Voting for BBC14 Now Open!

We’re getting closer to determining our 2014 Beer Bloggers Conference destination! Now we need your feedback to narrow down the field.

Our destination nominees are described in further detail below (presented in alphabetical order). You can submit your top three choices by completing this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BBC14locationpublic.

Please vote no later than next Monday, June 10. Consider all the reasons to bring BBC14 to each destination – Which locations are easy to get to? Which ones offer a variety of breweries? Which ones are you most eager to check off your need-to-visit list?

We will combine three factors in choosing the BBC14 destination: the public vote, a private vote of past and current BBC attendees, and the strength of each location’s final bid from our point of view as conference organizers. We will announce the 2014 date and host location live at the 2013 Beer Bloggers Conference in Boston.

Thanks for sharing your opinion!

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Atlanta, GA

You may not immediately think of Atlanta when considering great craft brewing scenes, but with 9 local breweries (and more coming), it’s quickly earning national attention. Notable breweries include SweetWater Brewing Co, Red Brick / Atlanta Brewing Co, and O’Dempsey’s. The Great Atlanta Beer Fest and Atlanta Beer Week are major events. You’d be flying into the world’s busiest airport, so getting here is not a problem.

Bend, OR

Bend/Central Oregon is one of the nation’s fastest growing regions for breweries, with 20 currently active (including Deschutes Brewery) and more on the way. The region is a thriving beer tourism destination, offering up a large variety of beer-themed activities and festivals. Bend is 3.5-hours from Portland and 2.5 from Eugene. There is a regional airport with flights mostly to Portland (in addition to SFO, LAX, SLC, and SEA).

Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati currently offers 14 breweries – and the number is growing fast. Their breweries have a great community feel and already get together to collaborate on a yearly Cinci Beerfest Beer. Regarding travel, the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky airport is an international airport, Dayton just 45 minutes north has an often-inexpensive airport, and they’re right on the major north/south highway of I-75.

Denver, CO

We hosted a very successful first Beer Bloggers Conference in Boulder, Colorado. In 2014, the Craft Brewers Conference will take place in Denver April 8-11, and if you choose Denver, we would hold our conference that weekend, giving our attendees the opportunity to apply for press credentials to the CBC. Colorado has 161 breweries, and many are in the Denver area. Denver International Airport is a major hub.

Grand Rapids, MI

Winner of the title “Beer City, USA” for the second year in a row, Grand Rapids offers a great beer scene with 10 local breweries, including Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids Brewing, and HopCat. The Great Lakes Pub Cruiser is just one way to experience them. They’re 2.5 hours from Chicago and 2 hours from Detroit, and the Gerald R Ford International Airport makes travel by air very convenient.

Houston, TX

Houston has become an active and very enthusiastic craft beer community. It offers a large number of breweries (at least 10 and counting, including Saint Arnold Brewing Company and Karbach Brewing Co) and events like Houston Beer Week and the Houston Beer Festival. Houston is served by two large airports, Houston Intercontinental and Houston Hobby; its central location makes it very convenient to the entire US.

Nashville, TN

In addition to being home to at least 11 local breweries, Nashville offers an amazing backdrop of live music, a pretty great combination for a Beer Bloggers Conference. Just look at what they’ve done for the Nashville Beer Festival and Tennessee Beer Festival. The Nashville International Airport is well equipped to handle your air travel needs.

NYC/Brooklyn, NY

Brooklyn would be a great focal point for the conference, with 15 local breweries including Brooklyn Brewery. Local beer events include the NYC Craft Beer Festival and NYC Beer Week. JFK and LaGuardia Airports make getting to NYC very easy. Hotel costs might be more expensive.

Twin Cities, MN

There’s a great beer history in Minnesota, which is apparent in the Twin Cities. At least 24 breweries can be found in the metro area, including Summit Brewing Company. They have a great beer culture, and residents are very enthusiastic about and supportive of craft beer (check out the Twin Cities Beer Fest). The Twin Cities are very accessible by car or plane.