Craft Beer Blog

I must say that I have ALWAYS had a great time at beer festivals.  I still remember the excitement of my first one about six years ago. I was having flash-backs to my first time going to Cedar Point as a kid. Dozens of festivals later, I can share some wisdom that I have picked up along the way and I’ll conclude with some points recently made the the friends on our Facebook Fan Page.

Here’s my initial list:
1)  Homework: Not only check out the beers that are offered at the festival, but check out the breweries.  Go to their websites . . . check them out . . . educate yourself.  If you’re new to craft beer, you most likely have preferences.  Hoppy, malty, citrusy, sour?  Most likely, you’ll find examples of beers that fit these descriptions.  Ask the brewer/server for what you like, but eventually branch out.

2)  Bring someone! This is a great opportunity of bringing someone new into the fold!  Introduce them to this marvelous world of beer that has flavor!!!

3)   Dress: Winter garb for winter fest & summer garb for summer fest.  The Michigan Brewers Guild has their Winter Beer Festival the last Saturday in February.  It has ALWAYS been COLD!!!  Be prepared!!!  Boots, winter coat, layers, hat, gloves . . . the whole nine yards . . . literally! Summer:  WOW!!!  Whatever you feel like!  Have a kilt? Dig it out of your closet and put it on!  You’ll fit right in!!!  One word of caution:  Be careful of the heat. Alcohol and high temperatures are not a good combination!  Pack a hat and some sunscreen too!!!

4)  Eat!!! This is NOT the day to start your diet!  You will consume several thousand calories this day!!!
A)  Have a solid breakfast.  DO NOT ARRIVE HUNGRY WITH AN EMPTY STOMACH!!!
B)  Eat during the festival.  Keep food in your stomach
C)  Eat somewhere local after the festival.  This will allow your body to process the alcohol before your ride home if you do not have a Designated Driver.

5)  Transportation:
A)  The Bus:  We have taken the bus a few times.  This is a great way to travel. On the way there, there are usually beer-related games/trivia to keep you entertained.  Plus, the ride home will be nice too!
B)  Designated Driver:  This is a great option.   No worries of getting behind the wheel when you really shouldn’t.  If you find a friend who loves you enough for this great sacrifice, hang on to that person FOREVER!!!
C)  If Options A & B are not open, see 4C above.  Get something in your stomach.  Coffee will not do the trick.  Get some carbs and protein AND PLENTY OF WATER!!!

6)  Hydrate BEFORE the festival . . . DURING the festival . . . AFTER the festival  (also, drinking water between each sample will help to cleanse your palette)

7)  Build up alcohol tolerance. True or false? While there is some truth to that, there are two schools of thought:  A)  Prepare by drinking every night for at least the week leading up to the festival or B)  Prepare by NOT drinking every night for at least the week leading up to the festival.  For me, the jury is still out.  The Alstrom brothers (of Beer Advocate fame) recommend building up tolerance by having 6 – 10 beers a day.  However, I have talked with a few brewers who abstain from all alcohol before they whisk themselves off to the GABF.  They are choosing to be kind to their livers.

 DON’T SMOKE!!! This may offend some smokers out there, but your smoking not only irritates the non-smokers at these festivals (and they are in the majority), you’re also doing yourself a disfavor by dulling your taste buds and not getting the full benefit of the layers of flavor in these amazing beers!  One of my favorite quotes was in the Festival brochure for the Great Taste of the Midwest:  “Bad smoke ruins good beer!”

9)  Get the Beer List.
A)  Select breweries that you don’t have the opportunity to get their beers
B)  Select beers from breweries that are special . . . “festival only” beers.  Most breweries will bring beers not regularly available at the pub
C)  Try the breweries that you may have ruled out from previous experiences.  Perhaps you’ll find that ‘diamond in the rough’ was the brewery you almost passed over
D)  Tell the server you want only a half-sample.  This will allow you to get to more beers

Added 2/28/10 (day AFTER the Winter Fest): E)  THOSE THREE OR FOUR “MUST HAVES” . . . GET THEM RIGHT AWAY!  Run to the brewer’s table . . . stand in line . . . be there for the set release time!!! I missed out on three of the beers I was most looking forward to because they were on everyone else’s list too!  It was like going to Cedar Point and not getting to ride the Magnum!  You’ll still have a great day, but you’ll be left wondering what you missed out on.

10)  Take tasting notes. This allows you to slow down . . . really think about what your tasting. You may wish to review these notes several weeks later and relive your experience.  You may wish seek out those beers and see if they are available locally. PLUS:  You’re recall what beer(s) really stood out to you.

11)  Music: Most festivals have bands or groups that are brought in to entertain you.  Take advantage of this.  99% of the time, these groups are awesome!!!

12)  Seminars: If there are special panels (ie:  Beer/Food Pairings, Beer Education, Cooking with Beer, etc.) check them out. They are always educational and usually the people that put these classes on are well known in the beer-community (ie: Lucy Saunders).

11)  Capture memories: Bring a camera and take lots of pictures . . . especially if you have a Facebook page or a blog

12)  Arrive early! First come, first served.  This will also give you a chance to talk with the brewers before things get too hectic!

13)  Leave late . . . at least make sure you’re 100% capable of making the drive home safely!  (again . . . see 4C)

14)  Suggestions from Facebook friends: Before posting this blog, I asked for some suggestions on our Facebook page.  Here are some great replies:

Pace yourself; get one of those pretzel necklaces; be considerate to others; rinse your glass between beers; bring a chair (if allowed)[I'll assume this suggestion applies to Summer Fests]; get a head-start to the latrines; don’t be afraid to dump a beer if you don’t like it – don’t slam it; if the lines are long keep the lines moving by not engaging in conversation with the pourers; if you’re a vegetarian bring your own food; don’t wait to the last minute to get your tickets; don’t get hammered – stay at home if this is your goal; any proposal made after 4:00 p.m. is null & void; work from light to dark beers. 

WOW!  Some good ones in there that I didn’t think of!

Here’s the bottom line:  Go with a plan.  If done right, this will be one of the highlights of your year.  Remember, you’re there to explore the wide range of flavors to be found in beer.  Lastly, I look forward to reading your posts in your Explorer’s Log!

Explore Beer!

Craig B.