Good news! Going to GABF! Good news (but bad news for GABF): my wife is expecting any day now. So, I have a pass from her to go (we're close by), within moderation...with the understanding I may have to leave at anytime. So, if I don't hit everything, here's my request: Give me your three breweries I CANNOT miss, give me one that may surprise me, and give me one you feel I can avoid. Thanks!
I am guessing since your wife is in Denver as well you live in Denver, with that said I would make sure to hit Bell's and Cigar City as those don't distribute to Colorado and always have great stuff. I would also hit Jester King from Austin Texas because I used to live there and enjoyed there brews immensely. Unless your a huge sour or hops fan, I would avoid Russian River as the line will be massively long and if your only there for an hour I would try things that you cant really get in Colorado. My two cents.
If you are going Saturday afternoon...BEELINE to The Bruery for Black Tuesday. Last year on Sat afternoon they were pouring it the second I walked in the door. No one had realized it yet, and I got like 7 generous pours. (BTW...avoid that. Big mistake later when I also got 5 pours of Utopias...OUCH.) Speaking of Utopias, I recommend you hit the Sam Adams tent to find out when they are pouring it. They seem to pour it every year (even in off release years), and remember the 10th anniversary is coming out this year (even though it is an off year) so you might get to try some of that 2012!! But be sure to show up at the tent super early...that is not considered a line when Utopias is pouring. It is a MOB.
here's some of my picks: http://brewtallyinsane.com/2012/10/08/ten-breweries-you-cant-afford-to-miss-at-gabf/ Best of luck to you and your wife this weekend!
Three breweries you've never heard of. If you want reliable and phenomenal can't go wrong with ^ list
Just realize, if you miss the birth of your child the GABF won't be worth it and your wife will revoke all future passes. Don't risk a chance being stuck and leaving your wife to fend for herself.
Her family is from Denver and we're going to stick around for the birth of our boy. Her best friend is a doctor out here and will in all likelihood be delivering(and she wants to be out here...family, comfort, etc). Her due date is actually next week but anything is possible. I'm within 10 minutes if being there so it's not a worry. All this info is terrific, thanks! Just got off the flight earlier and checking my posts.
