BF.Net Winter Meetings for 2007- Madison Location in Feb.

[brewerjamie15]

For those of you not familiar to the idea, it's an annual event started 3 years ago by yours truly. Our Winter Meetings consist of basically the same thing as the MLB Winter Meetings: Beer, Food, Beer, Shooting the breeze, and then Beer.

I am looking for another increase in attendance this year and since it's a roving type deal. This year, our amazing event will be held in Madison. We often have "Westerners"(Madison people) show up for our gatherings so this time I think it appropriate that we go to them.

This year will feature another new twist: Our new moderator Hawing (Laura) is going to be helping out with arrangements this year.

I'm not sure of the exact location just yet, but we are open to suggestions for the bar and the February Saturday for this event to be held.

edit:

So bring your buddies, your spouse, significant other, or some guy you don't even know out to the 2007 Winter Meetings for some great baseball talk. I'll give away some BF.Net stuff and maybe have a surprise or two up my sleeve.

 

I'd like to ask for a general interest at this time so I can get a rough head count. I have no idea how much beer or drinks (Non Alcohol included) will run us but I'd make sure we got a special deal from whomever agrees to have us.

[hawing]

I'll see if I can make it. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eyes.gif That would be two in hawing's party.

 

And technically, Jamie came up with this idea two years ago. The '07 winter meeting will be Brewerfan's third. The inaugural event was held in Milwaukee and last year's was in Janesville.

[splitterpfj]

I came to Janesville last year on what had to be the coldest weekend of that winter, I think I can make it all the way to Madison from here.

[colbyjack]

Madison? Following a year in Janesville? Boo-urns. They are called the Milwaukee Brewers afterall http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

That makes it hard for me to commit, but just to do my part, here's a logo for the event...

 

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y155/colbyjack/wintermeetings.jpg

[pitchleague]

colbyjack, very nice with the logo!

 

Wish I could come but, alas, I'll be at home in AZ. Maybe I'll see some of you at spring training.

[recte44]

It gets hard for me to commit to things that happen on the weekend evenings, but I'll certainly try to pop in.

[brewerjamie15]

Well, I'm surely there, so that's two for us.

 

Patrick- That's an incredible looking graphic!

 

Maybe we can get a Milwaukee contingent together for a car pool?

[bball123h2]

Should a Milwaukee carpool form, count me in. Heck, I'd even drive if needed.

[hawing]

we are open to suggestions for the bar and the February Saturday for this event to be held.

 

For those of you without a 2007 calendar at hand, that narrows down the dates to February 3, 10, 17 and 24.

 

Of those four, the 10th and 17th might be most promising - as the 3rd is on the eve of Super Bowl Sunday, and the 24th coincides with WIAA state wrestling, which will pack the city with visitors already.

 

And speaking as (very possibly) bf.net's first-ever "Ms. 3000", I believe a fine time will be had by all who can join us. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[deeswan]

And speaking as (very possibly) bf.net's first-ever "Ms. 3000",

 

Wow! They should make a movie about you. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

The 10th or the 17th would work for me. Every year I want to be there, and every year something comes up to prevent it. I'm hoping 2007 is 'my year.' At least Madison is a little closer to me, a 2 hour trip isn't too bad.

[Jimbo]

Have it at Bennett's Smut-N-Eggs?

[hawing]

Appreciate the blue font, Jimbo. I believe that's a breakfast event.

 

Plus several out of towners have already hoped out loud for a location close to the interstate - yet another strike against Bennett's.

[Jimbo]

I can think of a couple of places by East Towne, but they're clubs and not bars.

 

The Short Stop in Cottage Grove is where the Home Talent team hangs out. My dad and I go there on occassion.

 

What's that place by 151 - Poole's?

[hawing]

Pooley's is a strong candidate for our shindig. Easy to find, big (or so I'm told - I haven't been) and sports minded.

[Jimbo]

Pooley's is a strong candidate for our shindig.

 

Now that I think of it, I recall they offer a private room. But would that take away from the ambiance?

[Baldkin]

Pooley's is a good suggestion.

 

Other suggestions:

 

The Sports Pub (on hwy 51, right near MATC)

Damon's (Near Target, by East Towne Mall)

The Great Dane (a little farther from the interstate - has 2 locations, downtown and Fitchburg - Fitchburg location isn't far from the beltline)

 

There are many other possibilities if people want to head downtown - or even the east side (A place like the Harmony on willy st might be ideal)

 

Any questions, or if you want more suggestions, feel free to drop me a pm or just post... I'm a former Madison bar hopper

[SenatorShriv]

The Great Dane actually just opened a third place in the Hilldale Mall complex off of University Ave. and Midvale Ave.

 

Also in that neighborhood is the Blue Moon, which I think would be a great place to host it. The bartenders there are pretty big Brewer fans, they have good beer, pool + darts, good food and several nice TVs to catch a Badger game (or something else that was on at that time.) The Blue Moon would get my vote.

[hawing]

I'd frankly be a fan of the Hilldale Great Dane, only partly because it's pretty close to our house.

 

A nice neighborhood spot like the Blue Moon appeals to me too, but the amoung of parking available in that neighborhood makes me a bit reluctant - on behalf of the fans who'd be joining us from out of town. The most likely dates (Feb 10 or 17) are also UW hockey nights, further complicating the parking situation downtown.

 

Hilldale certainly doesn't lack for parking, since they can't stop building those parking ramps. And condos. Condo next to a mall, anyone?

[NeedMoreFans]

Quote:

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I'd frankly be a fan of the Hilldale Great Dane

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If the Great Dane is chosen as the destiation of choice, I would personally say go to either the downtown or Fitchburg location. Part of what makes the Great Dane what it is, in my opinion, is their beer, and they can't sell it at the Hilldale location yet. Hopefully that law will change soon. I really enjoy their beer, and I'm sure having a beer or two would be a part of any winter meeting.

 

While I like the downtown location better (and I live literally right next door to it), the Fitchburg location is easier to find for people unfamiliar with Madison and for the most part, easier to get to.

 

Another option would be the Come Back Inn right downtown. It's fairly easy to get to and is fairly large and has plenty of parking.

[temke]

Quote:

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nother option would be the Come Back Inn right downtown. It's fairly easy to get to and is fairly large and has plenty of parking.

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and they have good beer...in boots! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[hawing]

I had no idea the Hilldale location couldn't serve beer yet. (No beer at a brew pub? Why are they open?)

 

I came to Janesville last year on what had to be the coldest weekend of that winter

 

Splitter, in most Wisconsin cities represented in the National Weather Service hourly roundup, the coldest weather of the year was recorded on (you guessed it) February 18:

 

Link to NWS temperature map

 

Look on the bright side. At least we didn't meet in Necedah [where the temp hit -33 on Feb. 18] .

[Team Canada]

I had no idea the Hilldale location couldn't serve beer yet.

 

Yeah I remember hearing about this some time. Madison has some sort of anti-chain law regarding breweries, so since this is their third location they have to do some sort of finagling to get around it.

[burniebrewer]

I had no idea the Hilldale location couldn't serve beer yet.

 

They can serve beer, just not their own brand. It's some rule that dates back to the end of Prohibition.

 

 

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