Right, this is a bit of a mad one.
I had a moment of madness yesterday and emailed the lads who put on Vantastival about having a brew day there during the festival, here's what I got back.
Hi Dan,
We are definitely open to that idea. Can you fill in the attached form and let me know what day you'd like to come, do you have a marquee etc?
What do yis reckon, is it doable? We can get electricity there, but would probably have to bring water along with us.
Sounds like a good idea.
Not hard to bring some buckets of water.
Fair play Dan. Sounds an interesting brew day.
I had a look at their website and it says no bottles or cans allowed. How would that work if we were to bring our own and maybe hand out samples (as i'm sure most of us have bottles)?
Just another thought. Since it is a big enough event, it might also be a good idea to maybe get a homebrew shop on board. For example, they supply a kit, mash kit and extract kit for the day and we have their posters around the stand or even invite one of the lads along to talk to people aswell.
There really is alot that can be done here!
Consider doing a small batch on gas, getting a big electric rig up and running could prove challenging.
Best of luck with it, sounds fun!
This could be a runner all right. Can anyone get their hands on a marquee or gazebo or plain old big tent?
Does anyone have a gas burner?
Could we get a banner/cards or something from HBC HQ?
I've emailed the Homebrew company to see if they'd be on for a bit of shameless self promotion!
Chilling wort will be fun.
If its a small volume (<10l), filling a bucket/trug with cold water once or twice should be enough. Dip your pot in repeatedly to cool it.
I'll mail them back and see about access to a tap
defo a few water taps on site, 2 or 3 where the campervans park up plus another 1 near the first aid tent and another near the Valhalla stage.
this year the courtyard area will be in use and should be a few taps there.
Nice one Blueshed, a man in the know!
Great little festival, nice set up and BYOB is always good. last few years also a little bar with a red ale on cask last year.
great idea dan. let us know how we can help
They want to know how many passes we'll need, who's on for this?
which day are you looking to do it on?
Probably the Sat if that suits everyone, but open to suggestions.
I'll have to check with the boss first.lol.(i already have 2 whole weekends in May dedicated to beer related things) but i'm sure I can arrange it
Shane at THC got back to me. He'll throw a couple of kits in with the next order anyone from the club makes. Anyone in the market for a few bits?
I am up for this, only down the road from me.
Saturday would suit me.
I can supply big tables for brewing on also Cormac has a big van which might come in handy.
What are we thinking a kit and all grain, what to brew?
If there is a problem with bottles for sampling, i might be able to spare a keg.
Right, here's the latest. I was talking to one of the organisers there and he's going to sort us with 2 or 3 passes for the Sunday. If anyone else wants to come along he'll leave their names at the gate they just have to stick a tenner in the donations box on their way in.
He's going to set us up in the bar tent, so we've a bit of shelter now. We'll have electricity and there'll be a tap in the bar as well.
The bar's being run by Vanguard beers so there should be a few tasty options on the go.
The Homebrew company will set us up with kits. If anyone is thinking of ordering anything from them in the next week or two will you let me know and we can organise getting the kits sent out with their order.
We'll have to bring our own tables, banners, brew gear and the like, but other than that they're looking after us.
Do we need to know anything else?
Quote from: helmet on April 14, 2015, 03:12:20 PM
Right, here's the latest. I was talking to one of the organisers there and he's going to sort us with 2 or 3 passes for the Sunday.
Just a quick question, are we on for the Saturday only and Sunday is an offer of tickets? I think i confused myself :-[
You certainly earned a pint at this for the effort that you put in.
I was thinking that i've a 30 meter (wind up) hose that i could bring along with the screw connection and the house tap adapter - just in case we're stuck. I can also bring a few bottles of wine (red and white) for sampling so it isn't all beer. I'm sure we'll know closer the time but we can organise a list of what we need for the brewing itself so we don't realise we don't have a wort chiller, extension leads, etc. I'll offer all of mine if required (its electrical).
I might be ordering in the next week. The minch malt is tempting, so i'll let you know before i do so. It might be nice if the Homebrew Company have a few flyers also since he's donating the kits.
Would it be nice to have a logo/flyer for our club regarding details, contacts, etc? It'd go well with the HBC banners.
Lastly, who's bringing the bbq? Or would it be too much hassle? :-\
He reckons Sunday is the best day for us.
Hi Dan
Well done landing vantastIVal great idea
Count me in I will help out
I don't think i mentioned it but count me in too
Fuckin' A!
I've no expertise to lend to the brew but if you need another pair of hands..
it'll be great exposure for the club and the NHC too. We could be doing with having our own logo. wasn't one of the new Louth guys a graphic designer? Probably too short notice at this stage to get a design made up and printed out
Fair play to the HBC for sponsering some kits. Out of curiosity, what kits are we doing?
Hey lads, I'm the graphic designer, when is this on? might be able to knock something out!
Quote from: Acott on April 15, 2015, 04:26:36 PM
Hey lads, I'm the graphic designer, when is this on? might be able to knock something out!
Brilliant stuff! It's on over the May bank holiday weekend, does that give you enough time?
Clinto is putting in an order with THC tonight. So, we need to decide a few things. Do we do 2 brews? One LME kit and one AG? What kits do we ask for? I don't think we haven't stick to stout/ale for this, you'd think we might be able to spring an IPA or something on a festival crowd?
Also what can people bring on the day for sampling? I'll have an APA, a black IPA and maybe an amber ale.
Get back as soon as you can about what kits to order, cos Clinto's ordering tonight.
Also, do we get a precrushed mash kit or should we mill on site?
I don't think the kits really matter as they'll be drank by somebody after the brew day. It'd be more important to have tasty stuff to sample. If the HBC could maybe give us the cheapest all grain, extract and kit. I'll also ask for some flyers if the hbc have them. I think if we crush them beforehand but maybe bring a mill to the event for ease.
I've an ipa ready in time with a few bottles of wine (red and white).
If anybody needs anything for themselves, shout and I'll throw it in the order for you
It doesn't really matter what we brew as its not like they will be drinking it.
I would pick something that you want to drink.
For all grain are we getting a mash kit or do we make our own recipe.
Did you ask them about us bringing samples are they ok with that?
Samples are fine as long as we guard the bottles with our lives, they've a no glass on site policy.
TBC said they'll send us mash kits, probably handy to show beginners that you can get them anyway.
So, will we go with whoever wants to bring along a fermenter on the day gets to pick the kit? I don't fancy trucking one back to Drogheda! Will we do 2, or maybe just have the LME kit at the stand to show how easy it is to start out?
Oh yeah, I've been on to Rossa and Partridge about getting some NHC propaganda to fire out on the day too.
What size would you want the banner lads? I've got a good printer who can do PVC banners so they will last out in all sorts of weather, 6.5ft wide by 3ft high with 14 eyelets, delivered by Friday week roughly €30
Quote from: helmet on April 15, 2015, 06:57:16 PM
Samples are fine as long as we guard the bottles with our lives, they've a no glass on site policy.
Use Cornies?
I had some time to put together a logo.
I wasn't sure if you wanted to use Wee County or Louth, and also the EST. Date escapes me.
I'm not 100% sure of the font for Wee County, this can be changed. The St.Brigids representing our link to Louth, can be changed also.
Let me know what you think lads....be brutal!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24502376/WCB.jpg)
Quote from: Acott on April 16, 2015, 09:55:00 AM
I had some time to put together a logo.
It looks really good. It has everything, hops, grain etc. I like it. The correct year would have been last year, newly formed and all.
I'm sure that this would look really good on the banner you mentioned. It'd be something we'd always have. What does everybody else think?
hmm size-wise i'd have no idea what size we'd need. I think its a great design. i'd leave out the st. Brigids cross.
Nice work!
Maybe try a cuchulainn figure instead of the cross?
Louth land of legent type thing.
"wee" does look a bit odd with the font; no suggestions right now though..
That looks great! I'd be on for switching the cross out too. I'm all for hangovers, not catholic hangovers.
If Acott goes ahead with this we could.do a whip around to cover the 30 quid, yeah?
Good feedback lads, I'll amend and upload a couple of font options and maybe work on switching out the cross for something else. Are you all happy with Wee County Brewers, rather than Louth Brewers?
I like the Wee County myself.
The Wee county looks good.
I have no problem paying towards the banner, we could have a whip around at the next meeting.
I take it there is a limited number of people that is going to be able to go to the brew day, unless tickets for the event are bought.
Obviously Helmet is first on the list, will we have a list of who is interested in going?
Yup, we'll hopefully be getting 2 or 3 tickets, but I've been told that if there's a few more on the list their names will be left behind the ticket desk on the day and they'll just have to stick a tenner in the charity bucket.....bargain!
Thats cool then.
I can bring a big table.
For the all grain brew do we want to do BIAB or 3 vessel.
i guess the most logical way to decide the 3 passes is to whoever is bringing the gear we need e.g.
1. Dan the Man - for obvious reasons
2. Cronan - for the tables
3. Niall - for the hose & connects
i don't mind dropping a tenner on my way in for this. Pity we can't take glass bottles but I can see the reasoning behind it. I might have some bottles of my Brown Ale in PET bottles but probably only 5or6 of them if that's any good
The glassbottles are fine, we just have to make sure the empties leave with us, that's all.
Let's say there's 6-8 of us, 6 bottles a piece would probably be plenty. I don't know about the keg idea. Remember we'll be set up beside the Vanguard bar and wouldn't want to be pissing on their parade.
Would a BIAB be easier to do on the day? I could bring along my mashtun, just to show that option.
BIAB probably would be the easier option, it will show folk how easy it can be to make good beer and with little space
Hey lads,
I was tinkering with the logo and the Land of Legends idea, here's what I'm working on, just have to finish the mash paddle in his hand and clean him up a bit but thought I better show it to ye before I do.
It's a bit more edgy than the first, let me know what you think!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24502376/lol.jpg)
Crapshite, meant to change the date to 2014! :-[
Is that a probe?
Quote from: johnrm on April 17, 2015, 12:14:23 AM
Is that a probe?
;D ;D ;D It's actually an unfinished mash paddle
The Wee County Probers :o
I think we'll remain brewers ;D
Less like a probe, more like a mash paddle!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24502376/weecounty.jpg)
That looks really good. Would anybody like the motto 'the land of legends' put in somewhere? It might just give it a strong don't mess with us type of message (especially since we've two gold medal winners among us) ;D
That looks cool. Leave it alone O0
That looks brilliant, it also leaves us open to a "that's a paddling" disciplinary policy!
Quote from: helmet on April 17, 2015, 10:35:42 AM
That looks brilliant, it also leaves us open to a "that's a paddling" disciplinary policy!
better than a probing disciplinary policy
i really liked the first design but flipping hell thats awesome. Imagine how hip we'll be with that on our t-shirts. It'll make me look even cooler than my Sons of Anarchy 'Dundalk' one
Quote from: itsclinto on April 17, 2015, 09:20:41 AM
That looks really good. Would anybody like the motto 'the land of legends' put in somewhere? It might just give it a strong don't mess with us type of message (especially since we've two gold medal winners among us) ;D
"The Beer/Brews of legend"?
Celtic-ey mash paddle? probably not obvious enough though..
(https://www.wildvinecarvings.com/images/itempics/miniceltic.jpg)
edit:
Also, if the paddle had a sharp point; spear/weapon like.. halberd even.. it would fit the warrior look really nicely.
Awesome stuff!
Quote from: Herculainn on April 17, 2015, 11:14:54 AM
Quote from: itsclinto on April 17, 2015, 09:20:41 AM
That looks really good. Would anybody like the motto 'the land of legends' put in somewhere? It might just give it a strong don't mess with us type of message (especially since we've two gold medal winners among us) ;D
"The Beer/Brews of legend"?
Celtic-ey mash paddle? probably not obvious enough though..
(https://www.wildvinecarvings.com/images/itempics/miniceltic.jpg)
edit:
Also, if the paddle had a sharp point; spear/weapon like.. halberd even.. it would fit the warrior look really nicely.
Awesome stuff!
I did give this shape of paddle a go, but I couldn't stop it from looking like a cricket bat so I went for the traditional option :)!
Quote from: danger_zone on April 17, 2015, 11:00:44 AM
Quote from: helmet on April 17, 2015, 10:35:42 AM
That looks brilliant, it also leaves us open to a "that's a paddling" disciplinary policy!
better than a probing disciplinary policy
i really liked the first design but flipping hell thats awesome. Imagine how hip we'll be with that on our t-shirts. It'll make me look even cooler than my Sons of Anarchy 'Dundalk' one
How it would look on a T-shirt
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24502376/tee.jpg)
So will we go with this one?
That's class! I'd say we'll be in the market for some tshirts soon as well!
Quote from: helmet on April 17, 2015, 01:40:41 PM
That's class! I'd say we'll be in the market for some tshirts soon as well!
And Hoodies, Glasses, Aprons, Bed Covers, Socks..... :P
;D ;D Cool, will I go ahead and order the banner? I'm away the bank hol weekend but can drop it off with someone!
That'd be brilliant Acott, thanks a million. We'll sort you out for the monies soon.
any objections then for me to go ahead and use the pic for the Facebook page?
its a day for a few homebrews in the garden lads
Not a problem! Do you need me to send you a particular size? Do you have a copy of Illustrator?
i've a resizing thingy-ma-jig on the laptop i can use if i need to
Looks good. Good job moving away from the probe!
Talk to Tom Hopbomb for your printing requirements.
Did the kits arrive yet?
Yep the kits arrived yesterday. We've the Discover America Pale Ale (extract kit) and Olgas Oregon Stout (mash kit). I chose them because they are at the opposite ends of the spectrum and people can relate to them.
I had a chance to look at everything today and it appears that we don't have any malt extract for the extract kit. Should i pester Shane about getting the malt extract or should we provide them ourselves?
Just arrived today, happy with how it turned out!
Pint in there for scale :)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/24502376/20150421_184342.jpg)
That banner looks class, fair play Acott! Would you be able to organise getting it to one of the lads in Dundalk. Danger Zone maybe?
Does anyone have any DME lying about?
I think I have a Coopers kit somewhere I can bring just for show.
Should we bring along a few types of grain/hops for the table too? I can bring pale malt, chocolate, cara amber, rye, magnum leaf and mosaic leaf.
Can we get a list of equipment people are bringing on the day? Just so we know we're not missing anything.
Oh yeah, is anyone on for taking a batch home with them? I can take a fermenter if needs be, but only nobody else wants one. (bagsy the stout if that's the case)
Helmet: mash tun, fermenter,grain and hops.
Love the banner.
I can bring me boiler, bag, chiller etc for a BIAB brew.
I will let someone else bring the fermenters as I have a good stock of beer.
I have brewed the discover america pale ale before, tis nice but some more hops would help. I can bring some to jazz it up.
Great stuff!
Clinto or Danger Zone can one of you bring a boiler for the extract kit?
That banner turned out great. yeah, I can pick it up any time that suits
I've no DME unfortunately but I can bring along crystal,chocolate and biscuit malt for display. I'll see if any of the euro shops have some of those glass jars to display them in
I can take along my boiler if yis want and a couple of blankets to keep it toasty during the mash. Mine only has one kettle element in it though and Clinto's has 2 so I dunno if ye'll want that instead to heat the water up quicker. Either way is fine with me. Not sure if i'll have a fermenter free though
Agree on the Discover Pale Ale. Nice kit but needs an extra dose of hops maybe a dry hopping
The banner will look great in our corner of the pub, nevermind the festival :P
I've no DME either. I didn't know if it'd be cheeky to send an email saying you forgot this since he's donated the kits already. :-[
I'll be able to bring my boiler no problem, another one with a spare element for hot water if neccessary and anything else we need, just shout. It might be easier setting up a separate thread with what we need for the biab, mash and in general and who is going to bring it. For instance i've a long hose with tap adapters that i can bring for the chillers. We probably need the usual brew stuff plus maybe hops, yeast, grain, tables, chairs, towels, a bin/bag for rubbish (not too sure here), cups, sanitizer, tasters, etc.
hi lads
Great work on the banner and all the organization
I have not been in for a while been a busy few weeks with new job and new baby
I can bring a fermenter and dry malt extract
What other bits are needed?
Accott is you need the banner collected and paid I can organise to meet you any evening that suits
you?
Regards
Brian
As it's for the club I don't want any payment lads, a homebrew would be sound enough!
I can drop it off with anyone on Saturday, ping me a PM and we can arrange something 8)
Quote from: Acott on April 22, 2015, 10:23:53 PM
As it's for the club I don't want any payment lads, a homebrew would be sound enough!
We won't leave you out of pocket! We'll sort you out when we see you :P
The latest from Vantastival HQ is that we can rock up on Sunday at around 10 to set up. Should we meet somewhere like Fitzpatrick's first and head down together? Clinto, do you fancy a lift?
yeah it makes sense us going in together. I'll get on to Barney and see if the 2 of us can go up together for handiness sake
what are we taking for samples next week?
i was looking through my beer supplies and turns out i only have enough Brown Ale left for the Garden County competition. I didn't realise I had drank so much of it. I hope the festival goers won't mind drinking some of my experimental chilli beer
I'm hoping those chillies have calmed down a bit. ;) I'll take a few red and white wine. I've also a few ipa that I'll bring to sample and drink also
If the punters don't drink the chilli I will!
I'll have a pale ale and a black IPA.
I can bring a stout a red and a pale ale.
How much are we bringing?
I've to ring the lad who's running the bar, just to make sure he's happy enough with how much we give out (they're serving platter boards of craft beers).
I suppose independent on how many of us are bringing beer. If we aim for about 50 bottles between us (200 decent samples). What do yis reckon?
Quote from: cronan on April 25, 2015, 07:55:15 PM
How much are we bringing?
I was thinking 6 to 10 bottles as tasters but for some reason I don't think it's enough. Might bring a few more even if we don't have to open them
Just off the phone with Eddie who'll be running the bar on Sunday. Sound lad,ready to help us out with anything we need on the day.
The bar will be pouring Rascal's Big Red Hop and Ginger Porter, Black Donkey's Sheep Stealer, 8 degrees' Bohemian Pilsner and Jack the Lad Irish Pale Ale.
The only thing he's asked us to do is to send people on to him if he has anything resembling what he has. So, "if you like Cronán's Pale Ale you should try Jack the Lad" that kinda thing.
So who all's bringing beer? Will we aim for 50-60 bottles?
Looking forward to this now!
Nice selection of beers there! Everything seems be on track. The only thing we need now is the weather :-\
I hope yis are all brushing up on your brewing lingo so we can at least pretend that we know what we're talking about ;D
Righto, we're getting 2 passes for the day. I've to forward names now. Could anyone planning on attending send me their full names and I'll forward them on to the Vantastival folk and they'll just have to stick a tenner in the charity bucket.
Box office doesn't open till 11, so that's when we can land.
Will we meet in Fitzpatrick's for 10.30?
So far I have myself, Cronán, Clinto, Danger Zone and Barney on the list. We're allowed one more.
Does anyone else have beer/wine they can bring along?
If not the first person to PM me their full name goes on the list.
Roll on Sunday!
Quote from: helmet on April 28, 2015, 08:54:03 PM
Roll on Sunday!
Can't wait! Do we have an itinerary of our day? What's our plan of action?
If you are setting up a brew demo/stand you don't wait till the box-office opens. Get there about 2 hours early and get set up. Waterelectrics/tables etc. You will be amazed at the chaos!.
When you have the basics set up you can then get some water on to warm. Brewing is like the old movies "Oh my god the baby is comming - quick get the water on to boil"!
Then relax, check the free samples and chill till the public arrives.
How do I know this? Coz' I and a few others have been doing it for a few years at the RDS and Altech!
I'll take some wine Aidan brewed
Quote from: Will_D on April 28, 2015, 10:46:27 PM
If you are setting up a brew demo/stand you don't wait till the box-office opens. Get there about 2 hours early and get set up. Waterelectrics/tables etc. You will be amazed at the chaos!.
When you have the basics set up you can then get some water on to warm. Brewing is like the old movies "Oh my god the baby is comming - quick get the water on to boil"!
Then relax, check the free samples and chill till the public arrives.
How do I know this? Coz' I and a few others have been doing it for a few years at the RDS and Altech!
Thanks for the advice Will, but we can't physically get on site until 11, let the madness ensue!
So far the weather doesn't look too great. Might be an issue when moving stuff but luckily we're under the tent!
Sunday, 03/05/2015
Time Forecast Temp. Precipitation Wind
00:00–06:00 Light rain 9° 0.4 – 0.7 mm Fresh breeze, 9 m/s from east-southeastFresh breeze, 9 m/s from east-southeast
06:00–12:00 Cloudy 9° 0.1 – 0.4 mm Light breeze, 3 m/s from eastLight breeze, 3 m/s from east
12:00–18:00 Heavy rain 13° 2.3 – 11.1 mm Light breeze, 4 m/s from southeastLight breeze, 4 m/s from southeast
19:00–01:00 Partly cloudy 14° 0.1 mm Gentle breeze, 5 m/s from southGentle breeze, 5 m/s from south
Conditions are pretty poor atm. Muck everywhere. Defo bring rubber boots and plenty of layer's as it's cold.
Quote from: Blueshed on May 03, 2015, 04:22:56 AM
Conditions are pretty poor atm. Muck everywhere. Defo bring rubber boots and plenty of layer's as it's cold.
Thanks for the heads up ;D
Good luck today lads, hope the weather is kind!
Great day had, that banner was the talk of the place!
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/6cf0513b90f59dac9964fa77d3ad10bf.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/934af668f3215cacc10745c0a2aed974.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/03/dc15f198bb830f3668402795e37d6b29.jpg)
What a handsome guy there
Great day again guys. Huge success
Great exposure guys. Fair play.
It was pretty much a success I think. Plenty of people asking all the questions you'd like them to ask. A few headbangers on the mooch, but you can forgive that. Good craic!
Wow i am hungover after that, good craic was had
Quote from: cronan on May 04, 2015, 09:58:34 AM
Wow i am hungover after that, good craic was had
That explains why the brew went to plan ;)
Hats off to helmet for organising the brew day and everybody for the laugh. We definitely got the name out there. It was a super day and hopefully we can do another one soon enough. Really enjoyed it
Hi lads
Great day yesterday lots of nice people asking interesting questions apart from the wild drunk lad and his mate Maddog who are back living in the forest and working for 12 days straight on a building site did any one swap any beer for weed !!!!
I think we gain one or two new members also and met some genuine nice people
Thanks helmet for coming up with the idea and all the work you put in I am hoping to have stout samples ready for June meeting
Haha I couldn't believe it when he took the drugs out in front of us
I thought it was pretty cool that yer one from the pub thought we were commercial and wanted to stock our beers
I don't buy the living in the forest story. You just know he lives in an apartment full of Ikea furniture somewhere!