Mile High Beer Fest Returns March 7 With New Location And Nearly 50 Breweries

by Mark Smiley | Feb 13, 2026 | Travel

by Mark Smiley

Tasting Glass: A Mile High Beer Fest tasting glass catches the light as attendees sample unique pours from local and regional breweries, highlighting the relaxed, discovery driven atmosphere of the festival.

Five Iron: Representatives from Five Iron Hard Seltzer share their offerings with festivalgoers during Mile High Beer Fest, highlighting the growing variety of craft and non-alcoholic beverage options in Colorado’s evolving beer scene.

The Mile High Beer Fest is returning to Denver on March 7, 2026, bringing nearly 50 breweries together for a celebration of Colorado craft beer, community, and creativity.

This year’s festival will take place at Denargo Market in the RiNo Arts District, a new development featuring expansive public spaces, green lawns, and one of the neighborhood’s most recognizable landmarks, the giant climbing rhino.

Festival organizer Lacey Spruce said the move to Denargo Market offers both flexibility and a fresh experience for attendees. “We’re really excited to partner with Denargo Market,” Spruce said. “The space is beautiful, and it gives us the ability to create a fun, easy to navigate festival while keeping the spirit of Mile High Beer Fest the same.”

The 2026 festival is expected to draw approximately 1,500 attendees and will feature breweries from across Colorado and beyond. Registration for breweries filled quickly, prompting organizers to cap participation at nearly 50 vendors.

Spruce credits the festival’s continued success to its strong focus on local breweries and community connection.

“This event is about celebrating local beer,” she said. “A lot of the time, the people pouring the beer are the brewers or the owners themselves. That personal connection is really special for attendees.”

While the craft beer industry has faced challenges in recent years, including brewery closures and shifting consumer habits, Spruce believes events like Mile High Beer Fest continue to resonate.

“Trends change, but there will always be people who enjoy beer,” she said. “We’re also seeing a big increase in non-alcoholic options, and we’re embracing that by offering more variety every year.”

New breweries joining the festival in 2026 include Goldspot Brewing and Fiction Beer Company, adding to a lineup that blends well known favorites with new discoveries.

In addition to beer, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Hopscotch, a new beer garden opening this spring at Denargo Market. Operated in partnership with Drink Denver, Hopscotch will feature 16 taps, local beers, canned options, non-alcoholic drinks, wine, and cocktails.

Tickets to Mile High Beer Fest are all inclusive, with no tokens or drink ­tickets required. Attendees can sample freely through­out the event, a feature Spruce says helps maintain a smooth flow and relaxed atmosphere.

With fewer beer festivals taking place in Denver, Mile High Beer Fest has become a standout event for both brewers and enthusiasts.

“Our goal is to keep delivering a great experience,” Spruce said. “We want people to have fun, discover something new, and feel connected to the local beer community.”

For tickets and event details, visit milehighbeerfest.com.