Haus - It sounds like you had a REAL good time at the GABF.

Back in the 1980's when the brewpub and micro thing was really getting started, it was interesting to watch how the market shook itself out.

It seemed like so many new breweries would come up with a great name and logo, do some fancy decorating, then at the last minute say "Oh, hey, I guess we gotta brew some beer". Some micro beers were very good, but a surprising number were very bad.

Market forces work, though. Those who made bad beer were out of business real quick - in spite of the great names and pretty logos. Those who made good beer prospered. Beer quality has improved overall now, and no one would bring some of the swill of the early 1980's to the GABF.

I notice you gave Mueller's in Springfield a 6. That's about right, in my opinion. I know the Mueller brewery is a showcase to sell their brewing equipment - but with the setup they've got, they oughta be making some great beer instead of just good beer.