FAQ
- Where is the festival?
- Why visit the Great American Beer Festival?
- How much are tickets?
- Why is the Saturday Afternoon Connoisseur Session now a Members-Only Session?
- Do you sell a Designated Driver ticket?
- Do you accept credit cards or checks?
- What are the session times?
- Where can I buy my ticket?
- What do I get for the price of my ticket?
- Where is Hall F at the Colorado Convention Center?
- Can I bring my child?
- Why is there a line to get in?
- Will there be any food and non-alcoholic beverages available?
- Should I drive or take public transportation?
- Why are the tasting cups plastic?
- What is the Great American Beer Festival?
- Who puts on the Great American Beer Festival?
- Is the Great American Beer Festival like a giant bar?
- How can breweries run out of beer?
Where is the festival?
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street
Hall F
14th and Stout Streets
Denver, Colorado 80202
Why visit the Great American Beer Festival?
The Great American Beer Festival is listed as one of the top 1,000 places in the US to visit before you die.
How much are tickets?
See Ticket Prices for detailed information.
| Session Date | Session Time | Ticket Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Ticket includes (1) one-year membership to the American Homebrewers Association.
**Includes festival program, special gift, unlimited sodas and hospitalities in the Designated Drivers lounge. |
|||
| Thursday, September 16 | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | $55 | |
| Friday, September 17 | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | $55 | |
| Saturday, September 18
Members Only Session |
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm | Two Ticket Limit per Member
*New Members: $83 (1 membership + 1 ticket); $128 (1 membership + 2 tickets) Current Members: $45 each |
|
| Saturday, September 18 | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | $55 | |
| **Designated Driver | Available for all sessions. | $20 | |
Why is the Saturday Afternoon Connoisseur Session now a Members-Only Session?
The Brewers Association is a member based organization. We have heard from our members that the Saturday Afternoon Session is one of their most valued member benefits. In an effort to be responsive to our members, yet still make the session available to beer enthusiasts, we have modified ticket prices and requirements.
Now, to attend the Saturday Afternoon Members-Only Session you must either be a current member at the time of the festival of one of our two organizations: the Brewers Association (professional brewing industry) or the American Homebrewers Association (amateur and brewing enthusiasts), or purchase a “New Member” ticket, which includes all the benefits of a Saturday Afternoon ticket with a 1 year membership to the American Homebrewers Association (a $38 value).
If I don’t homebrew, what can I do with this membership?
One of the best benefits of being an American Homebrewers Association member is using your membership card to get discounts at breweries, brewpubs, and better beer bars across the country through the Pub Discount Program. Depending on the laws of your state, discounts can be on beer, food and/or merchandise. We know you love beer and probably visit the great establishments involved in our program. We currently have more than 450 participating locations offering discounts. Browse the list of Participating Pubs!
If you have any questions, please contact us via info@brewersassociation.org or call 1.888.822.6273. You must be 21+ years old with a valid photo ID to attend the festival.
Do you sell a Designated Driver ticket?
Yes, Designated Driver tickets are available for all sessions for $20 each. Free, non-alcoholic sodas, made by some of the Participating Breweries will be available. Designated Drivers are welcome to attend the beer and food seminars, walk around the festival floor, or relax in the Designated Driver Lounge.
Do you accept credit cards or checks?
No, we do not accept personal checks. We do accept cash or major credit cards Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. There is an ATM in the ticket lobby. You must be 21+ years old with a valid photo ID to attend the festival.
Note: Tickets for the 2009 Great American Beer Festival sold out in advance. There were no on-site ticket sales. Please plan ahead!
What are the session times?
| Session Date | Session Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Last pour will be 15 minutes prior to session end time. | ||
| Thursday, September 16 | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | |
| Friday, September 17 | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | |
| Saturday, September 18
Members Only Session |
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm | |
| Saturday, September 18 | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm | |
Where can I buy my ticket?
Tickets will be available in June and may be ordered online. See Purchase Tickets for more information.
What do I get for the price of my ticket?
Ticket prices for each of the three evening sessions include a festival program, a commemorative tasting cup, unlimited one-ounce samples of your choice of more than 2,000 beers, and a festival guide to help you navigate the floor.
The Saturday Afternoon Members-Only Session includes all of the previously mentioned benefits, a commemorative tasting glass, and a one-year membership to the American Homebrewers Association. A more intimate atmosphere is created as the attendance is limited to members only, and the much-anticipated gold, silver, and bronze medal winners in each style category are announced. The opportunity may even arise for an informal discussion with a famous brewer on the latest brewing techniques or on what makes your favorite beer so good. Finally, you can participate in beer and food educational seminars that will be taking place throughout the session. This is a must attend session for anyone with a passion for beer!
You must be 21+ years old with valid ID to attend.
Where is Hall F at the Colorado Convention Center?
Walk East on Champa up to 14th, past the Regional Transportation District (RTD), and cross over to the Convention Center side of 14th. All ticket holders enter off of Stout Street and then head upstairs to Hall F.
Will there be a coat/backpack check?
There will not be a coat check. Also, lockers are not available for rent.
Backpacks are not permitted in the festival, so please plan accordingly!
Can I bring my child?
Although not recommended, children under age 2 are allowed only when carried by a parent at all times.
No strollers are allowed in the hall or personal backpacks (baby backpacks are allowed).
Why is there a line to get in?
Many beer enthusiasts line up well in advance for the festival, and there will most likely be a line at the entrance to the Great American Beer Festival. An ID check of all who enter the festival is required. The line will move quickly if you have your ID out to make the age verification process run smoothly.
You must be 21+ with a valid photo ID to enter the festival.
Will there be any food and non-alcoholic beverages available?
There will be a variety of food, water and sodas available for purchase onsite.
Should I drive or take public transportation?
As this event draws more than 46,000 people over the course of three days, downtown parking can be difficult. Public transportation is always recommended when drinking alcohol. We would like to offer a few alternate options for you.
- Stay at a downtown hotel, and take a taxi or walk. Taxis will be available after all sessions.
- There is a Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus stop a few blocks from the Convention Center, and the buses run until 1:00 am.
- Denver’s Light Rail is also a convenient option. There is ample parking at the Cinderella City Station (located at the intersection of Santa Fe Avenue and Hampden Avenue). The Light Rail stops directly in front of the Convention Center.
- Designated Driver tickets are available for the discounted rate of $20 each.
Parking
Parking is available at the Colorado Convention Center Parking Garage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How can I get driving directions?
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street
14th & Stout
Denver, CO 80202
Visit The Colorado Convention Center: Directions.
Why are the tasting cups plastic?
The Colorado Convention center rules stipulate that no glass will be allowed at the evening sessions. The cups provided are made of Lexan, an odorless and tasteless plastic. Glass tasting glasses are given only at the Saturday Afternoon Members-Only Session.
Remember, Savor the Flavor responsibly!
What is the Great American Beer Festival?
According to the Guinness Book of World Records®, there is no other place on earth where a beer aficionado can find more beers on tap. The Great American Beer Festival is the American brewing industry’s top public tasting opportunity and competition. Tasting sessions will offer attendees the opportunity to tour America’s brewing landscape, one ounce at a time, with access to more than 2,000 different beers from more than 450 of the nation’s finest breweries. The GABF gathers practically every type of beer from all of the regions of the country, and are arranged geographically on the festival floor. The festival allows visitors to taste the largest number and the widest variety of hand-crafted products in the American beer industry.
Who puts on the Great American Beer Festival?
The Great American Beer Festival has been held every year since 1982 and is presented by the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit educational and trade organization that is devoted to making quality brewing and beer information available to anyone. The Brewers Association also promotes and protects American craft beer, American craft brewers, and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association serves craft and homebrewers and produces bi-monthly magazines and books about the brewing industry.
If you are interested in learning more about the Brewers Association and homebrewing stop by our booth to pick up your free copy of Zymurgy: An Introduction to Homebrewing.
Is the Great American Beer Festival like a giant bar?
The goal of the Great American Beer Festival is to allow attendees to taste a variety of new brands and different styles of beer. To allow guests to taste American craft beer, samples are poured in one-ounce tasting portions.
How can breweries run out of beer?
Occasionally, a brewery will run out of a certain beer. The beer may be overly popular with the festival crowd. Luckily, there are more than 2,000 beers to sample. You will have to remember to try it early the next year.
