2012 GABF

This comes up every year (usually in multiple threads) and there are several ways to approach staying in Denver. GABF is held at the Convention Center, which is 20ft from a light rail stop. Because of this it is possible to stay at any hotel along the light rail and be 'close to downtown'. Of course, you could actually stay downtown, but prices get high.

There are also several hotels on N. Speer in the Highlands area...about a 20 min walk to the edge of downtown, or a short cab ride. The Highlands area has a couple of nice bottle shops with Mondo Vino being the closest, and Highlands Wine/Liquor a couple blocks farther. Downtown, there's Mr. Ds (?) by the baseball stadium and Argonaut on Colfax and Pearl---I think it's Pearl. If you don't mind walking, you'll be fine.

GABF week is a blast with GABF itself just one morsel (or chunk). Staying downtown would the best option if you can afford it, but the light rail and cabs are not bad options.

Keep in mind, places fill up FAST. Book asap

here's a rudimentary map of the light rail:
http://www.rtd-denver.com/LightRail_Map.shtml

 

1) hotels will probably be pricey IN downtown next to the convention center where it will be held. especially around GABF time. i recommend staying somewhere cheaper along I-25 and RTD LightRail tracks. you can go as far south as probably Lone Tree and have easy access. Using the light rail system is quick and cost effective compared to what you would be paying for a hotel smack in the middle downtown. stay along the D, F, H lines since they drop off at the convention center. You can utilize the bus system and light rail. i think they are both pretty efficient.

2) some places in that host events include Falling Rock (alpha king challenge and special daily tappings), Wynkoop (Pints for Prostate Rare Beer Tasting), Star Bar, Euclid Hall, Cheeky Monk, FreshCraft, Lucky Pie, Hops & Pie, Oskar Blues, Rackhouse Pub, others in downtown denver, boulder, etc. many events are special tappings. others require advance ticket purchases.

3) i would check some sites like Denver Off The Wagon, Fermentedly Challenged, WestWord, and CraftBeer for event updates around town.

4) depending on where you stay, these places have good selections of beer: Argonaut, Tipsy's, Mile High Wine & Spirits, Lukas Liquor, Total Bev, Parker Payless Liquor, Chambers Wine and Liquor, Grape Expectations, Libations, Mondo Vino, Davidsons, Liquor Mart (if you happen to be in boulder), or CO Liquor Mart

Hope that helps. Cheers!

 

On a side note, I just noticed they are already reached their volunteer capacity for the year. pretty nuts.

 

That's crazy. I volunteered last year and I thought I was going to get an email (which I didn't) before they opened it up to new volunteers. Ah well, hope a newbie gets to volunteer instead. It's a blast.

For more events throughout the week you can check here:
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/gabf-week-events/

Last year it was designated Denver Beer Week so you'll probably see events all week long.

 

Excellent post kwijibo61...we will have to remember to forward that one along when the GABF threads start piling up late summer.

 

Any rumors on when tickets will go on sale? I want to be on the ball a bit more after how fast they sold out last year.

 

Keep an eye open in June. Last year they went on sale on the 28th or something like that.

 

The tickets tend to sell out faster and faster each year, too. 5 years ago you could buy tickets at any number of stores, even on the day of the event. Last year sold out completely in something like 3 weeks.

A really good side event on the Friday of the GABF is the Pints for Prostates Rare Beer Tasting at the Wynkoop. Brewers like Garrett Oliver, John Maier, Adam Avery, Wayne Wambles, Greg Koch, etc. bring something unusual that they've been sitting on (or made just for the event) and are more than happy to chat with you about 'em. Plus, it's for a good cause.

I volunteered last year and will likely try to do it again. I don't think any details are ready for this year yet, but it should be akin to this: http://www.pintsforprostates.org/?p=797

 

After many years of the GABF circus, I mostly stick to the MANY events going on all week, all over the front range. I've had a much better time at the smaller events then at the actual GABF, especially the last few years. It has turned into a giant frat party, got tired of hearing "which beer is this? what is the ABV? oh, its only 10%? I'm looking for something much stronger" type things in lines.

 

The key is not listening and just enjoying what your tasting... if you know what it is you're getting. I for one appreciate the opportunity to try different regions and new startups.

 

Also, the Friday and Saturday night sessions are not worth going to, those are the frat sessions. Saturday Members-only is the way to go; less people, more professional, less frat, more brewers present and the awards ceremony. I hear Thursday is pretty good too.

 

I've gone to all 4 of the sessions, and while some are generally better than others, I have not regretted going to any of them. If you go on Friday or Saturday (and you definitely should go, every day) just go with the mindset that you are heading to a massive bustling beer garden with the greatest selection of beer known to man. It's going to be a lot of fun and you are going to drink a lot of great beer.

 

I've been to all of the sessions and I agree - they're all worth going to. I couldn't care less about what everyone around me is doing as long as they're having fun and not interfering with mine.
The only real downside of Friday is that the lines can be long, especially for the restrooms.
Saturday can be a downer because some breweries will be out of a lot. Thursday is probably the best if you can do it, but if not - have fun on the other days.

 

We should do something for the Mountain Region BA's during GABF week.

Although there's probably a BA-meetup scheduled during the week already.

 

I, personally, have only ever gone to 2 sessions: Thursday night and Saturday's member only session. Thursday: best selection as everything is available and less crowd since people still work on Friday. Saturday: again smaller crowd, awards, and a glass cup. I recommend the Farm to Table pavilion Thursday (or Friday if you go). None on Saturday. The food is awesome and it's way better than the pizza and hot dogs they serve on the floor. It's cool from the A/C, places to sit and relax, and some beers not served on the floor.

I'd be down for a BA meetup as well.

@b0rderman: it was a lot of typing and hyperlinking but hopefully will be an easy took find resource for GABF week. I figured I only want to type it once so might as well get it over with.

 

Logan (DenverLogan) used to put on a private "beer bash", but I think that's faded over the last few years. Those things were legendary.

 

Good luck, like gueuzer said above, looks like volunteer capacity is full already.