Beer lovers in the USA have much reason to be grateful for the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) because it gave rise to the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), America’s premier beer event, which is held annually in Denver, Colorado. It is organised by the Brewers Association (BA), the not-for-profit trade group representing small and independent American craft brewers.
The latest GABF drew tens of thousands of attendees and, once again, showcased the breadth and creativity of today’s beverage scene. While beer remained the undisputed star of the show, the presence of spirits, cider, hard kombucha, hard seltzers, hard tea, ready-to-drink cocktails, gluten-free and low/no-alcohol options proved that they all have a place in today’s contemporary drinking culture.
More than a tasting event, GABF has become a multi-sensory celebration. Breweries were grouped into themed zones such as Prost! (a tribute to German biergartens), Score! (a sports-themed hub), Fright! (Halloween-inspired) and Blast Off! (showcasing ‘beyond beer’ beverages). There were also a Meet the Brewer section, Chill (a backyard-style space with live music and lawn games) and the new Mile High Stage for live music and entertainment. Running alongside the main festival, PAIRED united Michelin-starred chefs and world-class brewers, offering guests exquisite beer-and-food combinations that pushed the limits of pairing creativity. With 500 breweries, cideries, and distilleries pouring more than 2,000 beverages, GABF once again delivered something for every palate.
The latest trends that readers might like to hear about are as follows:
The haze craze lives on: even after a decade in the spotlight, juicy/hazy IPAs continue to dominate the US craft beer landscape. First recognised as an official style by the Brewers Association in 2018, it remains the most competitive category at both GABF and the World Beer Cup. The wide range of ‘hazies’ at the festival proved the style’s staying power, with brewers refining mouthfeel, developing aroma and flavour and layering complexity while maintaining that subdued bitterness that appeals to both newcomers and IPA loyalists. A flagship example is Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing, which was launched in 2018 and is now the best-selling hazy IPA in America and widely available around the world.
Lager than life: long hailed as ‘the next big thing’, lager had its moment at GABF. Brewers showcased an eclectic array of lager brewing excellence from Firestone Walker’s Pivo Pils to Deschutes’ Fresh Hop King Crispy, plus dry-hopped, smoked, fruit-infused, and salt-lime variations. Classic European styles, from Japanese rice and Italian pilsners to Oktoberfest Märzens, Dunkels, and Schwarzbiers, reinforced lager’s growing popularity.
Packaging Innovation: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co has recently taken the bold move of launching their German style pilsner, PILS in 8.4oz (250ml) cans, designed to reflect European drinking culture and keep the beer ‘fresh and cold from first to last sip’. Look out for it in export markets shortly. At the other end of the spectrum, the 19.2oz (568ml) ‘stovepipe’ can continues to gain popularity with US drinkers looking for value and convenience.
Beyond beer: for the first time in its 43-year history, GABF introduced a Distilling Experience, with 20 craft distilleries pouring whiskey, gin, vodka and botanical spirits. The move mirrors a growing trend; one in four US craft breweries now produces beverages other than beer.
Low and no alcohol: reflecting the rise of mindful drinking, low and no-alcohol beers were a strong presence on the festival floor. Standout producers included Athletic Brewing Co, Deschutes, Sierra Nevada, and Samuel Adams, all demonstrating that moderation and flavour can happily coexist.
The competition: this year’s GABF competition evaluated 8,315 entries from 1,555 breweries and cideries, awarding 347 medals to 273 producers. Notable winners included Allagash Brewing Co, taking gold for Allagash Tripel and Allagash Lager, plus the prestigious Brewery Group of the Year award. Oskar Blues also struck gold with Dale’s Pale Ale. The categories with the most entries were Juicy/Hazy IPA, West Coast IPA, Oktoberfest, German Pilsner and Hoppy Lager
Evolving with the times: from its humble beginnings in 1982, when just 700 people gathered in Boulder, Colorado, the Great American Beer Festival remains a benchmark of brewing excellence. It’s a celebration of creativity, innovation and community that continues to adapt to changing tastes while staying true to its craft beer roots. With new categories, diverse beverages, and a spirit of inclusivity, GABF proves that beer and beverages bring people together like nothing else.
Lotte Peplow
Lotte is the Brewers Association’s American Craft Beer Ambassador for Europe. he BA represents over 5,600 independent craft brewers in the USA and its seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. For more information, go to www.brewersassociation.org.