When I moved here 9 1/2 years ago, World Beer Fest was the only game in town. These days, it's difficult to find a weekend in which there isn't some sort of beer tasting, cask event, flight sampling, keg tapping, or festival.
Back then, there were barely any microbreweries in our area - now there are many great ones. Also then, the World Beer Fest had one location - every Autumn at the Durham Athletic Park (the old one where the Durham Bulls used to play and at which Bull Durham was filmed).
These days, the World Beer Fest is held at the larger DBAP (current home of the Bulls) and the organizers, All About Beer Magazine (a terrific publication, BTW) added a spring edition of the festival in Raleigh's Moore Square. They've even added "World Beer Fests" in Illinois, Nebraska, South Carolina, Virginia, and Florida.
Personally, I prefer the Durham version by a mile. There is much more space to stretch out and walk around and the tents aren't as shoulder-to-shoulder. Here's an insider tip: assuming you aren't there just to get blitzed so much that you can't see straight or feel your legs and actually want to appreciate what you're drinking, attend one or two of the seminars. Sessions I've attended in the past like "Beer and Chocolate" and "Brews in the News" are not only fun and informative, they bring the beer to you while you rest your tired feet!
The World Beer Fest will be held Saturday, October 6 from 12n-4p and 6p-10p at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Tickets and info at www.worldbeerfestival.com.
Foster
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