GABF Week Events: 2018

It’s almost time for Great American Beer Festival 2018! As of now, Thursday tickets are still available! And in addition to the festival itself, there are numerous fantastic beer events happening in Colorado that entire week. I will be updating this post frequently as new events are released, so check back often for the latest additions to help you plan your GABF week!

Note: I am only able to select so many events for this post. I have added a TON more on my Facebook Events page too!

Explore the Mile High City’s vibrant beer scene with the new Denver Beer Experience from The Crawford Hotel.

Use the award-winning Crawford Hotel – located inside the revitalized Denver Union Station in the heart of LoDo – as your launching point for a curated tour of Denver’s incredible collection of craft breweries, from Ratio Brewery and Our Mutual Friend Brewing in RiNo to the Wynkoop Brewing Company directly across the street from the hotel – famous for being Denver’s first brew pub.

Priced starting at $279 per night, The Crawford Denver Beer Experience includes:

Overnight accommodations for two in a Crawford guest room
Two local craft beers in custom Crawford Belgian glasses
A keepsake, specialty-engraved wood bottle opener
Tokens for two curated beer flights at Denver Union Station’s Terminal Bar, which pours 30 seasonal craft beers
A self-guided tour map of favorite Denver breweries created by The Crawford’s dedicated staff
Complimentary drop-off and pick-up in The Crawford’s courtesy Tesla

To book, please call 720-460-3700 or visit http://thecrawfordhotel.com/special-offers/.

The Crawford features 112 luxuriously appointed guest rooms in three styles and unparalleled access to Denver Union Station’s eclectic mix of Colorado restaurants and retailers, including Mercantile Dining & Provision and Stoic & Genuine. Guests can enjoy The Crawford’s Tesla courtesy car service within two miles the hotel, based on availability.

Mon., Sep. 17-Sat., Sep. 22: GABF Week at Falling Rock Tap House

Monday 9/17

5pm – 21st Annual Kick Off Tapping Party: Tapping into 20 treats to celebrate the Beginning of the Fest Week. Includes vintage beers, our Collaboration with Upslope Brewing the Southern Hemisphere Imperial IPA, plus fresh new beers from our friends around the state and country.

Tuesday 9/18

4-6pm in the Parking Lot – Roadhouse Brewery VW Van

5pm – New Image

Wednesday 9/19

3pm – Stone Brewing

4pm – Epic Brewing

9pm – Crooked Stave Distributing’s Showcase

9:30pm in the Parking Lot – Melvin Presents the IPA Throwdown

10pm – Cellarmaker

11pm – Jester King

Thursday 9/20

Noon – Deschutes

1pm – Boulder Beer

2pm – Renegade (Barrel-Aged Sister Cities Saison will be tapping here! Sister Cities is a French Saison done in collaboration with Brasserie du Baril in Brest, FR to celebrate the 70 year anniversary of the Denver and Brest, FR sister city relationship. This version has been barrel-aged in Chardonnay barrels and this event will be one of the last chances to taste this beer before it’s gone!)

3pm – Rogue

9:30pm in the Parking Lot – TRVE and J. Wakefield pour beers and take over the sound system.

10pm – Full Sail – The Debut of Atomizer IPA and Pale Ale (with some vintage treats as well!)

11pm – Upland

Friday 9/21

Noon – Sierra Nevada Kill-A-Keg

1pm – Boulevard and Ommegang

2pm – Green Flash and Alpine

3pm – Destihl

9:30pm in the Parking Lot – Dogfish Head Bitch’s Brew Beer and Music: Oak-aged Bitch’s Brew plus 8 other Dogfish Head Beers will be pouring while the Miles Davis Album plays. Special Appearance by the one and only Sam Calagione.

10pm – Ecliptic

11pm – Bells

Saturday 9/22

4pm – Avery

5pm – Casey Brewing and Blending

9pm – Telluride

9:30pm in the Parking Lot – Sour Showcase: 20 beers ranging from tart to funky to full-on mouther puckering!

10pm – Firestone Walker

11pm – New Belgium

Wed., Sep. 19-Fri., Sep. 21: GABF Week at First Draft Taproom & Kitchen – Denver

Wed., 9/19: GABF Welcome Party with Funkwerks, Brooklyn, and 21st Amendment

Thur., 9/20: GABF Lager Party with Rhinegeist, Wiseacre, & Friends

Fri., 9/21: Rare Beers with CSA Distributing

Sat., Sep. 22: GABF Closing Party

Tue., Sep. 18-Sat., Sep. 22: GABF at Cheba Hut! at Cheba Hut (1531 Champa St.)

Great American Beer Festival is right around the corner, and lucky you, Cheba Hut is right around the corner from the Fest!

Featuring events all week long, including Forbidden Root, Ska Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing Co, Horse & Dragon Brewing Company, Boulder Beer Co., 4 Noses Brewing Company, Green Flash Brewing Co., New Image Brewing Company, Station 26 Brewing Co., Wibby Brewing, Alpine Dog Brewing Company, Stone Brewing, Upslope Brewing Company, Elevation Beer Company, Left Hand Brewing Company, Alpine Beer Company, just to name a few 😉

Tapping over 70 rare, brand new, and delicious beers throughout the week. Stay tuned for more details, and be sure to check out our Untappd page! Updated daily with all our beers that we will be offering that week. https://untappd.com/v/cheba-hut-toasted-subs/39517

Cheers, fellow beer nerds!

Wed., Sep. 19-Sat., Sep. 22: Renegade and Corner Office GABF Headquarters at The Corner Office

Renegade Brewing Company and The Corner Office Restaurant & Martini Bar are partnering on being your GABF headquarters!

We have a great list of events and we will have year-round and specialty Renegade beers on tap starting on Wednesday.

Events:

Thursday, Sept. 20 – Throwback Thursday Night
6 – 10 pm
DJ spinning throwback jams on vinyl and jumbo versions of classic games like Battleship and Connect Four.

Friday, Sept. 21 – Meet the Brewer Happy Hour
3 – 7 pm
Come and meet Renegade’s owner and head brewer and ask your burning questions (make sure to ask Brian what his first concert was…). Stop in before the Friday night session or swing by for a late-night snack afterwards.

Saturday, Sept. 22 – Live Music Happy Hour
2 – 6 pm
Order off The Corner Office’s brunch menu and enjoy live music from our friend The One And Only Jon Ham. Stop in between GABF Saturday sessions or beat the crowds at the Convention Center and enjoy beers on the Corner Office patio all day instead.

The Renegade beers being featured throughout the week are:

5:00 Afternoon Ale
Redacted
Free to Roam APA
Pancakes Maple Porter
5:00 in Bangkok
Simone Rosé Saison
Hazeberry Hazy IPA
Barrel Aged Berbere Stout
Envy Brut IPA

Now through Sun., Sep, 23: Legacy Flight at Thirsty Lion (Union Station and Cherry Creek locations)

From now through September 23rd, both Thirsty Lion locations are serving a Legacy Flight, a flight made up of all GABF Gold Medal winners. Beers in the flight include:

Dry Dock Brewing: Apricot Blonde, Winner 2012

Funkwerks Brewing Farmhouse Saison, Winner 2017

Breakside Brewery IPA, Winner 2014

Odell Brewing IPA, Winner 2007

Telluride Brewing Face Down Brown, Winner 2014

Left Hand Brewing Milk Stout, Winner 2013

Sat., Sep. 15, 11 am-7 pm: West Side Brewery Bike Loop

Cruise to six West-Denver breweries with a guided GABF Brewery Bike Loop & Kick Off Party at Alamo Drafthouse. For just $25, you’ll get an 8oz taster glass that gets you beer samples at each brewery, a chance to win a free keg from a participating bike loop brewery, schwag giveaways, plus happy hour pricing once returning to BarFly inside the Alamo Drafthouse, Sloans Lake. This will be a Colorado-themed group bike ride that will start and end at the Alamo. Try exclusive GABF beers once returning to the Alamo for the tap takeover GABF Kick Off Party with live music at 7pm! See all the event details below!

Event Details:
 Breweries involved (6): WestFax, Joyride, Hogshead, Oasis, Strange, Seedstock
 Starting/Ending location: Alamo Drafthouse – BarFly
 Date: Saturday 9/15
 Time: Registration/check-in 11am at the Alamo Drafthouse, Sloans Lake. Ride starts at 12pm and returns to the Alamo for GABF Kick Off Party at 5:30pm. Live music starts at 7pm.
 Cost: $25 per person online, $30 day-of
 Register online on Alamo’s landing page
 Each attendee will be entered to win 1 of 6 possible kegs from a bike loop participating brewery for a private tapping event (coordinated by brewery, must be present at Alamo to win).
 Attendees will receive a wrist band and taster glass at registration; you must be 21 to participate in event
 Limit to one 8oz pour per brewery
 Wrist band gets you happy hour pricing at BarFly after completing the bike loop
 Please bring a backpack or bag to carry your belongings
 Colorado themed ride, prizes for “best dressed” so show off your Colorado pride!

Be sure that your bike is in safe working condition with working lights, reflectors, and a bike lock. Please also be sure to WEAR A HELMET and bring a backpack or bag to carry your belongings in. You are not required to drink beer at each brewery, please do not push your personal limits. If at any point you feel unsafe or ill-equipped to ride, let a staff member know so we can help make safe travel arrangements for you. In addition, please plan out your transportation to/from Alamo Drafthouse in advanced in order to ensure a safe trip for you and your friends.

Mon., Sep. 17, 5-7 pm: RadCraft at Strange at Strange Craft Beer Company

Storytelling by Colorado beer lover Ed Sealover and Spooky Bat Designs will be here showcasing their work. Our very own Emily Hutto from RadCraft will be here as well serving you up some delicious samples during this meet and greet. Make sure you make it by 5pm to the taproom, there will be a raffle at the end of the discussion. #getstrange #craftbeer #learningbeer #stateofcraftbeer

Tue., Sep. 18, 2 pm, 5 pm, & 8 pm: Burns Family Artisan Ales Tour & Tasting: Cheese Pairing at Burns Family Artisan AlesBurns Family Artisan Ales Tour & Tasting: Cheese Pairing

Adults 21+ only. Single event, choose start time at 2p, 5p or 8p on Tuesday September 18, 2018. Held at 2505 West 2nd Avenue #13, Denver, CO. Easily accessed from Federal Blvd South of 6th Ave, or west on Alameda to Tejon (N) from I-25.

$40 per adult, tip not included. Each adult is required to have a valid tour ticket and must present a valid picture ID at the door.

Each session will consist of three 4-ounce pours of specialty cellarable beers, 2 cheeses specifically paired with the beers, a private tour of our facilities along with a research & development tasting opportunity. Tours and Tastings are conducted by Wayne Burns and Laura Worley, Owners of Burns Family Artisan Ales.

Guests will be able to purchase on-tap beer and/or in-stock bottles for onsite consumption during tour hours. 750ml to-go bottles will be also be available for purchase at specified limits and a 10% discount.

We ask each person to indulge responsibly in our taproom. Servers reserve the right to abide by Colorado law when symptoms of over-intoxication are present.

Tue., Sep. 18, 4-10 pm: 2nd Annual Tour of Colorado at Tap XIV (Ballpark)

Thirst Colorado is proud to present the Tour of Colorado, a tap takeover of epic proportions during the week of the Great American Beer Festival. Join the Thirst crew alongside brewery and distillery friends at Tap Fourteen’s Denver Ballpark location to sample exclusive collaborations from a few of our favorite artisans around the state.

In addition to one-of-a-kind brews and spirits, there will be a silent auction featuring some amazing prizes from Colorado companies (think skis, packs and brewery gear). Commemorative glassware available for purchase, of which proceeds benefit our event charity partner.

The event is Tuesday, September 18, starting at 4 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter.

Wed., Sep. 19, 12 pm: WeldWerks GABF Special Releases at Weldwerks Brewing Company

We have some extra special releases planned for Wednesday, September 19th to kick off Great American Beer Festival week! We’ll be announcing all the details soon, but we will be releasing several new beers in bottles and 4-packs, plus some draft only surprises. Best of all, we should have PLENTY of the new releases to last almost ALL DAY on Wednesday (including Medianoche bottles), if not longer. So no need to wait in line before we open, we promise.

Trust us, just make a Greeley visit part of your itinerary for 9.19.18. You won’t regret it!

Wed., Sep. 19, 4-8 pm: 3rd Annual Can-Wood Derby at Ale House

Start (building) your engines…

In honor of GABF week, join us for our Third Annual CAN-WOOD Derby and exclusive GABF beer tastings (available only at the Ale House)!

We’ll party with some of Colorado’s best GABF participating breweries as you speed racin’ hopefuls throwdown in the most epic beer can derby the world has ever seen. Prizes, brew swag and exclusive GABF tastings throughout the night.

Race Day Schedule:
4PM — Can-Wood Happy Hour Kickoff
5PM — Racer Check-In / Final Tune-ups
6PM — Can-Wood Derby Race

Feeling crafty & ready to relive the Scout days of your youth?
Register and get your can-wood car on the path to victory by emailing the following five pieces of info to tmoxcey@alehousedenver.com:
1️⃣ “Beer Can Derby” in the subject line of the email
2️⃣ Your Name (First and Last)
3️⃣ Team Name (Optional)
4️⃣ Contact Phone Number
5️⃣ Contact Email Address

*A follow-up email will be sent to you to complete your registration and pick-up info for your free Can-Wood car kit.

**Registration will not be complete until all of the above information is received. Race starts at 6PM on September 19th.

***Must be 21 to participate in the race.

Questions about the race day? Reach out to:

Tom Moxcey – Race Manager
tmoxcey@alehousedenver.com
303-433-9734

Wed., Sep. 19, 4-11:59 pm: Fort Collins Breweries GABF Tap Takeover at Tap XIV (Ballpark)

Tap Fourteen Ballpark will be hosting a tap takeover for 17 breweries from Fort Collins on GABF Eve! Many of these breweries don’t distribute much to Denver so this may be your only chance to drink their beer in the Mile High City. They will mostly be pouring their Great American Beer Festival competition entry beers so think of it as the best of the best! Meet some brewers, get some swag, and drink some of the best beers Fort Collins has to offer!

Brewery list:
Black Bottle Brewery
C.B. & Potts – Ft. Collins
CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing
Equinox Brewing
Funkwerks
Gilded Goat Brewing Company
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company
Intersect Brewing
Jessup Farm Barrel House
Maxline Brewing
McClellan’s Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing
Odell Brewing Co
Red Truck Beer Company – Fort Collins
Snowbank Brewing
Soul Squared Brewing Company
Zwei Brewing

Full beer list coming soon!!

Wed., Sep. 19, 6-9 pm: Roadhouse Brewing Co. x Euclid Hall GABF Beer Dinner at Euclid Hall

Join Roadhouse Brewing Co. at Euclid Hall for a special beer dinner celebrating the kick-off of the Great American Beer Festival! Euclid Hall Chef Sarah Cloyd will expertly pair five courses alongside five rare, limited release Roadhouse Brewing Co. beers.

For tickets, please visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Cheers!

Wed., Sep. 19, 7:30 pm-12:30 am: Melvin Brewing Presents: Raekwon, GZA w/Very Special Guests at Summit Music Hall

Melvin Brewing is about to bring the ruckus again! Come experience hip hop and independent beer in their purest forms, with the Shaolin masters of Wu Tang on the mic and ten Melvin beers to assault your senses. Don’t hate, party!

Melvin Brewing is taking over all ten taps at The Summit Music Hall with their award winning beers for this event, and have kept pre-sale ticket prices on the lower side of $36.00. Tickets will be $40.00 day of show if this doesn’t sell out before 9/19/18! The event is 21+, Doors are at 8:30 PM and shows starts at 9:00 PM. Raekwon, GZA, Killah Priest, the first Denver Premier of Young Dirty and DJ Symphony will be performing a blended set for over two hours in length! DJ Chonz, creator of The Radio Bumz (now called “The Real Bumz”), affiliation of KS 107.5 FM, and The DJ Chonz Foundation affiliation with Denver DJ School.

Wed., Sep. 19, 7-9 pm: Beer Dinner with Station 26 Brewing Co. at Old Major

COUNTDOWN TO GABF BEER DINNER
4 courses
4 beers
$45
…menu coming soon…

Space is limited. Reservations recommended.
oldmajordenver.com

Thur., Sep. 20-Sat., Sep. 22: Great American Beer Festival at Colorado Convention Center

The Great American Beer Festival is the premier U.S. beer festival and competition. Each year, GABF represents the largest collection of U.S. beer ever served (4,000+ beers from 800+ breweries), in the format of a public tasting event plus a private competition. GABF brings together the brewers and beers that make the U.S. the world’s greatest brewing nation.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS (A GABF SPONSOR) HAS A MEET THE BREWER SERIES & OTHER ACTIVITIES:

BWWs will be bringing its sports bar look & feel to GABF all weekend long with a 3,600-square-foot bar where attendees will have the opportunity to attend its “Meet the Brewer” series to meet and sample beers with brewmasters from over a dozen – see below my signature for a selection of our guests.

Other than that, GABF attendees can stop by the Buffalo Wild Wings space Thursday – Saturday and enjoy wing + beer samples and catch a variety of live sporting events playing on massive TV screens.

BUFFALO WILD WINGS’ “MEET THE BREWER” SCHEDULE:

Thursday:

6pm – Deschutes – Veronica Vega
7:30pm – “Legends of Beer” (Dogfish Head, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada)
8:00pm – Creature Comforts – David Stein

Friday:

7:15pm – Odell – Doug Odell

Saturday:

1:30pm – Crooked Stave – Chad Yakobson
2:00pm – Brink – Kelly Montgomery
3:15pm – Samuel Adams – Jennifer Glanville

Thur., Sep. 20 & Fri., Sep. 21, 11:30 am-5 pm: New Belgium GABF Celebration at New Belgium Brewing

Come join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes 2018 GABF private tour of the brewery. You will be paired with one of our New Belgium coworker ambassadors from various departments who will guide you through the brewery while offering exclusive samples along the way. Tours will last about 2 hours and conclude back in our Liquid Center where you can enjoy live music, local food trucks and New Belgium’s GABF entry beers and tons of specialty libations on draft. Come kick off the fun festival weekend with your friends here at New Belgium!

Thur., Sep. 20, 7-10 pm: GABF Kickoff Party at Epic Brewing

Its GABF Time – LET’S PARTY!!!! Join Epic Brewing and DJ Digg Haze for a night of big beers and dancing! We’ll also have a special firkin for you to enjoy! Beer is fun, so LETS PLAYYYYYY!

Thur., Sep. 20, 7 pm-12 am: 6th Annual 50 Firkin Fiasco at Epic Brewing

Join us for our 6th Annual Fifty Firkin Fiasco! Our brewers have put together 50 unique firkins for your enjoyment as you wander through the brewery to sample all of them. Be a part of history, be a part of the fun and chaos of this popular event!

Ticket price includes unlimited sampling of the 50 Firkins from 7pm – Midnight. Last call is at 11:45pm. Food and Souvenir t-shirts sold separately.

$30 Early Bird Tickets that include the shirt are only available until September 10th.

General admission tickets will be available for $40 until October 2nd (price does not include shirt).

Thur. Sep. 20, 11 am-11 pm: Three Floyds Day at Lowdown Brewing + Kitchen

Three Floyds is coming to Lowdown! Come join us as we tap some of the best beers in the world, for realz. We’ll have 6 beers on from the world-renowned Three Floyds Brewing Co, plus our house lineup of Lowdown classics. No tickets, no cover, just great beer.

Thur., Sep. 20, 11 am-1:30 pm: Old World vs. New World Beer Tasting at Bruz Beers

We are teaming up with our friends at Merchant Du Vin to bring some beers from the motherland (Belgium) to taste alongside our Colorado made Belgian style beers. These are rare beers that are hard to get your hands on in Colorado. It will be a special event for sure.

2 flights of 5 beers each:

Old World (from Belgium) and New World (Bruz Beers) beers:

1. Du Bocq Saison 1858 and Bruz Beers Saison
2. Westmalle Trappist Tripel and Talus Tripel
3. Westmalle Trappist Dubbel and Gargoyle Dubbel
4. Trappistes Rochefort 10 and King Quadruple
5. Bonus Round: Orval and Oude Valor Specialty Ale

We will also be providing cheese to pair along side each beer set as well as an educational piece on the history of Belgian beer and some giveaways.

Tickets are $30

Thur., Sep, 20, 2-5 pm: Jackrabbit Parole – Early Release Hearing at Bierstadt Lagerhaus

What do you get when two great brewers join forces? Malt Liquor!

Part of Sun King Brewing Company‘s small batch series and released early for good behavior, Jackrabbit Parole is a tasty potato malt liquor brewed with Bierstadt Lagerhaus. Come guzzle some down as we tap this beauty along with Sun King’s Grapefruit Jungle and Cherry Busey.

Meet the brewers. Hang out. Get primed for the Great American Beer Festival and the Beer Hall Brawl.

Thur., Sep. 20, 3-6 pm: 2018 Brewers Health Initiative at Falling Rock Tap House

Besides sampling some of America’s best craft beers, men in Denver during this year’s Great American Beer Festival® can take an important step to protect their health.

Sponsored by Pints for Prostates, the fourth annual Brewers Health Initiative will take place from Sept. 19-21 at three different beer centric locations around Denver, offering brewers, craft beer fans and Denver residents a free men’s health screening. The Brewers Health Initiative is designed to reach men through the universal language of beer, giving them a quick and easy way to know some important health related numbers via a simple blood test.
Pints for Prostates is collaborating with Colorado-based Prostate Conditions Education Council on the Brewers Health Initiative.

“Hundreds of men have taken part in the Brewers Health Initiative free health screenings the last four years during the GABF,” said Rick Lyke, Founder of Pints for Prostates. “Men tend to avoid doctor visits for routine check-ups. This effort brings important health screening tests right to the guys in an easy to access environment.”

Brewers Health Initiative locations and times include: The screening is open to the public and no purchase is necessary to take part:
• Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 3-6 p.m. at the Great Divide Barrel Bar, 1812 35th St.
• Thursday, Sept. 20 from 3-6 p.m. at the Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St.
• Friday, Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the 10th anniversary Denver Rare Beer Tasting at the McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 W. Colfax.

As part of the program, a team of healthcare professionals from the Prostate Conditions Education Council will administer a simple blood test taking less than 10 minutes to screen for prostate specific antigen, glucose, lipids and testosterone levels. Participants will receive a confidential report sent directly to them after the event that they can review with their doctor. The free blood tests being administered have a value of $700 and scan for several important male health issues.

“We urge all 40-plus year-old guys in Denver for GABF to take advantage of this awesome opportunity for a free men’s health screening. This is a chance to be proactive about your health and it only takes 10 minutes,” said Renee Savickas, Vice President and Director of Early Detection and Awareness Programs at the Prostate Conditions Education Council. “The reports men receive from the blood test are a snapshot of some key health indicators and can help guys spot potential issues.”

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity and all net proceeds from Denver Rare Beer Tasting go towards the group’s awareness mission and help to fund the education and support programs of the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, and free prostates cancer screening programs provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council.

Thur., Sep. 20, 6-8 pm: GABF at Great Divide: Beer + Dessert Pairing at Great Divide Barrel Bar

This Great American Beer Festival, Good Sugar Baking is pairing up with Great Divide Brewing Co. to feature their best! We’ll be pairing four delectable desserts with some of the best beers Denver has to offer!

$16.00 for four tasters and four desserts.

A percentage of every sale goes to a nonprofit! Learn more at www.goodsugarbaking.com

Thur., Sep. 20, 5 pm-12 am: Chicago Meets Denver 2018 at RiNo Beer Garden

🍻 Forbidden Root Presents: Chicago Meets Denver 2018 🍻

We’re getting some of our favorite breweries together for one big party in Denver, Colorado during the Great American Beer Festival. Join us at the RiNO Beer Garden and enjoy some of the best brews Chicago has to offer in a one-of-a-kind tap takeover.

Here’s who you can expect at the party 🎉:
Mikerphone
Maplewood
3 Floyds
Smylie Brothers
Revolution
On Tour
Marz
Pollyanna
Temperance
Corridor
Hopewell
Begyle
Illuminated
Half Acre
and of course, Forbidden Root

In addition to some award-winning and rare brews, catch the limited return of Fernetic, Brewbound’s 2017 Collaboration of the Year made by Forbidden Root and the good people of Fernet Branca.

Thur., Sep. 20, 4-8 pm: GABF Kick Off Party with Pug Ryan’s Brewing Company at MOXY Cherry Creek Beer Garden

Join MOXY prior to the opening of GABF on Thursday, September 20th from 4:00-8:00 pm for a kick off party featuring Pug Ryan’s Brewing beer.

Beers on Tap: Brut IPA, Pug Ryan’s Pilsner, and Morning Wood Wheat

Canned Beers: Cream Ale and Dunkel

Enjoy special prices on beers and free swag in the dog friendly Cherry Creek Beer Garden.

Thur., Sep. 20, 8 pm: Trve & Ratio’s GABF Kickoff Party at Hi-Dive

GABF FTW TGIT PRTY

Featuring live music from some of Denver’s finest and specialty brews from TRVE Brewing, Ratio Beerworks, Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, and Breakside Brewery!

with

Echo Beds
Space In Time
SLYNGER
The Corner Girls

Thursday, September 20th, 2018, 21+, $10, 8pm doors

Thur., Sep. 20, 10 pm-1 am: GABF Kick-Off Party + Spruce Tip IPA Sneak Preview! at Back East Bar and Grill

Celebrate the first night of GABF with the whole Upslope Brewing Company crew as we debut our brand spankin’ NEW winter seasonal: Spruce Tip IPA!

🍺 *First 150 attendees get a FREE can of Spruce Tip IPA!* 🍺

Live Music by the Aidan Pagnani Band featuring Kim Dawson from the Pimps of Joytime (10:00 pm-12:30 am)

About the Beer //
Crack open a can of our Spruce Tip IPA and prepare to be whisked away to the snowy rocky mountains on this olfactory excursion. A medium bodied ale that perfectly encapsulates the feeling of taking your boots off in a cabin while the warm, crackling fire beams onto a soft bear skin rug. Bright notes of fresh pine sap and candied orange peel emanate from your pint glass as you slowly de-robe and become ensconced in the warm embrace of premium American malt and Simcoe & Cascade hops.

Color: Pale Amber
Aroma: Piney, Citrusy
ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 57
Availability: Winter (Nov-Dec)
Body: Medium

Fri., Sep. 21, 12-4 pm: Denver Rare Beer Tasting 10 at McNichols Building

***SOLD OUT***

The 10th annual Denver Rare Beer Tasting will feature more than 60 of America’s leading craft brewers pouring rare, exotic and vintage brews. The event takes place on the Friday afternoon of the Great American Beer Festival weekend in the Mile High City.

The prostate cancer awareness event will be held on Sept. 21 in Colorado during the same weekend as the Great American Beer Festival. The Denver Rare Beer Tasting 10 features the chance to sample rare, exotic and vintage beers from dozens of leading craft breweries and the opportunity to meet the men and women who made them. For a list of breweries and beers at this year’s Tasting, click here.

In addition to the beer and silent auction donations made by participating breweries, Craft Beer and Brewing is the media sponsor for the Denver Rare Beer Tasting 10 and logistical support is being provided by MicroStar. Additional sponsorship packages are available for companies that wish to take part in this boutique tasting.

Each attendee receives a commemorative tasting glass, t-shirt, program and pen. A special beer-centric lunch created by Jensen Cummings of Brewed Food is included in the ticket price and guests will have the chance to bid in an exciting silent auction that includes a variety of unique beer experiences and collectibles. During the event, attendees can also participate in the Brewers Health Initiative, a free men’s health screening. Last year, 165 men took advantage of the free blood test during GABF weekend in Denver.

“Each year the Denver Rare Beer Tasting is one of the most talked about events during the Great American Beer Festival weekend,” said Lyke. “The beer list coming together is one that is impossible to duplicate. The combination of unique beers, talented brewers and devoted beer fans in the room creates a special atmosphere at the event.”

Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity and all net proceeds from Denver Rare Beer Tasting go towards the group’s awareness mission and help to fund the education and support programs of the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, and free prostates cancer screening programs provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council.

Fri., Sep. 21, 2-9 pm: GABF Cellar Bottle Sale at River North Brewery

Once again, we will raid the cellar for GABF to offer bottles from throughout our history…this year’s offerings include beers from the past five years! We will also be OPENING EARLY at 2pm, so you can make it by before the festival session starts.

*NOTE* : Event picture is an oldie but a goodie. Actual bottle offerings are as follows:

2013 Barrel Aged Avarice *one bottle!*
2014 Barrel Aged Avarice
2015 Barrel Aged Avarice *one bottle!*
2015 Fancy Effing Stout *one bottle!*
2015 Avarice
2016 Funk the Man #4
2016 Decennial Series
2017 Barrel Aged Avarice
2017 Rum Barrel Quandary
2017 Mr. Sandman (Paste Magazine’s best imperial stout in the country)
2017 Single Cask Mr. Sandman: Rum Barrel
2017 Single Cask J. Marie: Chardonnay Barrel
2017 Single Cask Tripel: Manhattan Barrel
2017 Single Cask J. Marie: Port-Finished Whiskey Barrel
2017 Vicennial Series
2018 Single Cask Avarice: Colorado Whiskey Barrel
2018 Single Cask Quandary: Scotch Barrel

All bottles will be available to enjoy here or take home with you! No limits, no tickets needed – first come, first served.

Fri., Sep. 21, 7-10 pm: Wynkoop’s 30th Anniversary at Wynkoop Brewing Co.

Thirty and thirsty for more…

Since 1988, we’ve been counting down the days. Help celebrate our 30th Anniversary and join us for an all-out 80’s style bash. Because, hey, you only turn 30 once.

For this totally rad occasion, we’ll be serving beer from our fellow 1988 classmates including Deschutes Brewery, Goose Island, and North Coast Brewing to name a few. Come dressed in your best 80’s gear, dance the night away with Denver’s most excellent 80’s band and enjoy throwback 1988 beers and pricing.

Save the date, dust off those Zubaz, and join us Friday, September 21st.

Fri., Sep. 21, 6 pm and 9 pm: Diner Van Zuur 2018 at Goed Zuur

Join us at Goed Zuur for a special beer dinner with Casey Brewing & Blending, pFriem Family Brewers, The Rare Barrel, and Scratch Brewing Company. This evening will include 6 courses by GZ paired alongside 12 beers. Ticket price includes gratuity.

Full food menu and beer list will be available soon. Please contact Goed Zuur with any questions.

Casey: Oak Theory, The Cut: Grape (Chambourcin), & Raspberry Funky Blender
Rare Barrel: Home Sour Home, Mister Tea, & There are Rules
Scratch: Spring Tonic, Sour Cedar, & Wild Grape & Elderflower Farmhouse
pFriem: Abrikoos, Fraise, & Oude Kriek

Fri., Sep. 21, 8-11 pm: Suds & Stogies | A GABF After-Party at Tap XIV (Ballpark)

Miami’s The TANK Brewing Co. is partnering with Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing for an official GABF after-party! We’ll be featuring specialty brews, along with cigars from Altadis USA, Rocky Patel, Plasencia, General Cigars, and Smoker Friendly Cigar Shop.

Tickets include live music, rooftop view, two specialty brews from the Tank Brewing Co., two specialty brews from Cigar City, and four cigars, one from each brand represented.

Ticket holders will receive:
Two (2) beers from The TANK Brewing Co.
Two (2) beers from Cigar City Brewing
One (1) cigar from Altadis USA
One (1) cigar from Rocky Patel
One (1) cigar from Plasencia Cigars
Onc (1) cigar from General Cigars

Smoker Friendly cigars will be available for purchase onsite.
Tickets can be purchased at: https://gabf_after-party_sudsandstogies.eventbrite.com

Tickets will be available at the door for $30.

Sat., Sep. 22, 8:30-11 am: GABF Brewers Breakfast: Burritos & Breakfast Beers! at Denver Beer Co

A little hair-of-the-dog always helps during GABF weekend. It also helps get the party going again! Saturday, October 7 we will serve up a Brewer’s Breakfast: an awesome smothered breakfast burrito & a beer of your choice!

Grab your tickets now:
Presale – $15
Limited day of tickets – $18

Roll out of bed, put your sunglasses on, and get here while the burritos last!

Sat., Sep. 22, 10 am-1 pm: GABF Awards Watch Party at Comrade Brewing Company

Join us bright and early to watch the live stream of the Great American Beer Festival Awards Ceremony. Help us cheer on all Colorado breweries in the best and most competitive beer competition of the year.

We will provide the donuts! Yes, free donuts.

Sat., Sep. 22, 12-4 pm: SOWN Together Beer Tasting at Museum of Contemporary Art Denver

SOWN Together is a beer tasting event that hosts breweries sharing the common goal of showcasing native ingredients in direct support of local suppliers and producers. We invite guests to spend Saturday afternoon on the rooftop patio of MCA Denver taking in the views of the city while tasting beer from Colorado and around the country.

The tasting event coincides with a well known and expansive beer festival in Denver and has been organized in cooperation with our friends at TRVE Brewing and Troubadour Malting.

Participating Breweries:

Goldspot Brewing Company
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company
Jester King Brewery
Kent Falls Brewing
Our Mutual Friend Brewery
Oskar Blues Brewery
Primitive Beer
Scratch Brewing Company
TRVE Brewing
Upland Brewing Company

Tickets $30 MCA Members | $35 Nonmembers
Ticketed guests will receive a branded tasting glass to sample beer from participating breweries, and will receive access to rooftop tasting with valid ID and wristband. 21+ ONLY / RAIN OR SHINE

FAQs
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Since this is a drinking forward event, please be responsible and take public transport. And if you have a designated DD let them know street parking is limited, so to check out the garage directly across 15th Street which is $5 on the weekends.

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?

Yes, this is a 21+ event. A valid government ID is required to drink.

Can I still check out the art?

Yes! The museum will be open to the public and all SOWN attendees. Please, NO BEER IN THE GALLERIES! (thank you in advance)

Sat., Sep. 22, 5-10 pm: Baby Rhino Rescue for World Rhino Day! at Epic Brewing

It’s time to do some good while you’re drinking your Epic beer! We are hosting the first annual Baby Rhino Rescue Non Profit Night for World Rhino Day. We will have raffles, specials glassware for you to keep, music, and more! A portion of proceeds made will go directly to this amazing cause.

Sat., Sep. 22, 7-8:30 pm: Lost Dog Ensemble live the Sat of GABF at Banded Oak Brewing Company

Lost Dog Ensemble is a Tom Waits tribute band and they’re playing at Banded Oak Brewing the Saturday of Great American Beer Festival. These guys really throw down and with the feeling of GABF in the air this one is gonna be epic. Come down and check them out and of course drink a beer.

Sat. Sep. 22, 9 pm-1 am: 4th Annual Ratio Karaoke GABF After-Party at Ratio Beerworks

You made it! You survived GABF, now lets party!

After the final session of the Great American Beer Festival on Saturday, September 22, join the Ratio Beerworks team in belting out some of your favorite hits and help us send GABF’s final night off in a blaze of glory! We will be firing up the karaoke machine around 9pm, so come prepared to throwdown your go-to tune.

Everyone is welcome join the party, but if you sign up to sing a song, your first beer is on us. Additionally, we’ll be tapping some serious heat during the party, to put the kibosh on a massive weekend.

Sat., Sep. 22, 9 pm-1:30 am: GABF After Party! at Appaloosa Grill

Come and celebrate the Great American Beer Fest at your favorite downtown local venue! Odell Brewery is throwing a big party, and EVERYONE is invited!

Sun., Sep. 23, 10:30 am-1:30 pm: POST GABF Recovery Brunch: Fried Chicken + Football at Improper City

You don’t have to be a fortune teller to predict that the morning after Great American Beer Festival might require a little extra love. Don’t worry, we got you.

The Post Brewing Co. is bringing the hangover cures with free Fried Chicken Biscuits available to all guests with purchase of their beers, including Howdy Western Pilsner, Top Rope Mexican-Style Lager, Elkhorn Lager & Backyard Saison.

Improper City will be serving Bloodies and Mimosas, because the Sunday show must go on.

And what pairs better with Fried Chicken & Beer other than football? Catch the Denver Broncos away game against the Baltimore Ravens. Kickoff at 11am.

Celebrate the end of #GABF in true comfort style, before you head back to wherever you came from, whether that’s down the street or across the country.

Sun., Sep. 23, 12-3 pm: Post-GABF Hangover Brunch at Call to Arms Brewing Company

After a weekend of GABF festivities and perhaps a little too much fun, you’re gonna need some Sunday recovery. How about homemade comfort brunch food shared with friends to get you straightened out again? And yes…a little hair of the dog will surely cure what ails you. Even if you’re not hungover, this brunch is gonna be bomb.

The Noshery will be popping up and home cooking an incredible brunch, including biscuits, gravy, green chili, bacon, donuts, and breakfast burritos (including a veggie option). All from scratch! Pay per item, not buffet style. The taproom is gonna smell goooooooood!

We will also have Ballroom Micheladas (w/ the Noshery’s homemade bloody mix), Sweet Bloom Coffee IPA, and Sweet Bloom Coffee Oats and Hose. $1 off beers with purchase of brunch.

We will be opening early at 11am to show the Broncos game with sound, and brunch goes from Noon – 3pm. Items will sell out, so get here early so you don’t miss out!