The Great American Beer Festival really knows how to party

It's the nation's largest beer-tasting trade show

Gigi Sukin //October 7, 2016//

The Great American Beer Festival really knows how to party

It's the nation's largest beer-tasting trade show

Gigi Sukin //October 7, 2016//

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The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the nation's largest beer-tasting trade show, took over the Colorado Convention Center last Thursday.The genuine enthusiasm, effort and camaraderie that goes into the GABF each year from the brewers, slingers and drinkers alike, is palpable and applicable to any profession or hobby.

It’s this zeal that has kept the event running fiercely for 35 years. Tickets went on sale to the general public Aug. 2 and were gone in one hour and seven minutes.

In total 152 Colorado breweries – ranging from Colorado legacy beer brand, Coors Brewing to Oskar Blues Brewery of Longmont – were among the 800 in attendance pouring 1-ounce samples into officially sanctioned GABF cups for the estimated 60,000 partygoers.

Of the local brewers, 21 displayed their beverages for the first time according to the Brewers Association, the Boulder-based craft beer trade group that organizes the event. Meanwhile, established Colorado brewers headlined events from the Brewers Studio Pavilion talks to a food/beer pairing section to Meet-the-Brewers Hall.

GABF, which Visit Denver estimates to produce an annual economic impact of more than $28 million, draws more than 40 percent of the 60,000 people who purchase tickets from out of state for a chance to sip suds from 800 breweries pouring 3,800 different varieties.

Medals were awarded Saturday night to the best beers in 96 categories and breweries of the year. Outside the confines of the Convention Center, the city is abuzz with nearly 200 events at local bars, breweries, restaurants and music calls.

Enjoy these images from the event!