Denver’s largest annual celebration of making and drinking beer – returns this year, taking place, as always, in the nine days leading up to and including Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Typically, Denver Beer Week features special events at breweries, taphouses and various venues hosted by the hundreds of local and national brewers participating in GABF; however, as with many things this year, Denver Beer Week 2020 will look different.
The brewing industry has suffered significantly during the pandemic, compelling VISIT DENVER to focus efforts on helping local brewers through the difficulties they are facing. Keeping the health and safety of the community top of mind, Denver Beer Week aims to assist these local business through promoting safe, in-person events, as well as take home and virtual options, at local breweries; exclusive, on-site deals at nearly 40 Denver breweries with the new GABF Festival Passport; and an updated Denver Beer Trail, so beer can lovers support their neighborhood favorites throughout Denver Beer Week and year-round.
“Beer and the brewing industry are a pillar of Denver’s culture and lifestyle, sustained by many local small businesses that are struggling right now,” said Richard Scharf, president and CEO of VISIT DENVER. “Denver Beer Week has celebrated the city’s status as the capital of craft beer for years; and this year the community needs to come together to support these breweries more than ever before.”
Below are just a few ways to participate in Denver Beer Week. For more details, including additional events and information on how to purchase GABF Festival Passports, go to the VISIT DENVER website.
Denver Beer Week Events
Beer Shirts at Rockmount Ranch Wear (October 7-16) – The iconic Rockmount Ranch Wear – known as the creator of the original snap button western shirts – has created special beer-themed shirts, embroidered with hops. They can also create custom shirts, bandanas and buckles for beer brands.
Beer Brunch (October 9-17) – Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse is hosting a daily Denver Beer Week beer brunch, complete with beer cocktails, local brews and delicious food.
TRVE Brewery Tap Takeover (October 9-17) – TRVE Brewery will take over three taps at Woodie Fisher Kitchen & Bar for Denver Beer Week, pairing their iconic sour brews with the restaurant’s creative and signature menu items.
Zip-N-Sip! Ziplines and Tasting (October 9-17) – Ride 6 different ziplines including 2 of Colorado's longest and fastest, followed by an 8-part beer tasting at Denver Zipline Tours’ next door tavern.
Stay fit, drink beer. – Head to Epic Brewing for a Yoga & Beer session (October 10); or get some cardio with carbonation at the Breckenridge Brewery 5K Fun Run (October 11) or Factotum Brewhouse Run Club and Trivia night (October 13).
Beer Fest at Belleview Station (October 10) – Enjoy a socially distanced beer festival featuring unlimited tastings of more than 30 beers, seltzers ciders and wines from local spots, along with live music.
Wild West Pub Crawl (October 10, 11 & 17) – Step back in time with a Wild West Pub Crawl in Golden, one of Colorado’s oldest frontier towns. Participants receive a 10 oz. beer at each brewery and a Golden Bandana to wear as a face covering.
Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Painting Party (October 14) – Denver Beer Co. will host a pumpkin patch and painting party, complete with table reservations to keep parties together and safely distant.
Comedy Lot (A Night of Socially Distanced Comedy) (October 14) – Call To Arms Brewing will host a free comedy show featuring local comics.
Virtual Beer, Bacon & Coffee Fest (October 17) – For those who would rather imbibe in the comfort of their own home, Denver Beer Co. offers a Take Home Beer Bacon Coffee Brunch Pack, including three breakfast crowlers, two limited edition coffee mugs with a bag of coffee, a pound of bacon, two breakfast burritos and a small box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Dry Dock Brewing Co. 15th Anniversary Five-Course Beer Dinner (October 17) – Celebrate Dry Dock’s 15th Anniversary with an exclusive owner- and brewer-led beer pairing dinner. Enjoy five iconic beers paired with an immaculate five-course dinner served by the chefs of Brightmarten Restaurant and Bar.
GABF Virtual Festival & NEW Festival Passport + Denver Breweries
Great American Beer Festival® (GABF), the country’s preeminent beer festival and world’s largest beer competition, was scheduled to take place in Denver this fall, as it has done for the past 37 years. This year’s 39th Annual GABF will instead include a two-day online experience on October 16-17, in addition to exclusive on-site deals at more than 1,000 breweries from all 50 states from October 1-18. And, although the festival will not be in-person this year, Colorado is still showcasing its beer capital status with the highest number of participating breweries of any state – 146 statewide.
New this year, in-person at participating breweries – including nearly 40 breweries in Denver alone – GABF Festival Passport holders can sip on some of the festival’s award-winning beers while also enjoying exclusive access to deals, including free taster flights, discounted growlers, limited edition merchandise and more.
The virtual GABF sessions will cover a variety of topics including tips and tricks to enhance beer knowledge and enjoyment; stories from craft beer luminaries; profiles of breweries and individuals that are transforming their communities; and beer and food pairing demonstrations.
Denver Beer Trail
As part of Denver Beer Week, VISIT DENVER creates the annual Denver Beer Trail – a fun, helpful guide to America’s greatest beer city. The 2020-21 online edition features 40 breweries around the city, as well as tours, year-round events, the history of Denver’s beer culture and more. Suds seekers can use the interactive map to find a Beer Trail brewery near them.