Tickets are now available for the 2025 Great American Beer Festival (GABF), which runs October 9–11 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Grab tickets here! Hosted by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest beer festival in the United States and a major competition for independent craft breweries. The festival returns with thousands of craft beers, ciders, seltzers, and other beverages. Attendees will also find a range of themed tasting areas and entertainment. For breweries, it remains a showcase for innovation and a chance to reach engaged drinkers.
What’s new this year
For the first time, GABF will include a Distilling Experience. This section will feature 20 distilleries pouring 0.25-ounce samples of whiskey, vodka, gin, and other spirits. Beyond beer, expect ready-to-drink cocktails, cider, hard kombucha, and zero-proof options.
Experience areas return for 2025, each offering unique themes. Highlights include:
- Prost! – a German biergarten atmosphere
- Score! – a sports-focused section
- Fright – a Halloween-inspired setup
- Blast Off – a showcase for beyond-beer beverages
- Chill – a backyard-style hangout with live music
- Meet the brewer – direct interaction with craft brewers
- Mile High Stage – new this year, with live music and contests
Why it matters for brewers
The festival is more than a consumer event. The GABF competition awards medals in more than 100 categories. Winning breweries often see a direct boost in recognition and sales. The event also allows small breweries to pour in front of thousands of drinkers and network with peers from across the country.
PAIRED returns
PAIRED, the festival’s beer-and-food program, again brings together chefs and independent breweries. Attendees can expect small plates paired with limited-release beers and cocktails. PAIRED requires a separate ticket.
Ticket prices
General session tickets cost $85 for Thursday, October 9, and $95 for Friday, October 10, or Saturday, October 11. A three-day pass is available for $220. PAIRED tickets are $129 for the food-and-beer event alone or $199 for a combined PAIRED and GABF session ticket.
Why fans attend
For beer lovers, GABF offers a chance to try styles from across the country in one place. Many breweries use the event to debut new releases or limited batches. Attendees also get access to themed entertainment, live music, and activities such as silent discos and costume contests.
Final note
The 2025 Great American Beer Festival remains the most comprehensive showcase of U.S. craft brewing. With tickets now on sale, both brewers and fans have the opportunity to take part in the country’s largest celebration of craft beer.
