a microbrew, a microbrew, my kingdom for a microbew

This weekend I participated in the annual Old Kentucky Home (bicycle) Tour sponsored by the Louisville Bike Club. As always, it was a splendid event. I was especially happy to see the number of local sponsors - both in terms of the financial/supply support and, on the flip side, the advertising of these businesses to the 1,000-1,500 rides (+ those non-riders who join us in Bardstown). These local businesses include Heine Brothers, Tony Boombozz (might-te tasty after the 55 mile return ride today), Nancy's Bagels, Kentucky Backroads Photography, Joe's Older Than Dirt, River Bend Winery, and so on.

What you will note in that list is the absence of any microbrewery. That was unfortunate because, after riding 72 miles, there was nothing my semi-dehydrated body wanted more than something in the beer family that featured hops and more hops. The "beer tent" on sight offered Bud and Bud Light. What a bummer!

I'm not lodging this as a complaint against the Louisville Bike Club (all volunteers) nor the local Microbreweries (as I don't know what information they have). I just wonder in brainstorming those businesses needs to make the trip a success - coffee, pizza, wine, bagels, etc. - why the difference between a local microbrewery and national piss water may not have been considered. In broader terms (thinking of the Madison event Roger had difficulties with), is the "beer choice" never considered at such events? Is all beer viewed to be the same? Is it too risky to include a microbrew, or go microbrew only?

I do plan to give my feedback to the Louisville Bicycle Club on this matter. Like I said, it was a great, great event (as always). I just really would have liked to have some real hops on the lawn in Bardstown, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one with that hankering.

***Paging Roger Baylor (are you guys affiliated with any cycling events in IN? prob not, as post-ride beer does not work for one day rides, such as Harvest Homecoming).

*** And yes, I had bourbon. It was good. But it was not a post-ride beer.

Speaking only for NABC, we heard nothing about any of this. Outside of Jefferson County, we have no territory. If the beer tent was inside Jefferson County, then yes, it's mightily disappointing to have Bud as the only beer choice after such a ride. I'm sure they bribed someone for the privilege.

If there was any opportunity to take part, I find it hard to imagine that BBC wouldn't have been right on top of it, which leads me to believe there was no opportunity. I could be wrong.

I'm totally open to future possibilities. In Indiana, we have considerably more leeway to operate because we can self-distribute, and have a catering permit.

I await further information. Have I ever told you how much I detest A-B and everything it stands for?

Have I ever told you how much I detest A-B and everything it stands for?

Not today, but I always like to hear it

Outside of Jefferson County, we have no territory. If the beer tent was inside Jefferson County, then yes, it's mightily disappointing to have Bud as the only beer choice after such a ride.

[...]

I await further information. Have I ever told you how much I detest A-B and everything it stands for?

do you mean marketing territory or, on the other hand, legal territory? I have zero knowledge of the legal side of things, so please educate me. The "beer garden," as it was called, was in Bardstown. As for marketing, there were 1,500 people there - the majority from Louisville and the surrounding area. How would the "territory" be different for a Louisville microbrewery?

You hate A-B? No, really? I would say you need to have that checked out since hate is bad for the heart and soul, but then I'd have to go to counseling too, because I have the same hatred.

If I'm not mistaken, we have legal distribution in Jefferson County alone. That's why I mentioned BBC, reasoning that they're statewide (excepting dry places that I tend to avoid).

I know River City eavesdrops here, so perhaps Ryan can fill in the blanks. I get the sense there's no way we could have played even if we'd known.

If I'm not mistaken, we have legal distribution in Jefferson County alone. That's why I mentioned BBC, reasoning that they're statewide (excepting dry places that I tend to avoid).

I know River City eavesdrops here, so perhaps Ryan can fill in the blanks. I get the sense there's no way we could have played even if we'd known.

I hear you. I wasn't trying to imply that you should have - but as a cyclist and beer dude - I was sure you would have both information and an opinion. If nothing else, at least we got in a few more shots at A-B!

Shhh ... don't let A-B hear you. They get all sensitive when criticized. Hankies, anyone?

My guess is that any number of distributors would have been wiling to step up and donate some real beer.

I remember finishing a marathon in Chicago one time (I think it was a pretty good time, good enough to qualify for Boston) and seeing plentiful Sam Adams beers being handed out not too far from the finish line. Now Sam Adams (a contract brewer, not truly a micro-brew) isn't my favorite beer in the world, but it sure tasted great after running 26.2 miles. I may have even had two. Then my friends and I hit Goose Island brewpub. If there was only Bud and Bud Light, i would have passed on it. And probably been pissed off.

The event organizers should definitely be told - in no uncertain terms - how disappointed you were with the lack of real beer. Perhaps find out who to talk to to make sure there is good beer next year. Many people have never been exposed to good beer, so they may have just chosen the same stuff they have in their fridge at home. So I'd say pick up your phone and work on next year...

Cheers

I know River City eavesdrops here, so perhaps Ryan can fill in the blanks. I get the sense there's no way we could have played even if we'd known.

Since I've been called out, I guess I'd better take a stab at it...
The term "territories" was used earlier in the discussion so I guess we should start there. For the purposes of beer distribution, territories refer to the geographic areas where distributors and suppliers (brewers,importers, etc.) have an agreement to distribute their product. Since the majority of Kentucky counties are dry, territories here are typically defined by the wet counties any given distributor services. Bardstown is not serviced by any of the major beer distributors that service Jefferson, Oldham, & Meade counties. So, while the bike ride began in one territory, it finished in another.

If the organizers are looking for a specific brand they should contact either that brewery or the distributor who sells it. If they're unsure what exactly they want, a distributor should be able to help point them in the right direction based on things like budgets, pricing, sponsorship opportunities, etc. Regardless of which route chosen, they'll work with you to make sure the right products are available and that no one goes home thirsty.

Many people have never been exposed to good beer, so they may have just chosen the same stuff they have in their fridge at home. So I'd say pick up your phone and work on next year...

That's been my experience. People typically default to the lowest common denominator, often assuming that if something is the best selling brand in the market it must also be the best.

If I'm not mistaken, we have legal distribution in Jefferson County alone. That's why I mentioned BBC, reasoning that they're statewide (excepting dry places that I tend to avoid).

Actually, your brands have been approved for sale in all wet counties of the commonwealth. You just need to decide who, if anyone, you want to distribute those brands in the remaining counties. Drop me a line if interested and I'll help you with the process.

(excepting dry places that I tend to avoid).

My home county for instance. I campaigned pretty heavily and wrote an editorial to get it to "moist" status back when I was in high school. Only the worst aspects of human nature can be responsible for denying a man beer. The only bright side is that we have wet counties in very close proximity.

Matthew, I for one hadn't heard anything about the event. It's a shame too, because we had a trailer full of our microbrewed beer just down the road for an event at Bernheim Forest. I would have been happy to coordinate some of that being dropped off in Bardstown.

It's kind of surprising that the local bike club didn't approach a local brewery first. From my experience, cyclists are for the most part really into craft beer. Might have been due to a personal connection or cost considerations.

I had no idea that there were dry counties in Kentucky. You learn something new every day. As an English women such a term as a dry county is totally incomprehensible. My biggest gripe about living in Southern Indiana is that in England there is a pub on every corner, and in Southern Indiana a church. I cannot mention bud and bud lite in the same sentence as talking about beer, but that pretty much goes for most domestic beers in my view. Yes, give me something with some flavor. As to alcohol free beer, it is about as pointless as caffeine free coffee in my book.

Roger, sorry to be ignorant but what is A-B??

A-B is Anheuser-Busch, the now Euro-Belgo-owned Great Satan.