Prepare yourself and your pumpkin-loving crew, because the first-ever Great Pumpkin Beer Festival will take over the streets of the Gaslamp Quarter Halloween weekend!
This legendary fest takes place annually in Seattle and will be premiered in San Diego in 2021 for San Diegans! We will have 40+ pumpkin-themed brews, live entertainment, costume contest, twisted experientials, squash-based foodie creations, hidden surprises and so much more!
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The passageway
GPBF isn’t a regular festival. It’s the kind of festival that transports you from a life of structure and routine to a world where excitement abounds in the unknown. You’ll know you’ve arrived once you navigate the non-formulaic twists and turns of the corn stalk maze, the orange haze parts and you find you’ve stumbled into a place where nothing makes sense and everything makes sense at the exact same time.
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Costume contest
First, come to the fest dressed up. Once you arrive, it’s a swirly mixed of getting plucked from the crowd because your costume is so amazing and you’ll be asked to come on stage with a handful of other pumpkin contest participants.
If you’ve made it to the stage THEN you must win the favor of an insane panel of judges, who are predictably unpredictable, as always. Believe us, people go all out in this contest, so if you’re in it to win it, bring it, and maybe you’ll be crowned the undeniable 2021 reigning pumpkin royalty!
Entertainment schedule
The streets of the Gaslamp will be rockin’ with a full lineup of bands:
· 3:55PM – 4:40PM – The Members Only Yacht Club (Yacht Rock Band)
· 5:40PM – 6:25PM – Young Guns (80s cover band)
· 7PM – Great Pumpkin Keg Tapping
· 7:25PM – 8:25PM – No Duh (No Doubt cover band)
· 9:25PM – 10:10PM – Young Guns (80s Cover Band)
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Gourd games and more!
If you think you have what it takes, you’ll have the opportunity to show the Gaslamp crowd your ‘pumpkin muscles’!
From Pumpkin Squatting and Pumpkin Pie Eating to Pumpkin Tossing and The Great Pumpkin Obstacle Course, there is an event to challenge even the most competitive amongst us!
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Craft breweries
The rock star of the day will be the 40+ pumpkin and Fall/Winter seasonal brew accompanied by farmhouse flavors, fresh hops, wet hops, saisons and more to give your palette an autumnal explosion! Pockets of taps will be scattered throughout the venue with coveted brews popping up in unexpected corners like the Ale Apothecary, Headless Horsemen Hideaway and Jack-O’s Tavern.
The fest kicks it up a notch with the ultimate pumpkin keg tapping as rivers of beer flow straight into your commemorative cup from the over 1000lb giant pumpkin keg.
Here’s a few featured breweries bringing some yummy Fall/Winter seasonal concoctions:
Fall In by Bear Roots Brewing
Slip on a sweater and grab a glass, we’ve whipped up a beer just in time for the cold weather to boost your cravings for the fall favorites. Brewed with real pumpkin, this autumn ale will meet your demands with it’s warm vanilla and sensational spices swirling together like an eddy of leaves. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to Fall In.
The Great Pumpkin by Elysian
The Great Pumpkin was the world’s first imperial pumpkin ale. Brewed with Pale, Munich, Car-Hell, Cara-Vienne, Cara-Munich and C-45 Crystal malts. Roasted pumpkin seeds in the mash and extra pumpkin added in the mash, kettle and fermenter. Spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice.
Comfy Chair Oatmeal Stout by Eppig Brewing
Deep, rich aromas filled with dark chocolate and coffee notes. Full-bodied with a silky smooth finish. Enjoy this roasty toasty oatmeal stout all year long!
Honeycomb Porter by Thorn Brewing Co.
In collaboration with local confectioners, Chuao Chocolatiers, we embarked on a journey to reimagine their innovative and delectable chocolate bars as beers. Lush chocolate blends with local honey to create a beautifully balanced porter. Chicory, dark toasted caramel, and chocolate dominate the palate with a subtle floral note from the honey lingering on the finish.
Midnight Painkiller by Juneshine Hard Kombucha
Bold and flavorful: Our dark twist on the classic painkiller tiki cocktail with pineapple, coconut, orange, activated charcoal and nutmeg.
Check out the full lineup of breweries here!
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Get your tickets!
There are three levels of tickets to accommodate everyone. Every ticket level comes with tastings included, and additional tickets are available for purchase at the event.
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Get your tickets now, and we’ll see you there, San Diego!
