Surviving beer festivals. Responsible enjoyment and seizing the moment.

September 3, 10:34 PMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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There is a long history of autumnal beer fests and September and October are known as the beer festival season.   It’s a time for celebrating the harvest, the new fortified beers for the coming winter and having those final outdoor flings before the warmth of indoor activities.  

Nowadays with such a diversity of beer types and reasons to celebrate it’s quite easy to find great beer festivals throughout the year.  Enjoying beer festivals by savoring the flavor responsiblycan be an important investment in your appreciation of beer and the moment.  Here are a few tips. 

1.  Know your limits.  Know how much alcohol you are consuming.  And recognize when you need to slow down or take a break. 
2. Moderate your intake of beer with food and water.   Eat well before the festival.  Eat during the festival.  Drink plenty of water.
3. Most American beer festivals offer an astounding number of beer choices to sample.   Sample the beer in small servings or share larger portion with friends. 
4. Talk about the beer.   Everyone at the festival is there because they want to be there.  Beer festivals are about making the most of the experience, having fun and enjoying the company of others.   Discuss what you are tasting with others.   You’ll learn something about the beer, yourself and others. 
5. Dance and play.
6. Dump the beer.   If you are served a beer that you really don’t enjoy, dump it.  Yes it’s a waste of beer.  Get over it.  Life is too short to spend your time drinking beer you don’t like.
7. Getting there and back.   Have a plan on how you are getting to the festival and how you will get back to where ever you are spending the night.  Stick to the plan.  Be responsible and above all don’t drink and then drive.