The Great American Beer Festival comes to Denver once again, and although tickets are sold out, Colorado is continuing to brew up more beer and equally exciting events so that every GABF fanatic has a chance to celebrate. Read on for a few of our recommendations and GABF-themed events happening this week and next. Shout out to our friends over at PorchDrinking.com for their help in collecting and reporting on these events.
Saturday, October 1
Recommended: Fresh Hop Festival
Photo courtesy of Fresh Hop event page
When: 1-4 p.m.
Where: Golden Bell Press building, 2403 Champa St.
Cost: $40 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: As a precursor to the nation’s largest beer festival, we welcome the Fresh Hop Event. This annual event takes advantage of the harvest season while bringing together brewers — both locally and nationally — to showcase “fresh hop” beer. What is a fresh hop beer? It’s a brew made with hops that have been picked in the last 24 hours. This process makes for a particularly special beer, especially since most brews typically use hops that are dried before going into the brewing process. Don’t miss out, these beers don’t come around often.
Also Check Out:
Fourth Anniversary Celebration @ Black Shirt Brewing @ 11 a.m.
Gratitude 2016 @ Our Mutual Friend @ 2 p.m.
Monday, October 3
Recommended: GABF Week Kickoff Party
Photo Courtesy of Black Bottle Facebook
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Falling Rock Tap House, 1919 Blake St.
The Lowdown: Experience the Great American Beer Festival early with the official kickoff party featuring cold ones from breweries like Russian River, Wicked Weed, Black Bottle and many more. Get ready to taste rare and unusual beers while getting the chance to win prizes that have yet to be announced. For more information, visit Falling Rock’s website.
Also Check Out:
Stone + First Draft Collab Release @ First Draft Taproom & Kitchen @ 5 p.m.
Great Divide GABF Welcome Party @ Avanti Food & Beverage @ 6 p.m.
Tuesday, October 4
Recommended: Beers Made By Walking
Photo courtesy of Beers Made by Walking on Facebook
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.
Cost: $35 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Local and national brewers are invited to create a nature hike-inspired beer for this event. Some participating breweries include Black Project and Great Divide, as well as Fonta Flora from North Carolina and Hopworks from Oregon. GABF-goers and beer fanatics alike are encouraged to taste these nature-inspired novelty beers.
Recommended: What The Funk?!
When: 6-10 p.m.
Where: EXDO Event Center, 1339 35th St.
Cost: $100 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Enjoy funky, wild, sour and strong brews from names like Black Project, Avery Brewing Co., Siren and many more. Sponsored by Denver-based brewery Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project and Shelton Brothers, this event benefits Water for People, which provides safe water and sanitation to four million people.
Also Check Out:
The Rebellion: A Punk Rock GABF Kickoff @ Rebel Restaurant @ 5 p.m.
Brewer’s Bocce Tournament @ Rhein Haus @ 6 p.m.
New Belgium Early Week GABF Kickoff Party @ Avanti Food & Beverage @ 6 p.m.
The Bruery Beer Dinner @ TAG @ 6 p.m.
Fresh Craft Local Showcase Tapping @ Freshcraft @ 7 p.m.
Burial Beer Tap Takeover @ TRVE Brewing @ 7:05 p.m.
Wednesday, October 5
Recommended: Jester King, Fonta Flora,
Scratch Happy Hour
Photo Courtesy of Flonta Flora Facebook
When: 4-10 p.m.
Where: The Wayback, 4132 W 38th Ave.
The Lowdown: For this pre-GABF event, agriculture will meet tradition. Sip on ales made by the experts of Fonta Flora Brewing, Scratch Brewing and Jester King Brewing at the Berkeley hotspot, The Way Back. Tickets are not required.
Recommended: Breast Friends w/ TRVE,
Ratio, Burial and Revolution
Photo Courtesy of Revolution Brewing Facebook
When: 8:30 p.m.
Where: The HiDive, 7 S. Broadway
Cost: $10 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Enjoy beer from TRVE, Burial, Ratio and Revolution Brewing during a tap takeover while listening to a punk rock and metal music showcase featuring Cloud Catcher, Space In Time, Major Sports and Cheap Perfume at the iconic South Broadway dive bar—the Hi-Dive. This event benefits Keep a Breast Foundation.
Recommended: Offensively Delicious Craft Beer Comedy Show
When: Beer 6 p.m., Comedy 8 p.m.
Where: McNichols Center, 144 W. Colfax Ave.
Cost: $30 General Admission, $40 Preferred Seating, $75 VIP – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Spend the evening laughing and drinking with 10 breweries and four comedians. The event begins with beer samples from Alpine Dog and Great Divide Brewing Company to get your initial buzz going. Brewers will then take the stage and perform stand-up comedy, followed by local and national comedians. Continue the comedy with headliners Beth Stelling and Matt Braungner. Offensively Delicious is a nonprofit fundraiser for the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Also Check Out:
Tap Takeover Kickoff @ DIA @ 2 p.m.
Specialty Tappings @ el Camino Community Tavern @ 5 p.m.
Pre-GABF Beer Release Party @ Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar @ 4 p.m.
5th Annual Left Hand Brewing Company Tap Takeover & Pingpong Tournament @ Ace Eat Serve @ 9 p.m.
Odell Happy Hour @ Avanti Food & Beverage @ 6 p.m.
Collaboration Beer Dinner for GABF @ Euclid Hall Bar & Kitchen @ 6 p.m.
Wicked Weed and Funkwerks @ Rhein Haus @ 6:30 p.m.
Beer Drinker of the Year 2016 @ Wynkoop Brewing
Back2Back Beer Pairing Dinners @ TAG @ 6 p.m.
New Belgium Tap Takeover @ Thirsty Lion Union Station & Thirsty Lion Cherry Creek
Sour Beer Tap Takeover @ Mead Street Station
Thursday, October 6
Recommended: Dogfish Head 120 Minute After Party
Photo Courtesy of Dogfish Brewing Facebook
Where: Avanti Food & Beverage; 3200 N. Pecos St.
When: 10 p.m. – midnight
The Low Down: Spend 120 minutes at a GABF after party featuring beer icon Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Beer. Sip on IPA flight samples from 2007, 2009 and 2011.
Recommended: 4th Annual 50 Firkin Fiasco
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Epic Brewing (Denver Taproom), 3001 Walnut St.
Cost: $30 General Admission, Get Tickets Here. $45 At the door.
The Lowdown: Enjoy unlimited beer samples from 50 firkins while you wander through Epic brewery. Food and T-shirts will also be available for purchase.
Also Check Out:
Bus Tours to Breckenridge Brewery @ Crowne Plaza Downtown and Breckenridge Brewery @ 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Specialty Tappings @ Ratio Beerworks
Beer & Burger Pairing @ Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
New Belgium Tap Takeover @ Thirsty Lion Union Station & Thirsty Lion Cherry Creek
GABF Sticky Situation Art Alley @ Paramount Cafe @ 7 p.m.
Sour Beer Tap Takeover @ Mead Street Station
Friday, October 7
Recommended: Beer Dinner With Our Mutual Friend & Odd13 Brewing
Photo courtesy of Our Mutual Friend Brewery Facebook
When: 5-10 p.m.
Where: To The Wind Bistro, 3333 E. Colfax Ave.
Cost: $79 Reservations only. Call 303-316-3333 for availability.
The Lowdown: Indulge in a seven-course meal filled with tasty delights like seared scallops, smashed potatoes with curry aioli, beef tartar and oysters from To the Wind Bistro. Each course will be paired with its own brew from either Odd13 or Our Mutual Friend.
Recommended: The Curiosity Ball 2016
Photo courtesy of Star Bar on Facebook.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Star Bar, 2137 Larimer St.
The Lowdown: Join Star Bar and Creature Comforts in enjoying a beer and toasting to GABF. Many delicious varieties of beer will be available from Other Half Brewing Company, Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co, 7venth Sun Brewing, Wicked Weed Brewing and Jester King Brewery.
Recommended: Jameson & Great Divide Tasting and Fundraiser
Photo courtesy of Great Divide on Facebook
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St.
Cost: $25 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Join Great Divide and Jameson Caskmates at a post-GABF fundraiser concert, Levitt Pavilion Denver Live featuring the 2016 “The Voice” finalist, Laith Al-Saadi along with Brent Cowles, Austin Mainstay and Garrett Lebeau. Ticket purchases include Jameson Irish Whiskey, beer and small bites from Great Divide Brewing Company and an opportunity to taste ‘The Smoothness”— a collaboration beer aged in Jameson barrels. Proceeds of the event go to Levitt Pavilion Denver.
Also Check Out:
Lone Tree Tap Takeover @ Rhein Haus @ 5 p.m.
Avanti Tap Takeover @ Avanti Food & Beverage @ 2 p.m.
New Belgium & Ratio Collaboration Fruit Brews Luau Party @ Illegal Pete’s Colfax @ 7 p.m.
Beer & Burger Pairing @ Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
New Belgium Tap Takeover @ Thirsty Lion Union Station & Thirsty Lion Cherry Creek
Bus tours to Breckenridge Brewery @ Crowne Plaza Downtown and Breckenridge Brewery @ 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Paper Bird Performance @ Breckenridge Brewery @ 8 p.m.
Sour Beer Tap Takeover @ Mead Street Station
Special Tapping of Laws Whiskey Triticum Barrel Aged Beers at Baere Brewing – Friday through Sunday
Saturday, October 8
Recommended: Bottlefest 2016 Sponsored by Tavour
Photo by Kyle Cooper
When: 4:30-10 p.m.
Where: First Draft Taproom & Kitchen, 1309 26th St.
Cost: $10 – Get Tickets Here.
The Lowdown: Continue the GABF festivities with four 4oz pours from breweries like Jester King, Westbrook Avery Brewing Co. and many more. Ticket purchases include guaranteed attendance as well as six tokens for beer. Additional tokens will be available at the door for $2 each.
Recommended: 2nd Annual Ratio Karaoke GABF After Party
Ratio Beerworks Interior Photo by Brittany Werges
When: 9 p.m.=12 a.m.
Where: Ratio Beerworks, 2920 Larimer St.
The Lowdown: The party isn’t over until you enjoy a few more beers and belt out your best karaoke. This event is open to the public, but earn a free Ratio Beerworks brew by bringing your brewers badge and signing up to sing a song.
Also Check Out:
Punch Bowl Social @ 65 Broadway @ 8 a.m.
Brunch @ Postino Wine Café @ 9 a.m.
Sugarmill @ 2461 Larimer St @ 10 a.m.
Bus tours to Breckenridge Brewery @ Crowne Plaza Downtown and Breckenridge Brewery @ 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
CiderGrass 2016 @ Stem Ciders @ 11 a.m.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar @ 1747 Wynkoop St @ 11 a.m.
Brunch @ Ace Eat Serve @ 12 p.m.
OktoberFEAST @ Rhein Haus @ 3 p.m.
Specialty Tappings @ Ratio Beerworks
Beer & Burger Pairing @ Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse
New Belgium Tap Takeover @ Thirsty Lion Union Station & Thirsty Lion Cherry Creek
Breckenridge Brewery’s GABF Post Party @ Ogden Theatre @ 8:30 p.m.
Sour Beer Tap Takeover @ Mead Street Station
Sunday, October 9
Recommended: GABF Hangover Party
Pork sandwich at The Regional.
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Avanti Food & Beverage, 3200 N Pecos St
The Lowdown: Cure your GABF hangover at another party celebrating Avanti’s specialty Bloody Marys and mimosas. Cocktails will be priced for happy hour all day.
Recommended: Brunch at Postino Wine Café
Butcher’s Block at Postino Winecafe Photo by Camille Breslin
When: 9 a.m.
Where: Postino Wine Café, 2715 17th St.
Cost: Menu pricing
The Lowdown: Conclude this year’s Great American Beer Festival with an early brunch at this LoHi café. Menu items include grilled focaccia, smoked salmon along with Postino’s mimosas and white peach bellinis. If booze in the morning doesn’t sit well with you, fresh coffee and cucumber honey lemonade are also available. Either way, in no time you’ll be saying so long to your GABF hangover.
Also Check Out:
Brunch @ Del Frisco’s Grille @ 11 a.m.
Brunch @ Ace Eat Serve @ 12 p.m.
Punch Bowl Social @ 65 Broadway @ 8 a.m.
Hopdoddy Burger Bar @ 1747 Wynkoop St @11 a.m.
Sugarmill @ 2461 Larimer St @ 10 a.m.