Comments or suggestions for the next secret Santa swap

[strange-steve]

I know the current swap isn't quite complete as yet but I'd like to hear some of your suggestions for how the swap could be improved for next year if you have any?

 

[pvt_ak]

You did a great job mate !
Can’t think how it could be improved !

 

[Oneflewover]

^^^ what he said :thumba:

 

[Mungri]

Can’t think what extra you could do Steve.
It was great fun.

 

[MyQul]

Stirling job steve! Everyone loved it and I think many who didnt participate (like me) enjoyed reading the reviews

 

[MickDundee]

I wouldn’t do anything differently, the standard format is probably the best way to have a high participation rate.

We could have a themed secret Santa or something but 1) it means people would have to brew especially for the swap rather than sharing one of their current/favourite brews, and 2) it would get in the way of the monthly competition (although the 2019 schedule isn’t up yet)

 

[brewhaha]

I think it's great as it is. Gets people to be brave & send out their own beers (hopefully encouraging them to enter the monthly forum competition) & try styles they might not have considered before.

And is that not what Christmas is all about?!?

Cheers again for organising. Arranging 47 swaps is no mean feat!:hat:

 

[MyQul]

Perhaps it could be done in summer too, along the same lines - Instead of secret santa, summer secret swap?

 

[Leon103]

Only current flaw is people get styles they don't like. Not an issue for me as I would happily drink anything but saw a couple of people moan that they had a style that it wasn't for them, or gave the drink to their partner etc

 

[Ghillie]

Was a great effort Steve, I don't think there's anything you could do better for next time!

 

[Ajhutch]

It ain’t broke so don’t fix it! You did a great job and it was much appreciated.

 

[Clint]

Yeah taking time to sort it out etc should come with medals for all involved. As for getting something you didn't want or like...pah!

 

[strange-steve]

Thanks for the comments.
I was wondering if there was a way of making it more anonymous but I'm not sure how.
Perhaps sending the beers with no info such as style or beer name which are often giveaways?
Each swap could be given a random number to identify it from the reviews. I don't know how people would feel about not knowing the style of beer before tasting, but it would add to the mystery if noting else.

 

[strange-steve]

Only current flaw is people get styles they don't like. Not an issue for me as I would happily drink anything but saw a couple of people moan that they had a style that it wasn't for them, or gave the drink to their partner etc

Yeah not really much I can do about that unfortunately, apart from asking everyone what they're sending and their style preferences aunsure....

 

[Oneflewover]

I honestly think that it was great Steve and doesn't need improvement. Trouble with no info on the beer is that you'd struggle to serve it right temp, in suitable glass.

 

[braziliain]

I haven't tried my second beer yet as I fell ill over Christmas and I'm still on the mend. Please don't close the other thread just yet as I'll definitely post up once I get my smell and taste senses back!

I've never mailed my beer out before and the SS thread encouraged me to do it. I was pleasantly surprised by the feedback I received and loved the whole experience. I was genuinely excited riding my bike to the post office to collect the parcels! The one beer I managed to try before falling ill was delicious and not a style I have a vast experience of which was great in itself. I'll definitely play along next time and I can't think of anything you need to change.

Thanks again for organising it!

 

[RichardM]

I think the format worked well. I like the idea of not knowing what you are getting and having something new to try.

 

[Mungri]

Thanks for the comments.
I was wondering if there was a way of making it more anonymous but I'm not sure how.
Perhaps sending the beers with no info such as style or beer name which are often giveaways?
Each swap could be given a random number to identify it from the reviews. I don't know how people would feel about not knowing the style of beer before tasting, but it would add to the mystery if noting else.

I think trying to guess is part of the fun Steve as in any secret Santa. Don’t think you need to make it more anonymous.
Not knowing what you’re going to get is part of the fun also.
You did a great job.

 

[Zephyr259]

Yeah not really much I can do about that unfortunately, apart from asking everyone what they're sending and their style preferences aunsure....

This occurred to me when I signed up as I can't drink really bitter beers and massive hops don't do it for me. But I was willing to take the gamble in the name of fun and trying something new. I ended up with one really hoppy beer (still don't know who's it was) but it wasn't overly bitter and I quite enjoyed it for the change. Also learned that I don't need to brew one as my wife wasn't keen on it.

It was good fun, and I can't think of any changes that wouldn't make it a massive logistical nightmare for you Steve. Maybe most people would accept anything but it wouldn't take too many "preferences" to make it into some weird logic puzzle.

 

[dan125]

I think it's great as it is - I like being able to try some styles that I wouldn't usually brew or drink - although it could be fun to have a mystery 'guess the style' type swap, I think its good to know the style the brewer was aiming for.
Makes me wonder if a swap like this could work as an alternative to the monthly comps, as entrants would still get feedback on their beer but also one in return to judge and possibly compare to their own if it was style specific??