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The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the most significant annual gathering of the craft brewing industry in the United States, has officially announced the culinary roster for PAIRED, its premier food-and-beer tasting event. Scheduled for October 9–10 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, the 2025 PAIRED program represents a significant escalation in the festival’s gastronomic ambitions. This year’s lineup features a dense concentration of James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred restaurateurs, and television personalities, signaling a deliberate effort by the Brewers Association to bridge the gap between high-end culinary arts and independent craft brewing.
Since its inception, PAIRED has served as an intimate counterpoint to the expansive GABF festival floor, which hosts hundreds of breweries and thousands of attendees. By limiting capacity and focusing on the synergy between specific flavor profiles, the event has become a bellwether for trends in the hospitality industry. The 2025 edition is poised to be the most expansive yet, featuring over 25 chefs from across the nation, each tasked with creating small plates designed to complement rare and award-winning beers curated specifically for the occasion.
A Dominant Presence of Colorado’s Culinary Elite
The 2025 PAIRED lineup is anchored by a formidable selection of Colorado-based talent, reflecting the state’s rapid ascent in the national dining conversation following the arrival of the Michelin Guide in 2023. Leading the local contingent is Caroline Glover, the founder of Annette and Travelling Mercies in Aurora. Glover, who earned the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain in 2022, makes her PAIRED debut this year. Her inclusion comes on the heels of significant national recognition; her bar, Travelling Mercies, was recently named a James Beard Best New Bar semifinalist for 2025 and was listed among Esquire’s Best Bars in America for 2024.
Joining Glover are Kelly Whitaker and Mara King, the visionaries behind the Id Est Hospitality Group. Whitaker, the 2024 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurateur, oversees a portfolio that includes The Wolf’s Tailor and Bruto—both of which currently hold Michelin stars. Their participation underscores the festival’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, as Whitaker’s restaurants are known for their rigorous focus on heritage grains and zero-waste philosophies.
The Mountain region’s culinary prestige is further bolstered by Matt Vawter of Rootstalk and Radicato in Breckenridge. Vawter, the 2024 James Beard Best Chef: Mountain winner, brings a high-altitude perspective to the event. He is joined by Josh Niernberg of Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction, a 2025 finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Chef (National) award. Niernberg’s presence highlights the geographic diversity of Colorado’s food scene, proving that the state’s culinary innovation extends well beyond the Denver-Boulder corridor.
Denver’s established pioneers are also well-represented. Jennifer Jasinski, a James Beard winner and the first Denver chef to receive such an honor, will showcase offerings from her Rioja, Bistro Vendôme, and Ultreia concepts. Carrie Baird, a former Top Chef finalist and owner of Fox & The Hen, will bring her signature "fancy toast" and approachable luxury style to the event. Other notable Denver participants include Paul Reilly of Coperta and Linda Hampsten Fox of The Bindery, both of whom have been instrumental in defining the city’s modern culinary identity.
National Heavyweights and Global Influence
While Colorado chefs provide the foundation, PAIRED 2025 draws significant power from national culinary centers. The inclusion of Dan Jacobs, a Milwaukee-based chef and recent Top Chef standout, brings a Midwestern perspective to the festival. Jacobs, a James Beard finalist for his work at DanDan, is recognized for his ability to blend traditional techniques with contemporary flavors, a skill set highly prized in beer pairing.
From the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., the festival welcomes the duo of Danny Lee and Scott Drewno. As the founders of The Fried Rice Collective, which includes the critically acclaimed Anju and Mandu, Lee and Drewno are 2025 James Beard finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur. Their expertise in Korean flavors offers a unique opportunity for complex pairings with acidic, funky, or hop-forward craft beers. Additionally, Mike Friedman of D.C.’s The Red Hen—a Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient—will contribute his expertise in Italian-influenced soul food.
Strategic Evolution: The Introduction of the Curated Mocktail Bar
In a move that reflects broader shifts in the beverage industry, PAIRED 2025 will feature its first-ever curated Mocktail Bar. This addition is led by Steve Wildy, a James Beard Award semifinalist and highly respected sommelier associated with Mad Wild Wine. The decision to integrate high-end non-alcoholic pairings is a data-driven response to the growing "sober-curious" movement and the rising demand for sophisticated zero-proof options.
According to data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, the non-alcoholic beverage category grew by over 7% in volume in 2023 across key global markets, with the U.S. being a primary driver of this trend. By bringing in a sommelier of Wildy’s caliber to oversee the mocktail program, the Brewers Association is positioning PAIRED as an inclusive environment that prioritizes flavor and craft regardless of alcohol content. This initiative aligns with the festival’s broader goal of expanding the definition of "craft" to include any beverage produced with intentionality and high-quality ingredients.
The Role of the Brewers Association and Event Curation
The PAIRED experience is curated by Adam Dulye, the executive chef for the Brewers Association. Dulye’s role involves a meticulous matching process where he coordinates with both chefs and brewers to ensure that the small plates and beers do not merely coexist but enhance one another. This collaborative process often begins months in advance, with chefs receiving samples of specific brews—some of which are experimental or limited-release—to develop recipes that mirror or contrast the beer’s chemical compounds.
"PAIRED is where culinary innovation and brewing creativity meet," stated Ann Obenchain, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Brewers Association. "This year’s chefs represent the very best of Colorado and beyond, and together they’ll create one-of-a-kind pairings you can only find at the Great American Beer Festival."
The Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade group, uses GABF and PAIRED as primary platforms to advocate for the 9,000+ small and independent breweries in the United States. The revenue generated from these events supports the association’s efforts in government affairs, technical brewing resources, and promoting the economic impact of the craft beer sector, which contributed approximately $76.3 billion to the U.S. economy in recent years.
Chronology and Context: The Growth of GABF
The Great American Beer Festival has undergone a massive transformation since its founding in 1982. Originally held at the Harvest House Hotel in Boulder with only 24 breweries and 47 beers, the festival moved to Denver in 1984 and has since grown into a massive three-day event. PAIRED was introduced later in the festival’s history to cater to a demographic seeking a more educational and refined experience than the standard festival floor offered.
The 2025 timeline for the festival is as follows:
- August 2025: Official announcement of the PAIRED chef lineup and ticket sales launch.
- September 2025: Finalization of the beer list, featuring exclusive collaborations between participating chefs and breweries.
- October 9, 2025: Opening night of PAIRED and the GABF general session.
- October 10, 2025: Second night of PAIRED, coinciding with the heavy industry presence in Denver.
- October 11, 2025: Conclusion of the general GABF festival and the announcement of the prestigious GABF competition medals.
Economic Impact and Industry Implications
The return of GABF and the expansion of PAIRED have significant economic implications for the city of Denver. Visit Denver, the city’s convention and visitors bureau, has historically estimated the festival’s economic impact to be upwards of $15 million, with attendees traveling from all 50 states and various international locations.
For the culinary industry, PAIRED serves as a high-visibility stage. For a chef like Josh Niernberg, based in Grand Junction, the event provides exposure to a concentrated audience of food journalists and industry influencers. For the breweries, the event is an opportunity to prove that beer belongs on the white-linen tablecloths of Michelin-starred establishments just as much as wine or spirits.
The integration of Michelin-recognized talent into a beer festival also highlights the evolving nature of food tourism. Travelers are increasingly seeking "omnivore" experiences that combine high-end dining with local craft culture. By curating a lineup that includes the likes of Whitaker and Glover, the Brewers Association is tapping into a demographic that views Denver not just as a "beer city," but as a premier culinary destination.
Logistics and Access
Tickets for PAIRED are sold as a premium tier. A PAIRED ticket includes unlimited tastings of the chef-prepared small plates and the specifically paired craft beers in a dedicated lounge area. Furthermore, a PAIRED + GABF ticket provides the holder with access to the main festival hall, where thousands of additional beers are available for sampling.
As the craft beer industry faces a maturing market and shifting consumer preferences, events like PAIRED represent a strategic pivot toward quality over quantity. By emphasizing the "pairing" aspect, the Brewers Association encourages a slower, more mindful consumption pattern that aligns with modern health and wellness trends while celebrating the high-water mark of American culinary and brewing talent.
