Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is a three-day annual event hosted by the Brewers Association, held in Denver, Colorado, in mid to late September or early October. The GABF brings visitors from around the world to sample thousands of different American craft beers. Over 100 beer judges from the United States and abroad evaluate beer in the associated competition, ultimately judging several thousand beers entered by hundreds of domestic breweries. Gold, silver and bronze medals in 92 beer-style categories (as of 2015) are awarded, though not every medal is necessarily awarded in each category.
Started in 1982, the GABF was created by nuclear engineer Charlie Papazian in Boulder, Colorado. The original GABF had 22 participating breweries and the 2014 festival had over 700. The GABF is considered the largest ticketed beer festival in the United States.[1]
Statistics
For a list of all medalists, please see the List of Great American Beer Festival medalists
2011
- Attendance - 49,000
- Breweries at the fest - 466
- Beers at the fest - 2,375
- Beers in the competition - 3,930
- Category with the most entries - American-Style India Pale Ale, 176 entries
- Medals awarded - 248 + 3 in Pro-Am [2]
2010
- Attendance - 49,000
- Breweries at the fest - 455
- Beers at the fest - 2,248
- Beers in the competition - 3,523
- Category with the most entries - American-Style India Pale Ale, 150 entries
- Medals awarded - 236 + 3 in Pro-Am [2]
2009
- Attendance - 49,576
- Breweries at the fest - 457
- Beers at the fest - 2,100
- Breweries in the competition - 495
- Beers in the competition - 3,308
- Category with the most entries - American-Style India Pale Ale, 134 entries
- Medals awarded - 234 + 3 in Pro-Am [2]
2008
- Attendance - 46,000
- Breweries at the fest - 432
- Beers at the fest - 2,052
- Breweries in the competition - 472
- Beers in the competition - 2,902
- Category with most entries - American Style India Pale Ale: 106
- Medals awarded - 222 + 3 in Pro-Am [2]
2007
- Attendance - 46,000
- Breweries at the fest - 408
- Beers at the fest - 1,884
- Breweries in the competition - 473
- Beers in the competition - 2,973
- Category with most entries - American Style India Pale Ale: 120
- Medals awarded - 222 + 3 in Pro-Am
2006
- Attendance - 41,000
- Breweries at the fest - 384
- Beers at the fest - 1,668
- Breweries in the competition - 450
- Beers in the competition - 2,402
- Category with most entries - American Style India Pale Ale: 94
- Medals awarded - 203
2005
- Attendance - 29,500
- Breweries at the fest - 377
- Beers at the fest - 1,672
- Breweries in the competition - 466
- Beers in the competition - 2,335
- Category with most entries - American Style India Pale Ale: 103
- Medals awarded - 206
2004
- Attendance - 28,000
- Breweries at the fest - 334
- Beers at the fest - 1,454
- Breweries in the competition - 398
- Beers in the competition - 2,016
- Medals awarded - 201