Many in the Florida craft beer community were looking forward to a brand-new beer festival scheduled in Crystal River for October 29, 2011. Unfortunately, a short but not sweet email landed last week in the inboxes of those who had signed up for them: “Due to circumstances beyond our control this year’s beer fest has been cancelled.”
Festival organizer Denise Burke, co-owner of the Burkes of Ireland pub in Crystal River, added: “It is with sad regret that I have to cancel this year’s Dark Arts Beer Fest, but will begin work on next year’s in January.”
Burke kindly agreed to an email interview with Beer in Florida to further explain the situation.
Beer in Florida: You seemed to be on track for throwing a really nice festival in Crystal River in October. What happened to derail it this year?
Denise Burke: Short and sweet answer – most of the brewers just couldn’t commit to being in the fest even though they were all excited about the idea and theme. Then the ones that did (only got six registered) just were not enough. We needed at least 20 to make it a successful beer festival and my count was under that. All the other preparations were set and ready to go, and all I had to do was hit a button to activate the online advance ticket purchase for attendees. Which by the way a a great disappointment to hundreds of them that I had to cancel the event.
BIF: Have you received any payments from sponsors or vendors that you need to refund?
DB: There were no sponsors as I (my pub “Burkes of Ireland”) was footing the whole bill.
BIF: Tell us about next year’s festival, and what your plans are to smooth out the hurdles you faced this year.
DB: For next year I plan to start on the brewers right after the first of the year to make sure I get on their events calendars, and as an incentive I am planning on offering something special to the first 15 who register by April 1, 2012.
BIF: Anything else you want to add for the readers of Beer in Florida?
DB: Just that it takes a lot of planning and money to put on an event that will introduce beer lovers to craft beers they may not have heard of.
It is simple promotion for the brewer: If a brewer gets the beer drinkers to sample their beer and then that drinker makes a request of their local bar, grocery or ABC store to carry it … it can and will be done … exposure + request = more sales to the brewery!
We at Beer in Florida hope the festival comes together next year because more beer festivals means greater exposure for the Florida craft beer scene, especially when they are in areas of the state that aren’t considered“hot spots.” Thanks to Denise for agreeing to clarify the situation, and we wish her the best of luck for next year.
Too bad it got cancelled this year, hope it will be held in next year
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