New time, new place?

[sub82]

I thought Ciaran and Shane's award winning English IPA was upstaged by their coffee porter! Wow!

Coffee porter! I'm sorry I missed that!

Yeah Barry +1 on the midweek working better. It was good to have the room to ourselves and chat a bit more about the beers.

[Amac47]

Just back from a wedding in Manchester but would like to add my tuppenceworth re Thursday.  Good night and a sure pointer for the way to good.  Thanks Chris for organising the room...made all the difference being able to hear ourselves speak!   Loved Cairan and Shane's IPA and I am planning to put have a go at the coffee porter for Christmas.  Is it 4 shots of expresso per 5 litres Ciaran?
Great night...I'll be back!

[Ciaran]

Yep that's what I did but it was finger in the air stuff and more like 4.5 litres.   Have to say it tasted a lot less acidic/sharp than I was expecting and made quite a difference compared to the one with no coffee.  Definitely the nicer of the two.  I'd rather learn how to get the coffee flavour from the grain but this worked well and will brew it again for sure.

[Amac47]

Just been speaking to Jackie ( House of Homebrew) and she was telling me that several people went to the Hudson last Wednesday and said that they couldn't find us!  She said that they were there from 7:45 and yet couldn't see anyone! She also said that they had asked various members of the bar staff but were told they knew nothing of our whereabouts!
I know that we didn't get the room that was originally planned for us but surely someone in the building would have known of our whereabouts!   Anyway I will post a message on the House of Homebrew Facebook page and apologise for any mis-understanding  on our behalf.

Alan

[Paddy]

Good idea Alan.  I have to admit that for the few meetings I've shown up for none of the staff were able to tell me where to go.  Or if they did direct me somewhere it was the wrong place. 

I only ended up finding the room in the end as I happened to have phone numbers for some of the other guys at the meet.  It never occurred to me that new people might have the same problem.

I would think some sort of sign would help here, but it wouldn't be much use it the room is always changing on the night.  Having another attendee's number always helps but this means publicly advertising someone's number.  Unless someone has a spare phone/sim lying around that can be used for the club on meeting nights for navigationally challenged people like me...or is that verging on the edge of excessively austere?

[Amac47]

Perhaps we could all wear funny hats to make us conspicuous failing that individuals carrying plastic bags clonking with bottles would not enough!  A contact number would be the obvious solution or a last minute made-up sign placed on or around the bar area.

[DEMPSEY]

The next time your in chat up the bar staff particularly the ugly ones. By charming them they will remember the good looking brewers and which room they are in.

[Bazza]

several people went to the Hudson last Wednesday and said that they couldn't find us!  ......... they had asked various members of the bar staff but were told they knew nothing of our whereabouts!

That's pretty embarrassing and makes us look like a shower of amateurs. Actually, it makes the Hudson look worse. I was first down that night. The staff had no idea of the booking and informed me that the middle bar was only open to the public at weekends. When they finally were convinced, we had to wait till they'd finished using the top bar for staff training.

Yeah, maybe a sheet at the door or the downstairs bar would be good for next time. We should arrive there with a blank template which we can fill in with exact location when the penny finally drops 

In fairness to the Hudson, they couldn't do enough for us when we finally did get settled, which is always the case. Still, I wouldn't want to go booking  my Christmas dinner there - oh wait; we did, last year 

-Barry

P.s. 'Spoons, anyone? Wednesday's chicken night too. Just putting it out there, like.....

[Paddy]

Wouldn't hurt to give spoons a go!

Always willing to try anything once.  Plus who doesn't like chicken? 

[sub82]

Just been speaking to Jackie ( House of Homebrew) and she was telling me that several people went to the Hudson last Wednesday and said that they couldn't find us!  She said that they were there from 7:45 and yet couldn't see anyone! She also said that they had asked various members of the bar staff but were told they knew nothing of our whereabouts!
I know that we didn't get the room that was originally planned for us but surely someone in the building would have known of our whereabouts!   Anyway I will post a message on the House of Homebrew Facebook page and apologise for any mis-understanding  on our behalf.

Alan

Ahhhh that is really bad actually! Especially when we're shifting things about trying to get new members.

So spoons then? I can give them a call next week.

[Bazza]

So spoons then? I can give them a call next week.

I'm in there at least once a week, these days, Chris, so I can ask someone this Thursday when I'm more than likely in for Curry Club.

Cheers,

-Barry

[sub82]

Good stuff - let me know how it goes!

I'll hold off confirming the Hudson until we know and I'll try the Garrick, hopefully today.

[Bazza]

So was in 'Spoons there for our weekly curry club.
Spoke to a couple of guys behind the bar about the possibility of using their upstairs for club meets and they seemed fine about it. I gave them printed details of the club, the NHC, and what the meets would involve and they said they'd pass it on to the manager who's not back until Monday, but sounds positive.

The only issue was that we didn't clash with nights that the CAMRA lads use if for their meets.

Anyway, I'll know more after next Monday but, if they give us the go-ahead, are we all in favour of switching to 'Spoons for the next meet to try it out?

-Barry

[Paddy]

I'm in favor! Up the road from work too...might be dangerous.

[sub82]

Great stuff Barry - that sounds good!

I contacted the Garrick on Tuesday and they've just got back to say they'd also be interested in hosting us.

I'd be happy with either and it's good to know we've a few options!