Outdoor beer festivals make summer better, and not just because they offer an opportunity to drink outside. At a beer fest you get the chance to taste rare, less-available beers, meet your beer heroes, try beers of the same style side by side, and learn a thing or two. But is there a best way to attack a massive beer event? Are there any tips you should keep in mind?

With the Cape Town Festival of Beer approaching, here are some expert advice on how to get the most out of a beer festival. You can book tickets to the festival here.

“If you’re going for a more casual outing, basic advice is to start with lighter flavoured beers first, so as not to blow out your palate. Then move on to stronger beers as you make your way through the event. For example: start with lagers or blonde ales, move onto reds or amber ales, up to stouts and porters, then end with the super hoppy IPAs or strong imperial stouts.

However, the great thing about beer festivals is that they allow you to try new styles for the first time without having to invest in a sixpack. Pick a style that is new to you and try all the different versions from multiple breweries. This will give you the full spectrum of what that style can taste like and allow you to make an informed decision the next time you’re at your favourite pub or beer store.”—Hannah Davis