Craft beer aficionados, enthusiasts, fanatics and CHUDs will soon (Oct. 6 to 8) be donning their finest pretzel bandoliers and descending upon the Colorado Convention Center in Denver for the Great American Beer Festival. But we all know that the real fun (at least for the brewery crews) starts much earlier, outside that packed festival hall, at tap takeovers and brewery parties around town. Here’s every spot you’ll want to hit up all week long.
Saturday, October 1
Our Mutual Friend Brewing’s 9th Annual Gratitude Party
Where: OMF (2810 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205)
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What: Our Mutual Friend (hint: the mutual friend is beer) hosts Gratitude every year during the Saturday before the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). This celebration is a token of OMF’s appreciation for the craft beer industry and its beer-loving community.
Bierstadt Krispy King Competition
Where: Barrels & Bottles Brewery at Camp George West (1055 Orchard St, Golden, CO 80401)
When: 12 to 5 p.m.
What: The inaugural Krispy King Competition celebrates crisp, delicious LAGERS. Leading into GABF when all the taps around the state are being taken over with DDH, imperial, pastry, triple fruited, gooey, sticky and what-have-you-nots, this event will feature 20 different Colorado breweries and 20 different lagers. This friendly competition includes one lucky brewery to be crowned Krispy King 2022. There will be special beer pricing and special food offerings all day.
Wednesday, October 5
Colorado Brewers Guild Tap Takeover
Where: Oskar Blues Grill + Brew (1624 Market St, Denver, CO 80202)
When: All day
What: Oskar Blues Grill & Brew’s more than 40 taps will be dedicated to breweries in attendance, including a Colorado Brewers Guild tap takeover to showcase craft beer from every region of Colorado. Then starting at 6 p.m. in The Black Buzzard, enjoy free live music from Denver-based A Mac and the Height who will be playing a cohesive blend of reggae, hip-hop, funk and alternative rock.
Celebration of Sour at Baere Brewing
Where: Baere Brewing (320 Broadway Unit E, Denver, CO 80203)
When: 12 p.m. to close
What: Join Baere for a celebration and showcase of sour beer as understood, imagined and created by some of the wonderfully sour forward minds making it happen in Colorado There will be guest sours from Our Mutual Friend Brewing, Purpose Brewing, Crooked Stave, Novel Strand, and more. There will be celebratory glassware, a can release and plenty of non-sour options available to keep your palate from imploding. This is a non-ticketed event. Beers will be available by the glass and half glass.
PorchDrinking 10th Anniversary Beer Festival
Where: York Street Yards located (3833 Steele Street, Suite 1332, Denver CO 80205)
When: VIP Early Entry session from 5-6pm and General Admission from 6-9pm
What: PorchDrinking.com is celebrating a decade of storytelling, entertainment, and reporting with a massive beer festival featuring an all-star cast of breweries. This event will feature over 40 breweries, distilleries, cideries and more surprises. A portion of proceeds will go towards Youth on Record and the PorchDrinking Mental Health Fund. After party at Cohesion Brewing after the festival. Tickets can be purchased here.
MobCraft Dee Tacko Beer Week Bash: Wisconsin Wednesday and Beer + Cheese Pairing
Where: MobCraft Dee Tacko (2403 Champa St. Denver, CO 80205)
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cheese pairing starts at 5:30 p.m.
What: Kick off GABF week with a Wisconsin Wednesday party to celebrate the amazing craft beers of Wisconsin. MobCraft Dee Tacko will be serving up a traditional Wisconsin fish fry plus their good friends at Lakefront Brewery (Milwaukee, WI) will be bringing their world famous cheese curds to Colorado.
Then, join Michael Landis, author and educator in beer and cheese, along with Henry Schwartz, CEO of MobCraft Beer Inc., who will walk you through five Wisconsin beer and cheese pairings. Tickets cost $30 per person and can be purchased via EventBrite.
Hops & Pie GABF Kickoff Event – CSA Portfolio Tasting
Where: Hops & Pie (3920 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212)
When: 11:30 a.m. to close
What: Hops & Pie is kicking off GABF week with a kickass lineup from CSA’s portfolio. They will be pouring beers from Sante Adarius, pFriem, Jester King, Toppling Goliath, Alchemist, Fremont, Maine Beer. Co and so many more. Something Vinyl Club, a group of all-vinyl disc jockeys, will spinning tunes. The pour list can be found here.
Thursday, October 6
TRVE Third Annual Bottom Feeders
Where: The Dumpster Garden at TRVE Brewing (227 Broadway #101, Denver, CO 80203)
When: 2 to 10 p.m.
What: This annual lager showcase brings together leagues of lagers from TRVE, as well as some of the best in the game, including Burial Beer, Tripping Animals, Cerebral, Bierstadt, OMF, and more!
MobCraft Dee Tacko Beer Week Bash: Thursday Brewed for All
Where: MobCraft Dee Tacko (2403 Champa St. Denver, CO 80205)
When: 11 a.m.
What: Join ModCraft in celebrating diversity and inclusion in the beer industry with a focus on beers brewed by brewers from underrepresented communities. In partnership with Lady Justice Brewing.
Barrel-Aged Day at Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery
Where: Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery (1139 20th St, Denver, CO 80202)
When: 12 p.m. to close
What: Special tappings of Jagged Mountain’s new barrel-aged projects including MAPLE! MAPLE! MAPLE! – Maple BA Strong Ale, Whiskey Mountain – Whiskey BA Foreign Extra Stout, Your Mom Goes to College – Squarrel-Aged Mexican Lager, and Mad King – Squarrel-Aged Baltic Porter with Ancho Chiles and blackberries.
Friday, October 7
Hops & Pie’s WeldWerk x Casey GABF Tap Takeover
Where: Hops & Pie (3920 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212)
When: 11:30 a.m. to close
What: This massive WeldWerks and Casey Tap Takeover (featuring 20 extra taps) includes tappings of Trade Secrets (a WeldWerks and Cerebral collaboration), WeldWerks’ Cryo Fresh Hop Juicy Bits, an exclusive Hops & Pie Single Barrel Medianoche” made with Berkeley donuts salted chocolate caramel donuts, Casey’s Vanilla Jammy and Marionberry Fruit Stand, and much more. The One & Only Jon Hamm will be playing high-energy, one-man-band party music. View the tap list here.
Denver Rare Beer Tasting
Where: McNichols Civic Center Building (144 W Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80202)
When: 12 to 4 p.m.
What: Since its inception in 2009, the Denver Rare Beer Tasting has attracted America’s most respected craft breweries who generously pour the most amazing beers on the planet to support the Pints for Prostates campaign. The charity fundraiser has built a reputation as a not-to-be-missed part of the Great American Beer Festival weekend. This amazing afternoon of beer passion features an impossible to recreate collection of rare, exotic and vintage beers in a unique atmosphere where beer fans get to meet the men and women who created these brews. Tickets for the event are limited and include admission to the tasting, food, tasting glass, t-shirt and program. You can also bid on amazing experiences and collectibles in the Beer Lovers Silent Auction. Participating breweries and tickets can be purchased here.
Hops Around the World
Where: Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery (1139 20th St, Denver, CO 80202)
When: 12 p.m. to close
What: Celebrating hops from around the globe with Jagged Mountain brewed collaborations with Mill95 Hops, ZA Hops, Crooked Yard Hops, Flathead Valley Hops and Montana Craft Malt! There will also be uniquely hopped guest taps from Our Mutual Friend, Vail Brewing, MobCraft Beer, Diebolt Brewing, Launch Pad Brewing, Baere Brewing, Payette Brewing, and Lady Justice Brewing.
Call to Arms Drumline!
Where: Call to Arms Brewing
When: 6 to 8 p.m.
What: Kick off GABF weekend with a BANG as members of the Colorado Avalanche Drumline join select members of the Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band for a special evening.
Plus enjoy special GABF week beer releases!
6th annual Great American Pre-Gate: brewz cruize ’82
Where: Parking Lot at Stout & 14th, Directly Across from Brewer’s Entrance to GABF
When: 3 to 6 p.m.
Join Crafted ERP and fellow craft beer industry professionals for free food, beer, games, and live yacht rock tunes — all for a good cause. Let ’em know you’re coming.
Saturday, October 8
GABF Tap Takeover at Finn’s Manor
Where: Finn’s Manor (2927 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205)
When: All day
What: WeldWerks favorites such as Juicy Bits and Robo-Boogie, as well as an exclusive tapping of Coffee Coconut Medianoche. Also enjoy tappings from Casey Brewing & Blending, Tripping Animals, Outer Range, and Resident Culture.
Hops & Pie GABF Event – Cerebral’s “Field Research”
Where: Hops & Pie (3920 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212)
When: 11:30 a.m. to close
What: On the Saturday of GABF, Cerebral Brewing is coming in to do some field research. They’ll be bringing beers in tow from Vitamin Sea, Humble Sea, Finback, Other Half and plenty from the Cerebral brand along with plenty of swag. As always, Hops & Pie recommends getting there early! The pour list can be found here.
Great Mexican Beer Fiesta
Where: Cerveceria Colorado (1635 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202)
When: 2 p.m.
What: For the grande finale of the Great American Beer Festival week, Cerveceria Colorado is throwing their annual Great Mexican Beer Fiesta!
In collaboration with sister brewery, Denver Beer Co, this Mexican Street Fiesta will celebrate collaboration in craft beer with a few of the best brewers from our neighbors in Mexico. This year’s event will include collaborative craft beer, Lucha Libre, Folklorico Dances courtesy of ArtistiCO, live entertainment, food trucks, mercadito featuring local artisans and a few of our Cervezas for Causes charity partners, and of course, lots of Mexican fare!
Sunday, October 9
MobCraft Dee Tacko Beer Week Bash: Brewmaster Brunch
Where: MobCraft Dee Tacko (2403 Champa St. Denver, CO 80205)
When: Starting at 9 a.m. Reservations encouraged.
What: This low-key brunch has a Latin flair featuring a curated menu by Dee Tacko Chef Juan Herrera along with hand selected, brunch-themed beers, cocktails and N/A beverages. MobCraft brewers will be onsite to mix and mingle. This event includes one food item off the brunch menu and two drinks. All other items after are al la carte. Make your reservations here.
Hangover Brunch
Where: Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery (1139 20th St, Denver, CO 80202)
When: 12 p.m.
What: Did GABF get the best of you? Come soak up the hangover with Breakfast burritos from our neighbors at Max Market and wash it all down with some beermosas!
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.