Beer festivals are a great way to learn more about specific breweries, introduce yourself to new products and styles, and otherwise indulge in the beverage I like to call God’s greatest gift to humankind. All beer festivals have their merits, but the grandest of them all takes place in Denver Colorado in the fall season each year and with the explosive growth of the craft beer industry, it continues to gain popularity. I am talking about the Great American Beer Festival, a competitive celebration of all that is wonderful about craft beer and the American Way.
The Rundown:
Here is some of the basic information you need to know about this monumental tribute to craft beer and those who bring it into our lives on a daily basis:
- Event: Great American Beer Festival
- Sponsor: American Brewers Association
- Location: Colorado Convention Center, 700 14th Street, Denver, CO
- Dates and Times: September 24 through September 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day with a special members- only session on September 26 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission Prices:
Purchasing tickets to the Great American Beer Festival continues to present a challenge, and it’s completely due to the event’s growing popularity. Tickets cost $80 for each session ($75 for Brewers Association Members or American Homebrewers Association Members) and $65 for the Saturday members- only session from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Ticket Sales:
The most important thing to remember about ticket sales to the Great American Beer Festival is the time they go on sale: 10 a.m. Mountain Time on July 29, 2015. If you want tickets, you need to be sure to logon to Ticketmaster at this time, with your finger on the trigger, ready to make a purchase. Even a short period of procrastination can result in the dreaded words “No tickets remaining” when you click the checkout button.
To improve your odds, one option is to join the American Homebrewers Association. A $43 annual membership not only gets you benefits reserved for members at breweries and events across the nation, it also grants you early access to tickets, with sales for AHA members starting at 10 a.m. Mountain Time on July 28, 2015.
Take Action:
Attendance at the Great American Beer Festival at least once in a lifetime is essential for every craft beer lover. I have been to the event multiple times and plan to visit again this year, reporting live on the event, the beer, and the people behind the business. My advice to anyone who wishes to go is simple: Be ready at the designated time to purchase tickets. They won’t last long and will likely sell out even faster than last year so don’t procrastinate- go to the Great American Beer Festival page by clicking here and follow the link to purchase tickets at 10 a.m. sharp on July 28 or July 29, 2015. And I will see you in Denver on Sept. 24- 26!
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