For all you comic book nerds....

More info, including the discount link for those who aren't brewing and want to join us...

Greetings future inhabitants of Homebrew Island!

Yes, it’s that time again.  Time to pack up your corny kegs, tap handles and your precious brews and head to Racine Wisconsin for a day of pouring, tasting, and sharing the bond of making heavenly elixirs.

But first there must be a little business to take care of:

As soon as you know whom you will be bringing from your club I will need the names of those people.   4 names per counter.   I close my list the Wednesday before the event, so please, do not delay.    

You have probably heard by now, but this year's theme is SUPERHEROES!!!!     Run with it.

Also, please read all the information below and make sure the volunteers that you are bringing have heard or read it all as well.

After reading this, if you have any other questions please feel free to direct them to me by email.   Shortly before the event I will give all of you my cell #, but for now, email is the best way to get a hold of me.

1.The vendor gate will open at 10:30 am.   Pull in to the south gate of the zoo.   Homebrew Island is the first clearing on your left as you enter the grounds.   There are no assigned booth spaces.  See me about where you will be setting up your bar.    The earlier you come, the better your chances of getting the spot you want.  Once you have unpacked your car, drive north through the north gate and park your vehicle.    Parking is at a premium around the zoo, so carpooling is encouraged.

2.We want you to be set up on time so that you might enjoy the complimentary brewer’s lunch, which is from noon to 1:00.   As you come thru the vendor gate you will be checked in by name, given your wristband, glass and ticket for the brewer’s lunch.   Only those whose names are on our list will be admitted through the vendor gate.    Period.   If there are last minute changes to your club participants, you can replace one of your 4 members with another, but the new person MUST  have the name of the person that they are replacing to get in.    You may not pick up wristbands and glasses for your people that will be coming later.   Every club member must check in thru the vendor gate in person to receive those items. 

3.VIP begins at 2:00 pm.  Absolutely no cars or trucks will be admitted thru the south gate after 2:00.   If you arrive late you will have to cart your product by your own hand truck.    No exceptions.

4.If you want electricity for your booth you must let me know asap.   It is available, but the lines will have to be run before Friday, so if you do not ask for it in advance, we probably won’t be able to accommodate you on Saturday. Please bring your own extension cords if you need them

5.Bar counters will be provided—one per club.    If your club has a pop-up bar and does NOT require one of ours please let me know.  We save our pennies where we can.

6.Other than that, you will need to bring your own pop-up tents, buckets, jockey boxes, etcetera.  Also a sensible addition to your list should be shims of any sort.   The ground is very uneven at Home Brew Island, and you may want to steady whatever it is that you are setting up with bits of wood, etc.

7.Ice, rinse water and dispensers will be provided by the GLBF, brought to your counter when you arrive, and serviced all day.   I will make every attempt to stay on top of everyone’s needs, but there are now 20 of you and only one of me, so send someone to me if I am missing you and I will get it all taken care of as efficiently as possible.

8.A 3oz pour line is marked on the  event glasses.   Please, …please observe it.  This is a tasting event.  Not a “let’s get S$%t-faced” event.   The GLBF is under scrutiny by those who license us,  those who insure us, as well as the local law enforcement.   Though you are not licensed bar tenders, we trust you to not over-serve your products to our clients.   If you want to continue enjoying this event for years to come, your co-operation in this matter is crucial.  I will be observing you as you pour during the day, and if you continue to over-fill glasses, your club will not be invited to return to other HBP events.

9.At the end of the event I will come by to tell you that it is time to pull your taps.   This must be done on time, and is also under scrutiny by those who are just looking for a reason to not allow homebrew at these events.  

       10.  Spread the joy!   Check out our website at        https//greatlakesbrewfest.com

then go  Like us on Facebook

            at:  https://www.facebook.com/events/218186185349670

11.You will be provided with a laminated sign with your brew club name and logo.   These are property of the Great Lakes Brew Fest, that we may use them from event to event.   Please do not pack them up as you leave.   I will collect them at the close of the event.

       12. and last but not least, there are 2 ways to buy discount tickets for Home Brew Islanders.    The best way is to go to;   http://www.etix.com/ticket/c/A998DA824074BB27C8223CC6864DCD99/glbf-beer-sponsors

  You may buy up to 15 tickets at the discounted price with the code:  BABBLE.     These will give you 10.00 off the 50.00 ticket price, but it has a 4.03 handlers fee.

If you go thru the GLBF site there is a $7.00 discount and  $4.12 handling fee with the code HBI18   (I don’t understand it either.   Just passing along the info)

Thank you all so much for participating in the Great Lakes Brew Fest.  Home Brew Island continues to be the jewel in the GLBF crown and I know how much labor it takes to make all those beverages, then travel here to share them.  I look forward to seeing old friends, meeting new ones and taste what you’ve been cooking up this year.   

Is there another event going on?