How was Sudz in the City this year?
Confession: I’ve never been to Sudz in the City. I don’t think I’ve ever actually been in Fresno the weekend of Sudz in the City. I’m always out of town. Just one of those peculiar happenstances.
I often hear mixed reviews on Sudz. Some people love it — perhaps even loving it a little too much, in a fall-down, act-a-fool kinda way. Other people complain that the lines are too long and the beer runs out and, of course, people start to act a fool.
Beehive reader Dave sent me his report from this year’s Sudz and wanted to hear from others. So we’ll happily oblige. Dave writes:
I went and it wasn’t bad, lots of beers and food but the set up was odd and there’s rumors that there was a lot of disorganization outside the gates, which led to long line getting in. Was just curious what people who went thought of it and perhaps some feedback would help the Downtown Association for next year.
So, Beehivers, who got their Sudz over the weekend? Was it worth it? Would you go next year? What could be better?
Responses to "How was Sudz in the City this year?"
No way there was 30+ brewers, maybe 30+ different flavors. Way too few beer stations this year, worst beer vendor turnout I had ever seen, and I’ve been to all SITC.
Apparently, post-Sudz shenanigans cost Mr. Sushi in the Tower their front window. At least that is what I gathered at the “Please Help Stop Crime in the Tower District” group on FB.
The north end of the concourse was way too packed
the south end of the concourse had a few people but only 2 booths serving beer
the stage and band set up was aiming where no one was, right in the center
there was hardly nothing in the center of the place and they shoulda had some samples of wine coolers or liquors or somethin else too
I haven’t been in a couple of years, probably the first year at the stadium. Not sure how it was laid out this year or last, but judging upon this year’s goers, not much has changed. I think the concourse is a little dank and dark, kind of like being in a parking garage. Also, I remember more folks were in line for the commercial beers and veered away from independent/local brewers. The Water Tower on the flyer dressed up as a stein was cool. Reminded me of past Sudz when it was held at the small park by the Water Tower. Why not bring the festival back in the community? I know the city/police wants to “self-contain” things, and that’s cool, but the stadium concourse doesn’t feel community oriented.
this will probably be my last year attending. it was definitely chaos out in front. i showed up an hour late thinking it would have died down. wrong! the lines were way too long inside as well. definitely a buzz killer ironically.
have it back at the water tower? If y think the lines 4 beer and to get in are long, back when it was at the water tower, the lines for the Porta Potties were INSANE. I mean guys and girls were going in to the same Porta potty at the same time (by choice) it was maddness!
The lines to get in were horrendous. No staff anywhere directing people. It took 40min at will call and we were only 5 people back. It took another hour to get through the gate due to inadequate staff and disorganization. Of course the beer ran out early and there were not nearly enough vendors. There was a huge line of people waiting to buy a $30 ticket so there should have been better service. I’ll NEVER go again. Another crappy Fresno event.
I don’t remember if last year they had more gates open to let people in or if the crowd was smaller, but last year I got there around 6pm and was able to walk up and get a ticket and then walk in the side gate and had a beer a few minutes later. I think they had more gates open last year.
This year however, it was jammed pack when I got there around 5:30. The line to get tickets was longer than the line to get in, and it wasn’t moving at all. The line to get in wasn’t moving until they figured out that it wasn’t a good idea for the person that was checking ID’s also be the person putting the wrist band on you.
Luckily for me I got tickets early so I didn’t have to go through the frustration of waiting in that long line to get tickets. I would have turned around and left if i showed up and saw that line, and I didn’t have a ticket.
30 plus vendors, I don’t think so. The lines for the beers were long. That’s why i downed my beer right when I got one, and then respectively asked for a refill of a different beer in the same line.
After awhile, I just slowly crept to the front of the line because errbody was too drunk to pay any attention to me haha. I crept up and got a refill.
My friend whom I was with knows the three monkeys crew so I was just hanging out at their booth getting my drink on. By far the best beer at the event, BY FAR!!
That Tioga beer LOL!! Horrible. And they have their own tasting place? Come on. Both beers I had from them were awful, and I was looking forward to trying them out. I will hope that Three Monkeys beats them out in the long run as the best local beer in the Valley.
One of my bands played this year, so it was nice to go in through the field and not have to worry about the lines to get in, which looked a mess. The set up pertaining to the band, transportation, storage, performance etc was a mess. You can always tell when the person in charge of entertainment does not have adequate experience.
However, it was nice to flash the musician credentials and not wait in line.
I thought the stage location was a poor pick, but our guitarist said it was once on the pitcher’s mound, even worse.
Great sound guy, great stage and equipment
17th annual and they haven’t figured things out yet?? Sure glad we didn’t waste our time.
Have any local festival organizers had the bright idea to visit other communities to see how to set up a successful event?
Take a trip to my hometown this weekend to see how its done. The Sunnyvale Art and Wine festival is usually a blast. Sip some wine, drink a beer, eat some great food and check out some great art.
Guess what?!?!?! Most REAL festivals don’t pen you up in a “beer garden”. They treat you like an adult. Last summer’s rib cook off was headed in the right direction, but there is a reason I will no longer attend Clovis’ Big Hat Days. I prefer festivals that treat me like an adult.
One of the things I miss most about the Bay Area, the spring and summer festivals.
I was disappointed with this year’s event. I’ve been in the past, but I can’t remember anything negative about the past years. This year was near chaos in front of the stadium. I didn’t see anyone directing “traffic” telling people which line to get into. We had to keep jumping lines to figure out which line was will-call. Then after waiting 30+ minutes in that line we waited about an hour just to get in! Very poor organization and we hadn’t even gotten inside yet. Once inside the crowds we almost enough to turn around and leave, but I wanted to make sure I got my money’s worth in beer. I did. After waiting in the long lines, we finally figured out if you tip you get to stay up front and get more. There weren’t any crowd controls to prevent people from cutting in line either. I was disappointed when The Shock Top Raspberry ran out before I had a chance to sample. Would I go again? Probably not.
I had some friends come in from out of town and thought this would be a fun event to take them too. I expected that we would have to wait in line to buy tickets, but I did not expect that it would take us over an hour to get in the stadium! By the time we got inside we were desperate for a beer, but several vendors were already closed and the first two lines we got in literally shut down when we got close to the front–they ran out of beer. After being INSIDE for an hour (we took a food break after our second strike out), we got our FIRST beer, and it was definitely the bottom of the barrel–another tapped out keg.
I don’t blame the vendors–I heard that there were much fewer vendors than in the past. But honestly, if the festival starts at 4 and only lasts until 9:00, how are you out of beer by 5:30?
I haven’t been since the first couple at the stadium. What originally was an fun, easygoing, outdoor event has essentially turned into an indoor event that is neither pleasant or the right atmosphere for a beer festival.
The whole thing took a wrong turn years ago and I won’t be wasting my money to bump into people ala crowded nightclub when the main crowd-draw is the Bud Light booth.
Earlier Sudz introduced me to many excellent craft beers, but those vendors apparently no longer attend.