How Will GABF 2014 Be Different?

Some preliminary and informal discussion going on with the GABF to help alleviate the capacity & ticketing issues we saw in 2013.  This information was sent by the Brewers Association to member breweries:

2014 GABF Brewery Registration Process
The Brewers Association takes very seriously the “race to enter” registration issue that has resulted from a rapidly growing number of breweries along with increasing interest in the competition and festival. Since registration closed this year, we have been working to address this issue by devising a plan for 2014 that aims to eliminate the “race to enter” problem for future GABFs.

Based on this work, the BA plans to introduce a different entry method next year. This “all comers” style brewery registration process will achieve a few important goals:

· Eliminate the race to enter before all slots fill up

· Increase the number of breweries that can enter the competition

· Increase the number of beer entries

The 2014 GABF brewery will remain open for set number of days, and all interested breweries may enter the competition. The number of beer entries allowed per brewery will be based on doing the math of the number of breweries that registered during the sign-up period and the pre-determined capacity of beers that we can successfully judge that year.

Here is an example to illustrate:

· Total number of beers that can be judged = 5,000

· The registration period lasts (is open) for two weeks; no clambering to enter during one short time window

· Total number of eligible breweries that apply = 1,000

· 5,000 beers / 1000 breweries = 5 entries per brewery

· Thus in this scenario, the competition would accept the first 5 entries from every brewery that entered

· Let’s say 2,500 breweries entered instead of 1,000: in that case, every brewery could enter 2 beers in the competition. The math would work like that for whatever number of breweries entered (Max. capacity of beers that can be judged – divided by – number of breweries entering the competition)

· Festival booth space would be handled separately

As you can imagine, many important details remain to be worked out, but we believe this 2014 GABF brewery registration plan represents a solid start toward an increasingly fair and accommodating competition for the future.

Thanks so much for your continued support.

Cheers,
Nancy Johnson
Event Director | Brewers Association