Beer Festival Etiquette?

I would say go to the end of the line. Dont forget the proper etiquette for a beer festival always includes a pretzel necklace.

 

Go to the back of the line. At most festivals I've been to here, the pours can be anywhere from 2 - 5 oz. Plus, if there is a line, that will give you time to enjoy your pour while you get back up to the front instead of trying to be that guy shooting his pours as fast as he can. Those rookie beer festival tools are easy to spot.

 

Yes, pounding samples at the brewer's table is bad etiquette. Besides, at that pace you probably won't make it through the event. There's always someone at a beer festival who couldn't pace themselves and becomes a nuisance, you don't want to be "that guy".

 

I would answer your question with a question:

Say you're one of the people in the middle/back of the line--how would you feel if someone at the front of the line held it up by standing there and asking for a second pour?

 

As someone who has poured at countless beer festivals, please go back in line so I don't have to tell you to.

 

Yes, same with 2,3,4, or 5 oz pours.

 

Totally agree with all of the previous comments above, with one exception. At a fest recently, my wife bought the designated driver ticket (bless her), but still received a glass. Thus, we had 2 glasses. At some booths I filled both glasses at once, then walked away. I figured/hoped that an extra few seconds for the second glass wasn't pushing the boundaries of fest etiquette.

 

At most festivals we are too busy to notice regardless of etiquette. If it was a really rare beer, then I would've asked to see the second person but probably would've filled it anyway.

Here's how you can offend me at a beer festival
1) Slam the beer and ask for another right away (aka not waiting in line) Cutting in line goes here too, or waiting in a shorter line for the next brewery over and then sneaking into the busier line.
2) complain that I didn't fill it high enough, when I did.
3) try to get behind my table and stand next to me - that happens a lot and it drives me crazy. I need my space to work!
4) be rude or disrespectful. If you don't like a beer, please don't say it to my face or my brewer's face.
5) at the end of the event, ask for anything and everything because "it'll all go to waste anyway"
6) steal my posters or other promotional things that are clearly not being given away

I'm always extra nice and generous to the polite, respectful patient people because they don't expect it.

 

Back of the line. Also, if you see a "friend" in line, don't slide in next to them.

 

Unfortunately, my experiences with beer festival etiquette/lack of etiquette, practiced by too many attendees, reminds me of the paradox: nobody goes to that restaurant because it is too crowded. I may miss out on some fine beers; but, I have the time to find new ones without waiting in line.

 

If you don't feel like going to the back of a long line, buy a VIP ticket. Some festivals I've been to frequently have separate, much shorter lines for as a perk for the VIP passes. The issue of course is the cost.

 

And, DO NOT go "whoooo" when someone drops their glass. Also, don't be the idiot who goes around knocking glasses out of people's hands just so they can go Whooooo!.

 

It is unfortunate that this even needs to be mentioned as proper etiquette. I'm glad I've never seen an example of this behavior.

 

Aside from the obvious, "get back in line" answer to the initial question, I'd say, be careful about the time you take talking to the pourers. You can ask a question and I am sure they will answer, but holding a long conversation while deciding what you want poured or after you get it, will annoy those of us behind you in a long line pretty quickly. If there's nobody behind you then take all the time you want. @gothedistance any feedback on that from the other side of the table?

 

I go to a lot of fests, and I spend a fair amount of time on both sides of the taps. When I'm pouring, I'm glad to answer questions. But, please stand to the side, so that I can keep my line moving, and don't get mad if I don't pay attention to you for a few seconds at a time while helping someone decide which one of our beers they would like. Also, try not to be too technically involved with your questions. I know more than the average volunteer, and can generally answer most questions, but even I have no idea what temperature the beer was mashed in at (actual question). A lot of times a volunteer will be pouring, and a brewery rep will be there, and you can stand along the side and chat away.

Go read the post from @gothedistance above. That's some good advice right there. In some places (Washington being one) you will be breaking LCB laws/rules by getting behind the table. Basically, just don't forget all the manners your Mom taught you, just cuz you've had a few brews at a fest.

 

Yeah, wow, not the kind of rule that usually needs to be written down. Might as well add:
1) Don't murder anyone
2) Absolutely NO genocide, use of chemical, nuclear, or biological weapons, or anything else that could result in a trial at The Hague for war crimes.
3) Leave the mothers out of this

 

Most fests I've been to the people are hip to the laws of the land; no cutting in line and no hanging out at the servers table keeping others from sampling.

Another one I mention is just because the pretty girl behind the servers table smiles at you, it doesn't mean she wants you to keep coming back to say hello....I've NEVER done that...