Beer Festivals. What to know before you go.

To those new to beer festivals, or even those with experience, there are some tips and tricks that you can use to make your time tasting some of the best brews in the world more enjoyable (though that may be hard to believe).  Here are a couple ideas for you to try out at your next festival, such as the Great American Beer Festival!  Please, check the rules and regulations of your particular beer festival before you plan, though many festivals are similar, some may not allow certain things.

Eat before you go.  This may sound like common sense to some people, or complete blasphemy to others, but I find it to be a great idea.  This will help you to taste as many beers as possible instead of just pounding down as many one ounce cups as you can.  If your just going for some fun and would like to pound those ouncers, I have never been to a beer festival where someone was not able to drink to their hearts content.  Besides, I don't know anyone who likes paying $5.00 for a hot dog.

Pretzel Necklace.  Bring one, they are a must have.  A good pretzel necklace is invaluable, unless you don't like pretzels, then I would suggest using mini donuts or something along those lines.  When I make them I use normal sized pretzels; these seem to be the easiest to eat and they keep the necklace light  Since you ate before you left, these will be a great snack throughout the event.

Can on a necklace.  Though not necessary I have found this to be a fun and sometimes useful accessory.  Just take your favorite can of beer, remove the top and string!  This new accessory may provide a great place for your tasting cup (depending on the beer festival), cigarettes, cell phone or other small item.

Wet hand wipes.  These may or may not be helpful depending on the venue of the festival.  Most festivals provide cup rinse stations and full bathrooms for clean up.  Throughout the day or night beer will, unfortunately, spill and your tasting cup will become sticky.  Since the rinse stations and bathrooms can be hard to find or difficult to get to just to clean your cup, the hand wipes are a great backup.  Sometimes a quick wipe can take care of the little detail that makes a world of difference.

I hope you enjoy these simple and easy ideas, I will see you at the next festival; and please remember, don't drink and drive.

- Colorado Brewer

Great American Beer Festival!

What better topic for a first posting than the holy grail of all beer festivals, the GABF (that's 'Great American Beer Festival' if your a little slow). I will admit that last year (2009) was the first time that I have had the privilege of attending this most excellent event, and there is no real way for me to describe it.  The hundreds of breweries represented, the thousands of brews being poured off taps, the tens of thousands of people converging on the rare and hard to find brews.  It truly is a magical place, and this year is looking to be even better than last!  Check them out here: GABF for more information.

Hope to see you there!

- Colorado Brewer