Survival tips for the GABF

October 6, 9:13 AMNorthern Colorado Beer Examiner'Chipper' Dave Butler

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Are you going to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver this week?  Are you taking all the right steps to survive this marathon event?  Want some tips on how to survive the festival and still feel great the next day?  This article will attempt to give you some pointers designed to help you have a lot of fun at the Great American Beer Festival and not over-indulge.

Back in June when I first started writing for the Examiner, I posted an article entitled "Tips to Survive Your Next Beer Fest".  I wrote out a lengthy list of 21 tips that might help you enjoy your next beer festival and live to tell the tale.  I want to highlight a few of those tips and apply them directly to the GABF.

Tip #1 - Bring a designated driver. Or if none are available, plan on staying in a nearby hotel within walking distance.  Better yet,  plan to take public transportation most of the way home and go with a friend.  Always give yourself plenty of time to sober up before attempting to drive. It could take hours!

I can't stress this one enough. Don't even consider driving home right after this event.  With over 1900 different beers to choose from and many of them are fairly high in alcohol content, don't even think about trying to drive home right after this event.  Plan on taking several hours after the event to sober up.  Staying in a hotel or taking public transportation will keep you from getting behind the wheel.

Tip #2 - So many beers, so little time.  Don't even try to sample them all - it's not possible. Pace yourself. Don't rush from one booth to the next.  Take the time to enjoy your sample and talk to the brewers or your friends.

At the GABF, samples are given in 1 ounce pourings at a time.  This is to encourage everyone to slow down and enjoy each and every drop. Chugging your samples and immediately grabbing another one may quickly numb your tongue in a hurry.  Take it slow, savor the flavor.  You've got 4 hours to sample beers.  No need to rush.

Tip #3 - Be sure to eat something!  One cannot live on beer alone.   Eat something before, during and after the fest.  Eating will help you avoid getting drunk.  Try wearing a pretzel necklace around your neck and chew on it as you go!

I can't remember how many times I've forgotten to eat during a beer festival.  While food won't keep you from getting intoxicated, it can help slow down the process.  Besides, after tasting a dozen or more samplers you'll need something to cleanse the palate.  There will be plenty of food available at the GABF.  Be sure to take a break periodically and get something to eat.

Tip #4 - Drink lots and lots of water. Drink 1 glass of water for every glass of beer you drank. Beer will dehydrate you, even on a cool day.  The more water you drink the better off you'll be later on.

This tip alone can really improve your chances of avoiding a hangover the next day.  Water is your friend.  After a few samplings go find some water and rehydrate.  Sure, you'll need to keep a restroom handy, but that's ok. Keep your system flushed.

Tip #5 - The longer you stay and drink, the worse the hangover may be the next day.  Set yourself a limit for yourself before you go and then stick to it.  Your head will thank you for it tomorrow.

Everyone absorbs alcohol at different rates. Men can typically handle a little more alcohol than women can. You should know how many drinks you can handle before you become intoxicated.  Don't plan on asking for more samples if you appear drunk.  The GABF volunteers and staff will refuse to serve you if you appear to have exceeded your limit.  At the GABF it can get easy to forget how many 1 oz. samples you've had.  Twelve of these samples = 1 full beer. Keep track and pace yourself.

I've got 16 more tips on how you can survive the GABF over on my previous article.  Please review these tips and make a plan for yourself and stick to it.  Your body and everyone else around you will thank you for it.