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Covid-19 cancels the Great American Beer Festival for 2nd year

America’s largest beer festival – The Great American Beer Festival has been officially canceled for the second year in a row.

The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade organization announced today that despite vaccinations and the country re-opening, that health and safety concerns will still be too great to hold the 60,000 person indoor gathering in 2021. Instead, the Brewers Association plans to host GABF with in-person attendance for the event’s 40th anniversary in 2022.

RELATED: BREWERS ASSOCIATION RELEASES TOP BREWERIES (VOLUME) FOR 2020

Despite the in-person event cancelation, GABF and the Brewers Association will host the beer competition portion of the event, just like they did in 2020.

“We are disappointed to cancel the festival portion of GABF for the second year in a row. While we will miss celebrating with beer lovers and our craft brewing community, we are excited to continue with the GABF competition and national passport program this year. We look forward to convening in person for the festival’s 40th anniversary in 2022.” – said Bob Pease, president and CEO for the Brewers Association

Winners of the 2021 competition will be announced on  September 10, 2021, at the Colorado Convention Center. live-streamed from the Bellco Theatre on The Brewing Network.

In lieu of the in-person event, the “passport program” will return for a 2nd year, from September 17 through October 17, 2021. The Passport gives the holder exclusive deals at breweries across the U.S. More than 1,100 breweries from all 50 states were a part of the program in 2020. Brewery registration for the 2021 passport program opens June 29 at GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com.

In contrast, the Denver Beer Week, an annual event usually held coinciding with GABF will be held September 9-12.

Additionally, VISIT DENVER is hosting a nine-day celebration of craft beer Starting September 10th.