Denver Beer Fest FAQs
« Denver Beer Fest event registration form
Q: What is Denver Beer Fest?
A: Denver Beer Fest (DBF) is a weeklong celebration of “all things beer” in the Mile High City. It also serves as a kickoff to the Brewers Association’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF) and incorporates the second weekend of Denver Oktoberfest, a 40-year tradition. Denver is already regarded as one of the most sophisticated beer cities in the world. The purpose of this event is to build on that reputation, generate national publicity, bring more visitors to Denver, and stimulate business for VISIT DENVER members.
Q: What are the dates of DBF?
A: The official dates are September 23 – October 1, 2011.
Q: What/when is the Great American Beer Festival?
A: The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held September 29 – October 1, 2011, is the largest beer festival in the world in terms of the number of beers available for sampling. Denver has proudly hosted this event for the past 28 years. The festival attracts visitors from across the globe; last year, some 49,000 people attended. This year’s event is expected to be bigger than ever, as the GABF celebrates its 30th year. More information can be found at www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.
Q: What/when is Oktoberfest?
A: Denver Oktoberfest is one of the city’s longest running festivals held in the Ballpark neighborhood. The 43rd annual event will be held the weekends of September 16-18 and 23-25. More information can be found at www.oktoberfestdenver.com.
Q: Is there a schedule of events?
A: Events will be posted on www.DenverBeerFest.com when they become available, and will be listed by date and type of location. Check back frequently.
Q: How do I register to offer an event during Denver Beer Fest?
A: You can submit your event through the Denver Beer Fest event submission form. You must be a VISIT DENVER member to submit an event.
Q: What if I’m not a member of VISIT DENVER? How do I become one?
A: Participation in Denver Beer Fest is restricted to VISIT DENVER members. To learn more about benefits of being a member of VISIT DENVER, contact Janelle Grammens at jgrammens@visitdenver.com or 303.571.9438.
Q: Can you give an example of a DBF Event?
A: Possible events will fall into several categories:
- Beer Tastings
A bar or restaurant features a tasting program highlighting the beers of one brewery
- Meet the Brewer Nights
A brewer will be on hand at a bar to talk about their beers
- New Beer Nights
A new beer will be tapped for the first time
- Firkin nights
A cask conditioned beer will be tapped and drained until it is gone
- Tap Takeovers
A brewery takes over all the taps at a bar or restaurant
- Beer-paired dinners
A restaurant works with the brewery and has a different course paired with a different beer in a fixed-price dinner
- Beer Competitions
Beers are paired off against each other, often with the bar patrons voting for their favorites, until there is one winner
- Beer Specials
Special prices on select beers for the evening
- Beer Education
Special programs or lectures that discuss different aspects of beer tasting or brewing
- Pub Crawls
Two or more bars work together on a pub crawl, or beer walking tour, or beer cruiser bike night
- Rare Beer Tastings
Ability to taste rare or exclusive beers
- Brewery Tours
Special theme-tours of breweries
- Beer Games
Quizzes, contests, special events
- Music
Music events that take place during Denver Beer Fest and can be tied into it
- Beer and athletic competitions
Like the Tour de Fat
- Beer fundraising events
Beer tastings like Brew at the Zoo, or a proposed fundraiser for the Brewers Guild, possibly hosted by Westword
- Other
Any other type of beer event
Q: What is the best way to partner with the Colorado Brewers Guild?
A: If you are interested in partnering with a member of the Colorado Brewers Guild, please contact Steve Kurowski at manager@coloradobeer.org. He will help pair you with a brewery.
