[bonjour]

Thanks Steve, 

We hope to be there in the future but (and we are working on it) there are some legal speed bumps to be overcome first. 

Thanks for the input.

[Stevie]

Figured. Beer feats here cannot be all you can drink. What I normally see is admission gets 12 tastes, and additional tastes are $2. And you can't buy a car on Sunday.

[denny]

Both Dallas and Austin have very large convention centers and plenty of hotel space. But, I'm sure Texas has some blue law that would make it near impossible.

We've looked into Austin but there was some issue I can't recall.

[theDarkSide]

It was announced today - 2015 NHC will be in San Diego.

I knew it was going to be California.  Someone let it slip last week on the Brewing Network when they were talking to Gary about the CA Homebrew law.

At the same place....Town & Country?  This may well be my first visit to California!

[hopfenundmalz]

Both Dallas and Austin have very large convention centers and plenty of hotel space. But, I'm sure Texas has some blue law that would make it near impossible.

We've looked into Austin but there was some issue I can't recall.

"Grand Rapids beat out several cities for the event, including Austin, Texas, which was knocked out by strict liquor-control laws that prevented further consideration."

Link
http://www.grbj.com/articles/75647-beer-association-taps-grand-rapids-for-national-convention

[bluesman]

San Diego is an exciting beer town. Can't wait!

As craft beer slowly establishes a better grip on the overall beer market, this will help open up more doors/opportunities for NHC host cities. It's great to see our hobby expand/grow as fast it has, even with the growing pains.

[hopfenundmalz]

I hear Denver has a big convention center.





I kid, I kid. Might have to go to the GABF someday.

[jeffy]

I hear Denver has a big convention center.





I kid, I kid. Might have to go to the GABF someday.

It's more fun at the NHC, but a lot of beer stuff going on there at GABF.

[klickitat jim]

Mrs Klickitat is all exited about SD. Looks like we're going early staying late, so we can do sea world, zoo, etc. Would be cool to visit MCRD for a walk down memory lane.

[Herminator]

Just told my partner about SD next year.  She was pumped!  Also, since Michigan is home for us...(GR is where we went to college) we are excited to hopefully make the trip from CO back to MI for HBC. 

Quick question about the Grand Banquet & Awards Ceremony.  Is this worth attending?  What is the general event like/for....obviously assuming it is an awards ceremony.  Is it worth for an average homebrewer and non-comp entry to attend? 

Cheers!

[Jimmy K]

Quick question about the Grand Banquet & Awards Ceremony.  Is this worth attending?  What is the general event like/for....obviously assuming it is an awards ceremony.  Is it worth for an average homebrewer and non-comp entry to attend? 

The dinner is great. Several courses of beer-centric food, made with beer, paired with beer from a partnered commercial brewery. Last year it was Rogue and the chef said they used like 7 kegs to cook with.
The awards is fun, but like any other awards. Long. We knew people in the final round, so that made it exciting.

[hopfenundmalz]

Quick question about the Grand Banquet & Awards Ceremony.  Is this worth attending?  What is the general event like/for....obviously assuming it is an awards ceremony.  Is it worth for an average homebrewer and non-comp entry to attend? 

The dinner is great. Several courses of beer-centric food, made with beer, paired with beer from a partnered commercial brewery. Last year it was Rogue and the chef said they used like 7 kegs to cook with.
The awards is fun, but like any other awards. Long. We knew people in the final round, so that made it exciting.

It has been Rogue as the sponsor for the banquet as long as I have been going.

Sean Paxton is the consulting chef for the banquet. Last year was under the years that he had done it before. The local hotel/convention center kitchen has to execute.

[theDarkSide]

Last year was a little underwhelming, but Seattle's dinner was great!

I always see a few people leave after the dinner since they have no vested interest in the awards.  The past two years, I've always enjoyed meeting and talking with people at my table.  I feel it's definitely worth it just for the energy in the room, with homebrewers cheering for someone they've never met.  Dave Barber and the Leigh Valley table last year was great to watch.

[dbarber]

Dave Barber and the Leigh Valley table last year was great to watch.

We did have fun!! 

I agree that last years dinner was not as good as previous dinners, both Seattle and San Diego were excellent.

[hopfenundmalz]

If you have a beer in the second round, you are paying attention. If your friend(s) win a medal, you are geeked for them. If someone you know wins one of the big awards, it is even better!

If you get to walk across the stage yourself, it is a blur, but somehow you don't ever forget it.