OT: Top Of The Hops? VIP or General Admin? Any..
- Thread starter MaroonState
- Start date
VIP definitely
The hour earlier admission and the food are the biggest benefits. There is hardly any waiting in line at the booths during the early VIP hour. Plenty of time to get around try things you've never had as well as some of the more interesting offerings. Once that general admission gate opens, it can feel like standing in line at Disney. The food is a huge bonus as well. The line in the VIP area will get pretty long right when it's set out, and it will run out later in the day, but you'll have a nice place to sit and some pretty good food to help keep that buzz in check. There are also some extra beers in the VIP area that aren't available to the general public. Lazy Magnolia always seems to have something they've done that really stretches the imagination of what a beer can be. Here are my tips...
Get the VIP ticket and be there a little early so you can get in line and be one of the first in.
Make your way to the VIP section to see if there is some crazy *** concoction and try it. There will be a lot of other beers in the VIP area as well. Leave those be until you come back unless there is one that you just really want. There may be a few that are very limited, so you may want to sip those as well.
Make your way to the booths, hitting up all the stuff you really want to try first. Downloading the map from the website ahead of time will help you get an idea about where you want to go. After you've hit your must haves and never tried, make your way to some you just really want to get a sip of. This is when I like to go back and hit the Abitas or Lazy Mags that I can get around town. Sure I've got a case of Jockamo at home, but it would just be odd to go to a beer fest and not get some. Also keep an eye out for some of the hand outs. Grab a Lucky Town huggie, a bottle opener or two (can never have enough), and occasionally you'll find some pint glasses.
Head to the VIP area, hopefully catch a short food line, try some of the beers there, and pull out the schedule of the Beer University. Find one you want to go to and make sure you get in line fairly early. They usually have something free to hand out to the first 25 or so. We made out with a full set of Sam Adams perfect pour pint glasses one year.
The general admission folks will be going in full force now. Stroll around, maybe find a short line somewhere, walk through the vendors area, sign up to win the load of free beer and any other stuff. Stop by the Raise your Pints table and sign up. They usually give you a choice of t-shirt, which should satisfy your souvenir purchase.
Make a final stop in the VIP lounge, maybe graze what's left of the food, have a few more sips of what is still available there. Then leave a little early because a lot of the beer will be running out.
Oh yeah... and make sure you make and wear a pretzel necklace. And take one of those sack backpack things. You'll be able to fold it up in your pocket when you go in, then carry all your swag in it.
The hour earlier admission and the food are the biggest benefits. There is hardly any waiting in line at the booths during the early VIP hour. Plenty of time to get around try things you've never had as well as some of the more interesting offerings. Once that general admission gate opens, it can feel like standing in line at Disney. The food is a huge bonus as well. The line in the VIP area will get pretty long right when it's set out, and it will run out later in the day, but you'll have a nice place to sit and some pretty good food to help keep that buzz in check. There are also some extra beers in the VIP area that aren't available to the general public. Lazy Magnolia always seems to have something they've done that really stretches the imagination of what a beer can be. Here are my tips...
Get the VIP ticket and be there a little early so you can get in line and be one of the first in.
Make your way to the VIP section to see if there is some crazy *** concoction and try it. There will be a lot of other beers in the VIP area as well. Leave those be until you come back unless there is one that you just really want. There may be a few that are very limited, so you may want to sip those as well.
Make your way to the booths, hitting up all the stuff you really want to try first. Downloading the map from the website ahead of time will help you get an idea about where you want to go. After you've hit your must haves and never tried, make your way to some you just really want to get a sip of. This is when I like to go back and hit the Abitas or Lazy Mags that I can get around town. Sure I've got a case of Jockamo at home, but it would just be odd to go to a beer fest and not get some. Also keep an eye out for some of the hand outs. Grab a Lucky Town huggie, a bottle opener or two (can never have enough), and occasionally you'll find some pint glasses.
Head to the VIP area, hopefully catch a short food line, try some of the beers there, and pull out the schedule of the Beer University. Find one you want to go to and make sure you get in line fairly early. They usually have something free to hand out to the first 25 or so. We made out with a full set of Sam Adams perfect pour pint glasses one year.
The general admission folks will be going in full force now. Stroll around, maybe find a short line somewhere, walk through the vendors area, sign up to win the load of free beer and any other stuff. Stop by the Raise your Pints table and sign up. They usually give you a choice of t-shirt, which should satisfy your souvenir purchase.
Make a final stop in the VIP lounge, maybe graze what's left of the food, have a few more sips of what is still available there. Then leave a little early because a lot of the beer will be running out.
Oh yeah... and make sure you make and wear a pretzel necklace. And take one of those sack backpack things. You'll be able to fold it up in your pocket when you go in, then carry all your swag in it.
Agreed on all points & I'll add...
...I think VIP tickets might be sold out on Ticketmaster unless some more were recently released. Try Hops and Habanas or Brewhaha just in case.
As far as the event itself is concerned, I'll be going for the 'never had' beers and add them to my Untappd list.
Also, have a designated driver with you or if not, get a hotel room.
...I think VIP tickets might be sold out on Ticketmaster unless some more were recently released. Try Hops and Habanas or Brewhaha just in case.
As far as the event itself is concerned, I'll be going for the 'never had' beers and add them to my Untappd list.
Also, have a designated driver with you or if not, get a hotel room.
Thanks for the advice from everyone. Was able to secure two VIP tickets this morning, so they are still available.
Is it really a good event?
I went to the big Beer Fest in Portland a few years ago, which is one of the biggest in the world (supposedly) and it was nothing short of miserable.
You'd wait in line for 30 minutes to get about 5 oz of beer. The worst part was the college crowd, constantly cutting in lines.
Admittedly, its the only one I've ever been to so hate to judge them all like that...but I'm not really dying to spend $40 on 2 tickets to go thru that again...then all the money you spend once you get in.
I went to the big Beer Fest in Portland a few years ago, which is one of the biggest in the world (supposedly) and it was nothing short of miserable.
You'd wait in line for 30 minutes to get about 5 oz of beer. The worst part was the college crowd, constantly cutting in lines.
Admittedly, its the only one I've ever been to so hate to judge them all like that...but I'm not really dying to spend $40 on 2 tickets to go thru that again...then all the money you spend once you get in.
Either VIP or volunteer. If you volunteer you can sample a little before (emphasis on little as it is not condoned) and pick up some swag and food after the event closes.