Brewery and Beverage Experience
The Fuller’s Griffin Brewery Tour was a fun experience that was very educational. It was a pleasant example of Beverage Tourism, which mixes hospitality and beverage education. They taught us about the history of the brand, the process of fermentation, and the heart/hard work behind sourcing the ingredients. It brings a lot of tourism I imagine to their brand. The tours themselves were very in depth and understanding the process gives you a deep appreciation for the final product.
It was a very fun experience also because at the end we were able to try all the different types of casks, kegs, and ciders. We got to see a bunch of the original machines and distilleries that were being used in the past and are still operational today. The maintenance and preservation processes are in depth. They mixed traditional methods with modernized technology to improve quality and efficiency.
Market Culture and Local Flavor
My experience at the Camden Market was very fun! I found a couple of really good finds and pieces of jewelry, clothing, and different gadgets. I found a really fun rave shop called Cyberdog and it was extremely random and very much so worth my time. There was a mix of different vendors who had all sorts of things that were vintage, modern, tech, and clothing mostly.
There are so many different vendors all trying to do the same thing, make a sale. From a business standpoint, there is a lot of competition within that market. Many of the vendors are selling the same goods at different prices which makes the selection not appear as interesting or desirable to guests. I think that these sorts of markets are great in theory but in practice are more difficult than vendors think. However, these styles of retails stores prosper when it comes to tourists. It makes them feel local and they are supporting the locals as well. “
Free Exploration and Personal Insight
On our free day me and my little group decided on one thing we each wanted to and tried out best to complete it. We first started by going to Spud Bros, a place known for their viral Jacketed Potato. Next, we went to the world’s largest Lindt chocolate shop which was a brisk walk away. My choice was to go to the oldest barbershop in the world called Truefitt and Hill which was another brisk walk away. It was honestly a lot more impressive and hit me a lot more than I thought it would. Originally, it was something my mom begged me to do seeing as we come from a line of barbers, so I was doing it for her. However, once we got there I definitely geeked out just a bit and was able to connect with the Head of Marketing Austin Mutti-Mewse and connect him with my mother which was an awesome experience for us both. It was also fun showing my friends that aspect of me because it is something that holds a lot of value to me. It was also a different world of hospitality I have not explored much seeing as I have been to the same barber (my mom) my whole life.
Hospitality Takeaway
All of these different little adventures showed me different levels of hospitality and different methods each business takes to ensure guests have a pleasant experience that will leave them wanting to come back. Spud Bros had a little game, the Lindt Chocolate was very homey and extremely kind, and the Truefitt and Hill Team gave me a parting gift for my enthusiasm. It was definitely a day I will never forget.