September 22, 2011
The Great American Beer Festival got its start 30 years ago as just a part of the American Homebrewers Association‘s fourth annual conference. If the name is any indication, however, founder Charlie Papazian had grander ambitions for this remarkable event.
Peruse a copy of the 1982 Program (pdf)—complete with Charlie’s handwritten notes in the margins!
GABF Then and Now
| 1982 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|
| Hours of Tasting | 5 over 1 session | 17.5 over 4 sessions |
| Breweries at the Festival | 24 | 466 |
| Beers at the Festival | 47 | 2,400 |
| Festival Hall Size | 5,000 square feet | 290,000 square feet |
| Attendees | 800 | 49,000 |
| Volunteers | ~50 | ~3,300 |
Familiar beers served in 1982 and still available today
- Anchor Steam and Porter
- Genesee Cream Ale
- Killian’s Irish Red Ale
- Leinenkugel’s
- Rainier Ale
- Rolling Rock
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Stout
- Stevens Point Special Lager
- Yuengling Premium, Lord Chesterfield Ale and Porter
Small and independent craft breweries that participated in 1982 and are participating in 2011
- Anchor Brewing Co.
- Boulder Beer Company
- F.X. Matt Brewing Company
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- Stevens Point Brewery Co.
GABF competition judging history
- 1987: First judging, 7 judges, 99 beers
- 2002: 16th judging, 90 judges, 1,863 beers
- 2011: 25th judging, 169 judges, 3,900+ beers in the competition
Celebrate with us in 2011!
To commemorate this 30-year milestone, there will be a special 1982 pavilion that takes a look back at the original GABF. This area will include 80′s music, breweries from the ’82 event, a photo booth and more.
Wear your finest 80′s costumes to celebrate the occasion!
GABF fan Joey McDaniel created this clever Then and Now infographic. Thanks, Joey!
