I went to GABF in 2007 and 2008.
I agree-- it is impossible to drink them all (over 3000 beers), so don't even try.
Though there are many local college-aged kids that seem to attempt to do just that.
I chose a style or two that I wanted to explore and stuck to those.
Plus, I tried some of the more successful breweries (dogfish head, Brooklyn, New Glarus, etc.)
Disappointed in the excessive number of attendees who don't seem to be doing anything more than pounding beers.
Very disappointed in the extremely long lines that basically went around the entire huge convention center.
Took nearly an hour once the doors opened to even get inside.
Several breweries were out of their signature beers within the first hour of the first session. Really?!
Insanely long lines for the bathrooms, too. Countless disgustingly filthy unisex portapotties but no handwashing stations.
Plus, the geniuses put the assigned smoking area right next to the portapotties. Smog doesn't even begin to describe it.
Though I love Denver, I won't be back again for the GABF--in my view, the AHA member benefit did not provide any significant ability to appreciate the grand confluence of great American craft beers at the GABF. The experience has degenerated into a state fair beer hall.