Think the beer festival season is over? Think again. Beer festivals have become a year round tradition here in Colorado and there’s a great one just around the corner.
When I preview a beer event, I try to find something unique about the festival. After all, beer events are, on the whole, quite similar. You go, you taste beer, you chat up the brewers and taste more beer and that’s about it.
So while investigating Fall Back Beer Fest, I wanted to know what set this festival apart and I discovered that it’s the opportunity for learning.
Fall Back Beer Fest in the village of Estes Park, Colorado features 100+ beers being poured by the brewers themselves. This in itself is unique. With beer events taking place nearly every weekend, the brewers have to pick and choose where they will go and at today’s Colorado beer fests you won’t always find the brewers in attendance.
This is a bit of a shame because I find that talking to the brewers truly enhances my beer festival experience.
However, I think what truly sets Fall Back Beer Fest apart is the seminars. If you are a home brewer, this will be the one fest you don’t want to miss this fall/winter. After all, this event coincides with the American Homebrewers Associations Annual Learn to Brew Day. To help celebrate a number of AHA sanctioned homebrewing clubs will be at this festival and will be brewing publicly.
There are several seminars including one by my longtime friend, Napa of Beer. They will offer a 5 Senses Class that will help you explore the tasting process and gain appreciation for the scientific process of brewing.
There’s also a class on proper beer glass + beer type beer pairings. Bob Gregg of Elite Brands of Colorado will also host a pour off to see what seminar guest can pour the best glass of beer. There are other learning opportunities too such as seminars about the world of yeast, the world of hops and beer food pairings.
So come to Fall Back Beer Fest ready to drink (and learn) about good beer. I’ll be there, and I’m looking forward to spending a little extra time in Estes Park. In fact, you’ll find me devouring some trout pizza at Poppy’s after the event.
Fall Back Beer Fest
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Estes Park Events Center & Pavilion
VIP Admission: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
General Admission: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Dinner with the brewers: 5:30
Buy tickets at: FallBackBeerFest.com
Join Fall Back Beer Fest on Facebook
Noteworthy: A FREE Shuttle will take festival goers to and from the event complex to downtown Estes Park.
***