Suggestions/Tips for ACBF

Discussion in 'New England' started by jecatudel, May 8, 2013.

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  1. jecatudel

    jecatudel Initiate (0) Jan 17, 2013 Virginia

    First time going to the ACBF, attending the Friday session...anyone have any tips, suggestions, or things to know/be aware of for the festival? Thanks.
     
  2. Robtobfest

    Robtobfest Initiate (0) Oct 21, 2009 Connecticut

    Just remember to pace yourself And if you don't like a beer dump it! Don't force it down cause you feel bad about dumping it or you'll be in rough shape! Also I would suggest making a list of your top 10 beers you want to try as it can be a bit overwhelming and sometimes you can't forget to circle back.
     
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  3. Britt

    Britt Pooh-Bah (1,998) Apr 17, 2009 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Eat before you get there and snack during the fest (they have food for sale at the venue)
    Drink plenty of water
    Wear comfortable shoes (the floor is concrete or concrete covered in thin carpet)
    Definitely grab a fest guide on your way in. There's a map in the back that is super helpful.
     
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  4. willbm3

    willbm3 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2010 Massachusetts

    Eat dinner beforehand. There's plenty of good restaurants in Boston so get a good base of food in you. They sell food there but it isn't very good. Prototypical bad stadium food.
    If pretzel necklaces are your thing, make one of those. Lots of people do that.
    Lines can get long (especially at Ommegang, DFH, etc.) so grab a sample from a place nearby and drink it while you're in line at another place. I'd rather spend 5-10 minutes in the long lines drinking a beer than standing there with a thumb up my ass.
    There are Gatorade buckets full of water all over with dump pails. USE THEM. Rinse your glass and drink water. It would also be worth buying a bottle of water from the vendors.

    Most importantly, have fun. This isn't supposed to be work. Unless you like running around like a madman ticking off all your wants, don't do it. I don't go in with a plan. I like wandering. You may be different. There will be plenty of good beer poured
     
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  5. Ericness

    Ericness Zealot (622) Nov 21, 2012 Massachusetts

    Be wary of long lines. If you see a shorter one go for it! Sometimes you find something awesome from the lesser known breweries that don't attract the biv crowds. If you do want try something with a long wait have a beer in hand when you get on it.

    Pace yourself. You'll be feeling the beers by the end. I believe you can bring pretzels in and water is your friend.
    State IDs won't get you in.

    MA liquor ID, passport, or driver's license (any state) are a must.

    Harpoon Brewery is nearby only a few stoos down on the silver line if you're feeling adventurous.

    If you like dark beers see the duck rabbit folks.

    At least scope out the tables of your favorite brewers early on. Sometimes they only start serving certain beers at particular times.

    Enjoy yourself and be responsible inside and after the event! Don't be an obnoxious drunk on the T, seen it too many times at these things.
     
    defaultroute likes this.
  6. willbm3

    willbm3 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2010 Massachusetts

    Harpoon is less than a 10 minute walk from the convention center, don't waste your time on the silver line
     
    Ericness likes this.
  7. fearfactory

    fearfactory Initiate (0) Aug 12, 2012 Massachusetts

    Above all the other great tips already listed, I suggest not to be afraid to talk with anyone! I met more great people just starting conversations with total strangers while standing in lines.....except the pourers of course! A quick thanks and step aside will suffice.
     
    csniezek likes this.
  8. cappy201

    cappy201 Zealot (504) Mar 25, 2012 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Be nice to the folks humping water buckets, slop buckets, etc. We're BA's lending a hand for a good time.
     
  9. willbm3

    willbm3 Initiate (0) Feb 19, 2010 Massachusetts

    This is a great point. While I understand the desire to talk a bit with the pourers it's a little rude to the 20 or so people waiting behind you to get a sample.
     
  10. HattedClassic

    HattedClassic Pooh-Bah (2,433) Nov 23, 2009 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Use the bathroom before you leave the convention and as often as you need it during the convention. Apparently, the BPD does not like it when you pee on someone's shrubbery on the way back to your apartment. Oh, and there are bathrooms on both sides of the convention center. I also second the Duck-Rabbit recommendation.
     
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  11. Lledd

    Lledd Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2013 Massachusetts

    BRING A PRETZEL NECKLACE! Reaching in with one hand, into a bag in the other hand is tough...WITH A SAMPLE!
    Take notes on what you like. I promise you won't remember. Hit Lawsons.
     
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  12. ljkeats

    ljkeats Pundit (957) Jun 27, 2007 Massachusetts

    If you plan on taking notes, bring your own pen or pencil.
    There'll be a zillion porta-potties outside the building but enclosed inside the fest area, almost never a line.
    There's no re-entry, and there's no ATM inside the fest (I think), so please bring cash with you if you plan on buying brewery swag as some don't take cc's.
     
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  13. BostonHops

    BostonHops Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2011 Massachusetts

    my typical gameplan is to make a short list of breweries that I definitely want to hit, and target those early... then just kind of wing it, see what looks interesting, what has a short line, etc... and yeah, those 2oz pours catch up to you quicker than you'd think, so food and water are wise decisions.
     
  14. jlenik

    jlenik Initiate (0) Jan 22, 2009 New Jersey

    Tip I learned last year: Don't expect to try everything. Mark down what you try and take a look the next day; you'll be amazed at the tiny dent you made into the list.

    Make a list of what you want to try, eat before and during, and don't go out of your way to overindulge. Odds are you will overindulge without trying! :wink:
     
  15. Thads324

    Thads324 Initiate (0) Jan 21, 2010 Connecticut

    Try at least 1 beer from 5 breweries you've never heard of. You are bound to be surprised and you'll be glad you did.
     
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  16. bramsdell

    bramsdell Initiate (0) May 27, 2011 North Carolina

    Pick five things you want to try and then head to the places with the shortest lines.

    Also, don't wear a pretzel necklace. Bring pretzels or crackers in a bag.
     
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  17. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    drink water, pick like 5 beers you 'gotta try' and wait in line for them early, then spend the rest of the time wandering around to the no-line places.
     
  18. TheMonkfish

    TheMonkfish Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2012 Chad

    If you plan on buying any brewery gear do so early in the night. Last year I woke up with a dopey baseball hat in my pocket.
     
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  19. Janeinma

    Janeinma Initiate (0) May 24, 2009 Massachusetts

    do they allow you to bring in empty water bottles, or isnt it worth it?
     
  20. darkerpower

    darkerpower Initiate (0) Oct 15, 2008 Connecticut

    as stated above, pace yourself those pours add up quickly. Make a short list of the beers/breweries you really want to try and go to those first. Eat before, during and after. Talk to the people in line around you, make recommendations as to what you've already tried/ask them what their favorites are so far. A few lines will always be long (dfh and goose island come to mine from the past).

    most of all have a great time.
     
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