These figures, provided by the Brewers Association, help convey the size and scope of GABF. It is the largest ticketed beer festival in the United States (the Oregon Brewers Festival is larger but doesn't require tickets). GABF also is the festival serving the largest selection of American beers in one place.

These include preliminary figures for this week’s event, scheduled for October 3–5.

The Growing Festival

Year: 38th (Founded in 1982)

Attendees the first year: 800

Attendees expected this year: 62,000

Volunteers working at the festival: 4,100

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Breweries present the first year: 24

Breweries expected this year: 800+

States represented: 48, plus the District of Columbia

Most breweries present from one state: 138 (Colorado)

New breweries present: 91

Different beers served the first year: 47

Different beers to be served this year: 4,000+

Number of kegs ready to be tapped: 7,596

Cases of beer on hand: 2,117

Total length of draft beer lines in festival hall: more than 4 miles

Ice supply: about 250 tons

Attending the Festival

Number of sessions: 4

Length of a session: 4 to 4½ hours

Cost of a ticket to one session: $85

Ounces per beer sample: 1

The Competition

Brewers who entered beers in the GABF competition this year: about 2,450

Beers entered in competition: about 8,600

Categories to be judged: 107

Average number of beers per category: about 80

Percentage of beers entered that will win medals: about 3 percent

Number of beer judges: 330

Photos: Brewers Association