2020 Great American Beer Festival Goes Virtual with a GABF Passport

Though the 39th Great American Beer Festival (GABF) was cancelled many months ago, a new virtual event lives on and will take place during a 2-day online experience from October 16-17. To participate, a virtual GABF attendee must purchase a 2020 GABF Passport.  Passport holders will have exclusive access to deals at participating festival breweries nationwide in addition to online content during the virtual festival. GABF Passports cost $20.00 and can be purchased by clicking here.

During this two-day virtual event, GABF passport holders will be able to take in sessions that will cover a variety of topics including tips and tricks to enhance beer knowledge and enjoyment; stories from craft beer luminaries; profiles of breweries and individuals that are transforming their communities; and flavor fusions through beer and food pairings.

The virtual festivities will kick off on Friday, October 16 with the Great American Beer Festival Awards Ceremony beginning at 4:00pm PT. The presentation will be hosted on The Brewing Network and is open to the public. Upon the completion of the GABF Awards Ceremony, the virtual event will begin 6:00pm PT and will continue until 9:00pm. Then on the following day, Saturday’s virtual event will take place from 4:45 – 8:30pm PT. Awards ceremony and sessions will be hosted on The Brewing Network. The full schedule can be found by clicking here.

Virtual festival speakers include Ken Grossman (Sierra Nevada Brewing), Natalie and Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River Brewing Company), Garrett Oliver (Brooklyn Brewery), Gina Marsaglia (Pizza Port) and Tomme Arthur (The Lost Abby), Matt Meadows (New Belgium Brewing Company), Chef Danny Lee (Mandu and CHIKO), Marcus Baskerville (Weathered Souls Brewing Company), Jose D. Beteta, Tamil Maldonado Vega, and Martín D. Vargas (Raíces Brewing Co); among others.

In addition to the virtual event, GABF Passport Holders will also have exclusive access to on-site deals at participating breweries from October 1 – 18. These special deals will be available at 900 small and independent craft breweries from all 50 states. Here is the current list of participating breweries in Oregon and the offer for those with a GABF Passport. To check out all of offers from breweries in other states click here.