You bonk that scene inCrocodile Dundeewhere a guy flash a knife , and then the Aussie fashion plate says , " That ’s not a knife!Thisis a tongue ! " and then he whips out a crazy - bountiful tongue ? Well , there arebeer fete , and then there is theGreat American Beer Festival . And if you love beer , you require to go to Denver for three days in October at some point in your life . Here ’s why .

More than 3,800 beers, 800+ breweries

Every year , the Great American Beer Festival takes over the Colorado Convention Center . And when I say " take over , " I mean there are brewery pouring beer as far as the eye can see . If you ’re farsighted , that in all probability does n’t seem too far . But I have 20/20 visual sensation , and it is extremely far .

Behind farseeing , farsighted tables are volunteer and brewery employee pouring every single beer dash you may think ( 96 of them , not including subcategories ) from craft breweries all across the land . Once you ’ve bought a ticket , all the beer inwardly is costless – they slosh a 1 oz sample distribution into your officially sanctioned charge plate cup . And while some rare beers do run out early on , you still have your choice of more than 3,800 beers from 800 + breweries . seek to wrap your head around that . When I go to abeer bar , I ’m psyched if it has more than 15 dab .

Beloved breweries from all across America show up and pour

Because even some of the better craftiness breweries in America are unable to ship their stuff and nonsense to every body politic , GABF is the best chance you ’ll have to try beer from breweries that do n’t make it out your manner . For instance , Wisconsin’sNew Glarus , Michigan’sShort ’s , andother beloved breweriestypically have people lining up for sample all three 24-hour interval of the fest , and it ’s for good reasonableness . The beer is delicious , and unless you survive in WI or MI , you probably do n’t see their beer . But if you do n’t live in WI or MI , you in all probability also are n’t bamboozle inside your house 11 calendar month out of the year , so it ’s not all forged tidings for you .

You get to meet your (beer) heroes

Dogfish Head always has one of the long occupation to get samples at GABF , and while that ’s absolutely because DH pours some of its rarer , incredible beers , it ’s also because its founder Sam Calagione is work the booth by take up people ’s glasses . It should be said that Sam does not have to do this . He ’s there because he perfectly love spill about beer with fans , and they have it off him right back .

Same goes for Adam Avery of Avery Brewing , Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery , and Boston Beer ’s Jim Koch , all craft beer OGs who often show up and bring together an U. S. Army of other living legend of craft . I ’d advocate head over to the " Meet the Brewer " hall , where hoi polloi who work at your favorite breweries will be felicitous to nerdily ghost over their beer with you .

It’s like one big sloppy family reunion

There ’s an incredible feeling of camaraderie around Denver during the festival . Sure , it helps that everyone has an elevated blood alcohol level for three days straightforward , but brewer are a delightful lot of citizenry , and they really seem to care one another .

You ’ll see them greet one another like masses at a family reunification . And it ’s not just the brewers – everyone attending is a huge beer fan , and some have traveled a long fashion to be there . I ’m not a hipster ( full disclosure : I have attended more than five Phish appearance ) , but there ’s something about being in a situation where everyone therewants to be there . It ’s a place you want to cling out in . If you ’re not in a unspoilt humour when you get there , you ’ll sure enough be in one when you leave .

The city of Denver basically turns into one big party

GABF is open for4.5 hours each dayfor three straight day . The urban center of Denver , however , is drinking foxiness beer the entire calendar week , and for nearly 24 hour a day . Even breweries that are n’t expire to be at the fest are switch parties all over the metropolis – this year , 3 Floyds is pouring four of its beersat a Denver brewery . Tap takeovers are the rule , not the exception . Beer - pairing dinner abound .

Your calendar will be full the entire time you’re there

Here is but a small sample of what you’re able to do in theMile High urban center that workweek : play in aping - niff tourney with brewers , catch apunk / metal showfor charity , and hit up aSierra Nevada tap coup . The city has even branded the week of GABFDenver Beer Fest . infernal region , even if you get shut out of the fest because tickets sell out so quickly , it ’s worth it to fly to Denver and see if you’re able to booze the town ironic .

You’ve probably never had food and beer pairings this good

I ’ll admit that the dining choice in the Colorado Convention Center are fairly basic . the great unwashed wear pretzel necklaces and collation on those in between sampling beers .

But if you ’ve got the cash ( and you ’re fast enough ) , corrupt a ticket toPaired . Please mark : you have to also get a ticket to GABF – this is like an additional - especial eventinsidethe very particular upshot . It ’s super low - key , and harbor in the back of the pattern residence hall where some of Colorado and the nation ’s best chef pair rare beer from blue-ribbon brewery with their food . This year there ’s some ridiculously good - sound pairings , like Lost Abbey beer with Philly chef Marc Vetri ’s culinary art , NOLA Brewing with seafood expert Francisco Millan ’s eats from Boston ’s Row 34 , and Chicago ’s Haymarket beer paired with dishes from one of Denver ’s best chef in Frank Bonanno .

Or , you hump , you could buy a hot bounder in the main hall , too . Either path , the beer ’s going to be fantastic .

beer at Great American Beer Festival

Courtesy of Photo © Brewers Association

It’s notallabout the beer

And while , sure , GABF is about the beer , it ’s about a fate more than that . It ’s about a few day of nonstop ( responsible for ) drinking with people who get it on craftsmanship beer as much as you do . It ’s about making new supporter from across the country , some of whom make the beer you have in your electric refrigerator . It ’s about … you live what ? You ’re just going to have to derive visit and see what it ’s all about .

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