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    What to look forward to at the Great American Beer Festival

    "I almost felt like I was cheating on my husband.  My night out was not a rendezvous with another man, but instead at the Great American Beer Festival," said Faith Mangan. "After I guiltily left my American IPA-loving mate at home this past weekend, I made my way to Denver's Colorado Convention Center for what’s been touted as the world's largest commercial beer competition and the country's largest ticketed beer festival."

  • Beer varieties
    More than 3,000 different beers are showcased at GABF. Breweries have to be commercially operating and licensed in the United States to get into GABF.
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    Faith Mangan
  • GABF souvenirs
    Get your souvenirs early on because the line to pick out t-shirts can stretch rather long as sessions came to a close.  
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    Faith Mangan
  • Convention Hall
    The convention hall is laid out mostly by regions for beers.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Ice cold beers
    Brewers also pour ice cold beer from cans and bottles, in addition to drafts.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Beers and beads
    Beer companies give out holders for tasting glasses.  Mardi Gras beads help the can holders hang around people's necks.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Silent Disco
    At the Silent Disco, dancers get headsets to rock out, only bystanders have no idea what they're dancing to.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Marriage ceremonies
    One brewery offers mock and real marriage ceremonies.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Brewery signage
    Breweries have a wide range of signage and booths. More than 700 breweries participate. The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is in its 33rd year and keeps growing each year.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Beer jewelry
    GABF attendees can even shop for jewelry made from recycled beer caps and cans.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Festival volunteers
    Volunteer beer crew serve beer at sessions and earn free tickets.
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    Faith Mangan
  • American Cheese Society
    One of the longer lines at the festival, for a buffet of cheese samples from the American Cheese Society.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Grilled peach and sour beer
    You can take a break and sit in on educational seminars, such as pairing cookout foods with beer. This is a grilled peach served with sour beer.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Attendees
    49,000 total attend, an average of 12,000 per session.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Beer and food demos
    There are other opportunities for fun and learning, besides drinking your dinner. Ticket holders can attend demos.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Tasting glass holders
    Many attendees pick up free tasting glass holders and hang the necklaces around their necks.  It's considered a big no-no to let your tasting glass drop to the floor.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Beer goggles
    One man literally brought his "beer goggles."
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    Faith Mangan
  • Oktoberfest costumes
    Oktoberfest styled costumes are popular.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Group costumes
    It's not uncommon for groups of friends to coordinate their costumes.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Hops hat
    One of the more unusual headgear items, a hops hat.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Hair hops
    Serious beer drinkers weave hops into their hair.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Bavarian hats
    Bavarian style hats are popular.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Beer warrior
    A beer drinking warrior.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Snack necklaces
    A hearty version of the edible pretzel necklaces, adding cheese sticks is a tasty twist.
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    Faith Mangan
  • Pirates
    Pirates!
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    Faith Mangan
  • Face paint
    Face paint mixes nicely with kilts. 
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    Faith Mangan
  • Published
    25 Images

    What to look forward to at the Great American Beer Festival

    "I almost felt like I was cheating on my husband.  My night out was not a rendezvous with another man, but instead at the Great American Beer Festival," said Faith Mangan. "After I guiltily left my American IPA-loving mate at home this past weekend, I made my way to Denver's Colorado Convention Center for what’s been touted as the world's largest commercial beer competition and the country's largest ticketed beer festival."

Move Forward
  • What to look forward to at the Great American Beer Festival
  • Beer varieties
  • GABF souvenirs
  • Convention Hall
  • Ice cold beers
  • Beers and beads
  • Silent Disco
  • Marriage ceremonies
  • Brewery signage
  • Beer jewelry
  • Festival volunteers
  • American Cheese Society
  • Grilled peach and sour beer
  • Attendees
  • Beer and food demos
  • Tasting glass holders
  • Beer goggles
  • Oktoberfest costumes
  • Group costumes
  • Hops hat
  • Hair hops
  • Bavarian hats
  • Beer warrior
  • Snack necklaces
  • Pirates
  • Face paint