Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV

There is no sweeter internet irony than someone complaining about someone's complaints. This is an open interent forum where everyone should be free to express an opinion. If you don't agree, provide a counterpoint or something that progresses the dialog instead of just flaming the post.

I think mebuzzard was trying to take the conversation more in the direction of "Is the yearly increase in prices driving off many in the craft beer community." If you've been to GABF and other related events over the past five years, you should have a sense of what he is getting at.

 

My original post was purely being a smart ass, but then I was called out because I don't troll the BA message boards hourly and chime in with my opinion all the time. This time I did.

I agree the Craft Beer community is growing big time! More and more people are seeking out "rare" beers which is driving prices outta some peoples range but it's all about supply and demand. Craft beer can't keep up with the demand of the increasing numbers so prices have to increase to create balance. Some people just have to come to the realization they are no longer the target core audience these breweries and festivals are going after, which sucks but it's the reality of the Craft beer crazy boom over the past few years. Sorry for steering this post off subject.

As for the Rare beer festival IV:
$100 gets us an all you can eat awesome buffet ( I took home a ton of ribs!), a glass, free shirt (please not yellow this year) and unlimited pours from the Owners/Head Brewers of our countries best breweries rare one offs. I had a blast last year and wouldn't miss it. Plus this is for charity so you gotta take the +1 Karma points as an added value!

 

Free shirt???

 

God damn thats a pretty fucking good milkshake, not sure its worth $5 but its pretty fucking good, LOL

Favorite movie, all-time!!!

I say keep your damn shirt and i'll pay $80 and choose if i want a shirt. I just hate if someone puts the "Charity tag" on something everyone has to feel compelled to pay extra.

 

$100? Lulz! This is no surprise given the $22 AC Golden sours , the Crooked Stave Reserve club , and everything else focused on geeks.


I'll stay home and sip on some gueuze instead.

 

Normally I would resist the urge to get involved in a debate like this on the Beer Advocate forums, but as the founder of the Pints for Prostates campaign and an organizer of the Denver Rare Beer Tasting, I thought I would add some context and address some of the comments that have been made that might create misconceptions about our event.

The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is a special event. We are proud of the quality of the event and truly appreciate everyone who has supported it during the first three years, including the brewers, volunteers and ticket buyers.

The Denver Rare Beer Tasting is a beer event, but it is a charity fundraiser. It raises funds for our awareness mission and to support a couple of groups that provide a range of services for men in the fight against prostate cancer, including free testing, educational resources and support services for men being treated for the disease. I am a prostate cancer survivor and have been writing about beer since 1980. We attend dozens of events around the country to reach men through the universal language of beer. Some of these events are free (where guests have the option to purchase food and drink), many are festivals that we don't organize but where we have a booth (prices on most of these range from $30-$75) and others are either hosted by us or a sponsoring organization (usually these cost $20-$30).

I will be the first to say that $100 is an expensive ticket for a beer tasting. But I also believe that the Denver Rare Beer Tasting is still a great value for beer fans and worth the money. The event speaks for itself in the beer and people it attracts. Last year it sold out 11 weeks in advance and we could have easily sold several hundred more tickets if we were at a larger venue. The 500 guests at our event in 2012 will get the chance to taste 32 rare, exotic and vintage beers from some of the best craft breweries in America. Guests at the event will receive a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen, plus a buffet lunch. Additionally, we require each brewery to send a brewer and/or executive to meet and talk with the beer fans at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. The brewers graciously give their time to the cause and happily take photos with and sign autographs for the beer fans at the event.

We have stayed at the Wynkoop for four years because it offers us a convenient venue and maintains the kind of boutique atmosphere we think our guests enjoy. The breweries generously donate these amazing brews, but make no mistake, there are costs associated with holding the event, including the food, printing the programs and signage, glassware, etc. We have increased the beer count at the event and, working with All About Beer Magazine, are inviting a great list of breweries again this year.

The great thing about Denver during the Great American Beer Festival is that it offers craft beer fans an incredible variety of choices. You can buy a ticket to the GABF ($65 + service charge), do a brewery tour at one of the numerous Colorado breweries, attend one of the various events hosted by bars and breweries around town, or just plop down in a seat at one of the craft beer bars and order a pint. We recognize that unfortunately not everyone can afford the $100 ticket (many could not afford the $80 ticket last year), but our goal is to offer a great event that is a good value for the craft beer fans that have the ability and desire to support our cause.

One final comment about the beers at our event and the value of the ticket. These beers are not available at the GABF or in Denver during the festival. Most are hard or impossible to find even in the brewer's hometown. Many times we get beers that are only made for brewery staff, or the last keg of a vintage beer. Generous brewers actually raid their private stocks to offer beers that truly fit the rare classification. Often, when you are lucky enough to find these beers at retail, the bottles are $15+ or a 6-ounce draught is $10+. A beer like Samuel Adams Utopius, which was poured at our event last year, goes for a suggested retail of $150 a bottle (although you can find it online at a multiple of that price). Some of the other beers require you to show up at the brewery on a special day and get in line to buy a limited number of precious bottles. With 32 beers at the 2012 event, if you sampled each during the three hours (difficult, but not impossible), it would average out to $3.12 per beer.

Thanks for taking the time to read this lengthy message. I hope to see you at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting on Oct. 12. Remember: 1. Get Tested. 2. Live Longer. 3. Drink More Beer!

Rick Lyke

 

I don't think anyone is arguing that it's not a great cause and that it's a charity event and therefore usually cost you more money then a similar event for profit.

That being said, I think what people are trying to get at is a 25% increase over last year just seems excessive even if it's for charity and people who helped make the first couple years of the event successful are being priced out. What a lot of these events seems to miss is that it's getting to be an exclusive club of people who can go to these things and it should be an inclusive event if you really want to further a cause.

I'm fortunate enough that $100 price point wouldn't discourage me from attending the event. I've paid more for other charity events I've attended and would gladly do it again.

Just my two cents and one man's observation.

 

I got on a mailing list for the event last year. No word so far this year (I don't have the e-mail addresses either...thanks to clearing out my inbox), but I'll happily do it again. It's actually quite a bit of work, but it's worth it.

The event certainly isn't cheap, but there were a few beers there that were pretty much one-offs or items you'll never see again. It's fun to try those, meet the brewers, and it's a good cause. I'm going to try to go no matter what. I had more fun there last year than I did at the $55 GABF and by the end of the event you can get a full pour of pretty much anything that hasn't run out...which is about 70% of what's there.

 

For the record, one of the best beer events I've ever been to. The lineup will not disappoint if history is any indicator. Also for said record, I would punch prostate cancer in its face. If you can afford it, go.

 

This event is worth it. Good cause, great beer. I went last year and will go this year for sure. Dare I say, this was the single best event during GABF...better than GABF itself.

 

Totally agree that the event was awesome...and worth the money (if you can swing it). For me it's just a bit too pricey at $100.

 

I've only been to the Rare Beer Tasting once, in 2010, but it was one of the best beer events I've ever attended. It was definitely worth the $80 for me, and if I was in town this year I wouldn't hesitate to spend $100 (though that would probably be my spending limit).

What makes this a great event IMO apart from the rare beers is the fact that most of the brewers or company heads show up to pour their beers. Getting a rare offering poured by Greg Koch, Garrett Oliver or Adam Avery and being able to actually talk with them about the brew is something you don't get very often, and it goes a long way to making this tasting special.

 

it's for charity? i need to check with doodler to see if this is tax deductible!

 

Going to GABF and considering this event. Some of you are concerned about these prices, but let me put some dollars into context.

Typical all-you-can drink beerfest costs about $40 for typical beers. Maybe a couple one-offs.
Rarer Beers, limited crowd of 500, talk to brewers/execs maybe a $20 premium.
T-shirt = $15
Buffet = $15
Donation to prostates = $10 contribution.
Puts it at $100.

Will have to save up for it, but looks worth it to me. For those of you who have not met Vinnie, Terence (SN), Tomme' (PP/LA), Matt (FW), Ron (Cascade), Greg (Stone), Jeremy (Lagunitas) and John (the quiet one from Rogue), they are all really great people and are enthused to hear people interested in their beer and new developments.

 

I just read the thread about SAVOR being $120, I would pick this event in a heartbeat over that one (if I had a choice between them).

 

It's steep, I mean I think we can all agree to that. Also, the fact that it was put on for $80 last year, one has to wonder what immediately made the cost jump to $100. More rare beer? More brewmasters on location? More money raised for charity? I would love to know if it's tax-deductible (and what % of the cost goes towards the charity).

 

What time does this usually start, I am wondering if work will get in the way.

 

It says 1-4pm