How do YOU EBF?

The first couple of times I made a list and a plan but never followed either so after that I just wandered nd hit the places with the smallest lines and if there was a break at the others I'd hit them as well. Most of the EBF's I went to I was a volunteer which gave me a slight advantage in that we're inside befor it opens so it giives you time to scout out all the booths and beer lists which comes in handy when a patron is looking for a certain beer or brewery.

 

Some people are there fairly early. However, even if you are at the end of the line, they've worked out pretty efficient ways of getting people in, usually it's maybe 15 or 230 minutes after doors open that everyone from the line is in. Generally even then you're not going to miss anything to kicking.

 

Last year was first year, I hit the handfull of spots I wanted then kinda popped around based on what the lines looked like. I strongly encourage for those of you who are new to the event to eat and drink water. It came up on me quick, and had to drink water like a fish lol.

 

My first stop is usually to the BA table to get water. Hydration is the most important thing.

I do a lot of other prep for the event as far as list and mapping out tables and such, but that is the best practical advice I can give.

 

I've found that between each sample using the water stations to both dump beers that I'm meh about, rinsing the cup, and then filling the cup with water to drink is pretty good at keepin me hydrate throughout the night. Also always have an open mind because although you'll have your list of must-haves, there will probably be one or two that the brewery isn't pouring that session, they put it on halfway through and you miss it, or it gets kicked.

 

I've been to a few fests.. This is my first EBF tho! This will actually be the first fest I write out my "must haves" and print out the booth map. And as most of the others have mentioned... drink ALOT of water starting the day before (If you're like me and have to be alive to take care of the kids the next morning, staying hydrated is IMPORTANT!) Food before, and a good 'ol pretzel necklace!

Also... Bring something you can carry all your beer goodies in! That was a big mistake I made at ACBF... I had so many cool stickers, coasters, etc from the booths, and nothing to hold them in!!!

 

Just curious about rating beers at the fest. I use BA to keep track of the beers I drink but going to a fest is it really fair to rate a beer that I have only consumed 2oz of and drank a ton of other beers so that my taste bud is skewed. However I love the ticking! Wondering will what people's opinions are on entering a score / had on BA and should I consider a 2oz pour a tick for my life beer list.

 

I used a different app to keep track of what I drank but didn't think it was fair to rate anything based on a small taste, especially an hour into the fest. So I ticked without a rating, which I don't think we can do here. I guess I would keep track of what I liked and really make an effort to get those in the future, but probably wait to rate them. And I don't think I would feel right giving anybody a low rating under those conditions.

That being said, there were certainly a lot of things I tried at EBF last year that I added to my wants. And a much smaller number that I made a mental note not to purchase in the future.

 

IMO rating/reviewing based on fest samples is a no-no.
As far as ticking on Untappd and the like, it's completely up to the individual. Personally, I opt not to and just focus on having a good time.

 

I'm not EBF'ing unfortunately, but I would immediately make my way over to the Grimm both and get me a sample of Maple Bourbon Double Negative (which is going in to distro!!). Tree House is always solid as well.

Like I said, even though I'm not going, I would definitely hit the Surly booth.

And as a tip for those who've never experience a great beer fest, make sure you eat A LOT before the fest. I eat about half a pound of rice before every beerfest that I go to. Some can't do the starch, but it works exceptionally well for me.

 

That sounds awful. Spending the whole festival hunched over a phone searching for beer names? No thanks.

 

Some will

 

Old School

 

Carefully!

Cheers!

 

I 'd hate to post my collection of past books from EBF, ACBF, NERAX....

 

I've always just made notes in the beer book for the fest. I don't tick or review online, but I do like to keep tabs on what I had and what I liked. Depending on how far into the fest, I may take a couple notes about the beer, if there;s something the description doesn't have. I always have a pen and the booklet handy for that. In the past I've printed out the list beforehand and made notes on what I wanted to try - that usually lasts a half hour in, then things start kicking, and blood alcohol level gets to a certain point all that goes out the window and I try whatever looks interesting.
I will almost always get to the things I wanted, unless kicked before I get there.

 

Being a geeky beer drinker I always take the beer list from a fest and turn it into a google sheet as others have done. I mark my Top 10 picks and others that I want to try. When the fest map is released load it up in Photoshop and match my picks to the booth locations. I know it's more work than most probably do and nothing ever goes strictly to plan due to kegs tapping out or a line being so long that you skip it and keep an eye on it and if they haven't tapped maybe try the line mid session if it looks reasonable.

Here's my list from last year 2015 Front - 2015 Back. It's battle scarred and tested. Most of the beer stains are from fest folks who had a bad sense of their personal space, if ya know what I mean.

As others have said in this thread, stay hydrated, pour a beer into the bucket if it's not your thing, eat a waffle or grilled cheese, talk to other fest folk to get their take on what's amazing and other intel.

IMHO: Avoid using Untappd during the fest. The network will be saturated and way too slow for live check-ins. Not to mention that this slows you down and ya might look a little douchey in the process. Bring a pen, write notes in the EBF program or your list if you've printed one out. Do whatever it takes to keep the lines moving.

Have fun :-)