How to Win at Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest 2014

We are just days away from what is, in my opinion, one of the best beer festivals ever in California–Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest (FWIBF). For months, I scrimp and save just so I can create the ultimate beer experience revolving around this event for me and my friends. Each year, we rent a house, host bottle shares and barbeques, and top it all off with a visit to the Firestone Walker Brewery.

This will be my third year at FWIBF, and each time I attend, I learn something new to help enhance my beer fest experience. For those headed out to Paso Robles, here are five ways you can win at FWIBF.

1. Have a Game Plan

FWIBF can be a bit overwhelming for those who aren’t frequent beer festival-goers. Each brewery will be pouring 2-3 beers, and a lot of them will have a schedule of when they will be pouring limited releases and special beers. The map contained in the event booklet, which will be handed out to you when you enter the event, is a helpful guide that shows where all the breweries are located. Take a few minutes to stop by the tents and see when special beers are being poured so you can plan when and where to meet your friends and get in line early. I always hit Firestone Walker’s tent last, because their taps are always flowing, and it is one of the last tents to shut down at the end of the event.

2. Stay Cool and Hydrated

You can’t always count on the event grounds to have an abundance of water. Although they have water stations located in several spots, many are empty halfway through, and shade is limited to the lucky few who snag it early. FWIBF does allow you to bring in empty water bottles, so take advantage of it. The last thing you want to do is pass out mid-event and spoil your FWIBF fun. Also, bring hats and plenty of sunscreen. I may be walking around smelling like Coppertone all day, but at least my fair skin won’t look like a cherry tomato. The weather is predicted to be in the low 80s this weekend. The Frontier Stage enclosure is a great place to sit down and cool off for a bit. Listen to live music while you sip some water and catch up with your friends.

3. Eat!

One of the great offerings FWIBF has is all the delicious, snack-sized food available throughout the event space. If you want a big meal, you can pay about $10 for a sandwich and side, but why bother when samples from the local restaurants are being offered at every other tent. Just make your way around to each food tent, and you can put together a full lunch. Also, since no outside food is allowed during FWIBF, it’s best to either eat a large breakfast or two small meals beforehand to soak up all those beer suds.

4. Learn to Juggle and Don’t be a Klutz

Upon entering FWIBF, you will receive a booklet, a commemorative tasting glass, and a plate and fork. It is already a task just to balance your bite-sized eats on the plate while navigating the inebriated crowds and managing not to spill your beer, but if you like to socially share with the world what beers you are drinking – that just adds another chainsaw to your juggling cascade. To avoid shattering your glass and being the center of attention for hecklers (because they will make sure everyone at the event knows you dropped your glass), either ask your girlfriends who have purses if they can hold your swag or man up and learn how to juggle. Ladies, if you want to avoid being stamped with the “that girl” phrase on your forehead, I suggest you leave the heels and wedges at home. I know they look cute and you get a lot of attention in them, but there aren’t that many flat pavement areas for you to walk around on.

5. Have Fun

The most important thing is to remember to have fun. FWIBF is an awesome craft beer event that is the pinnacle of craft beer festivities. You get to run into a lot of cool and interesting people. You get to taste beers from breweries that are sometimes hard to get in your state. Plus, Paso Robles may be known more for its wine, but the city opens its arms to the craft beer community.

For those who got a golden ticket, the American Craft Beer team and myself will see you there!