I used to be involved in the event. I've attended about 9 times, maybe more.
If you go, hit all the food early. Lots of good eats, but most of the sample tables will be out of food by 7.
Grab a few samples of beer, head to the food tent, which has decent beers as well. Then do the rest of the beer tables/areas
Get the VIP, you get a bigger glass. Take advantage of the early entry. Some of the more obscure, hard to find beers run out early.
Also, free water and Powerade stations, take advantage of that every hour or so, will keep you on track.
It's usually hellishly hot. Be prepped for that.