John Zant
What inspired you to start volunteering with Gulf Brew, and what keeps you coming back each year? Why do I do it? Originally, I couldn’t afford the ticket, honestly, but I liked the beer. Then I saw the volunteer opportunity and I took it. It is work, but it’s good—fun work. And every year, it has become a part of my fall. I look forward to seeing my friends, pouring beer, and having a great day.
How long have you been volunteering at Gulf Brew? I know I’ve done it since at *least* 2015, maybe even a couple of years before that.
Can you share a favorite memory or experience from your time at Gulf Brew? Every year, I get to walk attendees through the beer offerings at the stations I oversee. It’s really a great experience to help expand their palate and introduce them to beers and flavors they’ve never had or were completely unaware of. Helping someone discover a new beer is one of the reasons we do this.
How do you think Gulf Brew impacts the local community and the Acadiana Center for the Arts? Well, with the move downtown, the economic impact has definitely expanded in my view and seems to be helping the downtown business districts. Its impact on the AcA is massive, funding a wealth of programs for our local community.
Do you have any fun traditions or routines you follow during the event? Well, part of the tradition in my crew is that when you volunteer using my name, you get a tie-dyed t-shirt. Each one is dyed individually, and no two are exactly alike. I’ve been doing that since at least 2015. This year, I believe I dyed around 60 shirts.
In your opinion, how has Gulf Brew grown or changed over the years you’ve volunteered? Every year, we get better at streamlining and fine-tuning the event. It has grown bigger and better organized each year, with more offerings of beer, art, and music. We even have activities for the kids now. It’s become a massive downtown festival, and I can’t see anything bad about that.
If you could describe Gulf Brew in three words, what would they be? Friends having fun!
Tell us! What’s your favorite beer? What beer do you look forward to the most at Gulf Brew each year? IPAs. There’s always a good variety at the festival, and there are always IPAs I’ve never tried. There’s no particular beer I look forward to because that doesn’t make a lot of sense. What I’m excited about is the next great beer I haven’t tried. That’s what I’m there for, and that’s why I go back every year.
Why would someone want to volunteer to be part of Gulf Brew? Why should people volunteer? Because it’s a great social experience. You get to meet a lot of amazing people and work with them, elbow to elbow. It’s fun serving beer and enjoying a great day. Plus, you’re helping support your community by supporting the AcA.
