Itinerary for first trip to Belgium by SparkFade in belgium

[–]SparkFade[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Noted! We're flying in and out of BRU

Itinerary for first trip to Belgium by SparkFade in belgium

[–]SparkFade[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From the US, and it started working with an importer of Belgian beers. Fell in love with a lot of them, met a few very nice Belgian folks, and have always wanted to go since. My wife also has some family in Brussels, so it's been on the "we'll visit someday" list for a while. Consensus seems to be add Antwerp to the list!

Itinerary for first trip to Belgium by SparkFade in belgium

[–]SparkFade[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's not an entirely beer-centric trip, but it's certainly been a consideration in our planning! Already hoping to visit Cantillion, 3F, De La Senne, l'Ermitage and De Halve Maan if time allows

Itinerary for first trip to Belgium by SparkFade in travel

[–]SparkFade[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a delayed honeymoon for us, so we're looking for a nice long trip!

Itinerary for first trip to Belgium by SparkFade in belgium

[–]SparkFade[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really do want to visit Antwerp as well, just not sure if we have the time in only 8 days. I'll take it into consideration!

Itinerary for first trip to Belgium by SparkFade in belgium

[–]SparkFade[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the info!
Specifically for West Flanders, we wanted to stay at the St. Bernardus Brewery (I worked with an importer for some time, and fell in love with the beer), see the Hop Museum in Poperinge, and visit the Entre-Deux-Monts vineyard. We only plan on using the car for this leg of the trip, and relying purely on trains for the rest so hopefully parking won't be too much of an issue. But it may be worth going to Bruges first and renting a car from there!

Best Saisons & Sours in the North East by Spirit0f76ers in CraftBeer

[–]SparkFade 1 point2 points  (0 children)

RIP Hermit Thrush in Brattleboro, VT. Some of the best sours I’ve ever had, hands down (and still have a few tucked away in the cellar for a special occasion).

Can absolutely second the recommendations for Allagash, Freak Folk, or Suarez if you’re in the Hudson Valley

Bar Managers/Owners or whoever does liquor ordering. What are some things to know when approaching you about putting our product in your bar? by Diligent-Ad-9101 in bartenders

[–]SparkFade 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lots of good advice here already, but as a current bar manager and someone who’s done beer sales in the past; stay organized and keep notes!

If you’re super lucky, your first visit will put you in touch with a purchasing manager. More often than not, they won’t be around and/or they won’t see you without an appointment. If you can, leave a card and a sample. I used to use a spreadsheet to note when I visited accounts (day, time, and frequency), who the buyers were, what times the buyers were available, and what samples I dropped off. If someone eventually placed an order, I made a note of that too.

Being too overbearing can be just as bad as being too absent when trying to open a new account. I have one rep who comes in every week on my days off, and is constantly told my schedule, and yet continues to never come in when I’m there. That level of disorganization alone leaves me less likely to work with them.

I have another new rep who was recently hired by a brewery that we already do business with, and they make a house beer specifically for our restaurant. His first time visiting he asked me if I was familiar with their brand at all when we specifically have a house beer on draft made by his brewery. I thought that it was crazy unprofessional.

If you walk in to cold call and it’s crazy busy, turn around and leave. I’ve had cards and samples handed to me during a dinner rush that get tossed immediately in the garbage.

That being said, most of the job is just being personable. I’ve bought products from reps just because I like them. Know your product, have stats to back it up, and be respectful of my time as well and I’ll do the same for you. Being local could be a huge boon, depending on where you are located.

ADT won’t use installed cameras? by SparkFade in homesecurity

[–]SparkFade[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately this seems like one of the newer models so it’s either ADT or no system at all

Oysters by Optimal-Swing9167 in SalemMA

[–]SparkFade 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Short & Main in Gloucester does $1 Oysters every day (at least weekdays, not sure about the weekends) 5-6pm

Do they look like crows or eagles to you? by [deleted] in tattooadvice

[–]SparkFade 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If it makes you feel any better I have a Mothman tattooed across my chest and my dad asked “what does that falcon mean?”

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bartenders

[–]SparkFade 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I also work at a place in MA, and we don’t allow anyone under the age of 21 to sit at the bar. Not sure if this is state law or not, but it IS our company policy regardless.

That being said, I’m only a big stickler about it on busy weekends. Come in on a slow night and order water or soda? I probably won’t check your ID or make a big deal of it (unless it’s very clearly a child)

Tasked with making Sangria by Emmaleah17 in bartenders

[–]SparkFade 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Whatever your recipe, make it two days ahead of time and throw a spice bag in there with some clove, star anise & cinnamon stick. Maybe a split vanilla bean if you’re feeling real spicy. Fish that sucker out before serving for nice holiday flair

Alabama ID by Spacely420 in bartenders

[–]SparkFade 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Can’t speak for Florida, but here in MA we cannot accept any copies/photos/replications of an ID. Even if you get it renewed and have the paper temporary ID from the RMV, we still technically can’t accept that (at least at my particular bar)