By Jeffrey V. Smith
The 30th edition of the Great American Beer Festival, the premier U.S. beer festival and competition, is expected to serve 2,400 different beers from an estimated 465 U.S. breweries to the event’s 49,000-plus attendees, Sept 29-Oct. 1. It’s so popular, the entire three-day, four-session event sold out in a week.
The event features the largest collection of U.S. beer ever served during the public tasting sessions and showcases the diverse beers that make craft brewing one of the fastest-growing segments of the beer, wine and spirits industry.
The Great American Beer Festival has come a long way since its beginnings in 1982 as an offshoot of the 4th Annual National Homebrew and Microbrewery Conference. Its aspirations were as big as its name, and after 30 years, the event has grown from 800 attendees to 49,000, and from a 5,000 square foot festival hall to one close to 300,000 square feet.
The event also includes a private judging competition. In 2011, an estimated 4,000 beers will be judged by more than 170 judges from across the globe. The medals are coveted among U.S. brewers and touted throughout the year.
Visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com for more information.
