Great American Beer Festival comes back to Denver

Move over Christmas, there may be a new most wonderful time of the year, and it looks like the city of Denver has graciously nailed it down to a few blessed days in September with the Great American Beer Festival. It is a time when anyone who appreciates a good beer can walk, misty-eyed and euphoric, into a near literal sea of the finest microbrews this country has to offer.

The Great American Beer Festival originated in Boulder in 1982 but grew so rapidly it was moved to Denver a mere two years later. True to form, this year was the largest in the festival’s history. Almost 49,000 people crowded the Denver Convention center this past weekend to experience the event. Patrons had the opportunity to sample nearly 2,200 beers from 455 breweries all across the United States.

Breweries were separated by geographic location and Colorado did not disappoint. Brewers from all over the state brought their best efforts to the GABF in hopes of being recognized.

“All I know is if its got that left hand on it, I like it,” said Danny Kramer, a recent Colorado transplant, when asked what his favorite Colorado brewery was.

Among the many different beers were some interesting flavor combinations, including the oyster stout from Flying Fish Brewing Co out of Cherry Hill, NJ. The beer is brewed with actual oysters because the minerals in them act to lessen the sweetness of the stout.

“It tastes like the right side of heaven,” said CU alum Emil Tchilian.

Other unique flavors at the festival included black licorice, watermelon, jalapeño, bacon, key lime pie and kiwi.

When asked about the kiwi beer, Sean Joyce of Lakewood said he had mixed feelings.

“Kiwi lambic is about the most sour [beer] you’ll find,” Joyce said. “It was…interesting.”

Tie-dye clad Paul Pearson from Rogue Ales out of Newport Oregon, gave his own opinion of the sour lambics.

“You either love them or you hate them,” Pearson said. “I like the Brutal Bitter from Rogue, it’s an IPA. It’s one of those beers you can drink forever.”

Some of the most popular breweries at the festival were Sierra Nevada, Stone and Russian River, which ran out of beer 30 minutes before the final pour on Friday.

With all the different choices available, the GABF had something for everyone, but not nearly enough time to sample them all, although many did try.

When the festival came to a close, patrons staggered, bleary-eyed and slurring toward the exits, dreading tomorrow, but already excited for next year.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Sarah Austin at Sarah.austin@colorado.edu.