After 4 or 5 years of no BCTC, they ran one last year. It was considerably smaller than all the prior years I attended. All the old hands who had figured out how to pull it off successfully were no longer there and although I am sure all involved tried very hard, there seemed to be less organization. For one thing they held the event in late September when prior years were always late July or early August. While it was more comfortable weather, it got dark much earlier. Still, it is a treasured tradition with a small group of friends, to attend. We went a lot of years and other than the first year we went, we volunteered every year, allowing us to get in on Friday, as we generally worked the big VIP dinner on Friday night, Well, that dinner is no longer staffed by volunteers, so that went away. Last year we checked in VIP attendees on Friday afternoon, which still allowed us to get in on Friday. This year my bum knee is being problematic, limiting the amount of walking I can do and that means no volunteering this year. So, I bought a VIP ticket to see if I have one more year in me. At least they moved it up to the end of August. I am hoping for a little larger attendance and another year of no rain on Saturday. Anybody going this year?
I went to last year’s event with two buddies. They both complained about the high price of tickets. I did a quick web search for this year’s event to see: “GENERAL ADMISSION (8/23 ONLY) + More Details $125.00 + $12.08 Service Fee $137.08” I am 99.999% sure my buddies will balk at paying close to 140 bucks for this event. Cheers to you for having a deep pocket!
No matter how hard the brewery tries, it is difficult to have a successful beer event without the energy of the crowd. Attendance will be important to its success. On Friday night I get a meal (hopefully good), entertainment and all the beer I will need. What does that cost anywhere in the area when you are drinking Ommegang beers? Saturday will again be all the beer I need, the energy of the crowd, comradery and entertainment. Everyone has to put a price on what the event is worth and remember that it is always possible for the brewery to lose money on the event. I am not sure how Ommegang works the deal with the other breweries that come but at the Virginia Beer Festival about ten years ago we were told that those sponsoring the event pay the breweries to attend and supply some set amount of beer. If ticket sales flop, they either eat that investment or cancel some of the guest breweries. That said, I do understand you concern on price as I had a lot of lean years when I was younger.
Yes, not having the financial wherewithal can be a constraint. Also, for folks like me who have a wife, spending this exorbitant amount comes with some negotiation. I wish Ommegang well here but I wonder if they are pricing out a lot of folks who would otherwise attend. And once again: Cheers to you for having a deep pocket!
Looks like Untappd is involved. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16S2oDvcu2/ . Bought 2 VIP tickets this week. I am kind of shocked that VIP tickets remain as I heard in years past sold out quickly.
Just saw on Ommegang's website that BCTC 2025 was cancelled ten days before the event. I wonder if ticket sales were that bad. Thet four year absence and the changing beer scene combined to ring the death knell for BCTC. Another tradition lost.
Anyone know what happened? No explanation on the website. Canceling 10 days before is crazy for an event like this (would assume they still need to pay for a lot of things). If it was sales they should have known at least a month out. It’s not like ommegang is an independent brewery. Last years though smaller was fun (especially their beer share) This is not a good look. Guess the fun’s over
I guarantee it was tickets sales. Those tickets went onsale in early May, I bought my VIP tickets in July, and there were still VIP tickets left just before they cancelled. Those VIP tickets used to sell out almost immediately. Hell, I did not even know about it until I saw an ad on Untappd. They probably start setting up about a week before, confirming breweries, setting up tents, renting tables, etc and they probably had a ten day window to cancel before the event.
