Mead prices

[Will Gamwell]

It may not be their fault but it will have a HUGE impact in the amount of mead I buy.  I could not believe what I paid for a "shot glass" of mead.  It was good, very good, but not that good.  I love MNRF but high prices will temper my spending, just the basic laws of economics.

That, and my grey bearded face being carded everywhere.  Maybe they feel it's needed, and maybe it is, but it does annoy me.  If something annoys the customer eventually they tire of the annoyance and go elsewhere.

Having worked SS, I know that every employee has been told very strictly to card everyone, no exceptions.

However I know what you mean.  If I am not working & can have a drink, I make an attempt to go buy from a booth where I am known. 

[Sitara]

That, and my grey bearded face being carded everywhere.  Maybe they feel it's needed, and maybe it is, but it does annoy me. 

Well, the carding isn't just for age anymore. Bars are now supposed to be checking the backs of licenses for people with restrictions due to things like DUI's

I just went through TIPS training last month.  That is untrue...it is not our responsibility, they can drink- they just lose driving privledges after one drink.  If we refuse to serve them, we are open to lawsuits.  We check the backs of ID's as that is a good way to spot fakes.  There are ones for sale online that state on the back that it is not a real ID.

[dorkyfaerie]

I suppose I should put my two cents in... hmmm...

Cup Size - They'd been trying to do that for about three years, but I made such a stink about it every time they tried that I think they just gave up.  We expected that they'd do it this year.  Unfortunately, the dunderheads in the supply area gave the main booth 7 oz cups on Saturday morning and the extremely green workers didn't catch the mistake until I poured a cup around 6:30.  Needless to say, we let it be known that this was NOT okay and they managed to fix it on Sunday.   I am trying to find a way to make it up to those of you that got the 7 oz glasses.  

Price - I think Jim may have expected them to raise the price as well (after all, they've raised it every year since I started), but I was absolutely appalled that they raised the price AND dropped the cup size.  This is the first year in something like ten years that Jim raised the price per gallon for EKC.  So, perhaps it is our fault this year, but the ECK markup is astronomical.

Whiney Wine Reps - Yes, we were pulled from the regular wine booths because the wine distributors were upset that we were affecting their sales.  I have no idea how Peterson thinks that having three mead booths won't have the same effect.  

More Mead Booths -
Here's my side of the story:  Last year Evil KC was short on wine staff, so they frequently pulled the second worker from my booth to work at other booths.  You all know how busy the mead booth gets (so do they), so why they pulled MY worker instead of the other workers from not-so-busy booths I just don't know.  Anyway, one particularly busy day, Peterson was on grounds and saw the ginormous line (which I believe went past the guard camp) and freaked out that it would negatively affect the mead sales.  So, being their usual brilliant selves, EKC and Peterson decided that opening another mead booth to help alleviate the lines would be the best use of their resources.  Yeah... I don't know why it didn't occur to any of them to put TWO people back in the mead booth.

Here's the Mead side of the story:  Jim is pretty excited to have more mead booths because it means he can bring down more of the flavors.  He likes to experiment with new meads and there just isn't room for anything else at the main booth.  He's hoping that the other booths DO help alleviate the lines and that perhaps more people will try mead that wouldn't have tried to go to the main booth before.  As far as I've been able to gather from all of our discussions about the booth and the mead, he's not out at fest to make a huge profit.  He seems happy to cover overhead expenses and make enough to make it worth driving all the way from Stanchfield and back two to three times a week for the duration.

Mead Staff:  EKC seems to have corrected their staffing snafu and put a competent, if not quiet and a little shy, young man in charge of the booth.  

Huh... I think I covered most of the debacle of this past weekend.  I apologize for not warning anyone about the price hike!  I found out Friday night...

[Rage]

Thanks Dorkyfaerie. You know all of us are behind you and Jim. The complaints are not toward you two. Both of you have always treated us good and you are one of us.

[Dayna]

Having some still stashed away in my wine celler (the room in the basement where the well used to be) I'm content to wait until the season ends and buy in bulk in Cambridge.  If it wasn't for the bulk sales, it'd be a different story, as The Mead is one of the few reasons I would miss MNRF.

Dayna

[dorkyfaerie]

I know you guys aren't complaining about us.  Perhaps a petition with some huge number of signatures asking for the prices to stay put for the next few years would catch their attention.  Probably not but a girl can hope, right? Unfortunately it would probably take a severe downturn in the mead sales to make Peterson take notice.  In the meantime, call and write letters expressing your displeasure.  Perhaps there is a way to covertly tell people where to send complaints... hmm... must do some brainstorming.

[Noble Dreg]

Cup Size - They'd been trying to do that for about three years, but I made such a stink about it every time they tried that I think they just gave up.  We expected that they'd do it this year.  Unfortunately, the dunderheads in the supply area gave the main booth 7 oz cups on Saturday morning and the extremely green workers didn't catch the mistake until I poured a cup around 6:30.  Needless to say, we let it be known that this was NOT okay and they managed to fix it on Sunday.   I am trying to find a way to make it up to those of you that got the 7 oz glasses.  

I love discussions about cup size.   

Six bucks did not bother me near as much as the tiny glass.  Prices go up, it's the way of things.  Somehow all is right in the world now that I hear the cup size has gone back to the old size.  I shall pop open my last bottle of "The Mead" in celebration!

As far as making up for the 7 oz cups...seems to me you already did, you fixed it and I am happy enough with that.

[Julianne]

Well....one of the R/Fers and fellow Arizonians that is coming with The Marquis and I this Labour Day to MNRF....just loves ...loves....I say she adores very, very sweet wine.  
She will love the Mead Booth.....and she won't mind the price...because you get what you pay for.  

I've personally recommended a split of mint and raspberry and of course the Egyptian...mmmm.

Just like when any other customer "calls" for a specific whisky (or vodka or gin or rum) they don't ask the price...they just want the specific.

[DeadBishop]

Wait, you mean we should have had larger glasses than those tiny things?  So, are you saying the tiny glasses were a mistake then?

[dorkyfaerie]

Yes!  The tiny glasses were a big mistake.  It has been fixed and we are actually going to each booth to check the cups periodically throughout the day. 

[Lord Figaro]

I knew it looked like it was a bitter smaller portion than last year. It barely passed half way in my mug and I know it used to fill at least 2/3 of the way. If it wasn't for the price I was going to get another one, just to even it out. But funds were limited.

[Phelyp, Lord Maydestone]

Bottom line is that the mead is wonderful and we love to drink it.  Just like someone said, if it is what you want you will pay the price - sting though it may.  I was wondering why the cups were filled right to the rim but now I have my answer!  I wonder if decining bee populations have raised the price of honey hence affecting mead prices in some way also?

[Naween]

HI All, what is the price of mead these days? I don't honestly recall, and won't be out at fest til the 29th. Oh, and if someone can tell me where to buy mead (we're staying in burnsville, if that helps), it would be greatly appreciated. We only get a spiced mead up here in Canada, and I want to bring some home! (Or at least drink it all in the hotel )

[groomporter]

HI All, what is the price of mead these days? I don't honestly recall, and won't be out at fest til the 29th. Oh, and if someone can tell me where to buy mead (we're staying in burnsville, if that helps), it would be greatly appreciated. We only get a spiced mead up here in Canada, and I want to bring some home! (Or at least drink it all in the hotel )

Chaucer's Mead is the most common commercial stuff available in local liquor stores.

Or here's the link to the maker of the mead at MNRF http://www.the-mead-booth.com/
and here's their contact info since their webpage looks screwed up on my browser
J. BIRD WINES, INC.
36337 Polk St. N.E
Stanchfield, MN. 55080-8007
E-mail      TheMeadBooth@att.net
  Phone:     763-689-3920 ans.machine

[Dayna]

Winehaven winery, north of the twin cities but not as far as Cambridge, sells some excellent wine.  Don't have the URL handy but google winehaven minnesota and it will pop right up. 

It's a great alternative when you can't get to MNRF, runs about $10 per normal size wine bottle.

Dayna