Get pleasure from craft beer festivals, West Coast Metropolis Woman fashion. Sensible suggestions and methods for having fun with a day or night of hoppy libation with enjoyable, grace and gumption.

Whereas summer season tends to host the majority of the grownup beverage festivals in BC, they normally occur year-round. Notably in Vancouver and Victoria. The Brit and I just lately attended the immensely in style Nice Canadian Beer Pageant (GCBF) for the primary time, and I feel it’s certainly one of my favorite festivals I’ve been to — and the climate was good!

As a result of the weblog has turn out to be somewhat extra liquid-focused (and I now do the social media for the BC Ale Path), I attend so much of craft beer occasions. Mixed with years of sports activities/live performance/company occasion planning, I’ve seen and realized so much — significantly from individuals watching. (Which is certainly one of my favorite actions at an occasion.)

As a blogger, I have to current myself effectively at occasions and festivals — particularly after I’m doing a takeover or have been gifted a ticket in return for some content material. However I nonetheless prefer to have enjoyable. So I’ve put collectively somewhat checklist of sensible suggestions and methods for having fun with a day or night of hoppy libation at a craft beer competition with enjoyable, grace and gumption.

*April 2022 replace: This was clearly written pre-pandemic, so festivals can have modified a bit. The under ideas nonetheless apply, however simply keep in mind to respect individuals’s house and be an much more conscious craft beer shopper than you’ll usually be.

1. Bear in mind to carry the necessities

All the time:

• 2 items of ID – 1 authorities issued; 1 different, like a bank card
• Your tickets – Printed or prepared in your cellphone.
• Money – I nearly by no means keep in mind this except it’s explicitly listed on the occasion website that they received’t settle for debit or credit score. (#GetThrifty: Go to your financial institution ATM earlier than the competition so that you don’t get charged the charges of the on-site ATM.)
• Moveable cellphone charger – Particularly if you happen to’re going to be out all day or take 1,000,000 footage. (Like me.)
• Empty water bottle (see #2)

Out of doors occasion:

• Small umbrella or actually good rain jacket (year-round)
• SPF (summer season)
• Hat (summer season)
• Empty reusable water bottle (year-round)
• Backpack or crossbody bag to carry all of it.

2. Hydrate

Drink water earlier than, throughout and after an occasion. This has been my mantra since I used to be 19, going to nation music bars with my pals. Nobody desires to be dehydrated.

There’s normally a water station out there, or the type particular person at your subsequent tasting desk will fortunately pour you some water in your taster glass. (This additionally pulls triple responsibility as rinsing the glass and cleaning your palate — if these items concern you.)

3. Don’t go on an empty abdomen

Eat earlier than or while you get there. Additionally my mantra. Meals vans are in style at outside festivals, so that you received’t be missing for alternative except you might have allergic reactions or different meals restrictions. I additionally actually like discovering a spot the place I can sit and revel in my taster of that second paired with no matter tasty goodness I’ve simply purchased. (FYI: Nothing might be tremendous wholesome, so I are likely to eat all my greens in a breakfast smoothie that day.)

This, mixed with #2, is the important thing to:

• Not being sloppy
• Extending your time on the occasion with enjoyable and readability
• Not feeling like a marching band is taking part in in your head or like you might have cotton in your mouth the following morning.

4. Be hands-free

If you arrive at a tasting occasion, the very first thing that occurs after the safety verify is being given a bunch of stuff: tasting glass, drink and meals tokens. Generally an occasion brochure that’s method too large to place in a pocket — however wanted for the format of the room and to know what’s what for breweries, and so forth.

I like a cross-body purse or a giant tote with a facet pocket so I’ve quick access to my tokens and cellphone. The remainder goes into the principle compartment. Much less to juggle!

5. Gown appropriately

Verify the climate for an out of doors competition — costume appropriately and to your consolation. Actually, put on no matter you need, however preserve it elegant. (You realize what I imply.) Some individuals costume in costumes with a gaggle or have a theme. This isn’t my jam, however offers me nice pleasure to see.

TOp tip: Nearly all of bigger indoor venues can have a coat-check, so that you received’t have to fret about carrying your coat round.

It’s additionally necessary to notice that individuals inevitably stumble upon you at these occasions. Otherwise you’ll have a slipshod second since you speak together with your palms (like me). So simply know there’s the likelihood that you simply may get a little bit of liquid in your garments or footwear.

6. Arrive early to beat the crowds

If I’m going to face in line, I’d reasonably it’s earlier than the occasion, and never throughout. At GCBF, the Saturday queue was across the block. As a result of I had a media move, we had been capable of go within the facet entrance; however we nonetheless bought there early.

The advantage of that is having the ability to take some good Instagramable photographs with out many individuals round, but additionally, you may hit the drink token lineup whereas the road remains to be quick. Identical goes for hitting up in style breweries.

7. Pre-read/have a method

Except you’re very into no matter beverage or a blogger with a mission, you may suppose that is foolish, and may ignore this. However if you happen to a) know what brewery/vineyard/cidery you need to try to b) the place they’re, this makes life a lot simpler.

The brochure I discussed in #4 is solely the paper model of what is going to normally be out there on-line main as much as the occasion. That is particularly useful if you happen to can solely go for somewhat bit and have sure stuff you need to strive.

8. Make pals

As a result of being in line or having to share a desk is par for the course, you may as effectively be pleasant with the individuals round you. Beer festivals, and so forth are jovial occasions, and The Brit and I find yourself having nice chats with individuals. You don’t have to accost somebody, however if you happen to’re curious in regards to the beer they presently have of their hand, ask about it. Or provide to take the photograph that the selfie received’t be — and so they’ll in flip provide to take a photograph for you. Bonus!

9. Don’t drive

Appears apparent, however is tremendous necessary to say anyway. Not just for the plain motive that you simply shouldn’t be driving after you drink, however parking is nearly non-existent at competition and occasion venues. Take the bus. Take a taxi. At GCBF, a bus ticket was included within the worth of your ticket, which I feel may be very accountable of them to have achieved.

And most significantly, be variety and have enjoyable!

Upcoming occasions

Perhaps I’ll see you there!

VANCOUVER

VICTORIA

Thanks to the Victoria Beer Society for internet hosting us on the Nice Canadian Beer Pageant and partnering on this publish. As all the time, opinions are my very own.