Guest Reader Ken - GABF Recap from his perspective

We have never done this before but Ken gave such a great recap of GABF that I thought I would post it up. Nice work Ken and thanks for following us and sharing this with us.  This is kind of edited and cut just a touch at Ken's request.

...talked with Angela & Tyson from NBC, talked with Ben from Lucky Bucket, didn't see the guys from Soaring Wings, Thunderhead, or Loop. Did my small part to promote NE breweries and you guys. Wore my charcoal NE Beer Blog t-shirt on Sat. night but it was probably hard to see since it was underneath the bright orange volunteer uniform shirts. Wore a different NE brewery hat each day. Highlight of my weekend was getting to shake hands with both Jim Koch and Charlie Papazian on Friday (photos attached). That was pretty cool!

My wife and I worked the "Support Your Local Brewery" Pavilion (Section K on the floor map/ Pg. 33 of guide book) on both Fri/Sat pouring for various state guilds including New York, Florida, Texas, San Diego, San Francisco, &; NorCal. Closest guilds to Nebraska were from CO & MN. No reps there from IA, KS, MO, or the Dakotas either. Any idea on what it takes to get one of these state guilds off the ground? Makes total sense to have a state-based trade group to promote its beer.   (I informed Ken that there is the Nebraska Craft Brewers Association in full effect and gaining steam)

Visited a few breweries in downtown Denver Saturday.  Sunday (since we remembered them from GNBF in Aug), we stopped by Grimm Bros in Loveland and yes, we made a special trip to stop by and visit Funkwerks in Ft. Collins. The 2012 "GABF Small Brewing Co of the Year" winner was VERY busy Sunday evening. No tours available that day but they said they would be much more prepared next year with the huge wave of visitors they had over the weekend. The Sunday staff was very happy with the big win at GABF (as they should be). We enjoyed a 5 sampler flight of their beers (all served in tulip glasses) including their flagship Saison that won gold this year as well as their Tropic King that I remembered from GNBF.

If we make it out there next year, I think I need to spend about a week out there. Between driving out there, working 3 GABF shifts, a little sightseeing, getting around downtown Denver, and driving 8 hrs back home, the past 3 days went by really fast! I'll need to plan it out better to really enjoy this week of events next year. Take care for now.

Thanks,  Ken

Thanks for the recap Ken, there are so many ways to enjoy GABF and it looks like you made the most of it, nice work!!  Hopefully we can get some Nebraska representation in the Local Brewery Pavillion next year.