America has hundreds of beer festivals each year, but there is one festival that tops them all in terms of sheer size and beer products offered. I am referring, of course, to the Great American Beer Festival, held in the early Fall each year. This year, 2012, will mark the 30th anniversary of the competition/festival and it is likely going to be the largest and most highly attended yet.
Once again, the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver will host the event, scheduled to run from Thursday, October 11 through Saturday, October 13 from 5:30pm to 10pm each day (there is a special members only session on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) with winners announced before the Saturday session. Brewers will be ready to serve their prized creations, hoping for a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal when the winners are announced on Saturday.
Tickets for the Great American Beer Festival go on sale July 31 through August 2. If you are a member of the American Homebrewers Association, you can buy presale tickets starting on July 31 at 10 a.m. The general public can purchase any remaining tickets starting August 2 at 10 a.m. Tickets go for about $65 each ($25 for designated drivers), per session, and include unlimited 1 oz. samples for the full 4.5 housrs each day. Tickets go FAST, so interested parties need to take quick action. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster, so there will likely be an added convenience fee and if past years are any indicator, the event will likely sell out in a matter of days.
Many consider the Great American Beer Festival the granddaddy of all U.S. beer festivals and for good reason. The event continues to grow each year and is the largest and most prestigious competition in the world. This year’s festival is expected to attract around 50,000 guests and 465 brewers serving more than 2,200 different beer products. Buy your tickets as soon as possible, and enjoy your time at this amazing craft beer extravaganza.
Update: The general admission tickets for the 2012 Great American Beer Festival have sold out completely in record time- about 45 minutes after they went on sale! The only way to get a ticket now is through a reseller, or wait until 2013
Leave a Reply