Thursday night is the first session of GABF and the official opening of the festival.

Before the festival begins, the place seems very empty and quite huge without any people in the hall.

Scott Kerkmans, Chief Beer Officer for Four Points, and Charlie Papazian, President of the Brewers Association, toast the opening of the festival.

Then cut a red ribbon to open the fest with that big pair of scissors Charlie is holding.

Fittingly, there were tributes to Michael Jackson throughout the festival, including this large banner that hangs in the center of the hall.

Curt Decker, from Nodding Head in Philadelphia, and Eric Rose, from Hollister Brewing in Goleta, which is near Santa Barbara.

Omar Ansari and his wife, co-owners of Surly Brewing in Minnesota.

Ms. Perky, Melissa Myers, from Drake’s Brewing in Hayward, California, and two friends, Courtney and Casey.

Claudia and Rodger Drake. Claudia works at 21st Amendment in San Francisco and Rodger recently left Drake’s to open his own place in Oakland.

Bulletin fan Jim, who I run into at most Bay Area beer festivals, and his cousin.

Magnolia brewer Ben with Cynthia and Vic Krajl, owners of the Bistro in Hayward, California, and Arne Johnson, head brewer at Marin Brewing.

Lucy Saunders showing off her wonderful new book, The Best of American Beer & Food.

Dave Buehler, co-owner of Elysian Brewing, working his booth.

Nice to see a family enjoying themselves at the festival.

Christian Kazakoff, head brewer at Triple Rock in Berkeley, California, with his girlfriend Jodi.

A pair of chickenheads enjoy the festival.

My friend Justin Crossley, who founded the Brewing Network, hosted several live radio shows during the festival, including this one with Dogfish Head owner Sam Calagione, who’s also flying the Bulletin flag.

Also on stage, Tom Dalldorf held more “Inside the Brewing Studio” discussions.

This panel discussion included, from left, Tom Dalldorf, Mark Dorber, Dave Alexander, Steve Hindy, Garrett Oliver and Charlie Papazian, recounting their memories of Michael Jackson.

Just before taking the stage, from left, Glenn Payne (of Meantime Brewing), Charlie Papazian (President of the Brewers Association), Garrett Oliver, and Steve Hindy (both from Brooklyn Brewing), Dave Alexander (from the Brickskeller), and Tom Dalldorf (from the Celebrator Beer News).

Panelists from a later discussion on women in brewing, from left, Carol Stoudt (from Stoudts Brewing), Jennifer Talley (from Squatter’s Pub Brewery), Natalie Cilurzo (from Russian River) and Teri Fahrendorf (formerly with Steelhead Brewing).

Ed and Carol Stoudt, from Stoudt’s Brewing in Adamstown, Pennsylvania.

Tomme Arthur, from Port Brewing and the Lost Abbey near San Diego, and Dave Keene, from the Toronado in San Francisco, California.

No beer festival would be complete without Justine and Gabby from 21st Amendment Brewing in San Francisco.