GABF - The Final Frontier of Beer Festivals

So, you think you have been to a beer festival before? Maybe you went to Fremont Oktoberfest , or maybe you even went to the Seattle International Beer Fest this summer. If you really want to go to a beer festival, get yourself to Denver in 10 days.

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is every beer lovers dream. 408 breweries. 1,884 beers. One huge convention center. 3 straight days of goodness. Can it get any better? We don't think so.

GABF is the holy grail of beer festivals. It is the highlight of the year for many brewers and beer loves alike, and it is a great chance to taste some of the country's finest brews. A $45 ticket for each session (There are 4 in total) gets you access to all kinds of spectacular beer. You may only get 1oz pours of each beer, but the tastes are unlimited.

We've spoken with a few people who look down their nose at the GABF, saying it is "just too crazy" or "amateur hour for people just looking to get drunk". That's BS. GABF has something to offer any level of beer lover/drinker, from the lofty likes of the late Michael Jackson (Seen in the pic above), to the local CO college kids just looking to get hammered. Many local brewers and people from the industry in the NW will be headed to Denver this year. It is something that everyone who loves beer should do at least once in their lives.

This Seattlest will be attending for the 2nd year in a row. We've also polled some local brewers and have some advice for any of you lucky beer drinkers that might be heading to Denver in 2 weeks.

What to expect at the festival: Madness. There will be lots, and lots of people wanting to try the best beers. Thursday night and Saturday during the day are most beer lovers preferred times to go; the crowds are thinner than Friday/Saturday night and it is just less crazy. Saturday night is party night. Expect a decent amount of the beer to be gone, but a lot of people running around in a drunken haze having a blast.

The setup is essentially like the country's largest trade show for beer. Breweries are organized by region within the US, which makes it very easy to try things you never have before. Many breweries will pour special beers, and you just can't be disappointed in the selection. Follow this link to a preview of what some local brewers will be pouring at the festival.

Some great suggestions from several brewers: Drink lots of water; remember, you'll be drinking a mile high and dehydration will set in quicker. Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing quite a bit of walking. Eat, either before or during the festival. Take mental notes of what you like, and what you don't.

What to expect in Denver for the Weekend: Madness. There are quite a few great beer bars and brewpubs all over the city. But, the place to be is The Falling Rock Tap House. It can get packed, and it can get uncomfortable. But, many brewers will be sending special releases to the bar to pour at some point during the weekend. Even if you get there after a GABF session, when things are in full swing, you will be able to get yourself a beer and find a space to enjoy it. Suck it up and get yourself there.

Charles Finkel, of Pike Brewing, suggests that you don't miss the Wynkoop Brewery. The Wynkoop is Denver's oldest brewpub, founded in 1988. Finkel also lets us know that Liquor Mart should satisfy any needs you have of purchasing beer to send back to Seattle.

Side Trips: Colorado is a beer lovers wonderland, very similar to WA and OR. Fort Collins and Boulder are 2 destinations that offer several worthwhile breweries. New Beligum, Avery, Left Hand, Oskar Blues, Mountain/Southern Sun, and Odell are just a few of the wonderful places you could visit . Check out Ratebeer.com for locations and info.

Or, you could do some outdoors stuff.....if you have to.

If you aren't planning on going this year, maybe you should start a year of preparing for the 2008 GABF. Of course, by "preparing" we mean drinking lots of good beer.

See you there?