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Attendees at the Craft Brewer's Conference Do Road Trippin’ Right

Beer professionals from around the nation are pouring into DC

Blue Stallion BC
Tierney Plumb is the editor of Eater DC, covering all things food and drink around the nation's capital.

April 10 is opening day of the Craft Brewers Conference in D.C., and Eater’s been following the official #CBC2017 hash tag closely on social media. On Monday many attendees were busy setting up booths, while others took advantage of the gloriously warm weather and floated around town posting pictures of themselves taking in the sights.

Billed as the biggest craft brewing industry gathering in the U.S., the gigantic event at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center runs through Thursday, April 13, and includes 70 seminars, panels, exhibits and free samples galore.

The beer pros are pacing themselves, prepping to down plenty of brews tonight at the sold-out welcome reception at the Smithsonian. (Eater will update this post with highlights from the night at the museum — and hungover observations at tomorrow morning’s keynote event.)

Here’s what day one looks like so far:

Bissell Brothers Brewing Company co-owner Peter Jensen Bissell revealed the must-have accessories to pack for the week before taking off across the U.S. from Portland, Maine.

#cbc2017

A post shared by Peter Jensen Bissell (@peterjensenbissell) on

The TSA just got an eyeful of Station 26 Brewing Co.’s branded swag — from T-shirts to sunglasses — en route from Denver, Colorado.

Drink your vegetables: Other Half Brewing Company’s colorful cans traveled all the way from Brooklyn, New York and are dressed to impress. The pressure is on for local breweries like 3 Star Brewing to make sure D.C. is a great host city this year.

We love having our friends in town for #cbc2017. Let the festivities begin!!! #craftbeer #gangsallhere #ny2dc

A post shared by 3 Stars Brewing (@3starsbrewing) on

Some breweries made pit stops along to way to visit beer buddies; Foothills Brewing pulled over in Virginia’s capital to scour Stone Brewing Co.’s new space.

Overzealous conferees that happen to lose their way while crisscrossing D.C. can always just tell Uber drivers, “please return me to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.”

New Hampshire’s Smuttynose Brewing Company is gearing up to throw a big bash at Bar Deco tonight.

This patio is about to fill up!! @smuttynosebeer @bardecodc tonight for #cbc2017 #cbc17

A post shared by Sara Sorola (@sarasmuttynose) on

Blue Stallion Brewing Co. from Lexington, Ky., is pleased as punch about all the hops it’s found.

German hops on hops on hops. #CBC2017 #craftbeer #roadtrip

A post shared by Blue Stallion Brewing Co. (@bluestallionbc) on

Ben Bell, Virginia sales rep for Founders Brewing Company, took a time out to down an IPA at Tredici Enoteca on M Street NW.

Getting ready for church with a little All Day pre-sermon. @foundersbrewing #CBC2017 #brewedforus #alldayipa

A post shared by Ben Bell (@brewedforben) on

The team from Drekker Brewing Company took advantage of Monday’s amazing weather — much different than what they’re used to in Fargo, N.D. (expected high today: 45 degrees) — and posed for an obligatory selfie in front of the White House.

Elsewhere, Snow Peak Brewing Company out of Oregon paused to say hello to President Lincoln.

#snowpeakbrewing #cheers #cbc2017

A post shared by Snow Peak Brewing (@snowpeakbrewing) on

Meanwhile, Santo Domingo’s Coral Reef Brewing Co. wants everyone to know it’s here, and that it’s ready to get the party started.

DR craft beer has arrived. #cbc2017 #beer #beerporn

A post shared by Coral Reef Brewing Co. (@coralreefbeer) on