Where should BeerAdvocate host a fest?

Roughly how many tickets were sold to past BA Fests? Are you looking to stay the same size, or go bigger?

 

Nashville or Tampa

 

Los Angeles

East Coast had Craft Beer Fest - Midwest has GABF - LA would loveeeeee this.

 

Austin, Texas

 

Chicago makes the most sense based on logistics, hotels, variety of beer drinking options, and a place to host. Grand Rapids would be cool but getting there and finding a place to stay close by could be an issue.

 

While I would selfishly say Philly, I agree with the vote for Phoenix's consistently beautiful weather.

 

Chicago...not just because I live here, but middle of country, big city and fine craft beer culture.
Perhaps suburbs of Chicago, Cook County/Chicago is insanely expensive.
I must say I'm so ashamed of my state,
when our state is #1 in murders and #1 in lowest amount of state pride
(nearly 50% of Illinoisians want to leave because they are ashamed of high taxes and corruption)

 

Chicago because my girlfriend owes me a trip there anyway. Runner-up being Asheville, of course, because that's where I live.

 

I didn't read through the entire post so forgive me if my points have already been mentioned.

My suggestion would be for Phoenix (yes, I know it was suggested but I have different reasons). Arizona has one of the most vibrant and up-n-coming beer scenes. At last years GABF, there were multiple breweries from AZ that received gold and silver medals in different categories. Among those breweries were 4 peaks, AZ Wilderness, fate, and San Tan Brewing. Arizona Wilderness brewing was named the best new brewery of the year. Additionally, we're close to the west coast and we receive alot of attention from breweries like Russian River, Firestone-walker, Lost Abbey, and The Bruery who regularly attend AZ beer fests. Finally, let me finish by saying that we have great weather during the span of months from October to April. So there's a wide timeframe to hold the event here and lots of locations to do it.

Also, we're not Chicago!

 

It would have to be Charleston or Greeneville- both great cities by any measure. As far as a Napolean Complex in the Carolina is is concerned, Marshall Ney- Napolean's second in command- disappeared into Charleston and became a nondescript teacher near Salisbury, N.C. He is buried near Mocksville N.C. and lived in anonymity until he died. And yes, Carolinians constantly feel inferior, just like Woody Allen.

 

The post wasn't meaningless, just the numbers -- mine too, and to my point that you can skew any stats for your own purpose. The murder rate(s) in Chicago have been worse in years past, but where was all the wailing and gnashing then? Oh yeah... there was no "social media" or 24 hour news channels back then.

When the BA beer fest comes to town () we'll show you around to all of the better places you seemed to have missed, I think we can make a good impression.

 

1) Minneapolis - such an overlooked craft beer scene, amazing food and the city of lakes!
2) Chicago - centrally located, killer craft beer scene, would be #1 if it wasn't so exspensive
3) Des Moines - homer vote, but it is a medium sized city that is centrally located, cheap, surprisingly good craft beer/brewery scene and TG is close

 

I like to call phx the furthest western suburb of chicago though

 

Cincinnati!

1) It's centrally located (including most cities mentioned in other posts)
A) Within a 2 hour drive:
>Dayton, OH
>Columbus, OH
>Louisville, KY
>Lexington, KY
>Indianapolis, IN
B) Within a 5 hour drive:
>Cleveland, OH
>Toledo, OH
>Detroit, MI
>Pittsburgh, PA
>Nashville, TN
>St. Louis, MO
>Chicago, IL

2) Top notch accomodations
A) CVG airport is a hub for Delta
B) Duke Energy Convention Center recently underwent a $135 million renovation & expansion
C) 3,000 hotel rooms within 3 blocks of convention center; thousands more a few blocks further on riverfront.

3) Beer-o-nomics
A) One of the best distribution markets in the country (top 5)
B) The only Yard House (featuring over 100 beers on draft) between Chicago and the east coast
C) Over a dozen great local breweries

4) This-and-that
A) Low "costs of living" equates to low prices for both tourists, as well as organizers
B) Low crime (sorry Chicago, lol)
C) Amazing attractions besides a possible BA Fest:
>Kings Island Amusement Park
>Horseshoe Casino
>Arts (Opera, Symphony, multiple art museums)
>Professional Sports
>Michelin Star restaurants

My only question is this: Where else would be a better location than Cincinnati?

 

St. Louis. The local beer scene is on the grow (Schlafly, Urban Chestnut, Perennial, etc.). Centrally located. Lots of other things to do nearby. It would be a tremendous slap in the face to have such a big craft beer event going on right in the hometown of the brewery formerly known as AB.

 

Washington, D.C.!!!
I'm a Bostonian and hate missing the Boston BeerFest each year.
D.C. is a great market with suburban brewers, urban hipsters and multicultural, beer-loving Washingtonians. Schedule it in Winter or between (or after) summer's Screen on the Green and fall's Jazz in the Garden and you have an energized, built-in audience. I vote for Washington, D.C.!!!

 

Echoing others who've stated various California locations -- the fact that the West Coast doesn't have something like GABF or BA Fest should be an extra draw to putting something out here. As much as I'd like it in L.A., I understand the reasons for avoiding. Maybe Santa Barbara? Manageable locale for both NorCal and SoCal, while not too hard for out-of-staters to get there either.

 

you're right. we need more bros!

 

Love the avatar. UCF alumni myself.

 

Las Vegas, cheap subsidized direct flights from almost everywhere