After much deliberation, we’d like to announce that the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the country’s largest ticketed beer festival, will skip its public tasting event in 2021 and return in person to celebrate its 40th anniversary Oct. 6-8, 2022, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Despite vaccination efforts and the gradual reopening of the country, the health and safety concerns for large indoor gatherings, like GABF’s 60,000-attendee event, remain.
While we are disappointed to cancel the festival portion of GABF for the second year in a row, and we will miss celebrating with beer lovers and our craft brewing community, we are excited to continue with the GABF competition and national passport program this year.
The Competition Is ON for 2021
As previously announced, the Brewers Association will host the 2021 GABF competition and awards ceremony that typically coincides with the festival. Winners of the world’s most prestigious professional beer competition will be revealed during the Brewers Association’s annual Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America® on Sept. 10, 2021, at the Colorado Convention Center. The awards ceremony will be livestreamed from the Bellco Theatre on The Brewing Network. The brewer registration period for the GABF competition is June 8-22, 2021.
More information about the competition : Click Here
The Passport Is BACK for 2021
Despite the festival cancellation, beer lovers across the country will have the opportunity to participate in a national passport program Sept. 17 through Oct. 17, 2021. Passport holders will have exclusive access to deals at participating breweries nationwide. More than 1,100 breweries from all 50 states participated in the inaugural program last year. Passports are priced at $20 and will be available for purchase in July. Brewery registration for the 2021 passport program opens June 29.
Denver Beer Week to Coincide with CBC
Denver Beer Week, the Mile High City’s annual event coinciding with GABF, will shift its dates to correspond with the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America (CBC) Sept. 9-12. From Sept. 10-18, the nine-day celebration of craft beer, hosted by VISIT DENVER, is anticipated to feature more than 200 events, including tap takeovers, rare beer tastings, meet-the-brewer events, and more. Brewers attending CBC are encouraged to start planning their Denver Beer Week events. More information about where and how to list your Denver Beer Week events will be coming soon.
Read the press release and THANK YOU as always for your support!
Please reach out to us with any questions.
We hope to see you in Denver Sept. 9-12, 2021, for the Craft Brewers Conference! Space is limited and registration opens May 4.
Fun Beer Facts, Breweries and More: Click Here