What the Funk!? GABF 2014

Their "contact us" button won't work. I keep trying but every time it says to 'fill out required information,' which I am doing. Been trying to get in touch with Yetta for 2 weeks with no response via e-mail, so I thought I'd give the standard form a shot. Ideas...? Thanks!

 

It took my buddy 45 mins to get into April's WTF. For a 4 hour event, that's nearly a quarter of the event. He saw only one dude scanning tickets with an iPad. The beer list is undeniably outstanding. But event management (still) leaves alot to be desired.

Crooked Stave is supposed to be a brewery, not an event planning company. At least that's what I thought before this whole $850/trip Aspen nonsense, the no-growler-fill policy, and the fact they STILL don't have brewing operations up-and-running.

 

That's a good point. I'd kinda like to see CS splinter their side projects into separate businesses. I love what they're doing, but I think they're being stretched a little thin.

 

They do have a "separate" distribution company set up. I like the idea, but ya, their blending seems to confuse things

 

@Todd , any chance of getting the event info updated to reflect the new ticket sale times?

 

Anyone know if WTF tickets are transferable? I'm a maybe but if I can't go I don't want to wind up stuck with a ticket.

 

That being said, how does WTF compare to Avery Sour Fest, for those who have done both?

 

I'm not going to comment on Sour Fest, because I have gone very year for the past four years and thoroughly enjoyed myself every year, but What the Funk?!? has to be one of the best festivals in the country. It was super crowded the first go around but still awesome and the second go around was even better. The beer line-up cannot be touched by any festival remotely close.

 

Looks like the limit is 2 per reserve member this go around.

 

That was painless!

 

I should have been more specific. No question the beer list is fantastic. But you can have an unparalleled beer list, and if the best beers kick before you can try them, and the lines are ridiculous, well then, that's just not worth the effort. What I like about the Avery fest is the small size of it. Sure, there are moderate lines for the hot beers (Atrial comes to mind this past year), but for the most part, all beers were available to drink with minimal fuss.

 

I have not been to Sour Fest, but at April WTF I really wanted to drink a lot of Jester King, so I had multiple tastes of MvB, Tempranillo, Atrial, and others. No fuss, short lines, and this was in the middle of the evening. The only massive lines I saw (and avoided) were for CS (Waelzblood, I assume) and Cantillon bottles. Everything else was super mellow. Most of its been said before in this thread, but I cannot imagine a better festival for lovers of sour, wild, barrel-aged brews.

 

I'd respectfully disagree, albeit good, there are 70+ incredible beers to partake at WtF!? In spring I got there 30min. early and got in the door within 15min.

1. WtF!? (best beer & food truck, no/short lines)
2. Avery SourFest (live music & food truck, next shortest lines)
3. GABF (needs lots of research, lines depend on what you're looking for)

And I've done all three with much success, but WtF takes the cake as the best festival I've ever been to (but I've only attended the spring one)

 

Have to agree with this 100% and another great thing about the festival is how many brewers/employees of the different breweries are actually at the festival repsresenting their beers.

 

Thanks for the insight! Food for thought tomorrow morning. Not sure I can pass up a fest like that.

 

I mean check the beer list I posted from the spring event, I had at least 10+ beers I couldn't even trade for, so much bada$$ beer my head is still spinning from that night.

Not sure what lines were like last year though during GABF inaugural WtF!? fest.

 

Yeah wish I could have made that April one. Thursday is a tough night for some folks to get free. Definitely envious of those who take the vacation time for GABF. One of these days.

 

Please someone guide me.. I've got every cellar reserve email but where do I buy tickets?

 

NM found it.. My apologies..