July 20, 2010

This year GABF is welcoming 522 breweries to the competition, with 457 serving their beer to festival attendees (see Breweries at the Festival). More than 2,200 beers are expected to be served at this year’s festival and some 3,594 are slated to be judged in the competition. (Note that these numbers are subject to slight variations as the festival draws nearer.)

Also new this September: an enhanced state brewers guilds/Support Your Local Brewery pavilion (think brewing education meets beer tourism); an even-better Farm to Table Pavilion (open to Brewers Association and American Homebrewers Association members only); and noted speakers like Top Chef Season 5 winner, Hosea Rosenberg, discussing beer and street food, and Ken Grossman and Charlie Papazian discussing their collaboration on Charlie, Ken & Fred’s Bock, part of Sierra Nevada’s 30th Anniversary series.

Here are a few more 2010 GABF fun facts:

• New breweries in the festival hall: 56
• Number of judges for the competition (est.): 150
• Largest competition category: IPA, 150 entries

We’re thrilled that the level of excitement about GABF tickets is higher than ever this year—GABF has sold out!