(Photo © Brewers Association)

The Great American Beer Festival, or simply the GABF as it’s known as in the biz, has returned to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado for the best weekend ever of craft beer celebrations and serious drinking.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records there is no other place on earth where  beer fans can find more beers to sample than at the GABF.

The GABF’s three days of tasting sessions ( October 9-11) offer visitors the opportunity to drink their way across America’s brewing landscape, and they’ll have access to thousands of different beers from the nation’s finest breweries.

For decades, GABF has been a mecca for beer fans, drawing thousands to sample brews from across the nation while celebrating the artistry of brewing. But as the craft beer boom matures and consumer tastes diversify, the Brewers Association is reimagining what the festival looks like. “People still come for the beer, but they also want variety, entertainment, and experiences that reflect today’s broader beverage culture,” said Chris Swersey, competition director for the event.

And that variety is on full display in 2025…

In addition to hundreds of breweries pouring everything from hazy IPAs to barrel-aged stouts, festival-goers will find cider makers, kombucha brewers, hard tea producers, and ready-to-drink cocktail brands on the floor. A new “Distilling Experience” debuts this year, offering curated tastings of whiskey, gin, and other spirits. And reflecting the growing sobriety segment, non-alcoholic options are also moving into the spotlight.

Themed “experience zones” return after a successful 2024 launch…

Expect everything from a German-style biergarten to a Halloween-themed tasting area, alongside music, costuming, and interactive games. The new “Mile High Stage” will host live performances, adding a concert vibe to the beer hall atmosphere. And PAIRED, the festival’s ticketed food-and-beer showcase, continues to elevate the culinary side with Michelin-starred chefs and James Beard winners designing bites around select pours.

The festival isn’t just about tasting—it’s also the stage for the prestigious GABF competition, where breweries will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for the best beers in more than 100 style categories. Winners of the competition will be announced on Saturday, October 11, the last day of the GABF and it’s a huge celebration!

And as always the ACB crew is in full GABF mode and covering things 24/7 – so stay with us for the best of one of craft beer’s most important events.

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