Zwanze at Dieu du Ciel

I don't really know about the festival, but normally these sorts of events in Montreal are quite packed. As per hotels in the area, The Sheraton on Rénée Levesque is my go to hotel, as it is clean, reasonably priced, and... drumroll please... serves many craft beers in their bar, which is a great spot to hang out and watch sports in. It's also near Biermarkt, a brasserie specializing in providing lots of beer from the country.

 

There are no tickets.

The place is tiny and is over crowded which makes it annoying. You're lucky if you get a table but even at that, you get to have everyone's crotch in your face while you enjoy your beer.

 

No ticket price, they are honest about the day yes the place is small. Go to Toronto to Bar Volo once again small, then once again no ticket they are honest about it. I went in Belgium years ago and even saw the Van Roy family that brews the beers getting shitty service in a crowded place. If you want to experience the day it is going to be crowded so are the facts.

 

Try to find the thread from last year, or the year before that. I think I remember people not enjoying it too much because of the crowding issue. But best to check

 

Honestly, it gets pretty terrible. You have to get there ridiculously early or you can forget it. Best case scenario is you get there with a group early and someone grabs a table on the terrasse outside while others go get beer. Get LOTS of beer... because if you want a refill, it can take up to an hour of waiting in line yet again.

 

Think Bar Volo would be the best one to attend. There are beers they haven't put on the list that are pretty insane just in themselves and the line up that they have published is crazy.

 

Wouldn't everyone getting lots of beer make the line even longer?

Edit: quite happy with the system in Vancouver. Free limited reservations (full now) for a few hours in the afternoon and then it opens to the public afterwards.

 

That sounds like a pretty well thought-out, fair system to me.

I love DDC's beers, but honestly the few times I have tried to go there for anything 'big' it is absolutely infuriating how horribly it is run (if you could even call it that). I get that they are a small place and they are hugely popular, but it doesn't even seem like they are aware of that. Every time it seems like it is the first time they've ever been busy and they have no idea how to handle it. And imagine, I have ever been to Zwanze Day, so I can't fathom what it must be like. It's good that they're popular, but I'll just stick to getting their beers in bottle. /rant

 

Meh... How patient are you and how much do you like crowds?

 

Just got my ticket for Volo. Let the shitshow begin...

 

Also very happy with this year's approach to Zwanze in Vancouver. Very cool way to approach it.

 

Volo sucks on a regular weekday. Can't imagine the chaos of Zwanze there.

DDC would be worth the trip as I am a fanboy. Been many times and would show up REALLY early on Zwanze to assure a seat if I was in town.

 

Shouldn't be any issues at Volo, just get there early enough if you care about being there when they open. Although I wish they were doing a tickets only event from say, 3-7pm like the last few years. I can't imagine DDC is any more enjoyable.

 

DDC was kind enough to reply to my question on Facebook. They said people start lining up 2 hours before the event - no advance tickets. Upon learning that, I bought a tic for the Blue Monk's event.

 

Blue Monk and Volo will have similar systems. A ticket gets you a Zwanze pour and a glass but the events themselves are open to everyone, so lineups are possible/probable even with a Zwanze ticket.

Blue Monk hadn't released any details on their draught list yet, but expecting something impressive.

 

Shouldn't be any issues at Volo? I guess if you are ok with how they normally operate, sure. I am not a fan.

 

I mostly agree as I rarely ever go to Volo when I'm in Toronto. But, the first Zwanze event they had was excellent, and everything I've heard about last year has been positive (besides some preferential treatment regarding the keg of Fou). I'm not sure how that could go downhill this year, but to each their own.

That said, I bought a ticket for the Zwanze pour this year and can't make it. So if anyone missed out and wants to try that, send me a PM.

 

Can't go downhill when you are already at the bottom.

If you are a small place why would you think that having patrons running around fetching their own beer makes any more logistical sense than having a wait staff (1 covering 4-5 tables vs. 4 to 5 patrons getting own beer for own table).
Its already tight and add a bigger than normal crowd... forget it.
People manage to have a good time in spite of poorly run situations. Thats why beer is great. When you eventually get some it seems to make the hassle worthwhile. Especially if its really good.

 

How was everyone's zwanze? Biercraft / C&T did a fine job this year - it was so low key and relaxed with great service, and didn't cost a penny. As well as zwanze, there was tilquin gueuze and iris on tap; plus bottles of st lam and vig for on site consumption too. Zwanze was limited to 1 x 10oz pour each for the first 3 hours (when you needed to have made a reservation to get in), then I believe unlimited past 3 when everyone else got in and began ordering. Hope DDC & Volo were suitably fun too!