Expert advice to help you have the best festival experience possible
Popular festivals sell out weeks or even months in advance. Don't wait until the last minute—check ticket availability as soon as you decide to attend. VIP tickets, which often include early entry and exclusive beers, tend to sell out first.
Most festivals publish their brewery and beer lists online before the event. Review the list and make a shortlist of must-try beers. Look for special releases, festival exclusives, and breweries you've been wanting to try. This helps you prioritize when lines get long.
Never drink and drive. Before the festival, arrange your ride home. Options include designated drivers, ride-sharing services, public transit, festival shuttles, or staying at a nearby hotel. Many festivals partner with Uber/Lyft for discount codes.
Don't arrive on an empty stomach. Eat a protein-rich meal 1-2 hours before the festival. This gives your body a foundation for metabolizing alcohol and helps prevent getting intoxicated too quickly.
Begin your tasting journey with lighter styles—pilsners, wheat beers, and pale ales. Save the heavy hitters (imperial stouts, barrel-aged beers, high-ABV ales) for later. This prevents palate fatigue and allows you to appreciate subtle flavors early on.
Drink water between every few beer samples. Most festivals have free water stations—use them liberally. Dehydration amplifies alcohol's effects and can lead to a terrible headache. A good rule: one glass of water for every 3-4 beer samples.
Don't feel obligated to finish every pour. Dump buckets exist for a reason. If a beer isn't to your taste, or you've had enough to evaluate it, pour out the rest. No one is judging, and brewers understand—they'd rather you dump than over-drink.
Many booths are staffed by the actual brewers. Ask questions! They love talking about their craft. Ask what makes their beer unique, what they're most proud of, or what they'd recommend. You might discover something amazing you wouldn't have tried otherwise.
With dozens of beers to try, it's easy to forget which ones you loved. Use your phone to take quick notes or photos of labels. Apps like Untappd let you check in beers and rate them. Your future self will thank you when trying to remember that amazing IPA.
Festival food isn't just there for convenience—it's essential for pacing yourself. Eat every hour or two, even if you don't feel hungry. Protein and carbs help slow alcohol absorption. Plus, beer and food pairings are part of the fun!
The first hour of a festival is often the best. Lines are shorter, brewers are fresh and chatty, and limited-release beers haven't run out yet. If you have VIP early entry, use it to hit the most popular booths first.
The booths in the middle of the festival floor often have the longest lines. Some of the best discoveries are at smaller, less prominent booths around the edges. These are often local or newer breweries with incredible beers and no wait.
It's tempting to stick to your favorite styles, but festivals are perfect for experimentation. Hate sours? Try one anyway—you might be surprised. Never had a rauchbier? Give it a shot. Some of the best beer discoveries happen when you step outside your comfort zone.
There's no prize for trying every beer at the festival. If you're feeling too buzzed, take a break. Sit down, drink water, eat something, and enjoy the atmosphere. The beers will still be there when you're ready. Quality of experience matters more than quantity of samples.