Cider has long played a significant role in American culture, and Colorado’s Stem Ciders is excited to highlight notable American hard cideries during The Great American Beer Festival.

For the first time, Stem Ciders is proud to participate in the festival by including cider in the competition segment.

Located in Lafayette, Colorado, Stem Ciders is welcoming leading cider makers from across the country to its tap room in the RiNO neighborhood of Denver from October 9-12 for a series of events they have dubbed Great American Cider Friends. These festivities coincide with the Great American Beer Festival, taking place in downtown Denver (tickets are still available!). During this four-day event, attendees can look forward to live music, trivia contests, tastings, games, and exclusive product releases. In addition to the offerings from Stem Ciders, well-known cideries such as Eden, 2Towns, Finnriver, and St. Vrain will also be featured.

The inaugural Great American Cider Friends event promises an exciting lineup of some of the finest cideries in the U.S., along with live music, trivia, and specially curated tastings.

The purpose of this event is straightforward: The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is introducing cider into its competition segment for the first time. GABF is recognized as the largest beer competition globally, with nearly 10,000 beverages evaluated annually.

“We are thrilled to celebrate cider’s debut in the GABF competition alongside our cider companions and favorites,” expressed Patrick Combs, Director of Liquids at Stem Ciders. “This groundbreaking week is all about sharing our passion for craft cider — and of course, we had to gather our Great American Cider Friends at Stem Ciders RiNO.”

Shane Sheridan, Head Cider Maker at Stem Ciders, echoed Combs’ enthusiasm regarding cider’s inclusion in GABF’s competition.

“The Great American Beer Festival is genuinely remarkable, uniting the most dedicated craft beverage fans from all over the nation. We feel privileged to compete this year alongside the best in America within one of the industry’s most challenging competitions,” stated Sheridan. “Cider has always been a significant part of the American craft beverage landscape, and we’re eager to share a glimpse of that story with everyone.”

The multi-day event, Great American Cider Friends, will commence on October 9 with an exclusive guided tasting of pommeau, a delectable drink combining apple juice and apple brandy. This tasting will start at 4 p.m. and feature Stem Ciders’ Head Cider Maker Sheridan alongside Director of Liquids Combs. The night will wrap up with a lively session of classic pub trivia beginning at 7 p.m.

On Thursday, October 10, starting at 7 p.m., attendees can enjoy limited edition ciders aged in bourbon barrels while soaking in the sounds of live music. Friday, October 11 will focus on fruited ciders, keeping the lively music jam going.

The event will culminate on Saturday, October 12 with a GABF afterparty, where patrons can enjoy two for one Stem Ciders by presenting their GABF wristband. Each day, the first 40 visitors to attend an event will receive a complimentary Stem Ciders glass.

Entry to Great American Cider Friends is free and welcoming to all. Every day presents a unique experience, ranging from traditional apple blends to adventurous, innovative flavors. Whether you’re a seasoned cider lover or simply curious to learn more, these events promise to delight everyone.

If you’re looking for additional details or wish to RSVP for the Great American Cider Friends event, be sure to check out the website of Stem Ciders:

Don’t forget to follow Stem Ciders on Instagram at @stemciders and @stemcidersrino.

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