Volunteer Benefits & Opportunities

gabf volunteers

We love our GABF volunteers!

Every year, thousands of volunteers work many hours to help make the festival a success!

General volunteer program information: With the popularity of GABF, all new beer pouring volunteers must be referred by a current volunteer.

This volunteer reference ensures that new volunteers understand the level of knowledge and commitment required to participate in the Great American Beer Festival. If you would like to volunteer to pour beer at GABF, please contact Carol Hiller.

There are great entry level volunteer positions available too. Please consider volunteering for our Set-Up team!


Set-Up and Tear-Down

All skill levels welcome! Want a sneak peek at the thousands of beverages that’ll be poured at the festival? Be part of the Production Team that builds out the festival gets the and gets booths ready.

Hall set-up will begin on Monday, October 7. Tear-down will take place on Sunday, October 12. Set up team volunteers are the only team that can earn tickets for the 2024 event.

Set-Up Benefits

  • Each Set-Up shift = 1 ticket (1 shift=4 hours of work)
  • Volunteer for 3 Set Up shifts = GABF Volunteer shirt

NOTE: Limit of four (4) 2025 tickets per volunteer, plus additional tickets for 2026.

Tear-Down Benefits

  • Each Tear-Down shift = Two tickets for 2026 (1 shift=4 hours of work) and a GABF Volunteer Shirt (one shirt per volunteer max)

Sign-up information and shift details for 2025 coming soon!

Ready to sign up to volunteer for the amazing Set-Up or Tear-Down teams? It’s a simple two step process:

1. Create a volunteer profile from this link:

2. Sign up for shifts below:


Other volunteer opportunities!

Brew Crew

Learn about the beverages that are being poured. Assist makers in serving one ounce beverage samples to patrons. A high level of professionalism and a knowledge of the beverages being served is required. Referral by a current volunteer is required. If you would like to volunteer to pour beer at GABF, please contact Carol Hiller.

Merchandising

Sales, stocking and inventory. Sales experience welcome. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.

Volunteer Coordination

Assist with volunteer check-in, check-out and distribution of volunteers throughout the entire venue. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.

Designated Driver / Information Booth

DD volunteers will pour non-alcohol beverages in multiple areas within the festival hall. Information Booth volunteers will answer questions for our guests. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.

Special Pavilions / PAIRED®

These volunteers are the first to greet the public when they enter the event. They will offer cups and glasses to our guests. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.

Glass / Cup Station

These volunteers are the first to greet the public when they enter the event. They will offer cups and glasses to our guests. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.


Benefits for Brew Crew, Merchandising, Volunteer Coordination, Designated Driver/Information Booth, Guild Pavilion, Special Pavilions, Glass/Cup Station:

  • 2 and/or 3 Shifts = T-shirt & tasting cup

Note: All volunteers must work a minimum of two shifts. Volunteers may not work on more than one team during the event.


Green Team

Green Team (sustainability) volunteers are responsible for educating attendees about how to “put waste in its place.” Volunteers will be positioned at waste recovery stations throughout the event spaces to ensure attendees are placing trash, compostable and recyclable materials in the correct bins. Green Team volunteers will receive training prior to their shift.

Benefits for Green Team:

Green Team t-shirt, one 2026 comp ticket per shift worked


Greeters

Greeters are first people patrons see at the festival. In order to make a great first impression, greeters will be available to answer questions, direct people to the correct place and offer program guides. The greeter team also helps fill in gaps for other teams if needed (wrist-banding, line organization, distributing tasting glasses, etc).

While volunteering as a greeter, you will need to embrace the opportunity to help other teams while still being outgoing, cheerful and eager to help festival patrons. Please note that all information about the event and venue will be offered prior to event dates and also during the team meeting at the beginning of your shift. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.

Benefits for Greeter Team:

  • T-shirt and one 2026 comp ticket per shift worked

Safety Team / Front Area / Lobby Team

Safety Team volunteers are on hand as a presence rather than as a force to interact with the attendees to help maintain a safe environment. Maintained within the Colorado Convention Center and perimeter areas, Safety Team volunteers work with the Denver Police Department and a professional security company. They are the eyes and ears that help to keep the event safe.  Please note: no sampling or tasting of beer or other beverages is allowed while working on this team. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.

Benefits for Safety Team:

  • Safety Team t-shirt, one 2026 comp ticket per shift worked

Keg / Ice Runner Team

Keg and Ice Runners will be assigned to one island and will move kegs and ice to and from the loading dock. These volunteers must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and will be on their feet most of the shift. Please note: no sampling or tasting of beer or other beverages is allowed while working on this team. Interested? Please contact Carol Hiller.

Benefits for Keg / Ice Runner Team:

  • T-shirt, one 2026 comp ticket per shift worked