For the seasoned beer festival or the novice, below are some tips to help you maximize your beer fest experience:

1. Get there early. Not only will you beat some of the lines, but it will also allow you to potentially meet with and talk to the brewery representatives. And of course, getting there early means more time to drink!

2. Get to know the brewers. In learning about Israel’s beer renaissance, it’s been fascinating to hear about how brewers went from their home kitchen to licensed microbrewery. The representatives or brew masters (if you’re lucky) will be more than happy to share their journey with you.

Endless beer on tap | 2015 Tel Aviv Beer Fest

3. Ask the brewer to recommend their favorite brew. This of course is a loaded question, but asking what they are known for or their most popular beer can help you decide what to try, especially if you’ve never tried their beer before.

4. Drink water! Hydrating is always good but also water will help to cleanse your palette in between tastings. The lingering flavors from food and other beers can greatly affect your impression of the brew.

5. Go from light to dark. If you’re tasting a number of different beers, let the color be your guide. It is best to taste from light to dark, as the lighter beers tend to have less impact on the palate. .

6. Get out of your beer comfort zone. Your first impulse could be to try the brands or styles you’ve had before, but it will never be easier to sample the up-and-coming or hard-to-find breweries or just a different style than you’re used to.

Alexander’s Wheel of Beer Fortune | HaHatzer’s latest brews

7. Try seasonal brews. It’s summer, so brewers may have seasonal wheat or saison’s that will be refreshing on a hot August day.

8. Keep track of your favorite tastings. Ok, this will be harder than it sounds, especially as the night goes on. But there will be a lot of different brands and styles you will try, so this is your best chance to remember what you had so you can request it next time!

9. Ask about distribution. If you like a brew, ask where you can find it. If it’s not carried in your area, ask if there’s anything you can do to help expand the distribution network, other than telling your friends, mapping their beer on our site, and requesting it at your local bar.

10. Be safe and have fun!