Greetings gentle folk from the Mountain region. I'm getting together with a friend for the GABF, and he's convinced me to do the full meal deal. So I'm attending all three days and will be in Denver from the 9th thru the 14th. Do any of the local breweries hold special events or release any special beers during the festival? For that matter, do any of the local taphouses do anything special for the festival week (brewery tap takeovers, special releases, meet the brewer events, etc.). I haven't been to the GABF in roughly 30 years and have no idea what to expect. However, even back in the mid 90s Denver had a pretty vibrant beer scene, and I feel pretty confident that hasn't changed. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I likely won't have a car, but am happy to walk and/or Uber around as necessary. I'll be staying at the Holiday Inn Express downtown during my stay. Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions!
...there is the Denver Rare Beer Tasting on October 10th...this will be the 15th year for this event...never been there myself, but have lucked into some of the rare beers by chance... https://www.universe.com/events/den...to-benefit-pints-for-prostates-tickets-JWK3P5 ...looks like a nice lineup of about 50 brewers this year: https://www.pintsforprostates.org/new-page ...and an interesting list of past participants and beers: https://www.pintsforprostates.org/denver-rare-beer-tasting
I haven't really kept up on the events this year, but I think you'll find many/most local breweries bust out their famous items for GABF week. For instance, the Bull and Bush always has a full line-up that week and they tend to have draft versions of some of their barrel-aged items. Even though the area near the convention center (LoDo) isn't much of a beer haven anymore, you'll find a ton of breweries and cideries roughly 2 miles north of there in River North (RiNo). You can't really go wrong with any of 'em.
LOL! Thanks. I was aware of the event, but frankly, even if I was 40 years younger, I doubt I could do justice to both the GABF tasting and the annual rare beer tasting. I appreciate the suggestion though.
Is there some place near the convention center you all might recommend? Preferably a taphouse with food and an interesting draft selection. I get in around 8 pm on Wednesday and am hoping to be downtown by 9 pm (assuming my swa flight gets in on time). First Draft looks like a good spot, but they close at 10 according to their website. Wyncoop is a possibility (haven't been there in years), but was hoping for a multi-tap handle spot. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
@John_M perhaps there's a good beer bar that's open late. Between an on-time flight and getting out of the Denver airport you're pretty optimistic! Coming up on two years now since I had an opportunity to spend a few days bouncing around Denver. At the time I felt like most of the places (breweries) I visited closed on the early side--by 9 or 10, even on a weekend. In hindsight, this might have been more a pandemic-related precaution.
Yeah, I really don't know what to expect. I haven't been to Denver in some years, or the GABF since 1996. Was planning to meet up with a friend from Floroda Wednesday night, but he's had to cancel due to Milton. So I'm on my own. Wyncoop looks to be open till midnight, so that's a possibility. However, I'd prefer a downtown taphouse with a decent draft selection, serves food and stays open till midnight. Not sure how realistic that is.
Close to convention center: Oskar Blues and Tap 14 (fairly sure kitchen is open until 10 I'd call to ensure). BUUUUUUTTT what I would do is hop a scooter/ebike/short uber to Rino and get food at Bierstadt, then head around the corner to Finns Manor for their Hazy vs Clear GABF tapping which is always a great list of beers:https://www.facebook.com/share/p/iBLu6X8EBtCxVm6Y/ If IPA's aren't your thing Ratio, OMF and Odell are on the same block, as well as a Shake Shack if you arrive later and need a bite.
Much obliged. The Finn Manor recommendation looks really good. It's just a mile and a half from my hotel, which I like. Hopefully there won't be any travel related kerfuffle. If my flight arrives on time, I should be able to get to First Draft or Bierstadt before the kitchen closes.
This is all really helpful. Feel like I have some interesting options, even if my flight gets in a bit late.
Some really amazing beers all over the place this year. Bale Breaker fresh hop in particular was fantastic. But man are prices getting out of control.
Yowza!!! Ouch! Where did you go that was charging those prices? On the orher hand... $10 for a PINT of beatification! I've never seen it served in a pint glass. $10 for a pint of beatification would be the best deal I've ever seen for it. Hard to believe that's not a misprint. That being said, I agree with you. Went to Oskar Blue's in Denver today, and did a double take when I got my bill for a 10 ounce glass of ba tenfidy. Just under $20.
That's what I was thinking too. They're charging 50%+ over typical pricing for their hoppy stuff and then practically giving beatification away!
That's the approach a lot of the bars on the LV strip take. They charge exorbitant prices for the known stuff and barely make up their own costs for the specialty items. If that places is near downtown Denver, that's probably their strategy. The menu looks familiar, but I don't know it offhand.
