Carolina MicroBrews Story by Samuel Evers P h oto s by S a r a h L o u ya The sports world was
on their jerseys for four games
“It’s perfect both ways,”
officially introduced to the
this season, the first of which
Ennis said. “It gives us a chance
Carolina Micro Brews a few
was on April 13 — were born. The
to gain traction in Milwaukee
months ago, on Feb. 22, at
other Micro Brew games will be
and with our fans here.”
an event at Oak City Brewery
May 9, June 6 and Aug. 1.
in Knightdale hosted by the Mudcats.
So, why did this idea, from
On April 13, the first 1,200 fans admitted to Five County
inception to execution, take so long?
ESPN’s SportsCenter gave
Stadium received a replica Micro
Simple: Great minor league
the idea large-scale exposure
Brews jersey; on May 9, the
promotions aren’t built in a day,
on April 13, with a 45-second
first 1,200 fans will get a free
a month — or even a season.
Saturday morning clip showing off the special jerseys and hats, which show a resemblance to the Milwaukee Brewers’ jerseys
“Patience SO, WHY DID THIS IDEA, FROM INCEPTION TO EXECUTION,
of a few decades ago.
was
a
virtue,”
Ennis said. “Instead of rushing something out, we took our time and did it right.” Once the idea was set
TAKE SO LONG?
and approved, the marketing
2018 season had even started
SIMPLE: GREAT MINOR
department put it on the back
during a brainstorming session
LEAGUE PROMOTIONS
shelf for the 2018 season, and,
But way back, before the
for promotional ideas at the Carolina Mudcats’ offices in
AREN’T BUILT IN A DAY, A MONTH —
Zebulon, is when the idea first
around, kicked the planning into
OR EVEN A SEASON.
surfaced.
once last September rolled
“It was a team effort,”
overdrive,
sending
off
design ideas, making tweaks, communicating with vendors
said Patrick Ennis, the team’s
beer stein with the MB logo on
and tying other loose ends
director of promotions and
the cup; and on Aug. 1, the first
before the reveal in February
fan experience. “We were just
1,200 will get a Micro Brews
which, for a satisfying moment,
talking around — what if we did
bottle opener.
broke Minor League Baseball
this and that? Mini Brewers?
The
name,
which
was
Twitter.
Micro Brewers? Micro Brews?
introduced to much excitement
For a Single-A marketing
That’s it — let’s submit and see
from the Twitter-verse to the
department, there’s no better
what happens.”
baseball blogosphere to The
accomplishment.
And
so,
after
approval
Sports Network in Canada, is
“It was an awesome feeling,”
from the Milwaukee Brewers
supposed to pay homage to the
Ennis said. “With all the hard
and Minor and Major League
Mudcats’ major league club and
work that everyone on the staff
Baseball, the Micro Brews — the
to the rich recent boom in craft
put in, it’s been tremendous to
beer across North Carolina.
see all the feedback.”
name the Mudcats will sport
44 | Carolina Brew Scene | Summer 2019
