Bats move Browning's tap again ...

Since we now have seven operational breweries in the Metro area, maybe a unified training plan could be developed. Roger?

Unfortunately, since each state has its own set of rules, a unified training would not work across the two borders. It honestly makes doing business a lot harder with customers coming from different rules. People from Kentucky look at me like I'm an idiot when I have to explain why their kid can't come in the store, or why I can't sell a cold soda inside my store. At least I hope they are looking at me that way because of the laws.

Since we now have seven operational breweries in the Metro area, maybe a unified training plan could be developed. Roger?

Unfortunately, since each state has its own set of rules, a unified training would not work across the two borders. It honestly makes doing business a lot harder with customers coming from different rules. People from Kentucky look at me like I'm an idiot when I have to explain why their kid can't come in the store, or why I can't sell a cold soda inside my store. At least I hope they are looking at me that way because of the laws.

I was suggesting a unified Beer School; how to tap, pour, sell, and discuss Craft Beer not legal issues.

I was suggesting a unified Beer School; how to tap, pour, sell, and discuss Craft Beer not legal issues.

That sir, is a much better idea. Selling craft beer is fun. Talking legal issues is not.

The Cicerone program strikes me as (potentially) the way to go. If not full certification, then using the Cicerone syllabus as a starting point.

http://www.cicerone.org/

Neither the Bats management nor Centerplate will ever give a damn, so expecting them to care is the dictionary definition of beating a dead horse.

When Michael Borchers was running Oldenberg, and Oldenberg "participated" in the Bats concessionaire program (grimacing through euphemisms), he reported that the only way he could be sure that Oldenberg was being served -- not served properly, but being poured at all without being removed on the whim of the concessionaire, contract notwithstanding -- was to be at the park each night supervising.

I suspect Browning's will have to follow suit, and I'm sure that will be difficult. If they don't, Centerplate will shrug, pour Bud from the same tap, and giggle all the way to the bank.

Since we now have seven operational breweries in the Metro area, maybe a unified training plan could be developed. Roger?

Wow! Seven? I can only count six breweries. BBC St. Matt, BBC Clay & Main, Brownings, Cumberland, Grant Line and Bank St (if it is operational?) My homebrews don't count.

Wow! Seven? I can only count six breweries. BBC St. Matt, BBC Clay & Main, Brownings, Cumberland, Grant Line and Bank St (if it is operational?) My homebrews don't count.

Cumberland has a pub brewery and a production brewery.

I am suprised that someone from Brownings does not man the booth. They are a contractor for Centerplate, I assume, and therefore supply thier own beer, cups and manpower with Centerplate taking a cool 30% off the top. Thats how the German Roasted Nuts are anyway.

Depends on the price that Centerplate pays the wholesaler for the kegs.

Since we now have seven operational breweries in the Metro area, maybe a unified training plan could be developed. Roger?

Unfortunately, since each state has its own set of rules, a unified training would not work across the two borders. It honestly makes doing business a lot harder with customers coming from different rules. People from Kentucky look at me like I'm an idiot when I have to explain why their kid can't come in the store, or why I can't sell a cold soda inside my store. At least I hope they are looking at me that way because of the laws.

I was suggesting a unified Beer School; how to tap, pour, sell, and discuss Craft Beer not legal issues.

I am starting to put together some Beer 101 classes. I was hoping to do these at least once a month. But, maybe we should think bigger. I would love to get together with the local brewers and make this more of a "Craft Beer" event, as opposed to a singular brewery event. I always figure that we're all on the same side, fighting the same fight against the macro swill merchants, so why not educate the masses together? How great would it be to have a symposium with reps from various brewries discussing various aspects of this business we all love? Thoughts?

In which case: Can Browning's have one of its own people, or a volunteer, at the booth to sell the beer (and make sure the right keg's tapped)?

Probably a law against that.

Correct. At least by my understanding of the law. That would be "providing something of value to the retailer" which is generally illegal. If Centerplate wanted to pay for the Browning's employee to work the booth then it would be kosher.

Depends on the price that Centerplate pays the wholesaler for the kegs.

Same price as any other retailer.

I am starting to put together some Beer 101 classes. I was hoping to do these at least once a month. But, maybe we should think bigger. I would love to get together with the local brewers and make this more of a "Craft Beer" event, as opposed to a singular brewery event. I always figure that we're all on the same side, fighting the same fight against the macro swill merchants, so why not educate the masses together? How great would it be to have a symposium with reps from various brewries discussing various aspects of this business we all love? Thoughts?

David,
Drop me line if you need a hand with this. I have some ideas about this and I have a great venue that can accommodate lots of people. If you want to take it down the Cicerone route, I also have access to a draft system that could give them some practical hands-on experience as well as few in-house experts.