beer festival


Thermos Raya Blue Bordered Black Insulated 12 Can Lunch Tote


Thermos Raya Blue Bordered Black Insulated 12 Can Lunch Tote


$15.99


Nothing is worse than when your lunch and drink are the wrong temperature. More and more people have been eating out for lunch to combat this, but at a tremendous cost to their wallets. Now you can bring your lunch with you and retain the proper temperature with this insulated lunch tote. The tote’s insulation keeps foods either hot or cold, and the leak-proof interior prevents mess. The interior …

Wine Glass Necklace with Lanyard, Copper Coated Steel


Wine Glass Necklace with Lanyard, Copper Coated Steel


$3.19


Wine Glass Necklaces hold a glass of wine at a party, festival, art show, freeing your hand to hold a plate, shake hands, etc..
Put the Wine Glass Necklace lanyard around your neck, insert an empty wine glass into the Wine Glass Necklace and hold the wine glass while adding wine….

Thermos Raya Pink Bordered Black Insulated 12 Can Lunch Tote


Thermos Raya Pink Bordered Black Insulated 12 Can Lunch Tote


$25.00


Nothing is worse than when your lunch and drink are the wrong temperature. More and more people have been eating out for lunch to combat this, but at a tremendous cost to their wallets. Now you can bring your lunch with you and retain the proper temperature with this insulated lunch tote. The tote’s insulation keeps foods either hot or cold, and the leak-proof interior prevents mess. The interior …

Beerfest (Unrated Widescreen Edition)


Beerfest (Unrated Widescreen Edition)


$2.98


TWO BROTHERS TRAVEL TO GERMANY FOR OKTOBERFEST, ONLY TO STUMBLE UPON A SECRET, CENTURIES OLD COMPETITION DESCRIBED AS A ‘FIGHTCLUB’ WITH BEER GAMES….

Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower


Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower


$11.67


The courageous journeys of the Mayflower Pilgrims are told in this gripping historical documentary. Members of the Royal Shakespeare Company essay the roles of the Separatists and sailors who braved the seas of the North Atlantic in 1620, searching for a better life first in Holland, then on the shores of what later became the state of Massachusetts in America. 137 min. Standard; Soundtrack: Engli…

Festival! - The Newport Folk Festival


Festival! – The Newport Folk Festival


$8.99


FESTIVAL! – DVD Movie…

German Beer Drinking & Merrymaking Songs: Featuring Music From The Octoberfest In Munich


German Beer Drinking & Merrymaking Songs: Featuring Music From The Octoberfest In Munich


$12.00


German Beer Drinking & Merrymaking Songs by Munich MeistersingersThis product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply….

Oktoberfest in Germany


Oktoberfest in Germany


$5.49



W.C. Field Film Festival - The Fatal Glass of Beer, Golf Specialist, The Dentist


W.C. Field Film Festival – The Fatal Glass of Beer, Golf Specialist, The Dentist


$5.29



Oktoberfest Dog - 24W x 22H - Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys


Oktoberfest Dog – 24W x 22H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys


$33.99


WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…




Festival


Festival


$152


Festival:

German Beer Oktoberfest Earrings


German Beer Oktoberfest Earrings


$9.99


German Beer Oktoberfest Earrings Roll out the beer barrel and celebrate with these Oktoberfest beer earrings. Oktoberfest beer is known as Marzen. Oktoberfest is a German beer festival. Specifications: Approximately 1.25" Length, Stainless Steel Earwires, Handmade in the USA Oktoberfest Jewelry and Accessories

Beer


Beer


$12.98


Beer

beer festival

How to Enjoy a Beer Festival

In order to get the most out of attending a festival, while being responsible and not being annoying the following are some steps that you might keep in mind while attending.

1.  Make sure that you eat just prior to entering the festival (but give yourself time to get the flavor of the food out of your mouth or you will be tasting food flavored beer), and continue to seek out food for the duration of the festival. Most festival have pre-arranged agreements with (on-site) food vendors that allow for at least one or two low cost food items to be available for purchase from each vendor.  Typical beer festival fare of turkey legs, pizza, nachos and different sandwiches will give your stomach a much needed buffer between beer and alcohol absorption.  Take time to enjoy your food.  This will also help to cleanse your palette between flights of beer.

2. Try to come close to drinking equal parts water and beer. If you have four two ounce servings of beer, try and drink that same amount of water before moving on to another flight of beer.  Most festivals provide either bottled water or some other way of obtaining water specifically for this purpose.  You will undoubtedly use the restrooms more frequently, but in the end this will keep you from becoming dehydrated and could help reduce the chance of a hangover later on.

3.  Have a list of beers and a plan. Almost all beer festivals that this author has attended provide lists of both breweries and the beers that they plan to bring along to vend at the festival.  Get that list and start planning what flights you might want to try.  Some festival also provide a site layout which makes finding your favorites that much easier.  Try some of the following (as long as the requisite brewers are in attendance):

  • A Belgian flight
  • A pale ale flight
  • A hop flight
  • A German flight
  • A wheat flight

Just remember to balance your taste buds.  Don't start a tasting session with a beer with an IBU (international bitterness units) of 90 and expect to be able to taste anything but hops from then on. Start lower and work your way up.  Your taste buds will thank you.

4.  Make sure you actually taste the beers. Too often attendees at festivals look at those festivals as a four hour kegger.  To enjoy the festival and create a lasting impression in your mind and a memory of the beers you drank (that you should be able to find after the festival) take your time to actually taste the beer.   Tasting Hints.

  • Aroma - Since half of taste is actually our olfactory perception, take time to smell the beer.  Make a mental note of what you can smell.
  • Appearance - Although most festivals pour in two ounce portions, you should be able get a good idea of the look of the beer.  The head retention, color, cloudiness, etc.
  • Taste - When tasting, this author finds it best to drink only half of the sample initially. Making a  note of the different properties of the beer (bitter/sweet/tart, etc)
  • Mouthfeel - What did the beer feel like.  Thick, chewy, silky, fizzy.  This will have an affect upon your perception and enjoyment of the beer.
  • Second Look (Overall) - Finish the beer sample.  Did you note any changes from the first taste to now?  Did the beer breathe differently or did you experience a flavor that was not present during the first swallow?  Many beers (especially ales) are very complex and can't be fully appreciated with a single taste.

5. Keep a record of your favorite beer rather than trying to quaff down more of them. Most festivals have too many beers to possibly learn in the short period of the festival. If you find a beer that you really like, write it down and stick the information in your pocket. Plan to buy it later to enjoy it in the comfort of your home.

6.  Most importantly. Have yourself a designated driver or some plan to avoid having to drive after  the festival.  Pay a neighbors kid, go as a group with one person designated to drive, take a taxi or bus.  Revere Beer, but do so responsibly.

Tips

Bring along a small bag or wear pants or shorts with ample pockets.  Festival are notorious for giving out swag and if its a Beer or brewer you like, then it would be nice to have something to remember the beer by.

Bring a pen to take notes or write down addresses or websites.

And finally, have fun, make some new friends, find a new favorite beer and hope that those pictures don't make it to Facebook.  Cheers.

About the Author

Christopher Graf is the owner and operator of CellarMonk.com, an online community resource for the discussion, exploration and enjoyment of everything beer, wine and spirits.