Brian White | March 4, 2024 | Personal Injury

Safety Tips for the Wild West Brewfest in Houston, TX 2024

The Wild West Brewfest (WWBF) is more than a celebration of hops and malts; it’s a community gathering of those who appreciate the craftsmanship behind a cold, refreshing pint. It’s also for a good cause. 

Founded by the Rotary Club of Katy and now in its thirteenth year, the WWBF has raised more than $1.25 million for local charities. It’s been named the Best Beer Festival in North America for several years running, and the 2024 event is set to be the biggest ever. 

The Wild West Brewfest will take place at the Typhoon Texas Waterpark in Katy, a western Houston suburb, from March 21 to March 23, 2024. It will have several stages with live bands, over 500 beers from more than 100 breweries, ten wineries with a wine grotto, and many food trucks.

Amidst the revelry, your safety is paramount. Nothing ruins a fun weekend at America’s best beer festival quite like a bad hangover or worse – alcohol poisoning or DUI. Here are tips for enjoying a safe, fun festival this year.

1. Plan Accommodations and Transportation in Advance

Before you even take a sip, make sure you have a plan for getting home or to your hotel safely. This may include walking, using Uber or Lyft, or having a designated driver. 

Hotels Within Walking Distance

Walking to your hotel after the festival is one option to avoid drinking and driving. There are 11 hotels within a 15- to 20-minute walk, but you should book in advance. Wild West Brewfest anticipates attendance of more than 9,000 in 2024. Hotels may sell out, and rates are likely to increase for the weekend. 

Hotels within half a mile or a 15-minute walk include: 

Hotels within three-quarters of a mile or a 20-minute walk include: 

If you plan to walk back to your hotel, you should still have a backup plan such as Uber or Lyft. You may not feel up to the walk when the time comes, especially if it’s raining or you are unwell. 

Be careful walking along the road after a day of drinking. Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians are more likely to be drunk than drivers: one out of three pedestrians versus one out of five drivers in a crash was at or over the legal limit in 2021. 

Some nearby hotels offer free shuttle service to and from the Katy Mills Mall or Typhoon Texas Waterpark. Make sure you ask about the shuttle service for the event; the free shuttle may not be available on weekends, or the service may be different than advertised.

Uber or Lyft

Rideshare services offer a safe, sober way to get back home after the beer festival. Before leaving for the festival, make sure you set up the app and verify you have the correct payment method added. If you are staying at a hotel, save the address. You don’t want to try to get your payment set up or find your hotel address after a long day of drinking.

2. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is crucial to counteract the diuretic effects of alcohol. If you stay hydrated, you can reduce the potential impact of a hangover. While March isn’t the hottest time of year in the Houston area, you will still be doing plenty of walking in the sun. When combined with alcohol, you’ll want to drink a lot of water to avoid dehydration and muscle cramps later. 

The day before the festival, drink more water than usual. Try to have water between every beer at the festival. This will also help you pace yourself and avoid getting too intoxicated too quickly. 

WWBF will have water stations set up throughout the festival; bring your own collapsible water bottle to make it easier to stay hydrated on the go.  

3. Pace Yourself

Sampling the wide array of beers doesn’t have to be a sprint. Focus on quality over quantity; you do not need to finish every sample. There will be more than 500 beers. If you don’t love something, it’s fine to pour it out. 

You can also ask for smaller pours. Asking for half pours allows you to try more beers. It’s particularly helpful for high gravity or high ABV beers that may be overwhelming and add up faster.

4. Eat Well and Regularly

Eat a hearty meal beforehand. If you start drinking on an empty stomach, the alcohol enters your bloodstream faster. This means you feel the effects faster, and it’s harder to manage your intake and level of intoxication. Drinking on an empty stomach can also increase damage to the liver, kidneys, and other organs. 

There will be plenty of food vendors at the Wild West Brewfest; be sure to eat regularly while drinking. This will help you pace yourself, too.

5. Stay with Your Group

Finally, staying together helps everyone stay safe. Set up a group chat or use a location-sharing app to make sure your group can find stray members. Agree on a time and place to meet up. Keep track of the group to make sure everyone has a way to get home safely at the end of the day.

Even with a solid plan in place, accidents can happen. If you require legal assistance after the 2024 WWBF, contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000

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