The Great American Beer Festival is an annual competition and public tasting event held in Denver, Colorado

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) takes place each fall in Denver, typically in October. It is run by the Brewers Association, a trade organization for craft breweries. The event has two parts: a competition where breweries submit beers to be judged, and a public tasting session where attendees can sample beers from hundreds of breweries.

The competition side is invitation-only — breweries pay a fee to enter their beers into one of dozens of categories, from pale ales to sours to experimental styles. Judges taste blind samples and award medals in each category. The public tasting is ticketed and open to anyone 21 and older who buys a ticket in advance.

GABF is one of the largest beer competitions in the United States by number of entries. Winning a medal — especially gold — carries real weight in the industry and can boost a brewery's sales and reputation. For consumers, the festival is a chance to taste beers from small and large breweries across the country in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • The Great American Beer Festival happens once a year in October in Denver and includes both a blind judging competition and a public tasting event.
  • Breweries pay to enter their beers into competition categories, and medals awarded at GABF are considered prestigious in the brewing industry.
  • Public tickets to the tasting session sell out and must be purchased in advance; attendees must be 21 or older with a valid ID.
  • The festival draws breweries from across the United States, so the tasting offers a wide range of beer styles and regional breweries you may not find locally.

How the competition categories work

GABF organizes beers into categories based on style — think India Pale Ale, Stout, Pilsner, Sour, and many others. The Brewers Association updates the category list each year to reflect what breweries are actually making. Some categories are broad (like "American-Style Pale Ale"), while others are narrow (like "Pumpkin Spice and Herb Beer").

Breweries can enter the same beer in only one category. A brewery might enter five different beers across five different categories, or just one beer. The entry fee per beer varies but is typically in the range of $50 to $100 per entry, though the exact amount changes year to year.

Judges taste samples blind — they do not know which brewery made the beer or what it cost. Medals are awarded in each category: gold, silver, and bronze. A beer that does not medal receives no award, even if it scores well. The judging happens over two days before the public tasting event.

What to expect at the public tasting session

The public tasting is held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Attendees receive a glass and a program listing all participating breweries and their beers. You walk through the hall, stop at brewery booths, and pour samples. Most pours are small — typically 2 to 4 ounces — so you can taste many beers without becoming intoxicated.

The tasting session lasts several hours (usually an afternoon or evening session). Food is available for purchase, and water stations are set up throughout the hall. The atmosphere is crowded but organized; breweries staff their booths and are usually happy to talk about their beers.

Tickets are sold in advance only and typically cost between $75 and $150 depending on the session and how far in advance you buy. Tickets often sell out weeks before the event. You must bring a valid ID showing you are 21 or older; the venue checks IDs at entry.

How GABF results affect what you see in stores

A medal at GABF can change a brewery's visibility and sales. Winning breweries often put "Gold Medal — Great American Beer Festival" on their labels and in their marketing. Retailers and distributors pay attention to GABF results, and a medal can help a brewery get shelf space in stores where it was not previously available.

This means that beers you see in stores with GABF medals on the label have won recognition from a large panel of professional judges. It is not a may provide you will like the beer — taste is personal — but it is a signal that the beer performed well in a standardized blind tasting against many competitors in its category.

Smaller breweries and newer breweries sometimes use GABF as a goal. Winning a medal can be a turning point for a brewery's business. For that reason, you may notice certain breweries emphasizing their GABF history in their marketing or on their websites.

Attending the festival in person versus following results online

If you live near Denver, attending the public tasting is straightforward: buy a ticket, show up with your ID, and taste beers. If you live elsewhere, traveling to Denver specifically for GABF is an option some beer enthusiasts choose, but it requires planning a trip.

If you cannot attend in person, the Brewers Association publishes the full list of medal winners online after the competition ends. You can see which beers won gold, silver, and bronze in each category. Many breweries also announce their wins on social media and their websites. This information is free and available to anyone.

Following the results online lets you see which beers won and potentially seek them out at local stores or breweries. You will not get to taste the beers at the festival itself, but you can use the medal list as a guide to beers worth trying.

The difference between GABF and other beer competitions

The United States has several major beer competitions. The World Beer Cup is held every two years and includes breweries from around the world. The Great American Beer Festival is U.S.-focused and annual. The Brewers Association also runs the World Beer Cup, so there is overlap in judging standards and categories.

Smaller regional competitions exist in many states and cities. These are often free or low-cost to enter and can be good starting points for new breweries. GABF is considered the most prestigious U.S. competition by the industry, partly because of its size, history (it has run since 1982), and the visibility of winning.

For consumers, the main difference is that GABF results are widely publicized and straightforward to find, so a GABF medal is more likely to influence what you see on store shelves than a medal from a smaller regional competition.

Planning a trip to Denver for the festival

If you decide to travel to Denver for GABF, plan several months ahead. Tickets to the tasting session sell out, so buy early. Hotel rooms in Denver fill up during festival weekend, so book accommodation well in advance. The festival typically runs over a weekend in October, though the exact dates change each year.

Denver has many breweries of its own, so you can visit local taprooms before or after the festival. The city is at high altitude (about 5,280 feet above sea level), which can affect how you feel — drink water and take it straightforward on your first day if you are not used to the elevation.

The Brewers Association website lists the festival dates, ticket information, and participating breweries each year. Check there for the most current details about the upcoming festival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a beer informed to go to the GABF tasting?

No. The tasting is open to anyone 21 or older. Many attendees are casual beer drinkers who want to try new beers. Brewery staff at the booths are used to talking to people with all levels of knowledge, from beginners to enthusiasts.

Can I buy beer at the festival to take home?

No. The public tasting session is for sampling only. You cannot purchase bottles or cans at the festival itself. However, many of the breweries pouring at GABF have distribution in Colorado or nationally, so you may be able to find their beers in stores after the festival.

What if I do not like beer or want to bring someone who does not drink alcohol?

The festival is beer-focused, so there are limited non-alcoholic options. Water and food are available. Some people attend to socialize and enjoy the atmosphere rather than to drink heavily. If someone in your group does not drink, they can still attend and eat, but the event may not be as engaging for them.

How do I find out which beers won medals?

The Brewers Association publishes the complete list of medal winners on their website after the competition ends. You can search by brewery name, beer name, or category. The list is free and available to anyone.

Can homebrewers enter GABF?

No. GABF is for commercial breweries only. Homebrewers can enter other competitions, including some run by local homebrew clubs, but not GABF.