This Week in Beer: The Best Events During GABF and More

As the local brewery scene continues to evolve and grow, we’re rounding up the news, events and new releases you need to know about. Here’s the latest:

The WeldWerks Invitational Returns
The Story: One of Colorado’s best beer festivals will return on February 8, 2025, after a two-year hiatus.
The Scoop: Tickets will cost $85, with an afternoon session as well as an evening session option. The brewery list is a national lineup of all-star producers, as has been the case in prior years. The festival will take place at the DoubleTree Hotel in Greeley.

Upcoming Events

This is the busiest week of the year for Denver-area beer events. With the Great American Beer Festival happening Thursday through Saturday, brewers and drinkers from around the country are set to descend upon Denver. Check out our 2024 GABF Guide for all the must-know info, and make sure to stay safe and use public transportation and/or rideshares.

Krispy King Lagers
Wednesday, October 9, 3 to 7 p.m.
Barrels & Bottles Brewery
1055 Orchard Street, Golden
There will be 35 lagers from Colorado and around the country pouring at the third edition of this competition. Winners will be announced at 6 p.m. Festivities include a free arcade, a cigar lounge, a make-your-own trucker hat booth, food specials and more. Admission is free, and beers can be purchased individually.

West Coast Wednesday
Wednesday, October 9, 5 p.m.
Westbound & Down Denver at Free Market
1801 Blake Street
Westbound is throwing a GABF kick-off party with freshly shucked oysters, DJ Ginger Perry, and a very well-curated list of some of the top West Coast IPA producers in the country alongside some of Colorado’s best.

Pints for Prostates: Denver Rare Beers
Thursday, October 10, noon to 4 p.m.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
2875 Blake Street
The festival’s fifteenth edition raises money for prostate cancer. A fantastic lineup of over fifty breweries pouring some of the rarest offerings in their portfolios. Tickets are $200 plus fees. A free blood test is available outside the venue, no ticket required. The organizer, Rick Lyke, had a simple blood test save his life over a decade ago.

Great American Beer Festival
Thursday, October 10, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Friday, October 11, 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, October 12, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Colorado Convention Center
700 14th Street
North America’s largest beer festival is back, with beer, cider and more from over 500 producers from across the country. This year, the festival has added new experience areas and more alcohol (and non-alcohol) options. It also ditched the raucous Saturday evening session and folded capacity into the three prior sessions. Tickets are $85-$95 per session, plus fees.

From the Depths Barrel-Aged Stout Release
Friday, October 11, noon
Westfax Brewing
6733 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood
This beer was brewed in collaboration with Renegade Brewing, from the cellar of Uhl’s Brewing. The 13.1 percent ABV imperial stout rested in Laird’s apple brandy barrels before being blended with barrel stock. The brewers say it has a balance of boozy, brandy flavors and apple aromas.

Punk Lager Fest
Friday, October 11, 5 to 10 p.m.
Cannonball Creek Brewing
393 North Washington Avenue, Golden
With guest beers from pFriem Family Brewers, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Westbound & Down, Grains of Wrath, Call to Arms, Wayfinder, Von Ebert, Riip and Ism, this event is a can’t-miss. Local punk bands Soy Celesté and No Bueno go on at 6 and 7 p.m. respectively. The Doublewide food truck will be serving smashburgers during the event, and there will be a free shuttle from Cannonball Creek to downtown Denver.

Brewer’s Lounge GABF Showcase
Friday, October 11, 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, October 12, 4 to 10 p.m.
Cohesion Brewing
3851 Steele Street
This collaboration between Cohesion, Porch Drinking and the Block Distilling features a lineup of nationally renowned lager brands including Von Ebert, Resident Culture, Chuckanut, Wren House, Creature Comforts and Fair State on Friday as well as a Cohesion/Halfway Crooks collaboration. Saturday highlights beers from Pinthouse, Enegren, Maine Beer, Threes, pFriem, Jack’s Abby and Live Oak.

GCB’s Chilifest
Saturday, October 12, noon
Golden City Brewery
920 12th Street, Golden
Golden City Brewery will host twelve chefs as they compete for the best chili in Golden. The winner gets free beer for an entire year. The fundraiser supports the food pantry at Golden CAG.

Great Mexican Beer Fiesta
Saturday, October 12, 2 to 7 p.m.
Cervecería Colorado
1635 Platte Street
GMBF is a block party on Platte Street featuring five collaborations with Mexican craft breweries, food trucks and entertainment including music and lucha libre. Low-rider cruisers and a vendor market will also be on hand.

Beer Drinkers Breakfast
Sunday, October 13, 10 a.m.
Hogshead Brewery
4460 West 29th Street
Hogshead is throwing a breakfast to cap off the jam-packed week of activities. For $25, you’ll a twenty-ounce pint of beer plus an English-style breakfast from Hook & Hock butcher shop.

Spent Grain Breadmaking Class
Wednesday, October 16, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. classes.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
2875 Blake Street
Join Grainbakers for a class focused on making bread with spent grain from the brewing process. Guests can customize bread by adding one of many flavors from the on-hand spice collection. The class includes a bread and butter sampling, hands-on instruction, dough mixing, recipe and instruction guide. Tickets are $64.

Beers of the Week: Local Colorado Beers
During GABF week, there are hundreds of special beers available in the Colorado market from fine establishments across the country. Enjoy those beers this week, but don’t forget some of the fantastic beers being made locally, too. In preparation for the fantastic handful of days ahead, we’re taking a break from singling out just one specific beer.

Maybe you’ll go to one of Burns Family Artisan Ale’s many events and enjoy some house beer. Or perhaps you’ll go to one of the Cohesion showcases listed above and have a pale lager. The Hogshead ESB event seems like a great way to cap off a phenomenal week of beer, too. Maybe you’ll just wade through the sea of visitors at Bierstadt to get yourself a Slow Pour Pils. Whatever your choice, drink local, think local.