NHC 2014- Grand Rapids Who's going?

[TobyG]

Good question. I'm assuming that at some point, maybe club night, you will have a place to set a cooler down and hand out samples.

You might be able to do the same at any given time, but I don't know.

I'm pretty sure club night is more booths and kegs. I'll probably just tote a couple bombers around in my cooler with hotel ice. Checked the Amway amenities, and they don't appear to have fridges in the rooms for my usual cooling method (frozen water bottles).

 

[Homercidal]

First time going and I have what's probably a dumb question.

I have the email with a confirmation number from Altitude Tickets, but I can't find where they sent me any actual ticket. When I show up at the conference what do I need to bring to get in?

It seems like a Will Call situation. The confirmation email I got shows the delivery method is Homebrewers Conference, so that seems to indicate you can get your tickets at the event. I plan to bring my printed email, my AHA membership card, and the credit card I used to buy the tickets with.

I'm pretty sure club night is more booths and kegs. I'll probably just tote a couple bombers around in my cooler with hotel ice. Checked the Amway amenities, and they don't appear to have fridges in the rooms for my usual cooling method (frozen water bottles).

I think you are right. I just checked it out and club night is basically for clubs, and they aren't taking any more clubs now. Everything else on the description of the conference shows it's not frowned upon to share beer. They indicate you should have a glass handy at all times in case someone wants to share a sample with you.

 

[bob1852]

Ya'll are over thinking this....

 

[Schemy]

I had planned to attend this year, then my buddies backed out, then we decided to buy a house, and now friends are coming to town for CWS. Up until about a month ago I had my credit card out a couple times ready to pull the trigger. Next year hopefully.

 

[Denny]

Out of curiosity (this is my first NHC despite being a long time brewer), how many people bring their own beers for random sharing? The first timer's guide mentions it, but wondering what the cooling situation is for the average attendee. I was already bringing my wine check, so was considering stowing a few things in it along with a collapsible ice chest (I have one that's the size of a couple growlers with a removable shell).

You're on your own for cooling. But most hotel rooms have fridges in them.

 

[TobyG]

It seems like a Will Call situation. The confirmation email I got shows the delivery method is Homebrewers Conference, so that seems to indicate you can get your tickets at the event. I plan to bring my printed email, my AHA membership card, and the credit card I used to buy the tickets with.

LOL...You're going even more overboard than I do. I'm just going to star the email so I can look it up on my phone in case.

I think you are right. I just checked it out and club night is basically for clubs, and they aren't taking any more clubs now. Everything else on the description of the conference shows it's not frowned upon to share beer. They indicate you should have a glass handy at all times in case someone wants to share a sample with you.

Yeah, that blurb was what I was referring to. I was just trying not to be 'that guy' and be the only noob walking around with a cooler.

Ya'll are over thinking this....

Dude, I'm an eagle scout who is a professional network engineer/project manager. I overthink and plan for everything.

You're on your own for cooling. But most hotel rooms have fridges in them.

I checked the amenities at the Amway and they didn't have it listed, so I'm just going to bring my soft-side camping cooler without the shell and get ice out of the ice machine. Worst case, they'll have a minifridge and I'll only need the ice to keep it cool.

 

[bob1852]

Dude, I'm an eagle scout who is a professional network engineer/project manager. I overthink and plan for everything.

O rly?

LOL...You're going even more overboard than I do.

The conference registration area/booth is just like any conference. Show up, tell 'em your name, grab your swag and stuff.....and start drinking.

Club night: you walk around and drink beer/cider/mead from all the clubs that have booths. And you bring some of your own to share, or keep for yourself.

Seminars: drink what's in the back of the room or bring your own

Hospitality suite: mini-club night - clubs pouring their stuff, or go hang out and drink your stuff or stuff others brought.

There will be lots of mini-coolers, lots of bigger coolers, and I'm guessing LOTS of hotel ice-containers with bottles in them.

 

[TobyG]

The conference registration area/booth is just like any conference. Show up, tell 'em your name, grab your swag and stuff.....and start drinking.

I don't know. Some conferences (VMworld for example), the drinking starts in the registration line.

Club night: you walk around and drink beer/cider/mead from all the clubs that have booths. And you bring some of your own to share, or keep for yourself.

Seminars: drink what's in the back of the room or bring your own

Hospitality suite: mini-club night - clubs pouring their stuff, or go hang out and drink your stuff or stuff others brought.

Yeah, all this is about what I expected. Pretty much a bigger version of Dixie Cup in Houston.

 

[Denny]

I know there's a limitation on serving beers in the seminars this year. AFAIK, though, it's OK to bring your own into a seminar.

 

[Calypso]

Oh man, just found out that I'm judging on Thursday! I'm supposed to be in Columbus on Thursday! I definitely am not going to pass up this opportunity, just gotta figure out how I'm going to cover the game I'm supposed to run Thursday night.

 

[Spartan1979]

I'm planning on bringing a small cooler with about a dozen beers in it.

 

[mmb]

Out of curiosity (this is my first NHC despite being a long time brewer), how many people bring their own beers for random sharing? The first timer's guide mentions it, but wondering what the cooling situation is for the average attendee. I was already bringing my wine check, so was considering stowing a few things in it along with a collapsible ice chest (I have one that's the size of a couple growlers with a removable shell).

Amway rooms have a fridge in them. I've stayed on both the old Pantlin side and in the glass tower, as well as the JW. They have fridges. That being said, bring your cooler so you can take your beer to the convention center. It's a block or so across the Skyway from each hotel.

 

[Lilrascal]

Wife and I will both be there this year. Looking forward to it.

 

[Beerwaukee]

This will be my first year attending NHC also, looking forward to seeing and talking with everyone about their beers.
Also signed up as a volunteer for a couple of expo/social club time slots- not sure what to expect, hauling kegs, pouring beers? Anyone do this in years past

 

[Homercidal]

Just an FYI, someone on the forum has a ticket they need to get rid of. I'm posting here because I'm hoping someone will buy it and not want the hotel reservation. I want to change hotels so I'm closer.

He is asking $150 for the ticket. No banquet ticket, but I think they are still available to purchase from the AHA.

Check the For Sale forum if you are interested.

 

[wpshadowens]

I'll be there and will have 3 beers & a cider on tap with CRAFT Homebrew Club.

CRAFT also brewed a collaboration beer with White Flame Brewing Company. FlameCRAFT is an 8.8% ABV Imperial Brown and is now on tap at White Flame! They open at 4:00 today! If you are in Grand Rapids for the conference make sure to visit White Flame Brewing Co. and try a pint!

 

[Yooper]

Out of curiosity (this is my first NHC despite being a long time brewer), how many people bring their own beers for random sharing? The first timer's guide mentions it, but wondering what the cooling situation is for the average attendee. I was already bringing my wine check, so was considering stowing a few things in it along with a collapsible ice chest (I have one that's the size of a couple growlers with a removable shell).

Yes, there are lots of people randomly sharing beer all over the place. Each venue, due to state and local laws, may restrict certain places. Like in Cincinatti, there was beer EVERYWHERE, including the elevators (the "Vertical Tasting Suite"), while in Philadelphia, there was no beer allowed on the skywalk due to a law about public consumption.

But everyone will have a glass, and you can share at will in general.

Look for me- I will be more than happy to give you a review of any samples provided.

 

[Homercidal]

I'm afraid there will be too much beer!

 

[TobyG]

Look for me- I will be more than happy to give you a review of any samples provided.

Will do.

 

[Sark]

I'm flying in tomorrow and staying at the Amway. I also bought a ticket for Brewery Vivant's Rare Beer & Food event tomorrow (Weds) night, BNA9 on Thursday, and the Banquet on Sat.

I don't know anyone else attending the Vivant event, so feel free to shoot me a message if you're up for chatting all things beer with someone at that event or any others.

Just a few more hours to go. Cheers!

 

[B-Hoppy]

Headed up on Wed. Dropping off some cuttings from last year's seedlings to a guy in Zeeland and bringing a bunch of candy (we'll have a couple kegs also). Stop by the Freshops booth and try some of the new varieties, lots of fruit in these! Sorry for the folks who couldn't make it.

 

[Homercidal]

Headed up on Wed. Dropping off some cuttings from last year's seedlings to a guy in Zeeland and bringing a bunch of candy (we'll have a couple kegs also). Stop by the Freshops booth and try some of the new varieties, lots of fruit in these! Sorry for the folks who couldn't make it.

AWESOME! I loved the candy. Looking forward to finding it again.

 

[Denny]

Headed up on Wed. Dropping off some cuttings from last year's seedlings to a guy in Zeeland and bringing a bunch of candy (we'll have a couple kegs also). Stop by the Freshops booth and try some of the new varieties, lots of fruit in these! Sorry for the folks who couldn't make it.

Hope to see you and Dave there, Bob.

 

[Chriso]

I'm here Already found Yooper, too!

Can someone give me a link to the Official NHC Thread? On mobile, having trouble finding it.

B-Hoppy, the New Cascade candy rocks!

So... Many... Beers.

 

[mmb]

I'm here Already found Yooper, too!

Can someone give me a link to the Official NHC Thread? On mobile, having trouble finding it.

B-Happy, the New Cascade candy rocks!

So... Many... Beers.

Where is you? I'm here too. Going on SoperTour tonight?

 

[revelation]

Here as well. Sitting in the yeast session. Look for the guy with a beer...

 

[Chriso]

It was wicked awesome meeting up with ally'all, eh?

(I think I got all the accents represented there! And thanks Yooper for taking the picture!)

(Edit: an image doubled up. I'll fix it from a real computer later.)

 

[Homercidal]

What a great time! I met SOOOO many people, sat in on a few seminars, rode a party bus to a few local breweries, watched someone get Sopered, and drank a lot of beer.

Not necessarily in that order.

To be honest, though, I took my time with the beer. There was a LOT of beer to be had. Display booths often had samples. The exhibition room had a row of club booths set up serving most of the time. Then there was Club Night. I drank small samples and managed to not get buzzed and therefore not feel bad the next day.

I will try to recount who I met from HBT while I was there. Forgive me if I do not include your name. My memory is not great and it's even worse when bombarded with lots of new names and a fair amount of beer... In no particular order:

Randar
Pappers_
Yooper
Bob (Including him because he and Yooper go together...)
Soperbrew
Saccharomyces
mmb
bsdx
AZ_IPA
pjj2ba

Met someone else at Perrin, but for the life of me I can't recall their handle. I apologize.

Some of the "celebrities" I met from the homebrewing world include:

Randy Mosher (Who gave me a sneak peek his new book coming out later this year. More detail coming.)
Denny Conn
James Spencer and his friend Steve
Charlie Papazian (only saw, did not get a chance to say hi He got me started with his book back in the day.)
Gary Glass
Martin Brungard
Gordon Strong
Drew Beechum
Brad Smith


Actually, there were more, I can't recall off the top of my head. I was told I saw John Palmer, but I really can't claim that I noticed him. People said he was there and I had to have seen him, so I guess I'll take their word for it. I'm not sure I'd recognize him to be honest. He was probably at the BN booth in the very least. I know those guys more by voice than by picture!

There were plenty of others I'd know from this and that, like Niko from Nikobrew, who was proudly displaying the young person's clothing with the slogan I offered a while back "Microbrewer". I got a bag of Hop Candy from B-Hoppy to share with the club members at the next meeting.

Saw lots of equipment and got a ton of swag.

I really want to give a shout out to our local Homebrew store Siciliano's Market, who sponsored a bunch of things, including the keynote address (which I did not attend, due to other commitments, but I heard was pretty nice). Steve and the people there are really great and have helped quite a few local homebrewers get their start in their professional brewing jobs over the past many years.

The conference got me re-interested in brewing again. Especially lagers, which I had kind of turned away from. Sampling some of pjj2ba's excellent lagers gave me hope that I might be able to turn out a decent one with enough practice and the right methods.

I got to also sample a couple of meads from some guys on here. They were VERY good! They are starting a meadery in Texas.

Well, that's about it. That's about all I'm going to post here for now anyway. I have a few pics and a video that I'm not sure I will post. Might have to do some editing first...

 

[TobyG]

Actually, there were more, I can't recall off the top of my head. I was told I saw John Palmer, but I really can't claim that I noticed him. People said he was there and I had to have seen him, so I guess I'll take their word for it. I'm not sure I'd recognize him to be honest. He was probably at the BN booth in the very least. I know those guys more by voice than by picture!

Palmer was a lot of places, so you probably at least saw him several times. This pic is pretty much what he looks like, although I assume he had contacts because I don't remember seeing him with glasses.
http://www.brewerspublications.com/authors/john-palmer/

I unfortunately did not meet up with anyone from the forums that I'm aware of except for Michael (practically in the center of both those pictures) who I ran into at several BJCP events.

 

[brewtus_]

I had a great time! Drank tons of really good beer. Saw Palmer's seminar on water chemistry/pH - it was good. Took in some other seminars that were pretty informative. Got an autograph from Papazian on a 1st edition of "The Joy of Homebrewing". He was actually impressed on the age of the book. Expo was great. Drank tons of really good beer. Welcome reception was awesome. Club night was awesome. Also, B-Hoppy gave me a "Le Hood/La Hood" hop hybrid plant (planted yesterday). Drank tons of really good beer. Definitely worth the 5 hour drive to attend. My wife actually enjoyed it too. Oh yeah, one more thing, drank tons of really good beer!