Celebrate the Great American Beer Fest With These 11 Events

Even if you missed out on tickets for the sold-out Great American Beer Fest that rolls into town Thursday through Saturday this week, you still have plenty of chances to partake in related festivities. If you want to soak in all things beer-centric going on in Denver, here's a starting point of 11 events to check out during GABF.

Looking for a laugh?

For the eve of GABF, Renegade Brewing is teaming up with Sexpot Comedy to bring Offensively Delicious to the Oriental Theater on Wednesday, October 1 at 6 p.m. The craft beer comedy show will start off with two hours of open tasting from 10 breweries, including Epic, Ommegang, and Schmaltz. The show will start at 8 p.m. with an open-mic session featuring representatives from the participating breweries, then pro comedians Andy Juett, Adam Cayton-Holland, and headliner Nikki Glaser will take the stage. Tickets cost $40 and include sampling and three full pours during the show.

On Wednesday, October 1, San Diego's Green Flash Brewing Co. will tap its 2014 edition of Treasure Chest, the brewery's breast cancer awareness beer. The release is part of the Brew Night Show with Marty Jones held at Lannie's Clocktower Caberet starting at 8 p.m. The evening will feature humor, music, and, beer, with GABF founder Charlie Papazian also making an appearance. Tickets cost $20.

Taste and tap with the best of them

For those whose taste skews sour, don't miss the Bruery Terreux launch party at Cart-Driver on Wednesday, October 1 at 5 p.m. Five brand-new beers will be unveiled as part of the Bruery's Terreux project, which focuses on farmhouse-style ales. Representatives from the brewery will also be on hand to discuss these sours, which won't be available at GABF. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and includes wood-fired appetizers.

Head to the Source on Wednesday, October 1 from 6 to 11 p.m. for a Firestone Walker tap takeover. Four vendors will be offering different beers from the brewery: Velvet Merkin and Pivo Pils at Acorn; Comida will serve DBA and Union Jack; you'll find Agrestic, Sucaba, Lil Opal, and Unfiltered DBA at newly opened Yacht Club; Crooked Stave will feature a collaborative brew.

If you're looking to try as much beer as possible, the 50 Firkin Fiasco at Epic Brewing Company on Thursday, October 2 will afford that opportunity. From 2 to 7 p.m. sample 50 different handcrafted firkins from the brewery. Admission is $25 and includes a souvenir tasting glass. Bonus: The first 100 people through the door get a free T-shirt.

Drop by World of Beer's LoDo location on Thursday, October 2 from 4 p.m. to midnight for Upslope Utopia. With more than 30 beers slated to be on tap, it will mark Upslope's largest tapping ever.

Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza will be the site of a barley wine tasting from Deschutes Brewery on Saturday, October 4 from 7 to 8 p.m. You'll get to sip on the Mirror Mirror Barley Wine while learning about this style of craft brew.

Dorchester Social Eatery will host a cider/cocktail event with Wandering Angus and the Colorado Cider Company on Saturday, October 4 at 2 p.m. There will be a special firkin from the Colorado Cider Company and signature kegs from Wandering Angus.

When you need a meal break

Hit up the Suds 'N Sliders event at Highland Tap & Burger on Wednesday, October 1 at 6 p.m., where you can enjoy four different sliders, each paired with a local Colorado brew. From a mini Maine lobster roll with Ska Brewing's True Blonde Dubbel to a braised beef short rib variety served alongside Imperial Pumpkin Porter from Avery, you'll quench your thirst and fill your stomach for $30.

Pregame GABF on Friday, October 3 and Saturday, October 4 at the Corner Office, where the Hop Out of Bed breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. Items like biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, and porchetta hash will be paired with a selection of beers from SKA Brewing Company, Great Divide Brewery, Oskar Blues, and more.

Take part in a brewer's lunch at Cheba Hut on Friday, October 3 from 1 to 3 p.m., when you can meet the team behind Stone Brewing Co. Special-release beers like Stone Cali-Belgique IPA and 10 Barrel/Bluejacket/Stone Suede Imperial Porter will be poured.

· Beer Dinners Ring In The Great American Beer Festival [EDen]
· 25 Denver Breweries Recommended by Locals [EDen]
· The Ultimate Guide to Dining in LoDo [EDen]