PHOTOS: Great American Beer Festival Day 1

People cheer as they enter the main hall before the start of the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette

Bart Hauptman tries a sample during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Jeff Beer tries a sample during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Beer, and that is his real name, said he’s been coming to the beer festival for over 30 years now.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Volunteers pour beer for participants during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Cans of Cold Front, a Winter Lager from Avery Brewing Co. sit in an ice bath during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

People stand in line before the start of the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Award trophies sit backstage during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Beer samples from Launch Pad Brewery sit on a table ready to pour during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Volunteers pour beer for participants during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Kevin Harris, dressed as a CareBeer, tries a beer sample from Full Frame Beer during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Beau Langston tries a sample of beer during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Jeff Beer tries a sample during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. Beer, and that is his real name, said he’s been coming to the beer festival for over 30 years now.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

People walk between booths beneath a large inflatable astronaut during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Michael Salazar struggles to hold two pint glasses full of water during a stein holding competition on the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Michael Salazar struggles to hold two pint glasses full of water during a stein holding competition on the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Bagpipers perform a song as people are let in to the beer hall at the start of the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Pretzels hang on a necklace as participants enjoy their first beer samples during the first night of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. (Stephen Swofford, Denver Gazette)

Denver Gazette

PHOTOS: Great American Beer Festival Day 1

Stephen Swofford

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