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"TheBeerNut":34239uyf wrote: It's better to just say "Here is a good thing" than "The thing you previously enjoyed is not good, here is something else".[/quote:34239uyf]

For the visual impact it's good to refer it back to something familiar though. To show that pale ale isn't just another lager for example. There's more to going to a craft beer pub and asking for "their Heineken".

Until about four years ago I was under the impression that there was three types of beer and all brands fell into one of these categories, that is the perception which needs to be remedied. We don't need to say "what you drink is crap, we know this is better so you should do as we say". It doesn't have to be negative, more like saying that while we all love vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice-creams, there also exists another few nice flavours that are worth trying too.

"brian_c":1dxltfh3 wrote: To show that pale ale isn't just another lager for example. [/quote:1dxltfh3]

I don't think it matters if people think Galway Hooker, Or, Blarney blonde are lagers as long as they want to drink them. The majority of casual Hefeweizen drinkers think they're drinking cloudy, wheaty lager. Before I started brewing, I was interested in finding new and tasty beers but I was largely under the impression that lager was yellow and ale was darker than yellow. It didn't make me want to drink tasty beer any less.

IMO the overall message should be, "Craft beer is great because.......... If you like what you're drinking today, here's where you can get it."

Somebody was talking about a mobile app. If that was available in time, it would be a great to have a "Go to [insert appstore] now to find great beer near you"

"Diablo":1czpnv25 wrote: Somebody was talking about a mobile app. If that was available in time, it would be a great to have a "Go to [insert appstore] now to find great beer near you"[/quote:1czpnv25]

And I'm planning to have it launched for the festival.

I don't think most people are all that interested in how beer is categorised and I don't think it's all that important for us to educate them as to what beer falls into what category. If they ask, fine but there is no need to set out to teach people.

This event will have all sorts of beers available and people will be trying new things. If they don't come out of the event with a liking for craft beer, then nothing we can say will change that. Our job is simply to remind people that these beers are not just for festivals. At least one or two of these beers should be available in their local pub, all year round and if that isn't the case, maybe they should ask the publican why.

presenting something along the line of, "this one is bad,but this is better" is never a good idea. To present a product you point out its positive attributes and do not refer to its competitor.
I also find that you should not volunteer information to someone because you think that they need to know it,but rather do it the way you teach a child and answer a question asked with just the basic information. People only absorb so much the first time they get info and if they want more info they will think first and then asked.
As this is coming up soon maybe a small compilation of information that we can agree on should be put together.

I think I am terrible at explaining things, everyone seems to be taking a completely different point from my post from what I am making in my mind. I think we have to be about more than "where to get craft beer" but also "why drink craft beer". Maybe people coming to the festival will be the type of people who are knowledgeable about it, but maybe some people will be coming for the night out, will try it that night and then forget about it. Does our remit to promote craft beer in Ireland only extend to those who are already looking for it?