ACBF and Savor are one week apart this year, and I want to go to one of them (I can't justify trips out to the east coast two weekends in a row). Savor sounds amazing, but I don't know if it's worth the extra cost over ACBF. I realize they're two very different beer fests (is Savor more like EBF with food pairings?), but I need to choose between them somehow... For the people who have gone to both: Between ACBF and Savor, which would you choose and why?
Huh, I wasn't necessarily expecting a wild debate, but maybe some responses... Right now I'm leaning toward Savor, because an evening of beer/food pairings sounds delightful. Also, I went to ACBF last year, so if I go to Savor I'll know the answer to my question for next year
Ive been to ACBF and never been to SAVOR so I am in the same boat as you. I can imagine they are completely different experiences. AC is always fun because you can hit the craps tables afterward! Last year I went to the Saturday late session. This year we all got tickets for the 12 session, hoping it turns into less of a brotastic sh*tshow.
never been to savor, but ACBF is awesome. it looks like it's going to be one of those, "here's 1000 craft breweries, and here's a keg of each of their flagship beers that you could buy year round!" but in fact most brewers usually bring their A game (including perceived "big guys" like DFH and sam adams). lots of rarities, lots of little breweries you've been wanting to try but don't distribute to where you live, etc. edit: which would i go to and why? ACBF, because i have more beer friends in boston, it's cheaper, i'm a vegetarian, etc.
i always took it that pairing was a huge part of savor, no? despite what many wishful-thinkingly optimistic vegetarians and vegans may tell you, if you want to get your money's worth at foodie events and "the best restaurants," you generally need to eat animals.
Okay, so provided that SAVOR is about pairing, and you're vegetarian, it might be less worth the money because so many pairings will be with meat? If that's the case, I totally agree with that. I would guess every IPA is paired with some spicy meat, and that would not stand well with the veg crowd. I agree with the part about "the best restaurants". It has to say vegetarian (specifying ovo, lacto, etc) or vegan really to get my nod in the distinction.
exactly. i'm sure it's a great event, but i'm guessing that you miss a lot if you're vegetarian. should have been more clear in first post. brain's a bit burnt out today.
