Snallygaster 2019

I agree. Plus the return of a commemorative tasting glass for pours instead of the single-use plastic Dixie cups is a welcome change. The pours for the more rare beers will be limited to 4-oz., but for the rest, you can get 8-oz. pours. Blue Jacket will be giving out cans and I assume if The Alchemist returns, they will give out cans again.

 

I'll bet that Churchkey will have some sweet stuff on tap as well. I attended Snallygaster several years ago and it rained. If I attend this year, it will rain again. However, I can be bribed to stay away this year - if the prices are right.

 

Lucky for us there is still plenty of time to grow a neckbeard to protect from the rain.

 

Should be noted that VIP early access has been extended from 90 minutes last year to 2 hours. Factor in the unlimited pours and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the rarer brews kick well before GA.

 

This will most certainly be the case. But with 150 amazing breweries, if you only have a general admission ticket, you probably won't notice.

 

VIP sold out.

 

Beer list drops have started:

 

Second drop:

 

Is there a strategy to this festival? Have not been to a beer fest in quite a few years but was going to take a laissez faire, see what doesn't have lines approach.

 

Last year's Snally was my first ever beer festival. I just had a regular pass. I don't recall lines being much of a problem, and with no ticket system this year to slow transactions down, I can only imagine less issues with lines. Then again, I had a list of 50 or so beers to try, way more than I actually did try.

 

They have a full list available now as csv.

https://www.snallygasterdc.com/

Recommendations for what to hit first would be appreciated. I dont have the knowledge to identify the cult/grail stuff. TIA.

 

That's the big question. As coquet suggested, Untapp'd is a good resource. Based on other suggestions I seen, look for breweries not normally distributed in this area. You can sort the Untapp'd Snallygaster 2019 list by location or style. Check other BA regional forums to see which breweries are creating a buzz. DC Beer and Brightest Young Things have been posting Snallygaster recommendation lists for the past few years.

Try a beer style you've never had or rarely have had. I may try Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Buffalo Bière de Garde from Garden Path Fermentation since I've only had one Bière de Garde before and the name is just so amazingly silly.

Do you have favorite local breweries? Sample some of their beers and let them know you appreciate their efforts.

 

Does anybody know if you're allowed more than one beer at a time, or are you limited to what you currently have in your souvenir glass? Meaning can you bring your own cups, get multiple pours of various beers before they run out, pour the servings into your own cups and then drink them at your leisure? I sort of did this last year as there was no one designated glass and each beer cam in it's own plastic cup. I want to pace myself so I drink moderately throughout, but I also don't want to miss out on some of the beers that will kick earlier than others.

Obviously, high scoring beers of certain popular styles that are rarely if ever seen in the area are the ones that will kick first. What those beers are is your homework, I'm not giving you the answers!

 

Anyone have any breakfast or general food recommendations nearby for before the fest?

 

Biscuit sammie(s) from Baked Joint if you're going breakfast, Taco Bamba or Partisan for lunch, IMO. All within walking distance from the entrance

 

I just printed a map, a pivot table of my friends and my "want to try" list by tent, and the list of beers itself. I need to pack an empty water bottle, but I am ready!

 

I came here to read about people's impressions of the beers, the event, etc. And this is the one comment. Lame.