Rather than clutter up the GBW thread with GABS specific stuff, I thought a new-thread would be in order.
I presume a number of AHB members will be attending tonight (Friday) or over the weekend, but since I volunteered for the first session on Friday here are some pictures and info of what to expect.
This is what to expect (photo taken from the VIP lounge), two large containers at each end of the hall, with two bars on each side - all bars pour the same 60 beers. A central stage with band and entertainment, various tables through the hall, food vendors off to the right (out of photo) and the 'Craft Beer College' at the far left of this shot (upstairs exactly opposite of where this photo was taken from).
Photo was taken late during the Friday session, when things were very quiet, I'd expect many more people at the Evening and Weekend sessions.
The beer list, with more info here, and in the guidebook you'll be given at entry or can pickup at Dan Murphys beforehand.
58 beers, some cider, wine and softdrink.
Some very interesting and unusual beers (including those with chili, kiwi fruit, rose petals, Christmas tree), as well as many other decent craft beers (IPA's, Belgians, wheat beers etc), most all of which are new and unique to the festival - some made for the first time just for this event.
The 4 bars is where it all happens, 60 beer taps lined up on either side of a refrigerated container.
The procedure for most people is to grab their wooden tasting paddle, write on it (in chalk) which beers they'd like to sample, and then take it to the bar-attendants who will add the beer to the paddle, however individual glasses of a specific beer can also be purchased. Read the beer guide descriptions, and select the beer that you think you'll most enjoy, or pick some things that are unusual and you have not had before, and may not have a chance to get again, because it's highly unlikely that you'd get to sample all 60 beers in one session.
I found some of the beers I tried very interesting, some great and others not really to my tastes. Depending on how how busy things are and how quickly the beer is moving, sometimes the beer sample glasses (plastic cups) can sit for a little while after it's been poured and before it's given to the customers, so asking for a freshly poured sample cup might be a good idea IMHO.
I presume a number of AHB members will be attending tonight (Friday) or over the weekend, but since I volunteered for the first session on Friday here are some pictures and info of what to expect.
This is what to expect (photo taken from the VIP lounge), two large containers at each end of the hall, with two bars on each side - all bars pour the same 60 beers. A central stage with band and entertainment, various tables through the hall, food vendors off to the right (out of photo) and the 'Craft Beer College' at the far left of this shot (upstairs exactly opposite of where this photo was taken from).
Photo was taken late during the Friday session, when things were very quiet, I'd expect many more people at the Evening and Weekend sessions.
The beer list, with more info here, and in the guidebook you'll be given at entry or can pickup at Dan Murphys beforehand.
58 beers, some cider, wine and softdrink.
Some very interesting and unusual beers (including those with chili, kiwi fruit, rose petals, Christmas tree), as well as many other decent craft beers (IPA's, Belgians, wheat beers etc), most all of which are new and unique to the festival - some made for the first time just for this event.
The 4 bars is where it all happens, 60 beer taps lined up on either side of a refrigerated container.
The procedure for most people is to grab their wooden tasting paddle, write on it (in chalk) which beers they'd like to sample, and then take it to the bar-attendants who will add the beer to the paddle, however individual glasses of a specific beer can also be purchased. Read the beer guide descriptions, and select the beer that you think you'll most enjoy, or pick some things that are unusual and you have not had before, and may not have a chance to get again, because it's highly unlikely that you'd get to sample all 60 beers in one session.
I found some of the beers I tried very interesting, some great and others not really to my tastes. Depending on how how busy things are and how quickly the beer is moving, sometimes the beer sample glasses (plastic cups) can sit for a little while after it's been poured and before it's given to the customers, so asking for a freshly poured sample cup might be a good idea IMHO.
