Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

Hey all,

The 2011 National Homebrewers Conerence is going to be in San Diego, CA for anyone who was not aware.

For those of you who did not attend the 2010 one, let me tell you it was a grand time had by all, every member who went to the conference took something away from the event, myself it was a large hangover and embarassing moments (they probably still have not got the RIS out of that poor bastards white comforter). Others who attended the seminars said they were information packed and they learned some new aspects of brewing. The pro-brewers night was good, the club brewers night was excellent. In short I had so much fun that I am going to attemp a trip every year now if possilble.

I have started some price checking into this years event and am placing it here for consideration by other members who are interested in going.

the website for the 2011 NHC can be found here
http://www.ahaconference.org/
(note: Check the pro-brewers night lineup if you are on the fense about attending)

Airfare
After a prelimary search of cost that I came up with for travel
$436 per person (tax included) from quad citys (MLI) to San Diego (SAN) this is round trip leaving on Wed June 15th and returning Sun Jun 19th.

Hotel
Checked the pricing for the hotel which is $129 a night(same as NHC 2010), we split this 3 ways during the 2010 NHC and the cost was quite reasonable for a great crash pad.

NHC entrance
Costs vary depending on the package you are getting they range from $135 (social package) to $290 (full package).

Car Rental
I did not price car rental as if I went alone most likely I would not rent a car. However, if we had 4 or 5 people going the split of a car rental would probably be fairly cheap.

Just to make all aware here are some of the breweries that are in San Diego.

Alesmith
Ballest Point
Backstreet
The Brew House
Green Flash
La Jolla
The Lost Abbey
Mother earth
Pizza Port
Port Brewing
Stone

If you are interested in going to the NHC, please post something here. The only real difference between the 2011 and 2010 event would be the cost of airfare. If it sounds like I am trying to talk you guys into going it's because, well, I am. I put up some price alarts on travel sites to be notified if airfare drops below $350, and will post if I get anything back.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go. My Mom-in-law lives an hour north of San Diego, so I'm going to include my wife in this trip. We'll probably fly into Orange County (John Wayne) Airport and she will drop me in San Diego for the festivities.

The list of breweries looks awesome!

I am seriously considering going again. Great time this year, great location next year!!

Keep me posted.

I'd really like to go, I just don't know yet if the finances will allow it.

OK, I bit the bullet and I'm "All In." Just booked Conference (full package - and Yes, Paxton is doing the banquet again!), hotel, and airfare. Found the airfare cheaper out of Moline than CR (surprise!), but since it's June, no weather worries about driving.

San Diego, here I come, baby! Who's coming with me??

Nice Tony, wow, I just got to find a way to get my butt there now!

Tony,
Would you mind posting what prices you were able to get for air-fair and hotel? I really want to go but I need an estimate of how much $$ it will take.

One Million Dollars!

carrisr wrote:Tony,
Would you mind posting what prices you were able to get for air-fair and hotel? I really want to go but I need an estimate of how much $$ it will take.

Hotel is the same as the conference last year, if you want to stay in the conference hotel. The cost of that hotel is $129/night. That is the NHC pricing for the event and you have to book through the NHC site to get that price.

Randy, check the first post I made as that contains some pricing estimates for the conference, including hotel, and the cheapest airfare I could find.

I'm in! I signed up for the social package and am staying at the conference hotel. I don't have my air fare yet because this will be a combined trip to see the out-laws too and I have to coordinate that part with Debbie.

Jeremy's first post is pretty accurate. The hotel rate is through AHA, so you have to book through them. The airfare hasn't changed much either ($445). I booked out of the Quads, as it is almost always cheaper than CR.

Hope more of you guys can make it, as it is an experience unto itself!

We may want to use this forum to coordinate attendance for the NHC.

For example if you are looking for a "Roomey" for the NHC post here, maybe people could hook up and coordinate for hotel, this does a lot to reduce the price for the excursion. Same goes for those that are attending and have booked hotel. If you have booked and would not mind sharing your room with a fellow beer nut. Post that you have 1 or to openings for roomates.

This could be done for car rental as well.

The hotel's website said that there is no additional charge for the 2nd person. After that, they tack on a fee for each person in the room.

tony b wrote:The hotel's website said that there is no additional charge for the 2nd person. After that, they tack on a fee for each person in the room.

Yeah, that was the same as last year, we just didn't tell them about the 3rd person. Matt brought a camping mat with him that we rolled out in the evening. I never mind doing this as you are not taking up anymore of their resources then the first 2 people. I think this is more to keep kids from 'racking & stacking' 20 people into a room.

BrewHound wrote:We may want to use this forum to coordinate attendance for the NHC.

For example if you are looking for a "Roomey" for the NHC post here, maybe people could hook up and coordinate for hotel, this does a lot to reduce the price for the excursion. Same goes for those that are attending and have booked hotel. If you have booked and would not mind sharing your room with a fellow beer nut. Post that you have 1 or to openings for roomates.

This could be done for car rental as well.

I'd be willing to share my room to help bring the cost down. I'm staying at the conference hotel. I don't plan on getting a car as my wife will drop me off at the conference.