This past weekend, I was able to attend my second Great American Beer Festival. Great American Beer Festival is akin to America’s version of Oktoberfest. Coincidentally, you can attend GABF and then Denver’s version of Oktoberfest. God Bless, Denver.
During this three-day event, more than 49,000 attendees get to sample 2,100 beers. Whilst drunk. It is beautiful chaos.
Now there are typically two approaches to this event. One: Try to get as much beer in your system as possible while trying to redeem your $50 ticket price whilst frenetically downing your one-ounce samples. Two: Map out your plan of attack to try and get to the better breweries among the 457 breweries that attended. Now, I did a hybrid version of this. While trying not to lose my friends (James!), I tried to get in line again and again and again for New Glarus.
Some tips for newbies:
1) Don’t wait in line. Seriously. I waited in line my first year and it wraps around forever. Instead, find an event at one of Colorado’s many breweries and stroll in at 6 pm.
2) Less is more. If you’re attending with a big group, you will spend a lot of time trying to round them up. Someone leaves for the bathroom, and it’ll be days before they show up again.
3) Research or drink in the Southeast section. If you’re into beer, take the time to map it out and research your beers. You’ll spend a lot of wasted time on crappy beers if you just hold your cup out (I’m looking at you Lemon Haize). If you chose quantity over quality, go drink in the Southeast section. As pointed out to me by my friend Dan, that section had the shortest lines.
4) Don’t ask the pourer about their favorite – As brought to my attention, those pouring the drinks aren’t the brewers but rather one of 3,000 volunteers there to drink free. So save your breath on asking them as they have no clue.
5) Don’t drive. I don’t know what possesses people to get behind the wheel after a beer festival, but lots of people seem to think this is acceptable behavior. Take a cab, bus or pedicab. Not an option? Get a hotel. If at any point, you’re thinking they don’t heavily scour for drunk drivers after a drinking event with 49,000 people, you’re seriously mistaken. We saw at least two people getting pulled over in our walk to the Denver Diner.
And as a final piece of advice, get in line again and again and again for New Glarus.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Elaine, which night did you go? I went on Saturday, it was my first experience! Ooheee
1) I waited in line. In fact, I walked forever trying to find the end of it right at 5:30. Literally miles.
2) I only went with a few girlfriends and it was so much better. I even lost a few of them at times and it was just easier to stay relaxed about not being in a tight group at all times.
I realized the people pouring were volunteers, that was embarrassing as I ran up to the Iowa one and started talking about Iowa and he stared at me blankly. Dammit, I should have consulted you first. Ah well, a first time for everything
I went Friday. Hat tip goes to James for not letting us stand in line. Well done James. The line flies, so why wait in it? I didn’t realize they were volunteers until the end either. I spent the entire evening asking people’s favorites. Dork.
Have I told you we used to volunteer and work the GABF?
Agree with most of your rules despite breaking a few of them:
1) We did not wait in line, we went to La Boheme and pre-gamed. Someone should have told me it was not necessary to pregame.
5) Don't drink and drive was definitely a good idea. Except there were no hotel rooms and my friend with a loft in Denver didn't return my beer soaked texts…
I will definitely do it again next year though…probably with a pretzel necklace.
While I agree that while the volunteers aren't there to represent the brewery they can be quite knowledgeable about the beers they are pouring. They can at least give you some clues as to which beers they feel are more outstanding. I've been a volunteer at the GABF for several years and I try to get to know as much about the beer I am pouring as possible because I know there WILL be questions asked and I don't want to come off looking clueless.
The long line to get into the GABF only lasts about 20-25 minutes tops. Then once inside the longer lines normally indicate some of the most popular breweries. Remember, the fest should be about quality and not quantity. Take some time to savor the samples and perhaps take some notes so that later you can recall what you tried and go out and try to find some more.
I ended up going to 3 sessions of the 2009 GABF and got to try around 80 different beers. That's less than 30 beers a session. Sure, I don't get my money's worth for just the beer I drink but it's also the environment, meeting some of the actual brewers who ARE there and learning to know what I like and dislike. The GABF can be a great learning experience if you want it to be.
The beer bars will always be there, but the opportunity to try some of the best beers in the US comes only once a year. Over 2000 different beers were available.
Want to feel old? We took Carl this year. His 21st was the Wed. before the Festival. Yes, the same Carl that at 5 years old was sliding head first down your stairs.
Which is crazy funny. I can't believe he is 21. When did we all grow up?
Which is crazy funny. I can't believe he is 21. When did we all grow up?
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