Fuel Up For The Great American Beer Festival

Photo provided by EDGE Restaurant & Bar

One of Denver’s biggest and most well known events takes place this month! The Great American Beer Festival draws 60k+ people from across the nation to our fair city, and this year marks the 40th anniversary for the annual event. Whether you’re in town visiting or a local enjoying the 500+ brewery tastes, you’re going to need some serious fuel to get you through GABF week. Feeling the effects of all that great beer? We rounded up several Denver options for you to help get you through the day.

Skip the pretzel necklace at GABF and instead step into the swanky EDGE Restaurant and EDGE Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Denver for a truly elevated version. The charcuterie & warm pretzel rolls feature gorgeous pretzel “cones” served in a dramatic vertical presentation along with charcuterie and dipping sauces including beer cheese, house apricot mustard, grilled fennel sausages and cornichons with a selection of River Bear meats. Bar visitors taking a break from the GABF should also try the simply named EDGE Bread, a freshly baked, warm and crusty round of bread served with a flight of butters including whipped Nduja and garlic confit for savory spreading. 

Photo provided by Federales

Before you head out to GABF in the morning opt for a spicier, zestier brunch at Federales. This RiNo restaurant and bar serves brunch that has a vibe with all the Mexican flavors, ingredients and favorites on board, from eggy brunch favorites to sweet and decadent, packed with flavor. Mexican-style brunch dishes to get you through the day include Chilaquiles with red salsa, corn tortilla, sour cream, queso fresco, green onion, cilantro, sunny side up egg; Avocado Toast spread with spicy guacamole, cherry tomato, cilantro, queso cotija, green onion and a poached egg; and if you have a sweet tooth don’t miss the Churro French Toast sweet and sassy with macerated berries and Rumchata whipped cream. Brunch at Federales is available 11-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Make a quick stop before leaving downtown and consider a fuel up at Three Saints Revival  where Chef John Broening and team oversee a menu of elevated and hearty lunch classics, including a killer burger that diners rave about. Chef Broening created the simply-named Wagyu Burger for big appetites. Though simple in name it’s a beautiful juicy burger with an umami flavor profile and served with aioli, house-made pickles, little gem lettuce and tomatoes, served on a house-made bun. Simple but packed with flavor for an upscale burger experience. Don’t miss the Roasted Pork sandwich with salsa verde and firecracker onions and the Rotisserie Chicken sandwich with aioli tapenade plus greens and tomatoes for additional substantial fare to see you through your day.

Photo provided by 5280 Burger Bar

The cure to your GABF hangover exists just blocks from the Colorado Convention Center at 5280 Burger Bar. Kick start recovery with a plate of Cheeseburger Egg Rolls before digging into the main event. Options include The Perfect Burger topped with gruyere cheese, bacon onion jam, pickled red onions, lettuce and the house-made roasted garlic aioli or go big with the Double Bypass – two Angus beef patties topped with two strips of pecan-wood smoked bacon, pickle chips, house-made cheese sauce, onion straws, house fry sauce and french fries (yes, inside).

Nothing works to energize and revive a group like a table filled with meats and sides at Work & Class. James Beard Award finalist Dana Rodriguez will fill you up with achiote braised Cochinita Pibil, Colorado Coriander Crusted Lamb and Red Wine Braised Short Rib. Soak up the previous evening’s activities with the fan-favorite Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese or Dirty Rice with Sausage and Peppers. No matter which proteins and sides you choose, Rodriguez and the team will have you feeling ready to start sipping award-winning beers again in no time.

Photo provided by EDGE Restaurant & Bar

Gather your GABF-going friends and hit up Super Mega Bien for shared plates to bring you back to life. Watch the passing carts and let the aromas of the dishes guide you as you fill the table with favorites like the Pork Wings featuring crispy fried pork shank and Cholula BBQ sauce; Ropa Vieja – Cuban style slow braised beef, jasmine rice, plantains, olive tapenade; and crispy Patatas Bravas with chorizo, parmesan, chives and spicy tomato aioli. The team at Split Lip and Eat Place, located at Number Thirty Eight, offers up a brunch menu that will revive you during GABF weekend. Order the Pork Roll Bodega with the fried egg, American cheese, black pepper butter and hashies on a Kaiser roll; the Breakfast Burger made with a breakfast beef patty and bacon coffee jam topped with American cheese, a fried egg and hashies or the Fried Chicken and Funnel Cakes which is exactly as indulgent as it sounds.