Important Dates
| Friday, July 12 | Commitment to Paired 2019 is Due |
| Wednesday, July 24 | Breweries are introduced to their chefs |
| Wednesday, July 24 | Beers are sent to chefs to taste. If beer isn’t available, detailed tasting notes are sent via email. |
| Friday, July 26 | Grogtag & Microstar keg orders are due |
| Monday, July 29 | Breweries and Chefs are posted online |
| Monday, July 29 | Tasting notes or beer samples must be received by chefs. |
| Monday, September 9 | Menu and beers posted to GABF website. (subject to change) |
| Mid-September | Paired beers due to consolidation points along with festival beers. See GABF shipping info. |
| Thursday, October 3 | PAIRED SESSION @ GABF
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| Friday, October 4 | PAIRED SESSION @ GABF
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About Paired
Paired features celebrated chefs and small/independent brewers from around the country in an intimate setting located just off the main festival hall. Chefs are paired with breweries and encouraged to collaborate on beer and food pairings that create a unique experience for attendees. Each brewery brings two special/rare beers and each chef creates two small bite dishes to pair with those beers.
Paired is a VIP area for which patrons purchase an additional ticket. Attendees are encouraged to interact with chefs and brewers to learn about your beer and food pairings.
Brewery Requirements
- Participating breweries need to respond quickly and be communicative with their chefs.
- Participating breweries must meet the Brewers Association definition of a small and independent craft brewer.
- Beers served at Paired must be:
- Unique, not served anywhere else in the festival
- Seasonal/Specialty beers – not flagship brands
- Two brands are required: 2300 ounces of each brand. 4600 ounces total. (8 cases of each brand, 16 cases total)
- Quantities are based cases of twenty-four (24) in 12 oz. bottles/cans. If sending large-format packaging or kegs, please calculate the amount needed to send the correct volume.
- Brewery owner or employee must be present to pour your beers and staff the table the entire time.Volunteer pourers are not provided.
- Make sure your staff is prepared to staff Paired and your regular festival booth (particularly if you’re in the Meet the Brewer).
- Your brewery representatives must be available during the following times/days:
- Thursday, October 3: 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday, October 4: 4:45 pm – 9:00 pm
Shipping Beer
- Send sample beers and/or tasting notes to your chef no later than Monday, July 22.
- Your Paired beers will ship with your GABF festival beers.
- Before shipping, clearly label your Paired with your Grogtag labels. (more info coming soon)
- Ship your Paired beers with your festival beers to your designated drop-off point. See GABF Festival Shipping information.
- Send a minimum of 8 cases of each beer brand for a total of 16 cases. This covers both nights of the event. Eight cases per brand is based off twenty-four (24) 12 oz. bottles/cans. Please do the math for different format bottles/cans kegs.
Passes and Entrance
- Participating breweries receive six (6) complimentary Paired wristbands for each session.
- Paired wristbands only grant access to Paired, not the festival itself.
- Your Brewery Rep badge grants festival access.
- All brewery reps working your table must use a wristband to enter Paired.
- A Brewer Badge is not sufficient to enter Paired.
- Paired wristbands should be distributed to your staff working the booth. Any remaining passes may be given to guests who are already attending the Festival (other brewers, distributors, attendees, etc.)
- Each wristband is valid for one entry.
- Paired wristbands allow in-out access to the pavilion.
- Wristbands are not transferable.
- Wristbands are provided in the Paired pavilion on Wednesday or Thursday of GABF week. During GABF set-up, head back to the Paired entrance to get your package of wristbands.
Décor
- Each table group is made up of four 6′ L x 42” H x 30” D tables arranged in a square.
- Tables are draped with black linen and are refreshed overnight.
- Brewers have about half of the front table for set-up and beer service. The remaining back and side tables are for the chefs to plate & display the food.
- At the end of the night please remove table decoration and store underneath tables.
- Table-top signs are made for each dish and pairing, including allergen information.
- There is a hanging banner at each table with signage showcasing the brewery, chef, and restaurant.
- Table decoration are provide by the chef and brewers.
- Branded décor, like a table cloth or POS, is not allowed.
Questions?
Event Associate Director
Brewers Association