http://www.ahaconference.org/conference-information/frst-time-attendee-guide/
[quote]Bring your glass with you everywhere you go – plastic cups ruin the flavor of your homebrew
[/quote]
Learned something new… never knew plastic cups ruin the flavor 
Eat, Drink, Sleep, and Be Merry! 
Got it.
Thanks.
Can you bring a back pack of food/water with you? I know some places frown upon that.
I can’t think of any reason that would be a problem.
I think the most important statement in that guide is… “Seriously, pace yourself”.
Take it from me, I can tell you that waking up feeling like your head in a vise is not fun. >:(
That being said…Can’t wait until next week.
Is water readily available or do you just suggest drinking the water when you rinse your glass?
Just printed my boarding passes…can’t wait for this day to be over.
There are water dispensers all over the place. We encourage people to stay hydrated with something besides the beer.
So… I understand there is no food included? A bunch of people drinking beer all day long on empty stomachs sounds like a highschool kegger.
There will of course be food at the banquet if you bought the whole package. There is food in the hotel and in the nearby area around the hotel. You’re responsible for feeding yourself. And nobody’s forcing you to drink beer all day long…take a break. Last yuear, I never drank more than a total of 4 pints in a day and I still got to try dozens of beers.
BTW, speaking of the newbie guide…how the hell did I get mentioned as being scarier than Drew??
I don’t know Denny…maybe it’s the hellawack shiznit that happens inside your brizzle. ;D
So what are some of the places around the Hotel people can go for good beer, some food, and more good beer?
I know there’s a Rock Bottom and The Tap House Grill nearby, but maybe some locals can give a couple other suggestions.
Thanks.
There’s an app for iPhone and iPad called “Around Me” that lists restaurants and other places near wherever you are. It’s worked great for me, and I’m hoping that trend will continue in Bellevue.
Taken from the “Attire” section of the NHC Newbie guide…
Can I wear a kilt?
No, kilts may not be worn. People don’t wear kilts, kilts wear people. If your kilt would like to wear you to the conference, great. There will be many kilts wearing people there, probably a kaftan and a moo-moo, too.
Is this good news or bad news for The Weaze?
My rough estimate is somewhere around 100 places to get food within 5 or so blocks. You will not go hungry.
For good beer that goes with good food, Munchbar in Lincoln Square (1 skybridge away) has both, MOD Pizza also has good food, and I have heard they have good food. Red Robin has good burgers and usually has some halfway decent beer.
I don’t intend on buying beer anywhere this weekend though, I will get food and water.
Chrispy told me he tried every beer at club night a couple years ago, but he had a glass the size of a thimble.
I can’t verify that he tried every beer, but I remember the glass! I just use my normal conference glass, but I don’t start until late in the day and I only take a small taste of the beer. I have decided that dying at the conference would kinda put a damper on things!
I’ve seen several people wearing kilts last year…no problem there.
I took the AHA suggestion for dining and downloaded “Urban Spoon” and “Yelp” on my iPhone. They seem well informed for my area anyway. I’ll try them in Seattle.
I arrived early for the Washington Brewers Fest and the Fremont Solstice Parade and Art Fair, and have been exploring Bellevue. As suggested, using Around Me, Yelp, or even Google Places review is a great resource. There’s plenty of chain restaurants a skywalk away, but if you walk about 5-10 extra minutes there’s some great places along Bellevue Way NE as well as on 2nd or Main. Mod’s Speed Pizza, great pho at Pho All Day, Belle Pastry French bakery, and Chace’s Pancake Corral are just a few tasty discoveries.
To get into Seattle you can catch the #550 that goes through Pioneer Square, near Pike Place Market and Pike Pub and Brewery.
Not nearby, but 10 miles by car is a great food and beer selection is Brouwer’s Cafe in Fremont.