Today, the taps are open, the crowds are ready, and the aroma of hops is in the air — the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) officially kicks off Thursday, October 9, at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center. Running through Saturday, October 11, this legendary three-day event remains one of the largest and most celebrated beer gatherings in the world.

What many may not realize is that this nationwide phenomenon started right here in Boulder, Colorado.

Back in 1982, homebrewing pioneer Charlie Papazian hosted the very first GABF at the Hilton Harvest House Hotel in Boulder, featuring just 24 breweries and 47 beers. Inspired by the Great British Beer Festival, Papazian envisioned a U.S. event that would spotlight creativity, craftsmanship, and community. Boulder — already a hub for innovation and collaboration — was the perfect place for that dream to take flight.

Within two short years, the festival had outgrown its Boulder home and moved to Denver, where it continues to expand in size and influence. What began as a modest local gathering now welcomes tens of thousands of attendees and features thousands of beers from breweries across the country. The GABF has become the ultimate stage for American brewing excellence — and Boulder’s fingerprints are still all over it.

This year’s sessions run as follows:

• Thursday, Oct 9: 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. ($85)

• Friday, Oct 10: 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. ($95)

• Saturday, Oct 11: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. ($95)

• 3-Day Festival Pass: $220

• PAIRED (Beer + Food): Thursday or Friday 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. ($129)

• Designated Driver Tickets: $35

(Official ticket info)

While the main event unfolds in downtown Denver, the Boulder connection runs deep. Local brewing icons such as Avery Brewing, Twisted Pine, and Upslope continue to embody the same spirit of experimentation and independence that defined Boulder’s early brewing scene. The city’s love for craft beer — paired with its creative energy and outdoor lifestyle — helped inspire the culture that the GABF celebrates every year.

So as beer lovers gather today to sample thousands of creations from across the country, Boulderites can take pride knowing this entire celebration began in their own backyard. From a single hotel ballroom to a national stage, the Great American Beer Festival remains a testament to Colorado’s brewing legacy and Boulder’s lasting influence.

Twisted Pine Brewing

Whether you’re traveling down to Denver to raise a glass or staying local and toasting with friends under the Flatirons, remember: the festival that changed American beer forever started right here at home.

Here’s to Boulder’s pioneering spirit — and to the brewers, dreamers, and beer lovers who continue to keep that tradition alive.

For more Boulder stories, culture, and events, visit this local site.

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