Second Annual Denver Beer Fest: A Citywide Suds Celebration

Denver’s reputation as one of the world’s great beer cities will be further cemented during the second annual Denver Beer Fest, Sept. 10-19, a citywide brew-centric experience leading up to the marquee event: America’s most prestigious beer festival and competition, the Brewers Association’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held September 16-18.

DENVER BEER FEST HIGHLIGHTS

Brew at the Zoo, Sept. 10, 7-10 p.m.
Join the creatures of the night at the Denver Zoo for a “suds safari” featuring offerings from more than 40 of Colorado’s finest breweries, complimentary food from Denver’s best local restaurants, plus live music and dancing. Cost: $65 for general public, $85 for preview ticket that includes early admission at 6 p.m. More Info and Tickets

Tilted Kilt Beer Fest Launch Party, Sept. 10, 5-10 p.m.
The 16th Street Mall’s irreverent Irish pub is kicking off Denver Beer Fest in high style, with Colorado brews on tap, three Colorado brewery craftsmen on hand, beer trivia, contests, and giveaways. More Info

Panzano, Sept. 10-19
Considered one of Denver’s most acclaimed fine-dining establishments, Panzano will replace its five beer taps with Colorado-brewed beers during Denver Beer Fest.

Tour de Fat, Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
A freewheeling day full of beer, bikes, live music, and sustainability in Denver’ City Park, New Belgium Brewing Co.’s Tour de Fat kicks off with a head-turning costumed bike parade and, encouraging responsible consumption, concludes with one person handing over the keys to his or her car in exchange for a bicycle. Tour de Fat is free, but beer and merchandise proceeds go to local Denver cycling non-profits. More Info

Great American Beer Fest (GABF), Sept. 16-18, various hours
Known the world over as the “Super Bowl of Beer,” this enormous craft beer blow-out at the Colorado Convention Center brings 522 breweries to Denver in 2010, who will serve more than 2,238 beers to nearly 50,000 attendees. More Info and Tickets

Rare Beer Tasting II, Sept. 17, 1-4 p.m.
One of the highlights of the first Denver Beer Fest, this event returns to the Wynkoop Brewing Co. in 2010 with brewers from across the U.S. presenting 24 rare, exotic and hard to find brews. The event raises funds for Pints for Prostates, a campaign that uses the universal language of beer to reach men with an important health message. Brewers and beers will be announced in August. Tickets are $80. Watch a short video of last year’s event. More Info and Tickets
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ktoberfest Denver, Sept. 17-19, Sept. 24-26, various hours
Putting the “bier” in Denver Beer Fest again, this year’s celebration of all-things German takes place on back-to-back weekends in Denver’s Ballpark District, LoDo, and features oompah bands, bratwurst, dancing, and, of course, beer. More Info

Second City “Beer-Prov,” Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Denver Beer Fest’s closing event, “Beer-Prov” at the Garner Galleria Theatre will be a special improvisational set by Chicago’s legendary comedy group, The Second City, featuring an all-beer theme and a cast fueled by onstage consumption of beer. More Info and Tickets
More Denver beer happenings are added daily, with www.DenverBeerFest.com serving as a one-stop shop for Beer Fest information, including events sponsored by some of the more than 500 breweries coming to town for GABF.

DENVER BEER FEST HOTEL PACKAGES

Micro Brew Walking Tour Package, Grand Hyatt Denver
Voted “Denver’s Best Hotel Package” by Westword, this package includes special premiums at five of Denver’s best brew pubs. The self-guided walking tour takes beer lovers to Breckenridge Brewery, Denver Chop House, Great Divide, Rock Bottom Brewery and Wynkoop Brewing Company as well as a $10 discount on the purchase of two lunch or dinner entrees at Grand Hyatt Denver’s 1876 Restaurant. Starting at $249.

Mile High Microbrew Package, Hyatt Regency Denver
This package provides special tastings or deals at Breckenridge Brewery, Denver ChopHouse, Great Divide, Rock Bottom Brewery, Wynkoop Brewing Company and Blake Street Tavern. Starting at $229.

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About VISIT DENVER, The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Celebrating more than 100 years of promoting the Mile High City, VISIT DENVER is a nonprofit trade association that contracts with the City of Denver to market Denver as a convention and leisure destination, increasing economic development in the city, creating jobs, and generating taxes. Tourism is the second-largest industry in Denver, generating $2.8 billion in annual spending in 2009, while supporting 65,000 jobs. For more information on Denver, call 800-2-DENVER or visit Denver’s official website at VISITDENVER.com.