Here’s a list of a few things that you should consider before heading out the door to the Brews Festival. Don’t worry about too much, just make sure to wear a cool shirt and shorts or skirt , even though we are inside, it can get warm and you may wish to venture outdoors as we have both exhibitors and bathrooms located there. 
 

Friends
If you have any…try to bring at least one of them with you to the Brews Festival. The best part about having a beer buddy walking around with you at the fest, is the ability to knock out two samples at each booth with one visit. You can ask for a sample of the IPA, while your friend gathers a sample of the Jalapeno Chocolate, and you can retreat outside for a quick discussion and sample trade. Sample sizes are in the range of 2 ounces, this is a perfectly viable method of sampling many more beers during a session.

Cell Phone
If you're bringing your keys and your wallet, you’ll probably will have this too. But it does come in handy when you are attending a large festival and you are trying to meet up with others (make sure they have cell phones too!).

Camera
Maybe you've got one of these attached to your phone. A good beer fest is a great place to take lots of pictures of your friends. Hey, they don't wear their favorite Flying Dog Brewery t-shirts everyday!

Pen
A pen is an often forgotten item. Trading email addresses with the many beer nerds (or hot chicks) that you probably will bump into. It’s also helpful to check off the names of the beers that you sampled in the free program that you get when you enter, you will definitely be able to find a use for a good pen during the Brews Festival.

Cash
This is very important. Brewery booths usually do not take your debit card or your Harris Teeter VIC card. Bring cash so you can buy t-shirts, hats, pint glasses, non-alcoholic drinks and food. Bottled water is a staple that you shouldn't do without. Food and non-alcoholic beverages DO cost at the Brews Fest and not everything will be available for purchase with a credit/debit card.

Bag
Many booths will have swag on the table that will eventually find it's way into your pockets. Coasters, matchbooks, stickers or temporary tatoos are just a few of the items. If you wear shorts with lots of pockets then you have lots of space for these little things. But if you are planning to buy a shirt, hat or pint glass, you will be begging for a bag of some sorts. Most booths will not have plastic bags available for the taking. Also, a good idea; grab an old plastic grocery store bag before you leave the house and cram it into one of your less used pockets. If you don't need it, you don't need to worry about it. But it's there just in case.

A Way Home
Most important…get a designated driver or make sure to save enough extra cash for public transportation. If there is one essential on this list that you really should not skip, it's this one.

The only other item that’s almost as important as that is this… Don't leave your tickets at home!