For the first time in its more than 45 years of existence, the Great American Beer Festival is moving outdoors.

The 48th year of the festival sees it move from its longtime home at the Colorado Convention Center to Denver’s Levitt Pavilion at Ruby Hill in southwest Denver, according to a news release from the Brewer’s Association.

It’s scheduled for Oct. 10-11, so the festival is shortened from it’s current three sessions (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) to two sessions on Saturday and Sunday. At one point, there were four sessions, but the Saturday evening session was cut for 2025.

“Great American Beer Festival has always reflected where American craft beer is headed,” said Ann Obenchain, vice president of marketing and communications of the Brewers Association, in a news release. “Taking the festival outdoors lets us reimagine what’s possible and we’re excited to bring fresh energy to the festival and provide an experience that feels uniquely Colorado.”

Anyone who’s lived in Colorado for any length of time will know that a weekend in October can bring mild Spring-like weather, or cold and even possibly snow. Asked about that, GABF officials said the festival will go on “rain or shine.”

Leavitt Pavilion is a nonprofit music venue with lots of park space and grass.

“Levitt Pavilion is proud to be the new host venue for the Great American Beer Festival, and to welcome the festival’s many brewers, partners, and attendees to Ruby Hill Park this fall,” said Meghan McNamara, executive director of Levitt Pavilion Denver. “Our founding purpose is to build community through music and shared experiences, and partnering with the Brewers Association expands that vision for both our organizations.”

It’s not clear if the new space means fewer brewers. The release still mentioned “hundreds of breweries, thousands of beers.”

Last year, there were some 400-plus breweries and more than 2,000 beers.

“This isn’t just a venue change for us, it’s an evolution,” Obenchain said. “We’ve listened to our attendees and we’re creating an outdoor festival that invites people to explore, discover, and celebrate craft beer in a completely new way — one that’s all about gathering your friends, finding your spot on the lawn, and enjoying great beer and good times together.”

Tickets go on sale in June. More information on the number of breweries will be available as the festival draws closer.