1. Press

Media

The Brewers Association (BA) hosts working members of the media for the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) that plan to cover the festival in beverage trade and consumer-focused media outlets. Any individual seeking to attend GABF under media credentials must complete a media application HERE

Please note:

  • Media outlets are limited to a total of four (4) media credentials.
  • All media, including bloggers, podcasters and influencers, please review the “Working Media Qualifications” below. If you do not fit the criteria identified below, your application may be denied.
  • Those who have attended GABF under media credentials in the past will be required to show coverage they produced as a result of press access.
  • A history of being approved at previous Brewers Association events, including GABF, does not guarantee approval for media credentials.
  • Media credentials do not include access to PAIRED. However, if you are interested in covering the event, please note this in your media application.
  • Applications may take up to three weeks to process. Details on purchasing tickets can be found here.
  • Disclaimer: All media credentials will be provided at the discretion of the GABF media staff per the GABF Media Access & Requirements. GABF reserves the right to accept or deny credentials.

If you have any questions, please email Backbone PR.

Apply Now

Media credentials are reserved for working members of the press only. This includes editors, reporters, contributors, freelancers, verified bloggers, anchors, and podcasters.

Credentials will not be granted to non-editorial media professionals, including but not limited to, documentary filmmakers, publishers, general managers, account representatives, sales executives, brand executives, video production companies, C-suite executives, brewery social media contacts, and PR/marketing representatives. In addition, anyone whose primary purpose for attending GABF is, in our judgment, for reasons other than covering it as working news media, will be denied.

Bloggers

Blogs must be established and reflect current craft brewing/beer, lifestyle, or food and beverage-related news. New posts must be published at least weekly. Blog traffic must exceed 5,000 unique visits per month. Applicants will be asked to show audience numbers/website analytics, and if audience numbers/website analytics are not provided, applicants will be vetted against the information readily available in Muck Rack. Individual company and unrelated personal blogs will not be considered for credentials.

Podcasters

Podcasters must be established and reflect current craft brewing/beer, lifestyle, or food and beverage-related content. Episodes must be published at least monthly. Applicants will be asked to show audience numbers/website analytics, and if audience numbers/website analytics are not provided, applicants will be vetted against the information readily available in Muck Rack or Podchaser. Podcasters should include details in their application about specific plans for GABF coverage, and will be required to conduct interviews and include mention/inclusion of GABF before the event (prior to Sept. 15, 2026). The relevant mention/episode must be shared with the Brewers Association, and media credentials will not be granted to podcasters until this step is complete. The Brewers Association reserves the right to determine whether a podcaster is an appropriate fit for GABF.

Influencers

Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is pleased to welcome craft brewing, food and beverage, and local Denver/Colorado-based creators to apply for a GABF ticket in exchange for content creation published to your channels.

To be eligible, influencers must meet the following criteria:

  • Have an established presence in the craft brewing/beer, food and beverage, Denver/Colorado destination/travel, or related lifestyle niches.
  • Maintain an active account on Instagram, TikTok, X, or YouTube.
  • Have a minimum audience size of 10,000 followers on at least one platform.

Social media influencers who meet the aforementioned criteria must post at least one (1) in-feed post that positively promotes the festival by Oct. 2, 2026.

  • A festival ticket will be provided to the influencer once the content is posted and emailed to Backbone Media. If the social media influencer does not post a minimum of one (1) in-feed post, they will not receive a festival ticket.
  • Please reach out to Backbone Media for more information

Freelancers

Freelancers must provide examples of previous, relevant coverage in the past six months and may be required to show a verifiable letter of assignment from a bona fide media outlet.

You must present identification to pick up credentials and to enter the festival. Pickup location and schedule coming soon!

Wednesday, October 8 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Thursday, October 9 8:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday, October 10 2:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday, October 11 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Due to the outdoor nature of the festival, there is no onsite workroom.

Please allow extra time for security screening at the event entrance—all items are subject to search.

Guests are welcome to bring personal cameras to the event, however professional photography and videography access and camera equipment access is determined on a case-by-case basis by the Brewers Association. Filming of any kind on-site without prior approval is strictly prohibited. Recording interviews at the festival without explicit permission or a GABF media escort could result in removal from the festival and the revocation of media credentials. Please reach out to the Backbone PR with any filming questions or requests.