A survivor's guide to a beer show
Our American writer Gary Monterosso offers tips for that big beer day out
As the movement towards flavourful beers has accelerated during the last couple of decades, a number of side industries have grown up, one of them being tasting festivals.
Look in any beverage publication or surf the Internet and you’ll note regularly scheduled events, generally featuring anywhere from a dozen area breweries or more.
You’ll have anywhere from two to four beers available for sampling per brewery. Hey, it’s not unusual for more than a hundred beers to be present at each event.
In some cases there exist marketing companies that present these labour intensive events to make money. On the other hand, many beer festivals are a labour of love, produced by breweries, beer enthusiasts, homebrew clubs, and craft beer organisations.
If taking in a beer festival is in your future, you need to be prepared and develop a game plan. You’ll not only be more relaxed, but you’ll also learn more. Then it’s a case of being prepared to amaze your friends with your newfound knowledge.
GETTING READY FOR THE BIG DAY
Once you’ve decided on a beer festival you want to attend, you have the option of paying for your tickets in advance or buying them at the gate. The former may get you through the door and to the tasting area ahead of the others, but that is subject to the venue.
One other advantage or buying ahead of time is that you may get a discounted price. The last thing you’d want, however, is to be closed out because no more tickets were available, a real possibility given .....
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By Gary Monterosso
Section : American view
Page number : 60
