How I Survived CanFest 2013

CanFest.  This annual celebration of canned beer was the one and only reason a 24 hour trip to Reno happened the weekend before I had to go back to work.  Throw in a couple of local brewery visits and an exciting road trip home, it soon became the one summer adventure I can't stop talking about.

After a day of Reno breweries that you can read about here, it was off to the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino for CanFest 2013.  Walking through the casino, one quickly joined the flow of beer lovers that were heading to the festivities.  A couple close by mentioned how this was their go to beer fest each year, they hadn't missed one.  Once I stepped into the ballroom and heard the live band, excited beer drinkers, and the constant opening of cans, I knew immediately why.  Here is how I survived.

Survival tip #1:  Create a plan of attack.

Walking into a room full of breweries, most you haven't even heard of, creates a sense of urgency to get in their line right away.  But stop and think.  Do you want to check off breweries on the list that you have mapped out and prioritized?  Or, do you want to just walk around the perimeter of the room hitting up the ones that sound appealing?  I have approached beer fests in both fashions.  For this three hour stint, it was easier for me to just walk the perimeter and enjoy sips at my leisure.

Survival tip #2:  Feel free to dump.
With free reign to try anything and everything as many times as you wanted, one had to get over the feeling that dumping beer equated to alcohol abuse.  The fact is, your palate will be wrecked, your belly full, and your memory failed if you drank every single sample it its entirety.  Did you notice a fill line on that festival glass?  Nope.  You didn't.  Because there wasn't one. 

Survival tip #3:  Meet the staff.

Most of the breweries represented there brought either one of the brewers or some sales staff to chat up willing imbibers about their wears.  Walk on up, ask them questions, even ask for a pic or two.  If you can, quickly step behind the table without getting caught.  You won't find a nicer bunch of people than those that live and breathe beer.

Survival tip #4:  Check out the other "stuff."
A live band, silent disco, mini bike riding, dancing, and a dress up photo booth were just some of the many offerings that CanFest had besides, well, cans.  Sporting some disco music filled head phones and dancing around to your own beat, literally, was a fun intermission between beer lines.  Even better, dressing up in boas, tutus, and hats and posing for the photo booth.  All of this while toting a freshly filled sample glass, of course.

While you might not have been at CanFest with me, these survival tips are transferable.  With beer fest season in full swing, be sure to get the most out of your allotted session time.  Wait, why weren't you at CanFest?  Next year, no excuses.  Get on it.  Keep an eye out.  And, I'll see you next year in Reno!