Where should BeerAdvocate host a fest?

I am sure this is a stupid question. Is this event going to replace the one in Boston or be a supplement? I assume that the "no locations in New England" means the Boston event is staying put and this is a supplemental event?

 

Governor's Island, NYC

Thousands of people will attend. There was a fest here a few years back. It was the best beefest I've ever been to in the states. They completely eliminated drunk driving since you need to take a Ferry to get to and from the Island. And when you return to the mainland, it's all subways, trains, and taxis from there.

 

My kind of town Chicago would be fantastic. Like already stated, it's pretty easy to get here from most anywhere and, once here, easy to get around. Plus, the beer and food scenes are great. Minneapolis and Grand Rapids would be my #2 and #3.

 

You're right, Asheville doesn't have the necessary infrastructure. It's tough to get a room in downtown Asheville when there are tiny events happening.

Charlotte. Charlotte. Charlotte. Every Asheville brewery would show for it - short drive - and NC is killing it right now. Westbrook & Coast would come up - short drive from SC.

There - Todd, it's decided. When ya coming?

 

CHICAGO!

 

My back yard would be perfect!

 

I would do it in a metro area that has a so so reputation for beer. If you couldd get thee beer geekss in a town that has mediocre beer to taste some of the nations best beers, wouldn't it stand to reason that they may just get their act together and start brewing good beer as well? And really, wouldn't that be at the heart of beer advocacy?
Denver, bend, san diego, chicago, they all have awesome beer there already, and the BA fest would just be another festival in a long list of other festivals. The turn out may not be huge, but theen again who knows who will come out of the woodwork if they had a chance to try 3 floyds in santa fe?

 

Eli left out just one thing - the food in downtown Asheville is AMAZING.

 

1st choice: NC
2nd choice: SC

How's that?

 

Fabulous. Especially when you elaborate on the SC location. Can't wait.... maybe South of the Border? Beers with Pedro?

Seriously, is there some kind of Napoleon Complex in the Carolina's?

 

Herehere to the BBQ statement. The best.

 

My choice would be "obviously" Asheville but as a second choice Vegas, like has been said, great eats, easy to get to (everyone flies into and out of Vegas), a LOT of hotels, and things to do.

Don't get me wrong, I grew up in the Chicagoland area, that wouldn't be a bad choice either, but I think Vegas would just be a bit better.

 

Lived in the city of Chicago for 3 years, no issues.

First week in Denver, got assaulted and robbed at gunpoint. No, I wasn't in a bad area.

Just sayin'

 

Great point! I think there is a lot of interest in S Florida and a startling lack of beer festivals in this area.

 

I'm with CaveDave - somewhere just outside of NYC could be fantastic. Anywhere in Westchester/Lower Hudson Valley, maybe even Mid Valley. So long as it's at a venue that's walking/biking/short cab distance from a metro north station, this gives people the option to stay in the NYC and enjoy all that's there, while having easy access to a beer festival that can take advantage of the proximity to the burgeoning beer scene in the Hudson Valley. As has been repeatedly (mercilessly, relentlessly) expounded upon by CaveDave, there are a large number of killer breweries in the area that would be great contributors to a festival. And of course, way cheaper for the organizers to hold a festival outside of the city limits.

 

Plus it's right across the street from my job.

 

I was joking - but if held in SC, I guess I'd go with Charleston - ungodly good food and some fantastic bars, close to Coast Brewing & Westbrook. But Charleston is small and very expensive. I honestly don't feel SC is a good choice.

The reason I'm adamant about Charlotte is it's a central location that easily incorporates both Asheville & SC in the mix - short drives - and downtown Charlotte can easily host a massive crowd. Charlotte's airport is one of the busiest in the nation. Lodging here is cheaper than Boston, NYC, Chicago. The weather is typically grand - winters are very mild - the summer months can get hot, but not sticky like SC or Georgia.

Richmond Virginia has some neat stuff going on right now. Louisville, Kentucky is a great city with an up and coming brewing scene.

 

Anything in the Great Lakes region would be great. Ideally for me anything in the upper Ohio or anywhere in Michigan would guarantee me a DD or at the least a reasonably priced hotel accomodation.

 

You know, this makes total sense. Charleston is way cool. I could easily spend days there, but I see your point about being $$ and too small.

Charlotte on the other hand is used to handling MASSIVE crowds. So split the difference, Charlotte it is. I'd go.

Though Beers with Pedro... I think I'm on to something there.

 

Charlotte/Greensboro/Raleigh. I've attended beer fests in all three cities and they are very well received. Plus, there's a big craft beer fan population in NC.