16 SEPTEMBER 21-27, 2023 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | On the one hand, I think it dilutes the point of it being a beer festival. On the other, having truly gluten-free options is a good thing. There are some really fun, truly gluten-free beers out there, so it’s kind of a bummer that people might skip over them because seltzers and ciders are “easier.” It could also cause some issues with local breweries that will have to spend even more energy explaining that they don’t have cider because legally, they can’t — an already contentious issue with customers. Hieronymus: It doesn’t bother me, nor does drinking any of them interest me. I remember when David Pierce at Bluegrass Brewing in Louisville was told to quit pour- ing mead. Walter: Redstone Meadery used to be a part of GABF, until the rule came out that nothing but beer could be poured. Then they let Jameson in a few years ago. So it’s not that surprising, just weird. Zimmerman: I’m against it. Maybe ciders, since they are an established product, but I think seltzers are a fad that the big hitters are exploiting so that they can offer something new and trendy in the category of lighter, sweeter and boozy. I don’t think they’ll last longer than wine coolers or Zima. What is one way that the current festival could be improved? Adams: My favorite idea would be that breweries who make the fi nal table (or just those who medal) would be eligible to be part of the “GABF Tour” — a festival of the best breweries touring across the U.S. to give a little taste of GABF to everyone. I would also love it if all beers that make the fi nal judging table get publicly recognized. The number of great beers I’ve had that just barely didn’t medal breaks my heart, as I will never know who made them. Black: Keep the fest small, like it is now. It’s not “small,” but it’s way smaller than it was, which is fi ne. And it’s the same thing a lot of breweries need to do, is stop focusing on the people that aren’t really your custom- ers. Stop worrying about the people that are only coming to your brewery because you have three new things that are just the same beer with three different fl avors pumped into it. Hieronymus: Better signage. I know there is a lot, but — perhaps because some brew- eries have bigger booths and because of the “not beer” areas — even with map in hand, it can be hard to get from point A to point B. Walter: I’d like it to go back to being a bit smaller. Not as small as my fi rst year, but not as huge as it has become. I feel like there’s been a lot of wasted fl oor space the past few years, and there’s reasoning behind it, but it just makes it feel awkward to me. Zimmerman: I would like for brewers to be available more. The brewers’ forum is okay, though it’s better to talk to a brewer about their beer while you are drinking their beer. One thing that all six of these festival vets emphatically said when asked: The festival should always stay in Denver. Email the author at [email protected]. Cafe continued from page 15 3004 W. 105th Ave Westminster, CO 80031 303-955-0051 8330 Washington St Denver 80229 303-287-4250 7310 N Federal Blvd Westminster 80030 303-650-4030 ................................. ................................. ............ 1967
