Colorado high country beer festivals
Two weeks ago I wrote a post entitled, “Colorado wine festivals not to miss,” so I decided I’d better follow that up with some love for craft beer.
During the summer there are two to four beer festivals happening every weekend here in Colorado and I can’t list them all, therefore, I am going to highlight the ones I am most looking forward to this summer.
Colorado Brewers Rendezvous, Salida, July 11, 2015
This is the beer festivals that brewers look forward to. Unfortunately, I have not attended, but I have it on very good authority from a handful of brewers that if you make one beer festival this July, this should be the one.
Hosted by the Colorado Brewers Guild on the banks of the Arkansas River, festival goers will enjoy unlimited beer tasting from more than 70 Colorado breweries. In addition there will be live music and food vendors.
Need a place to stay? Check out my write-up on the Mountain Goat Lodge in Salida.
Winter Park Beer Festival, Winter Park, August 8, 2015
This was my favorite beer festival last summer and I’m planning to be there again this year.
Located in Hideaway Park, Winter Park Beer Festival is one of the few fests that I heartily encourage you to purchase the VIP package. If you buy early it’s only $70 to go VIP and that includes a catered lunch, VIP tent with private seating area and access to limited edition beers, plus a full size glass tasting mug. It’s awesome!
This festival also includes more than 30 breweries (many I hadn’t seen at festivals before) and a great musical lineup on a big stage. This year’s headliner is Trout Steak Revival.
Need lodging? We loved our Hi Country Haus condo through Vacations, Inc. It was within walking distance of the festival and our favorite Winter Park hangout, Hernandos Pizza Pub.
San Juan Brewfest, Durango, August 29, 2015
I am trying very hard to work this event into my schedule this year because 1) I love Durango and 2) the beer lineup is fantastic. There are a number of breweries that will attend this event that do not come to beer festivals on Colorado’s Front Range such as Western Slope breweries and a few from Utah and New Mexico.
I would encourage you to check out this VIP package as well, however, it’s already sold out.
In addition to the 51 breweries in attendance this year, a few new regional distilleries will be on hand as well. There’s also music and of course, you’ll be in Durango, one of my favorite spots on the planet.
Need lodging? Visit Durango.org.
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Excellent post. Sounds like a great time.
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