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GABF is bigger in 2015 — making the map key for finding the best beers. (Photo by John Frank, Denver Post)

The Great American Beer Festival debuted Thursday and left no doubt about one thing — it’s huge. It’s seven football fields big — which is to say unless you are professional (beer) athlete, you may not ever see certain parts of the festival.

So First Drafts sent our scribes as scouts into the GABF 2015 clamor to share their impressions. Here’s a look at what’s ahead in the next three sessions.

–Where to go first: The most-coveted breweries had lines formed before the doors even opened — thanks to brewery reps, media and VIPs who get in the hall early. Among them: Three Floyds, Dogfish Head, Russian River, Wicked Weed, Ballast Point, Firestone Walker, Rare Barrel, Allagash and Cigar City. But don’t get discouraged and look for a lull before a permanent line forms for the rest of the festival.

–Yes, there’s a “weed” beer: One of the longest lines of the night is at Dad’s and Dudes Breweria in the Mountain section. This Denver-area brewery is “the world’s first cannabis beer.” The crowd is so huge the brewery is rationing the beer, releasing a picture or so every 30 minutes. So time this one right.

And so you know, there is no THC (the psychoactive chemical in marijuana) in the beer — it’s cannabidiol (or CDB). It adds no flavor, mouthfeel and does nothing to the beer. So essentially you’re drinking the brewery’s imperial IPA — which is still good, so why not have fun and get a sip. Welcome to Colorado.

–Meet the Brewer: This section is near the main entrance but festival goers seemingly skip it for the bustle of the main hall. It’s a mistake. Outside a few popular breweries, most in this section didn’t have lines and the brewers were eager to talk shop. (It’s also quieter … which is nice.) At Sante Fe Brewing, they are pouring a secret beer not listed at the table — it’s a GABF-winning Kriek, so ask for it.

–Great beer, no lines: Next to the long snaking line for Wicked Weed is Wild Heaven Craft Beers. If you liked smoked beers, don’t miss one of its offerings. The others also equally inventive.

A Great American Beer Festival volunteer pours a 1-ounce sample at Thursday’s opening session. (Photo by John Frank, Denver Post)

Other breweries that came recommended by folks at the festival: Minneapolis Town Hall, Iron Fire’s Jack Daniel’s barrel aged stout Outcast Dead and Fremont’s Cinnamon Coffee Abominable Stout (2014).

–Do your homework and have a plan: Because it’s bigger, wandering through the Colorado Convention Center is more of a problem and it’s easier to get lost. Find a link to all and study up.

At the festival, Denver resident and GABF first-timer Eric Weber had a plan. He brought his two nephews from out-of-state to the event. All three tried a different beer at the booths and then shared the 1-ounce pours so they could taste more styles. “We can go a long ways on that,” Weber said.

–Moments from the night: Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione slinging beers at his booth … Golden Road Brewery reps taking pictures at the Budweiser booth (the mega beer conglomerate the Los Angeles craft brewery this week) … the three Alaskan Brewing folks dressed in bear costumes …

–The ultimate GABF experience: The paired event at GABF is probably the ultimate GABF experience. Top breweries partner with top chefs from across the nation to serve food and beer pairings in a relaxed atmosphere and no lines. (Think salmon crisps, lamb sliders, oysters on the half-shell and pork belly for food. And Allagash, Stone, Hopworks Urban Brewery, Great Divide, Lickinghole Creek and Deschutes on the beer side.)

Far from the noise of the festival, paired (formerly the Farm to Table Pavilion) is hosted on the convention center’s back terrace, part inside in a glass-encased room and part outside on the patio allowing gorgeous views of the sunset and mountains. It costs extra to get a ticket — and sells out quickly — but there’s a reason why.