Whether you live in Denver or clear across the country, The Great American Beer Festival is one of the most popular beer festivals in the US. Obtaining tickets can be quite a challenge to this sold-out fest, but even those not attending can still enjoy a plethora of other craft beer events throughout the week. From tapping parties and beer dinners to comedy and karaoke, check out all the goings-on for GABF.
18th Annual GABF Tapping Party
Where: Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St., Denver
When: Monday, Sept. 21, 5 p.m.
The Low Down: Kick off the week with Falling Rock’s GABF Tapping Party, where you’re sure to find some rare and one-off beers as well as new brews. No tickets required; simply show up, buy a beer and enjoy.
Work & Class + Black Project Spontaneous and Wild Ales Beer Dinner
Where: Work & Class, 2500 Larimer St., #101, Denver
When: Monday, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m.
The Low Down: Work & Class hosts a five-course dinner with appetizer, salad, fish, meat, and dessert all paired with unique sour beers from Black Project Spontaneous and Wild Ales. Click here for the menu. $75 per ticket.
Mockery Brewing & Revelry Events Kickoff GABF: Four Course Food & Beer Pairing
Where: Mockery Brewing, 3501 Delgany St., Denver
When: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m.
The Low Down: This four-course dinner will be served in Mockery Brewing’s tap room. Menu consists of an appetizer, a salad, a surf and turf main course and a dessert, each paired with a different Mockery beer. View the menu here. $50 per ticket.
The Split EP: A Beer Dinner
Where: Rebel Restaurant, 3763 Wynkoop St., Denver
When: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7-9:30 p.m.
The Low Down: The Split EP Beer Dinner will feature six-courses, each paired with two beers, one from Ratio Beerworks and one from TRVE Brewing. Prepare yourselves for an evening of dining, drinking and of course punk and metal at this dinner. $55 per ticket.
Caution Brewing Co./Charcoal Restaurant Beer Dinner
Where: Charcoal Restaurant, 43 W. 9th Ave. Denver
When: Tuesday, Sept. 22, 7 p.m.
The Low Down: Charcoal Restaurant is serving a four-course dinner, each paired with a different beer from Caution Brewing. Take a peek at the menu here. $45 for dinner only; $60 with beer pairings.
Oskar Blues GABF Ordeal
Where: All Oskar Blues locations (Longmont and Lyons; see link for details)
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 5:30-10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Low Down: Three days of craft beer events with Oskar Blues. Wednesday, September 23 is the Hops & Heifer’s Pig Roast at Hops & Heifers Farm in Longmont. Then on Friday, September 25 is the Gospel Brunch, Farm Fun and with a sneak peek inside Pike Road in Longmont. Finally, on Saturday September 26 is Longmont Restaurants and Lyon’s Looky Look tour in Lyons and Longmont. Ticket prices range from $45-100; see link for specifics.
Call To Arms/Block & Larder Pairing Dinner
Where: Block & Larder, 4000 Tennyson St., Denver
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 7 p.m.
The Low Down: Block & Larder is creating a four-course dinner, each paired with a Call To Arms beer or beer cocktail. What’s on the menu? Find out here. $60 per ticket.
Odell Brewing Tap Takeover
Where: Pub 17, 1750 Welton St., Denver
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 10 a.m.
The Low Down: Pub 17 will be tapping eight Odell beers with a menu of small plates to match. No tickets required; beer and food can be purchased individually.
2nd Annual Offensively Delicious: A Craft Beer Comedy Show
Where: Oriental Theater, 4335 West 44th Ave., Denver
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m.
The Low Down: Sexpot Comedy and Renegade Brewing Company are proud to present the 2nd Annual Offensively Delicious: A Craft Beer Comedy Show! Starting at 6 p.m. attendees can enjoy two hours of unlimited sampling from all the breweries. At 8 p.m., everyone is encouraged to redeem vouchers for full pours of their choice of beers and sit down, relax and watch the show. $45 per ticket.
Beers Made by Walking Denver Festival
Where: Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company, 2810 Larimer St., Denver
When: Wednesday, Sep. 23, 4:30-8 p.m.
The Low Down: Beers Made By Walking is a program that invites brewers to create place-based beers inspired by plants found on nature trails. This event takes place at the outside space of Our Mutual Friend and features over 20 Colorado breweries plus several others from vaious states. Basic Kneads food truck will be on site serving hot fresh pizzas througout the evening. $30 per ticket.
What the Funk!? Invitational Beer Festival
Where: Highlands Masonic Event Center, 3550 Federal Blvd, Denver
When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6:15 p.m.
The Low Down: What the Funk!? is a celebration of barrel-aged beers from boozy and strong to wild, sour, and funky. Sponsored by Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, this year’s event features over 60 breweries from across the United States and beyond. $90 per ticket with proceeds going towards Water for People and Cancer Climber.
50 Firkin Fiasco
Where: Epic Brewing , 3001 Walnut St., Denver
When: Thursday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m.-12 a.m. (last call is 11:45 p.m.)
The Low Down: Epic Brewing hosts its 3rd Annual Fifty Firkin Fiasco. Its brewers have put together 50 unique firkins for participants to sample. Food and souvenir shirts will be available for purchase at the event. $35 per ticket.
Avery Brewing’s Midnight Breakfast
Where: Euclid Hall, 1317 14th St., Denver
When: Thursday, Sep. 24, 10:30 p.m.
The Low Down: Expect some special Avery beers to make an appearance at this multi-course late night breakfast. $125 per ticket (tax and gratuity included).
GABF Tender Belly Pig Roast
Where: Copper Kettle Brewing Company, 1338 S. Valentia St., Unit 100, Denver
When: Friday, Sept. 25, 5-9 p.m.
The Low Down: Copper Kettle Brewing and Tender Belly Bacon joined forces to source a locally grown and raised pig for a southern pig roast. Ticket includes a pulled pork sandwich, a side of shredded pig, sourced locally and smoked right in front of you by Maine Street BBQ with custom sauces, and two southern sides. Stop into the tap room for a Macallan 18 Russian Imperial Stout brewed two years ago, aged in a Macallan Scotch barrel sent straight from Scotland. $20 per ticket.
Post GABF Karaoke Party
Where: Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St., Denver
When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 9 p.m.
The Low Down: This party is open to the public, but wearing your brewer’s badge and singing a song earns you a free beer. Prizes will be awarded to those with the ability to impress the crowd with their karaoke skills. It is free to attend.