Kansas City Hopfest

After having attended quite a few beer festivals throughout the years in Kansas City, I have come to the conclusion that Hopfest is the best of the bunch. Most importantly, the beer selection was really good! I mean, I've been to festivals with a few more selections, but i didn't even come close to trying all of them that were available here. Further options would just be wasted. Plus a lot of familiar breweries pulled out stashes of really unique products. I was glad to get a sample of some rarities from Boulevard, Schlafly and New Belgium. I know for a fact there were a lot of other little surprises in the mix, I just never got around to trying them. The layout is fantastic. There were quite a few people here, but the lines moved quickly and efficiently. No waiting 10 minutes to sample a beer. Barely any waiting at all. I thought that was pretty awesome. There were plenty of tables and shade for people wanting to chill for a bit, and the restroom line moved quickly as well. I'd maybe add a FEW more toilets next year, but it wasn't that big of a problem. My only other suggestion would be to do something different with the speaker series. It's great that they offered it, but I think they should make it more prominent. It was difficult to hear the speakers, at least the couple that I kinda/sorta paid attention to. OK, one more suggestion: I think it'd be fun to have a vendor area. I mean, beyond a sausage and lemonade truck. Overall, I was VERY happy to attend Hopfest, and It'll certainly be on my calendar next year.

I was definitely very happy to attend Hopfest this year and I hope this will be a reoccurring annual festival. When I think of the establishments in Waldo I think of beer - from brewery, to sports bar, to gastropub, to dive. So, how very appropriate to have such an amazing beer tasting day in Waldo.The craft beer selection was quite extensive to say the least. Though it was packed with lots of folks, the pace was surprisingly easy and fast and barely any waiting at all. All of the vendors were extremely friendly as well as very patient & informative - they all seemed to enjoy discussing beer and didn't mind having their brains picked. I love the art of beer and I happen to be a very inquisitive individual as well - so it was refreshing to feel at ease while I delved into the world of endless beer knowledge.As Matt E. suggested, I also think that it would be wonderful if Hopfest would make their speaker series more prominent in the future and I second his suggestion on enhancing the vendor area to more than just two - quite a few Waldo exclusive vendors would be a really nice touch or at least plenty of food trucks would be divine.As an amazing conclusion to my day, my girlfriend and I gladly went next door to The Well to enjoy the Spinach Artichoke Dip (along with a pint to wash it down, of course) - it was offered complimentary when you used Yelp's mobile app to check-in to Hopfest!