August 4, 2011

Why go to a pub? True to the original sense of a public house, the answer is: to socialize. The pub is a gathering place that brings together friends and friends-to-be alike. On a daily basis, peoples’ lives change as they meet new acquaintances over their favorite beer at a local bar. Sure enough, George Heinzelman’s story begins with a chance encounter at a pub, and it’s led to over 10 years of service at the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF).

George had long been a beer enthusiast and homebrewer, with an interest in Breweriana going back to his uncle’s antique store when he was young. In 1999, he sat down at On the Border, a now defunct Denver-area bar, after recently moving from Kentucky, and struck up a conversation with a local beer rep who suggested he volunteer at the GABF. That serendipitous meeting led him to his current role as dock manager, receiving the 36,000 gallons of beer shipped to the event and making sure the empty kegs are returned to their proper breweries.

Now in his third year as dock manager, George has made the most of an experience many beer lovers would die for, and he has lots of fun stories to show for it. His first year as dock manager was particularly memorable. In the lead-up to the festival, he rounded a corner in the bowels of the Colorado Convention Center to find Brewers Association (BA) President Charlie Papazian and the entire BA board of directors touring the facility. Before he knew it, he was asked to give a quick overview of the docks—in front of the who’s-who of the craft beer world. Although he can’t remember precisely what he said, George explains “I didn’t have time to be star-struck, so I think I did alright!”

On a separate occasion, George and his wife, Sandy, went out for a beer at Falling Rock Tap House after a day at GABF. They sat down to share a booth with a few other folks and eventually realized that the man who discretely introduced himself as “Fred,” was, in fact, Fred Eckhart of Celebrator magazine. He explains: “Now, my wife’s usual drink is tomato juice and Bud Lite, and Fred just couldn’t believe it. He said ‘Why would you ruin tomato juice like that?’ and she just shrugged and said it was her drink.” After a little while, Fred returned with a Kwak, and suggested that Sandy give it a try. With a laugh, George explains: “She took a sip, handed it back to him and said it tasted like a watered-down Dortmunder. Fred just blinked a few times and then said that he thought she was right!” At the end of the night, they all headed back to the hotel as friends.

Sandy is also a GABF volunteer, and although George claims that she does it so she can see him during the hectic week of the festival, it seems that much of his infectious love of beer has rubbed off on her. Indeed, she’s not the only one either. George has found himself luring his sister in-law away from simple American lagers with beers as exotic as Kriek. “She didn’t believe me that it was actually a beer,” he says, “But she really liked it.” George lights up when he describes the experience of bringing a first-timer to GABF: “The look of shock on their face as they walk into the hall is the best. Nothing can prepare them for it!” Nothing can, but it helps to have a gracious and knowledgeable guide, like George.

Nowadays, his time during the festival is a bit more limited than it was when he started as a volunteer in 1999, but George still tries to get out during the Saturday afternoon session to see the festival. Asked how much time he spends in his volunteer role he quips, “I did the math one time and it frightened me! I think during the week of GABF, it’s around 100 hours of work. The effort pays off though. The industry is just so open, giving and caring.” If you see George at Falling Rock, buy him a beer to thank him for his work, and who knows where the conversation will take you.

This is the second in a series of profiles of the volunteers that make GABF possible, the Faces of the Festival. Stay tuned for more stories. If you have a volunteer in mind you would like to see featured, email Spencer Powlison.