What to look forward to at the Great American Beer Festival

More than 3,000 different beers are showcased at GABF. Breweries have to be commercially operating and licensed in the United States to get into GABF. (Faith Mangan)

Get your souvenirs early on because the line to pick out t-shirts can stretch rather long as sessions came to a close.   (Faith Mangan)

The convention hall is laid out mostly by regions for beers. (Faith Mangan)

Brewers also pour ice cold beer from cans and bottles, in addition to drafts. (Faith Mangan)

Beer companies give out holders for tasting glasses.  Mardi Gras beads help the can holders hang around people's necks. (Faith Mangan)

At the Silent Disco, dancers get headsets to rock out, only bystanders have no idea what they're dancing to. (Faith Mangan)

One brewery offers mock and real marriage ceremonies. (Faith Mangan)

Breweries have a wide range of signage and booths. More than 700 breweries participate. The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is in its 33rd year and keeps growing each year. (Faith Mangan)

GABF attendees can even shop for jewelry made from recycled beer caps and cans. (Faith Mangan)

Volunteer beer crew serve beer at sessions and earn free tickets. (Faith Mangan)

One of the longer lines at the festival, for a buffet of cheese samples from the American Cheese Society. (Faith Mangan)

You can take a break and sit in on educational seminars, such as pairing cookout foods with beer. This is a grilled peach served with sour beer. (Faith Mangan)

49,000 total attend, an average of 12,000 per session. (Faith Mangan)

There are other opportunities for fun and learning, besides drinking your dinner. Ticket holders can attend demos. (Faith Mangan)

Many attendees pick up free tasting glass holders and hang the necklaces around their necks.  It's considered a big no-no to let your tasting glass drop to the floor. (Faith Mangan)

One man literally brought his "beer goggles." (Faith Mangan)

Oktoberfest styled costumes are popular. (Faith Mangan)

It's not uncommon for groups of friends to coordinate their costumes. (Faith Mangan)

One of the more unusual headgear items, a hops hat. (Faith Mangan)

Serious beer drinkers weave hops into their hair. (Faith Mangan)

Bavarian style hats are popular. (Faith Mangan)

A beer drinking warrior. (Faith Mangan)

A hearty version of the edible pretzel necklaces, adding cheese sticks is a tasty twist. (Faith Mangan)

Pirates! (Faith Mangan)

Face paint mixes nicely with kilts.  (Faith Mangan)