Great American Beer Festival 2024 Location and Insider Scoop

If you’re searching for the heart of American beer culture this fall, you’ll find it right in Denver, Colorado. That's where the Great American Beer Festival sets up shop yet again in 2024. The Colorado Convention Center is the go-to spot. It’s been the home for years, and for good reasons: space for thousands, a central city location, and an energy you just don’t get anywhere else.

Mark your calendar. The festival runs October 10th to 12th this year. Those dates aren’t random—fall means crisp weather, prime for sampling all kinds of brews without melting in the sun or shivering outside in line. Denver turns into a playground for beer lovers, and it’s not just about what’s inside the festival walls. Local bars, breweries, and even food joints crank up the excitement during GABF week.

• Official Location for 2024
• Why It Stays in Denver
• Event Dates and Schedule
• Buying Tickets and Getting In
• What to See and Do Around Denver
• Tips for Navigating the Festival

Official Location for 2024

The Great American Beer Festival 2024 is back at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. This has been its home base for years, and it’s not hard to see why. You’ll find the Convention Center smack in the middle of the action—within walking distance to dozens of great hotels, restaurants, and bars. The full address is 700 14th Street, Denver, CO 80202.

This spot is perfect for a huge event: the Convention Center can hold around 60,000 people over the three-day festival. Inside, there’s enough space for all the beer booths, official merch stalls, and special events. Plus, those giant blue bear statues looking through the windows always make for fun photos.

• Easy to get to by light rail, rideshare, or even on foot if you’re staying nearby
• Parking is on-site but fills up quickly—think about using public transit
• It’s wheelchair accessible, and staff are helpful if you need assistance
• Hotels around the Convention Center sell out early, so book your room as soon as you snag tickets

Here’s a snapshot of the basics:

If you’re planning to bring friends or meet up with a crew, it’s easy to coordinate at this spot. Cell phone service is pretty good throughout, but it can get spotty in crowded areas, so set a meeting point just in case. And keep an eye on the Convention Center’s website—sometimes the entrance changes depending on construction or special events in the area.

Why It Stays in Denver

Ever wonder why the Great American Beer Festival always calls Denver home? There’s more to it than just good beer. First off, the Colorado Convention Center gives organizers the room to fit over 60,000 thirsty folks and thousands of breweries—no other venue in the U.S. has handled that kind of beer-loving crowd as smoothly.

Denver sits pretty much in the middle of everywhere, making it easy to reach from major cities coast-to-coast. Factor in direct flights and a solid light rail system, and it’s easy to get there without the headache of a rental car. The city already has more than 150 breweries—not to mention some legendary brewpubs—so the whole town gets pumped for the festival, not just the convention center.

Here’s a quick look at what makes Denver the ideal GABF spot:

• Massive convention center with beer-friendly rules
• Excellent local craft beer culture
• Reliable transit, hotels, and an airport close to downtown
• Crowd-ready infrastructure—restaurants, hotels, and public transportation rise to the challenge every year
• Weather—October is usually dry and cool, which is pretty much perfect for drinking beer inside or wandering between bars

If you need some numbers to back it up, check out this table comparing Denver to other major beer cities when it comes to handling festival-sized crowds:

No city beats Denver’s combo of capacity, beer variety, and affordability in October. Plus, locals are used to big events, so you won’t get weird looks if you’re walking around downtown in a pretzel necklace.

Event Dates and Schedule

Block off October 10th to 12th, 2024. That’s when the Great American Beer Festival takes over the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The action is spread across three jam-packed days, each with its own unique energy and beer lineup. Organizers have set up sessions for both daytime explorers and night owls, so you can pick what fits your vibe—or just go all out and try them all.

Here’s how it’s laid out this year:

If you want the freshest pours and a shot at rare brews, Thursday’s opening tends to have limited releases. Saturday’s early session is a bit more chill, making it easier to chat with brewers, while Saturday night is about big crowds and big energy. And it’s not just about wandering around—there are seminars, beer and food pairing experiences, even meet-the-brewer moments if you’re quick.

• Entry typically starts 30 minutes before each session, so don’t show up late if you want to maximize your tasting time.
• The awards ceremony—a huge highlight for brewers—is held Saturday afternoon. If you geek out over the best new brews in America, don’t skip that.
• Most pours wrap up 15 minutes before closing, so plan a last call run!

Every session has something a little different, and tickets are sold by session, not for the whole weekend. That makes it handy if you want to pop in for just one or two days without feeling like you’re missing out.

Buying Tickets and Getting In

If you want to be part of the Great American Beer Festival this year, you’ll need a game plan for snagging tickets. Seriously, don’t wait around—these babies sell out every single year. In 2024, general public ticket sales opened on June 26 at 10 a.m. (Mountain Time) and pretty much disappeared in just a few hours. Members of the American Homebrewers Association got early access on June 25, which was a nice perk if you belong to that crowd. Single-day tickets were priced at $95 before fees, while a VIP "Pint Pass" badge (with extra tastings and an exclusive lounge area) ran closer to $200.

Here’s how the ticket system works:

• Set up an account through AXS, the official event ticketing platform, before sales open.
• Jump on right at 10 a.m. and keep refreshing—sometimes glitches or digital crowds bog things down.
• You’ll need your ID and a card ready. Don’t mess around with Apple Pay or anything that might add steps.
• All tickets are mobile this year. No printing, no mail—just your phone.

If you’re traveling from out of town and hoping to go with a group, try buying in one transaction. There’s a limit: you can grab up to eight tickets per purchase.

Once you’ve got your golden ticket, you’re set. Don’t forget to bring valid, government-issued photo ID, because nobody under 21 gets in—not even for a peek. Even if you just want to be the designated driver, you need your own ticket (those are at a reduced price and include unlimited soft drinks).

Wondering how ticket prices have evolved over the years? Here’s a quick look:

The festival entry lines started moving quickly after the organizers switched to mobile scanning. Last year, the average wait in line was about 25 minutes during peak entry times, and as short as 5 minutes if you showed up a little after the first rush.

Pro tip: Check your phone battery and bring an external charger. You’ll need your device for everything from showing your ticket to grabbing a ride home after all that sampling!

What to See and Do Around Denver

When you’re not sampling hops at the Great American Beer Festival, Denver keeps things lively. You don’t have to wander far from the Colorado Convention Center to get a taste (literally and figuratively) of what makes this city buzz.

For beer lovers, start right in the Ballpark and RiNo Districts. They’re packed with craft breweries like Our Mutual Friend, Great Divide, and Ratio Beerworks—each has its own thing going on. Some spots host GABF week events, so check brewery calendars; these are popular hangouts for out-of-town brewers.

Want to take in the views? City Park puts you face-to-face with mountain backdrops. The Denver Botanic Gardens show off local plant life, and the Denver Art Museum has enough exhibits to fill a rainy afternoon. Sports fans? Coors Field sits close by, home to the Colorado Rockies. Even outside of game days, the tours are worth it if you’re curious about baseball or just want some fun photos downtown.

• Union Station: Not just a transportation hub—this place is filled with indie coffee shops, farm-to-table restaurants, and lively bars for post-festival hangs.
• Larimer Square: Historic block with string-lit patios, great restaurants, and shops. It’s picturesque, especially at night.
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: It’s out of town (about 25 minutes), but if you catch a concert or want a morning hike, it’s unforgettable.

If you’re looking for food, Denver delivers. Try a green chili smothered burrito at Santiago’s or any taco spot in the Highlands. Breakfast-wise, make time for Snooze—get there early or expect a wait, especially during festival weekends.

If you want a breather from the downtown crowd, the RTD light rail makes it easy to get around. Grab a day pass and explore further neighborhoods. Bring comfy shoes—you'll do more walking than you think!

Tips for Navigating the Festival

The Great American Beer Festival is huge—over 500 breweries poured more than 2,300 beers at last year’s event, so it gets wild in the best way. If you want to make the most of your visit and not just stumble from booth to booth, a few easy tips will save you time and hassle.

The Colorado Convention Center can feel like an endless maze. Download the GABF official app before you arrive—it lists every brewery, the beer lineup, and even lets you map your must-tastes. I’ve seen folks spend half the night wandering around searching for a brewery, so a digital guide in your hand is a lifesaver.

"Bring a water bottle and drink as much water as beer," says Julia Herz, former Brewers Association Craft Beer Program Director. "You’ll thank yourself the next day."

Eat before you go! Food inside is decent, but festival lines move at glacier speed during primetime. There are great breakfast and lunch spots near the Convention Center—Snooze and Sam’s No. 3 are classics for filling up before your first pour.

Lines happen fast, especially at booths pouring medal-winners or trending breweries. Go early for the rare stuff—you’ll see some taps blow within the first hour. Also, skip the biggest lines in the main hall and scope out overlooked breweries; you’ll find gems with shorter waits. Don’t worry about missing something—you can only sample so much!

• Bring a portable phone charger. Your phone will be working overtime for photos, notes, and directions.
• Grab the commemorative tasting glass at check-in, but don’t lose it—they don’t do replacements if you drop yours halfway in.
• Wear comfy shoes. The average guest walks over 2 miles during a session. Blisters ruin GABF real fast.
• If you want fest swag, hit the merch shop early—sizes and favorites sell out by Friday afternoon.

You’ll also want to have a look at this quick stat sheet from last year for an idea of what to expect:

For a smooth exit, remember—ride shares surge, so public transit can save you even more time and cash. And last, pace yourself. Seriously, your taste buds and your memory will both be grateful.