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The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers, has officially announced the culinary roster for PAIRED, the premier food-and-beer pairing event held in conjunction with the Great American Beer Festival (GABF). Scheduled to take place on October 9 and 10 in Denver, Colorado, the 2025 iteration of PAIRED is set to feature an unprecedented gathering of culinary talent, including James Beard Award winners, Michelin-starred restaurateurs, and television personalities. As the country’s largest celebration of craft beer, the GABF continues to evolve its programming to meet the growing demand for sophisticated gastronomic experiences that bridge the gap between the brewhouse and the professional kitchen.
The PAIRED experience is designed as an intimate alternative to the expansive festival floor, offering attendees the opportunity to sample small plates specifically designed to complement rare and award-winning craft beers. This year’s lineup highlights the burgeoning reputation of Colorado as a global culinary destination while simultaneously drawing top-tier talent from major food hubs such as Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee. By integrating high-concept dining with the craft beer movement, the Brewers Association aims to demonstrate the versatility of beer as a companion to complex flavors, ranging from fermented ingredients to wood-fired proteins.
Colorado’s Culinary Vanguard Takes Center Stage
At the heart of the 2025 lineup are the leaders of Colorado’s own dining revolution. Caroline Glover, the visionary behind Aurora’s Annette and the recently opened Traveling Mercies, makes her PAIRED debut this year. Glover’s trajectory has been marked by significant national acclaim; after being named one of Food & Wine’s “Best New Chefs in America” in 2019, she secured the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain in 2022. Her latest venture, Traveling Mercies, has continued this streak of excellence, earning a place as a James Beard Best New Bar semifinalist for 2025 and recognition from Esquire as one of the best bars in the country. Her participation signals a focus on seasonal, technique-driven comfort food that challenges traditional beer-pairing norms.
Joining Glover are Kelly Whitaker and Mara King of Id Est Hospitality. Whitaker, the 2024 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Restaurateur, has been instrumental in reshaping the region’s food system through a focus on heritage grains and sustainable sourcing. Their portfolio includes the Michelin-starred The Wolf’s Tailor and Bruto, as well as beloved staples like Basta and Hey Kiddo. The inclusion of Whitaker and King underscores the festival’s commitment to sustainability and the "grain-to-glass" philosophy that resonates deeply within the craft brewing community.
The mountain region is further represented by Matt Vawter of Rootstalk and Radicato in Breckenridge. Vawter, who earned the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mountain in 2024, is known for his refined approach to alpine cuisine. Similarly, Josh Niernberg of Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction will bring his "Western Slope" culinary identity to Denver. Niernberg’s status as a 2025 finalist for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef—a national category—highlights the geographic diversity of Colorado’s talent, proving that world-class dining extends far beyond the Denver metropolitan area.
Denver Icons and National Heavyweights
The 2025 PAIRED roster also features a "who’s who" of Denver’s established dining scene. Jennifer Jasinski, a pioneer who helped put Denver on the national food map with her Rioja, Bistro Vendôme, and Ultreia concepts, remains a cornerstone of the event. Her presence is complemented by Carrie Baird of Fox & The Hen, a chef who gained national fame through her successful runs on Bravo’s Top Chef and Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay. Baird’s approachable yet innovative style has made her a fan favorite in the Denver community.
Rounding out the local contingent are Paul Reilly of Coperta and Linda Hampsten-Fox of The Bindery. Reilly’s expertise in regional Italian cuisine and Hampsten-Fox’s eclectic, globally inspired menu at The Bindery provide a broad palette for brewers to work with, ensuring that the pairings offered at the event cover a wide spectrum of international flavors.
On the national front, the Brewers Association has recruited heavy hitters to ensure PAIRED maintains its status as a top-tier national event. Dan Jacobs, a Milwaukee-based chef and Top Chef finalist, will bring his signature style from DanDan to the festival. From the nation’s capital, the powerhouse duo of Danny Lee and Scott Drewno—the minds behind Anju and Mandu—will participate. As 2025 James Beard finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur, Lee and Drewno are celebrated for their modern interpretations of Korean cuisine, a genre that offers unique pairing opportunities for acidic and hop-forward beers. They are joined by fellow Washington, D.C. chef Mike Friedman of The Red Hen, whose Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized Italian cooking has earned him a loyal national following.
Innovation Beyond Alcohol: The Introduction of the Mocktail Bar
In a significant departure from previous years, the 2025 PAIRED event will feature a dedicated Mocktail Bar, reflecting broader trends within the hospitality industry. This initiative is led by Steve Wildy of Mad Wild Wine, a James Beard Award semi-finalist and a highly respected sommelier. Wildy’s involvement marks a pivotal moment for the Great American Beer Festival, acknowledging the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic beverage sector.
According to industry data, the non-alcoholic craft beverage market has seen double-digit growth annually over the last three years, driven by "sober curious" consumers and those seeking sophisticated alternatives to traditional spirits. Wildy’s curated mocktail program will focus on the same principles as the beer pairings: balance, acidity, and aromatic complexity. By treating zero-proof drinks with the same level of culinary respect as craft beer, PAIRED is positioning itself at the forefront of modern beverage trends.
The Curatorial Vision of Adam Dulye
The seamless integration of these diverse chefs with world-class breweries is the work of Adam Dulye, the Brewers Association’s executive chef and a renowned expert on food and beer pairing. Dulye’s role involves acting as a bridge between the kitchen and the cellar, often spending months coordinating with chefs and brewers to ensure that each small plate and beverage selection enhances the other.
"PAIRED has grown from a niche tasting session into a premier destination where the boundaries of craft are pushed," said Ann Obenchain, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Brewers Association. "This year’s lineup represents a peak in our efforts to bring together the best of the culinary and brewing worlds. The collaborations we are seeing this year are not just about food and drink; they are about storytelling and innovation."
The curatorial process involves analyzing the flavor profiles of specific beer releases—often one-off brews or barrel-aged rarities that are not available to the general public—and matching them with ingredients that either provide a direct bridge or a stark, pleasant contrast. This level of intentionality is what distinguishes PAIRED from standard festival fare.
Economic and Cultural Impact on Denver
The Great American Beer Festival has long been a significant economic driver for the city of Denver. Since its inception in 1982, the festival has grown from a small gathering of 22 breweries to a massive three-day event that attracts over 60,000 attendees and hundreds of breweries from across the United States. Economic impact studies from previous years suggest that the festival generates tens of millions of dollars for the local economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.
PAIRED, specifically, serves as a showcase for the city’s mature dining landscape. By featuring local chefs alongside national stars, the event reinforces Denver’s status as a "foodie" city. This synergy between the brewing industry and the restaurant sector has historically led to long-term collaborations, with many local breweries eventually launching high-end food programs or partnering with chefs for permanent taproom residencies.
Event Logistics and Ticket Information
The 2025 PAIRED event will take place over two evenings, October 9 and 10, held in a dedicated space within the Colorado Convention Center. Tickets for the event are sold separately from general admission festival tickets, though a "PAIRED + GABF" bundle is available for those seeking the full festival experience.
Each PAIRED ticket grants attendees unlimited access to the curated pairings, providing an "all-you-can-taste" environment within the intimate setting. Given the high profile of the chefs involved and the limited capacity of the venue, the Brewers Association anticipates that tickets will sell out well in advance of the October dates.
Analysis: The Future of Craft Beer and Fine Dining
The announcement of the 2025 PAIRED lineup highlights a broader shift in the craft beer industry. As the market for traditional IPAs and lagers matures, breweries are increasingly looking toward "experience-based" marketing to engage consumers. The intersection of fine dining and craft beer offers a way to elevate the perception of beer, moving it away from its "blue-collar" roots and into the realm of luxury and connoisseurship once reserved exclusively for wine.
Furthermore, the inclusion of high-profile chefs like Dan Jacobs and Jen Jasinski suggests that the culinary world now views craft beer as a serious partner. The complexity of modern brewing—utilizing wild fermentation, exotic adjuncts, and sophisticated barrel-aging programs—provides a depth of flavor that rivals the world’s finest vintages. As PAIRED continues to evolve, it remains the primary laboratory for this ongoing cultural and culinary experiment.
The Great American Beer Festival and its PAIRED experience continue to be managed by the Brewers Association. As a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit trade group, the association remains dedicated to promoting and protecting small and independent American craft brewers. Through events like PAIRED, they ensure that the artistry of American brewing remains at the forefront of the global beverage industry.
