Sorry, we don't serve bears beers at this bar at the Great American Beer Festival

October 7, 10:42 PMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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Denver's thirsty Blue Bear peers
into the Convention Center - sorry - no
ticket - no admittance.  We don't serve bears.

Sorry.  We don’t serve bears beers at this bar.  It’s Tuesday evening.  Two full days of Great American Beer Festival setup has transpired.   47,000 festival goers, brewers, staff and volunteers will be enjoying over 1800 beers Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   Not only is it a sellout but we won’t be serving bears - with or without a ticket.

    Over 5 miles of clean beer lines will be going through the final touches tomorrow.  A job that volunteer experts have been working hard on for months.  It all comes together quickly in the three days prior to the opening doors.

    This is my 27th year in attendance since I founded the event in 1982.   It's always an eerie feeling walking the empty hall the days before as set up evolves knowing that all that beer will flow to the enjoyment of beer lovers who have come from all over the world. 

 Photo left: Over 5 miles of beer tap lines get fitted in preparation

    At the same time, the judges have arrived.  This evening they’ve gone through their annual orientation, led by competition director, Chris Swersey.  Over 125 beer judges from all over the world sharpen their palates with a brief sensory presentation of a standard pale ale, spiked with various levels of bitterness.  Can they rate the five samples from lowest to most bitter?  We learn about beer, bitterness and ourselves as judges.  Wednesday through Thursday, about 2,900 beers will be judged in 75 categories.  There is a serious tone that prevails yet it is a time for renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances at the judges reception at Rock Bottom Brewery, Denver.

 Photo right: Dogfish Head's booth one of many.  Won't be this empty
during the fest.

    2,600 volunteers are also checking in.  They’ve come from all across America and some from other continents.  Taking a week off  to to serve up America’s beer culture.

     This is an exciting week for all involved and all who will attend. 

     It began for me yesterday, Monday, in the chambers of the Denver City Council meeting as I accepted a unanimous proclamation from the Council honoring the Great American Beer Festival and all who are involved.

     Tomorrow I judge in the morning and afternoon.   And then there’s more.

Photo below: Judges go through sensory discussion before judging commences Wednesday morning