They converge upon the Colorado Convention Center with such number and force, one never knows what to expect. Hotels are flooded with everyone from beer-belly twenty-somethings to groups of women looking to broaden their knowledge and affluent couples traveling from abroad with the event as the only item on their itinerary. The city of Denver becomes filled with locals and tourists alike, all carrying little 3 ounce tasting glasses with the same ubiquitous logo as the countless banners that adorn the streets.  With 462 breweries pouring over 2,200 beers, there’s a reason this event is listed as one of the top 1,000 places in the US to visit before you die and is the Guinness World Record holder for the most beers tapped in one location as well as the largest selection of American beers gathered together on the globe.

The Great American Beer Festival: need I say more? 

2010 is the 29th anniversary of the Great American Beer Festival. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever, with anticipation of all four sessions selling out in advance as it had in 2007, 2008 and 2009, making it the hottest ticket in town from September 16th to 18th, 2010.  The 1st GABF held in 1982 hosted 22 breweries, 40 beers and 800 attendees; the festival has undoubtedly grown substantially and now welcomes breweries from almost all 50 states. 

The event, presented by the Brewers Association, is an opportunity for consumers and members of the industry alike to mingle and see what is currently going on in the craft brewing scene. It’s also a great opportunity to meet some of your favorite beer celebrewers and try new styles and brands of beer that might not be available in your hometown.

With over 1,595 breweries operating in the United States, almost every American is positioned to live within 10 miles of a local brewery.  The growth and availability of craft beer is helping to drive the segment, with the volume of craft beer sold in the first half of 2009 up 7.2% compared to 2008, and dollar sales up 10.3% by dollars. On top of that, craft brewers sold an estimated 9,115,635 barrels (where 1 barrel = 31 US gallons) of beer in 2009, up from 8,501,713 in 2008. Americans are a thirsty bunch, indeed!  

Attendees of the event are treated to unlimited one ounce samples in addition to a wide array of other activities. New this year is the addition of an enhanced state brewers guilds/Support Your Local Brewery pavilion, an even better Farm to Table Pavillion, and special speakers like Top Chef Season 5 winner Hosea Rosenberg, Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman and the Brewers Association’s President and ultimate homebrew champion Charlie Papazian. There’s also the Pro-Am Competition, now in its fifth year, which showcase award-winning homebrew recipes produced with the assistance of a professional brewer; the beers are all offered on the festival floor with the opportunity for all attendees to taste. With a full out awards ceremony, book signings, you be the judge lessons, silent disco and merchandise booth, there is definitely something for everyone.

Denver, and beer, is calling… like a sweet frothy siren, I have no choice but to follow the sudsy song and cross the country to achieve beervana.

If you’re ready to learn more about and, more importantly, taste your way through the beautiful beer bounty the small, independent and traditional (aka craft) brewers of this fine country have to offer, then hop on board. Visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com for more information; save the date, buy your tickets, and look forward to seeing you all there!

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