This weekend, Thursday-Saturday, marks the annual Great American Beer Festival, held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Since 1982, this three day event has become the premier beer festival and competition in the United States. Today, the event has grown to represent more than 4,000 different beers from more than 800 of the nation’s breweries. Attendees enjoy the opportunity to taste these beers, from across the country, amidst other craft beer enthusiasts. In preparation for this event, we take a look at the Jackson breweries that will be representing our valley of delicious craft beer. Today’s feature: Melvin Brewing Company.
Melvin brings the party. At least, that’s the reputation they’ve developed at GABF. Picture this: a tap bus with a range of Melvin brews flowing from the tap system, a DJ, an entourage of Melvin characters and an epic dance party. This is all inside the convention center. Outside, Melvin circled the building with a live band on a trailer and a t-shirt gun. At GABF, this isn’t necessarily the norm. Most breweries personalize their 8’x8’ booth, but not to this level. This year, Melvin gets its own corner of the convention center- perfect for their level of hype.
Danielle Caruso, Melvin marketing guru, explained to me what the festival is like for attendees: GABF is the best place to see all your favorite breweries from around the country, as well as the ones you’ve never heard of, showcasing their best beers in one place. In the spirit of competition, people represent their allegiances with brewery swag, but it also might be the best place to find a new favorite or try a style you never have before. One might even call it a journey of beer exploration. Bottom line: stoke is high!
And that’s just inside the festival. The whole city of Denver, and even the region, is teeming with brewery events surrounding the competition. Tonight, Melvin’s kicking it off with Melvin Monday at Boulder’s Backcountry Pizza, which was the first established beer hub in Boulder to offer Melvin’s brews on tap. On Wednesday, IPA and hop lovers rejoice for the All-Star IPA Throwdown at Falling Rock Tap House. Beginning at 9:30 p.m., consumers get the chance to drink 22 of the best IPAs around the country. This event is a great kick-off for GABF festivities and has been called “North America’s best showcase of IPAs under one roof.” If that wasn’t enough, they’re following it up Melvin-style at Summit Music Hall. Melvin Brewing Presents: Raekwon, GZA with very special guests from 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Here, the Shaolin masters of Wu Tang are on the mic while ten Melvin beers flow from the taps. Tickets are $36.
But wait, there’s more! There will be special tappings at the Melvin bus Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Join Melvin, in conjunction with Bierstadt Lagerhaus, on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. for Beer Hall Brawl. $25 gets you your first beer, a collector’s edition mug and a chance to see Hacksaw use his signature 2×4! Rocky Mountain Pro delivers the wrestling with former WWE Hardcore Champion Al Snow. Finally, Friday features the 10th annual Denver Rare Beer Tasting at McNichols Civic Center Building. Proceeds from this event go to the Pints for Prostates campaign. Melvin joins 74 American craft breweries in this event, from 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Stoked yet? Melvin Brewing sure is! This is just a small sample of the events happening surrounding GABF this week (the ones Melvin is participating in). Check back tomorrow and Wednesday for more information about the festival and our other local participants: Roadhouse Brewing Co. and Snake River Brewery.
A formidable competitor, these are the medals Melvin has previously brought back to Jackson, by brew:
Cherry Bomb: fruit beer category, 2012 silver and 2015 gold
Melvin IPA: fresh/wet hop category, 2015 bronze, 2016 & 2017 gold; American strong pale ale category, 2012 gold
2×4: imperial IPA category, 2012 gold
Hubert: American strong pale ale category, 2017 gold
2015 Brewpub of the Year
2017 Brewery Group of the Year
3rd Annual All-Star IPA Throwdown Participants:
Melvin Brewing
Hubbard Brewery