The Festival 2013 Portland Maine Edition - June 21-22

I was checking the ticket sales periodically, and around the time they removed "tickets still available" (a month ago?)they had only sold 700 for session 2 and maybe 300-350, respectively, for sessions 1 and 3. I do not think this is going to sell out. But don't hold me to that

 

Cant wait! Love Portland! This is going to be an epic weekend!

 

Just wondering if there are any pre or post-parties other than Oxbow that does not involve skinny dipping?

 

This is the best beer festival period. You should just buy tickets, $60 is totally worth sampling all of the amazing beers that will be there.

 

$65 was totally worth it last year for unlimited sampling. I think the 48 oz limit is what's causing people to be on the fence this year.

 

the Limit, the cost of hotels, the travel, all these factor in to ticket sales. I'm going though, despite said obstacles, this fest should be a great time.

 

This unique festival changes venue site every year and I am thrilled that it's going to be in Portland this year! Does anyone know where you can get an event t-shirt?

 

100% agree with this statement.

You have what, 50 or so tables. Now, even if they allow you to use 1 ticket per table, there are going to be ALOT of untouched tables. Last year it was great, trying new things that one would not normally try. This year though, its going to be a "why waste a ticket here" type mentality.

 

^ but it's already being planned for a new city for next year, i've been told.

 

Anyone know what the best hotel to stay in is?

 

3 or 4 of us are coming up from Boston and would love to stay at a hotel where we could organize a bottle share! Any other groups clustered at a hotel? We haven't booked anything yet.

 

I also want you to stay somewhere and organize a bottle share. I'm in a Bed and Breakfast and my pregnant wife will not be open to having me drag any of you back Saturday night for a nightcap or 3. But I am open to meeting up.

 

My wife and I are staying at a small B&B about a mile from the venue. The larger hotels close to the venue were already booked when we were looking a while back (Hampton Inn and Residence Inn, I think it was). If there's a bottle share somewhere nearby, we'd be love to join. Not sure where the majority of overnighters are staying...

 

I'm at a the Holiday inn express in South Portland. Everything else was booked. I'm down for a bottle share after our 1-5 session on Sat. Anyone else staying there?

 

I don't know how many have kept track of the samples you actually drink at a beer fest, but I have rarely gone over 30 2oz samples in a 3.5/4 hr. fest.

 

I completely agree, 35 is my max, including last years festival in the longer Sunday session, I think if you have more than that you're just swilling the beer, not sampling. Heck, at times I felt I was drinking too fast. Take your time and enjoy it, it's only beer.

 

I think I had 37 at ACBF in ~3 hours, so definitely possible. Last year for the 5-hour Sunday session of The Festival I don't even want to know how many I had. It was too many and did not end well (but during was awesome!). 30 high-quality pours is probably just right. 24 2-oz pours is just a little less than ideal.

 

Matt, I'd heard the opposite, that was returning to its roots so to speak.

 

i heard it from one of the event organizers, during acbf last weekend. but all things could change, i'm sure.