The Great American Beer Festival

What you can expect from this year’s festivities in Denver

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, there is no other place on earth where a beer aficionado can find more beers on tap. The Great American Beer Festival is a three day annual event, dubbed the ‘superbowl’ of beer festivals.

It has been hosted by the Brewers Association since 1982, and as the song goes, you’ve come a long way baby. The first festival was held at the Harvest House Hotel in Boulder; there were 22 breweries and 800 attendees. In 1984 it moved to Denver where it has remained ever since, and this year’s festival (the 26th) will attract an impressive 380 American breweries and more than 40,000 people.

The breweries are arranged on the festival floor by regions: South, Northeast, North Central, Mountain West, Pacific, Pacific Northwest. Visitors enjoy one-ounce beer samples from the breweries of their choice, and maybe a chat with the brewer.

Food and beer pairing seminars take centre stage; a special glass enclosed room will house famous chefs and brewers in the centre of the festival hall.

Here are the details: The Great American Beer Festival

WHEN?
Thursday 11 October 5.30-10pm
Friday 12 October 5.30pm-10pm
Saturday 13 October 12.30pm-4.30pm* and 5.30pm-10pm
*Members only – that is, members of the Brewers Association (BA) or American Homebrewers Association (AHA)

WHERE?
Colorado Convention Centre, Hall F, Downtown Denver HOW MUCH?

Evening Session Tickets: $45 advance / $50 door – Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Members only tickets for Satur.....

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By Sally Toms

Section : Beer Events

Page number : 51