind that tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable."

I believe I even saw The Veil comment that even if a DD is seen holding a stemmed glass for their friend then that would also be grounds for being asked to leave.

 

Posted on the BTV fb page but in case you are not on that here's info about the BTV Group's glassware they have created. Post from this morning state they have sold 120 of the 400 glasses since opening up orders 12 hours ago.
____________________________________________________________
Below you will find the order form for the official Behind The Veil glass with artwork designed by official Veil artist Tim Skirven and approved directly by Matt and the folks over at The Veil. Please pay attention to the following guidelines when ordering.

1) You will need to VENMO first to Dan Noll (at)Dan-Noll. Before you complain (which some of you will because you always do), Dan is fronting all the cash and storing all the glasses as well as distributing. This is the best way we can to make sure he collects the money. Transaction number (required) is emailed to you from Venmo.

2) Follow the directions!

3) Out of state orders: We will not ship. You can order and then designate a proxy as you'd like. It will be up to them to get with Dan and then ship them to you.

4) We are shooting for 400 glasses. If we sell them all, we will have raised right around $2,300 for a charity of the Veil's choosing.

5) Previous orders in the old spread sheet will not be honored. Sorry, this is the best we could do.

Cheers y'all!

ORDER FORM

Behind The Veil Glass Order Form
- Complete the form once you have submitted payment via Venmo to the user name Dan-Noll.
- Each glass is $10. Limit 2
- Keep your Venmo email and order form.
- No Shipping!! Pickup is TBD, I live in Bon Air so if you're local we will work something out.

 

The more I think about this anniversary party, the less its a sure thing for me. $60 is a lot of money for 7 6oz pours, I don't need any more glassware, and I don't want CCAA. I'm sure the BBA Sleeping Forever will he good, but I almost never drink stouts any more and I have a ton of them I need to drink through as it is. I'll probably still try for a ticket, but I don't think I'll be too disappointed if I don't get one.

 

Considering that the average price for a 6oz pour there is 5-6 dollars, I don't think it's bad. You get exclusive (lets be realistic, nothing is going to be left for the public after this) access to some pretty cool new beers, plus some other great ones from the past, the glass, the bag, and the experience of being at the first one of these ever. I'm not saying they're giving away tickets or anything, but they could charge more and still sell out easily. I find the fact that they don't overly capitalize on the hype to be admirable on their part.

 

$60 seems pretty fair considering everything included.

 

I don't think its unfair at all, I think I personally just need to stop putting a premium on "access to new/rare beers", etc. I like pretty much everything The Veil makes, I'm starting to feel like my money would be better spent there on a regular weekend. That's just me though.

 

I wish more people had that iffy attitude, this thing will probably sell out in minutes online and I'd like to go.

 

Looks like a nice deal, quite fair, but I think I'll be sitting this one out. Not a huge fan of crowds to start with and as hyped as this will be, I think I'm good without dealing with it.

Have fun to all those who get to go!

 

I was able to make it over to RVA for the first time and it is happening. Veil, mekongs pub and andall and was pretty typsy walking out the door at nights end.

 

They went so far as to say they would ask the entire group to leave if the DD is seen holding a glass. I appreciate that, btw.

I hope you get tickets! I also hope I get tickets too.

That there are so many being released online is a two edged sword. If they changed the numbers up a bit, like 50/50 taproom and online, or 2/3 in favor of the taproom (instead of the other way around) I'd make the drive to get in line for tickets. Having that many online, people from far and wide will try and scoop em up and really haven't put any effort in, takes away from locals etc. This is a place where I think they really should reward the people willing to stand in line. I think it's fairly certain they will be gone in however long it takes them to get 150 people through the line and lord knows how early people will line up (with no beer in the line to help ease the wait either).

 

it may be more work on their end but at some point they will have to go to a lottery system. Similar to what Hardywood did for their Family Tree Membership as well as several well known out of state breweries do for their clubs and big events. Everyone interested submits their interest via email and then The Veil will choose at random who gets the invite. "Winners" have 24 hours to purchase their ticket or their slot is given to the next random recipient. They could go even as far as to ask for credit card info up front and then charge those selected to save an extra step but then with this those who were not chosen may say the brewery has their credit card info even though not chosen and that's not right.

 

I honestly think most of this is immediately made better if they produce more beer and have a ticketed system with sessions like this coming anniversary event. If they can guarantee enough product for those waiting there's no issue.

 

I agree. Once they get their new tanks and can produce more to meet demand it will be nice and I'm certain the Anniversary Party will be a well run event. There's just always going to be someone who complains about something regardless of how efficient a process is. When tickets are release online through Eventbrite it's almost a given that someone will not be able to access to order page or the site crashes no matter how much prep work is done to prevent that.

 

They did this for Forever Summer which is how I got tickets. They were having too much fun dropping them out at random times from the taproom, then announcing that the first xx people in line on Tuesday could buy them (at 3PM when people lined up at 10AM) etc. I likely wouldn't have gotten a ticket that way. I definitely prefer it, but that's because it worked for me last time when I'd have had zero chance otherwise.

They're making enough for at least 900 people. That's at least 50% more than show up on the craziest Tuesday release. Sorta tough to ask more of them at this point I think. In the future when they up capacity, sure. But man, nearly 1000 allotments when a giving Tuesday could max out at 300 is pretty solid imo.

 

Completely agree. I'm literally a bit over a mile away, but I'm gonna be passing. The big thing for me is there is one beer of the seven you get that is undr 8%. I'm sure all the beers will be great, but on a late April day, I personally don't want to be crushing dipa's and high ABV stouts throughout the afternoon. My guess is some of these will still be on draft the next day as well. And Forever Summer was awesome, and definitely had more room for people, but not sure twice as much is that sweet spot. Could be though. Not hating, as I go to the Veil almost weekly, but for my money I want a few more options, and beers I can crush while enjoying the day.

 

I apologize if I'm being unclear. I think this anni event is the way to do it.