Fall is a season like no other for Colorado’s craft-beer zealots. This month, close to 580 breweries from across the country will descend on the Mile High City—many toting small batches of rare brew—for the 31st annual Great American Beer Festival (GABF), put on by the Boulder-based nonprofit Brewers Association. The sudsy extravaganza (October 11 to 13) attracts about 50,000 pretzel necklace–wearing beer drinkers and grows more popular each year. (GABF tickets sold out in a record 45 minutes this year, compared to last year’s seven days.) The city also pays homage to local microbrews with its own Denver Beer Fest (October 5 to 13), a weeklong celebration that includes special tastings and tours all over town. What more could beer-obsessed Coloradans ask for?

Visit 5280.com/eatanddrink throughout October for coverage of the Great American Beer Festival and Denver Beer Fest.

5280 October 2012
More From The Issue