TOPIC:

I sent an email to the organisers to find out what was going on:

[quote:iyf5yxwo]
Hi Niall,
Thanks for the heads up and please post this to the website. We are not cancelling and 'gossip' such as what was posted is very damaging and confused as to how someone would post such a comment. Could the person who did post it please contact me at the e-mail address I have given later in this mail.
I am involved in a festival that is there to create interest in 'speciality beers'. We have had huge interest to date and this is reflected in ticket sales. I am looking forward to seeing as many people there as possible from Irish Craft Brewers. Tickets are on sale and available from <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="www.greatirishbeerfestival.com">www.greatirishbeerfestival.com . If anyone has any questions so that we dont see untrue comments on the website...please conatct This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . As always we are more than delighted with all feedback.

Regards,
Fearghal

[/quote:iyf5yxwo]

I have suggested to Fearghal that he keep an eye on this thread so he can respond directly.

Thanks for the info

The beer list on the website looks like the Porterhouse on tour.

Just re: the Hooker visit, there isn't anything concrete on this as far as I know, and I also heard Aidan had a bit of a finger mishap (get well soon (and brewing! <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->)).

My preference is to have the Hooker visit a dedicated day for visiting a brewery, getting a look round, (maybe doing a brew?), have a bite to eat, a few beers, maybe have members bring their own beers for swapping/sampling/getting Aidan & Co. to taste. Basically make a big ICB deal out of it. A weekend day suits me best, but that's just a personal preference as I have no holidays left <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

If it was a choice between going to a beer fest in Galway of visiting the brewery of my favourite Irish Craft Beer in the space of one weekend I'd choose the latter, as taking two days away from home is not ideal for me. It would be nice to do both, and if they were separated by a few weeks I might be able to do both.

It seems Barry and I are of a mind on this. If I had to choose, the Hooker visit is my priority, although I will see if I can make both.

I'm the same as Séan and Barry.