GABF 2015 Discussion & Info

I'm more for atmosphere than beer. Mammoth beer fest & Booneville have made more sense but not so much on the geek out sphere. Not knocking, just sayin'

 

The lines for RR and 3 Floyds will be insane. Make sure and go with a buddy so you can each jump in/out of line and try dozens of other beers at booths nearby while waiting to get to the front

 

It sounds like a great event; however, I am hesitant given the incredibly large amount of people in attendance all trying to get beer. I tend to be a "worst case scenario" type person, is it as hard to taste beers as I imagine it will be?

 

Quite easy unless you're trying to get the popular kid on the block. RR always has a line. TG had a huge line last year and CCB had a line. There are lines at other places also but those stood out.

Last year I didn't have a problem getting Cable Car. Over the course of the two sessions I went to I drank 2 bottles of CFH. Too hard not to grab a glass every time I walked by the booth with no line. Tons of great breweries with great beer.

 

I agree with you, I went to an Oktoberfest in Munich years ago, I found it very tough to get beer when I wanted it

 

There are a large amount of people but remember that there are over 800 booths and probably something like 2400 beers in a gigantic convention center so the crowds are largely dispersed. This is especially true of the past two years as organizers have shifted the layout slightly so it doesn't seem as crowded as it is.

Most of the "brand name" craft breweries (Avery, NBB, DFH, etc) are on the endcaps and many of them have lines the entire night. The longest lines are usually those high-demand breweries who aren't on an endcap (RR and Wicked Weed had INSANE lines last year). But others - Rare Barrel comes to mind - had lines no longer than 10 people or so. My favorite booths are those uber-local hidden gems that only the beer geeks know about and had no lines at all (Fremont, Logsdon, Beachwood BBQ, Comrade, etc). You just gotta adapt unless you want to be waiting in line all night.

 

There is a section for Guilds in one area that not many people go to. At each booth you can find 6-12 beers from each region of the country, some good some bad, but a great way to try a bunch of different beers from different breweries.

 

Unless you've never had RR, Three Floyds, TG, etc...go for the small up and comers. No lines, great beers. That's what's it's all about for me, anyway.

 

one strategy is to hit those popular breweries that don't distribute in your area. In my opinion, this isn't a good way to go.
In Denver that week, you'll find plenty of beers you won't find at home. Maybe not the exact ones you're looking for, but you'd be hard pressed to be disappointed. Check back to this forum for updates on tap-takeovers, bottles in local stores, etc. Heck, Denver itself has some amazing breweries that don't package.

The GABF is a great opportunity to try beers from small breweries that you may not have heard of, won't ever visit, and that probably don't distribute. The Guilds usually have some great beers as well. The FFFs and Bells(es) of the world will have lines that will eat your time.

 

I think I got in line for New Glarus sour peach last year at least 5 times. To each his own, but if you find something you like, why not enjoy it! The line was moving a lot quicker than TG and FFF mind you. Also, I went to 2 sessions so by the end of my 2nd, I was going back to favorites from the 6-7 hours of tasting prior. Props to Brasserie St. James last year too, they had some fun stuff.

 

If you spend a lot of time in line, you're doing it wrong.. I waited about a minute for my first Sculpin, for instance. This certainly wasn't the only 'desirable' beer that I didn't wait at all for.

Unless you can't leave without trying a particular beer, don't wait in the lines. The lines generally move quickly anyways..

I don't get why people whine about the event. Maybe I'm just not old and crotchety enough.. Don't have a neck beard either..

 

Those will have long lines. Trade for FFF and RR beers, and find the small hidden gems at GABF, places with no line where you can get pour after pour.

Wait, what am I doing? I would recommend waiting in the FFF line for an ounce of Zombie Dust

 

I won't ever mess with 3 Floyd's at GABF anyways. They don't bring enough beer, and run out ridiculously early. Don't even bother showing up, let a brewery that actually cares have the spot.

 

On the presale email were there any directions (or links) on where to put the code in? I received my codes after calling yesterday, but I want to make sure there isn't a special link too.

 

I still haven't received the presale email, did it just come recently?

 

With the possible exception of New Glarus or a zany tapping I don't bother with lines at GABF. It just isn't worth it.
I usually have a few places that I jog to in the first 5 minutes and after that I just try whatever sounds good or people have suggested.

 

I received my email with the presale code a few days ago.

 

The greatness of the Brewer's Guild area cannot be overstated. Each year I visit this area, almost always stumbling upon it by accident. Have found a bunch of really great offerings at this area and ZERO lines. Do your self a favor, people!

 

If you unsubscribed from the aha newsletter, you wont get your code. you need to email [email protected] with your name and aha number.

 

My wife and I are planning to attend for the first time this year and are trying to determine which session to go to on Saturday. Is there a big difference in what is available between the afternoon noon or the evening session? I would guess much less crowded in the afternoon so we are leaning towards that but we still want to be sure we get the full experience of going. Any thoughts or advice is greatly appreciated!

Cheers!