As the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) unfolds this year, presenting an impressive array of thousands of beers from over 500 breweries, one must confront a stark reality: you can’t sample them all, nor can you explore every brewery present. However, armed with a well-devised plan, whether you’re a seasoned GABF veteran or a first-time attendee, you can make the most of this unparalleled beer extravaganza.
To help you embark on your GABF journey, we’ve diligently scoured the beer list to identify the crème de la crème of this year’s offerings.
Starting Strong: Begin with your initial sips while your palate remains fresh; this is where you’ll find the best experiences.
Must-Try Beers: Among the must-try selections are Three Floyds’ Dark Lord and Alpha King, Dogfish Head’s Oloroso Sherry 120 Minute IPA, Austin Beer Garden’s Industry Pils, WeldWerks’ Tropical and Amburana Vanilla Medianoches, and Russian River’s DDH Pliny the Elder.
Hidden Gems: Delve into the New York Brewers Guild booth in the United in Beer section, where two exceptional hazy IPA makers are making waves. On Thursday and Friday, indulge in Other Half’s Broccoli double IPA, and on Saturday, savor Fidens’ Jasper with Nelson DIPA.
Heavy Medal Pavilion: Don’t miss the Heavy Medal Pavilion, exclusively offering GABF-winning beers. This year’s pour list boasts exceptional breweries, so make sure to take a lap or two.
