Dear Brewer,

Over a decade ago, I took my years of experience running festivals and beer events for the Association of Brewers and put them to work building the Triangle beer market. My leading tool was the World Beer Festival.

During the nearly fifteen years of running the World Beer Festival-Durham, plus five years of the World Beer Festival-Raleigh, I have helped create one of the most exciting beer markets in the country. This year we debuted our World Beer Festival model in Columbia, South Carolina, to enthusiastic reviews, creating a focal point for South Carolina beer lovers.

Now Im taking our model and our vision to another neighboring state, Virginia, and Im asking for your participation. Im pleased to invite you to the first World Beer FestivalRichmond, August 29th, 2009. As with the other three World Beer Festivals, the World Beer Festival- Richmond will stay committed to helping our brewery friends develop a local beer market and beer lovers community. Our mission — to create the best beer event and turn the community on to the joys of great beer — drives all four of our events.

Our festivals are designed to get people excited about beers — excited about their depth, variety and beauty — then to go out and buy them, challenge retailers to carry them, introduce them to other beer lovers, become as passionate about beer as we are. Thats our job in a nutshell: building local beer markets.

How do we measure success? Its actually pretty easy. First and foremost, did a lot of people get even more excited about beer because of our work?

Our partners think so. A key A-BI wholesaler says we grow his craft beer portfolio. The largest retailer in one of our markets talked about an incredible surge in sales after our event. A Miller wholesaler talks about our promoting the growth of beer and having a positive affect on sales. A leading multi-tap bar sees a substantial bump in sales after our events. A craft beer wholesaler likes how our events create many sales opportunities. Another off-premise owner noted the increase in sales, and in brands, resulting from the festival.

Come to Richmond with us and enjoy our exciting festival — large enough to reach an expanding group of beer lovers, but still small enough to offer an atmosphere that is educational, fun and safe. This is the first of many years in Richmond. Come help us build a great beer community.

Cheers,

Daniel Bradford
President & Publisher, All About Beer Magazine

» Register here.

» For more information about signing up, send an email to the World Beer Festival Beer Coordinator.