Building bridges between our web and print content is always a goal for WC. So, today’s five questions with Neva Parker have been plucked from a longer interview you can read in our Dec/Jan issue here. In addition to her role as White Labs‘ Lab Manager, Parker is the Event Chair and Secretary for the San Diego Brewers Guild. Update 12:55 p.m. – Parker will be leading a tasting of six beers that demonstrate the impact of yeast on beer’s overall character at Bottlecraft in Little Italy on Tuesday, December 13th at 7 p.m. Cost is $15; call 619-487-9493 or email info@bottlecraftbeer.com to hold a spot.
Let’s start by talking about Beer Week’s kickoff event — the Brewers Guild Festival at Liberty Station. How many attendees were there?
The VIP session I know was sold out – that was over 500 tickets and then we sold about 2,300 for general admission. So, close to 3,000 and that’s not including the brewery members, allied members, vendors, et cetera.
Why wasn’t the VIP section marked off like in 2010?
We decided as a committee that last year it didn’t really work out very well because there was confusion and once the general admission opened nobody really hung out in the VIP area anymore. So it just didn’t really seem to make sense to do it that way.
There have been a few industry members that have taken to social media to gripe that the Guild Fest used to be a smaller, more intimate event with brewers and industry members. So I guess the question there is — how do we grow the culture without watering it down?
It’s a fine line and it’s difficult to find that balance. I think what we’ve seen is that we want to grow as a Guild and we’re trying some different things to help us grow. This partnership (with FM 94/9) I think was a good thing, but we may also have to bring it back to what it’s really gotta be about. It’s important to take all that feedback and try to figure out a way to grow but also maintain all the integrity of the what the Guild stands for. I certainly don’t want it to be thought of as another drunkfest. That’s not what it’s for.
The Guild Fest got lucky this year by missing out on the rain. Is there potential for an indoor venue?
I like the outdoor venue because it’s San Diego, but I know there’s always going to be that risk for bad weather. I mean, we’re lucky because we live somewhere where it’s usually pretty nice. But there’s always going to be that chance so trying to build that into whatever we do is the smartest way to go about it. So, I’m not sure. I’ve talked to a few people about some different places that I think would be cool so we’re going to look into those options and see how viable they are.
Are there plans for paid positions in the Guild?
We’re talking about it, yes. There are going to be plans made, but we don’t know exactly what that position would entail yet. It’s going to be really important as we move ahead because it’s difficult for volunteers to make the time because they all have their own jobs and busy lives, so if we really want Beer Week and the Brewers Guild to be successful we’re going to have to have somebody who is dedicated to serving the Guild as an employee. I think everyone agrees it’s necessary.
Stay tuned next Friday for five more questions with a local craft beer industry member. Do you know someone that has a unique perspective on the industry? Let me know by emailing ryan@westcoastersd.com