Tag Archives: Craft beer

Lafayette Brew Fest – Sept. 8, 2018

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Lafayette Brew FestLafayette Brew Fest, Sept. 8, 2 – 7 p.m., Old Town Lafayette. Explore craft beer one pour at a time! The event will feature 26 Breweries and Cideries all within 75 miles of Lafayette.

Event day pour prices:
$2.00 for each 4 oz pour
$6.00 or 3 pour tickets for 8 oz glass of wine

Discounted pre-pour sales on sale now
Twenty-one – 4oz pours – $36.00 – Save $6.00
Fourteen – 4 oz pours – $24.00 – Save $4.00
Seven – 4 oz pours – $12.00 – Save $2.00

Participating Breweries:
Avery Brewing Co., Beyond the Mountain Brewing Co., Boulder Beer Co., Call to Arms Brewing Co., Crystal Springs Brewing, Elevation Beer Co., Endo Brewing Co., Fate Brewing Co., Front Range Brewing Co., Left Hand Brewing Co., Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co., Loveland Aleworks, Mother Tucker Brewery, Odd13 Brewing, Oskar Blues Brewery/Cigar City Brewing, Ratio Beerworks, Renegade Brewing Co., Stem Ciders, The Old Mine Cidery and Brew Pub, The Post Brewing Co., Twisted Pine Brewing, West Flanders Brewing Co.

Local food includes – Suburban Wiener, Butcher and the Blonde, Big Dawg Barbecue

Enjoy music by – Blind Alley Troubadours

21 & Over to drink (Must show ID at the door) There are no age limits for entrance, but there are limited things for those under 21 to do at this event. We ask that you use your discretion in bringing kids.

No animals allowed except for service animals – Be kind to your pets and leave them at home when you visit the Lafayette Brew Fest. Only service dogs allowed in the barricaded area. .

Those who are drinking must purchase tasting tokens and will receive a souvenir cup.

For more information call 303-666-9555

Palisade Brews and Cruise Festival – May 5, 2018

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2018 Colorado National Bank Palisade Brews and Cruise Festival

The Palisade Chamber of Commerce presents the fifth annual, Colorado National Bank Brews and Cruise Festival in Palisade, CO at Veterans Memorial Park, May 5, noon to 5 p.m. (rain or shine). Each year, the Palisade Chamber builds on their popular festival, which offers the opportunity to chat with the brewers as you sample their beers. Here’s your opportunity to learn what makes each beer special, from the brewers themselves.

This year the festival will include an Antique Truck Show, and a Brew Master Dinner the night before the festival brings more fun and food! Spring in beautiful Palisade is the perfect setting to bring your bikes for a before festival, ride through town and the Wine and Fruit Byway.

The Palisade Brews and Cruise Festival is one of our favorite festivals of the year. Veterans Memorial Park is the perfect setting for a fun day spent with friends and family enjoying great local Colorado craft beer. Palisade is fun little town on the Western Slope that is worth a visit if you’ve never been. We’ll be there and hope you will be as well!

Fees/Admission: (must be 21 or over to purchase sampling tickets)

  • Grand Tasting (unlimited sampling): $25 advance purchase or $30 at the gate
  • VIP: $55 advance purchase or $60 at gate
  • $10 Non drinking ticket
  • Purchase tickets here

2018 Colorado Beer Festivals

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Colorado is full of great breweries and of course, great beer. Along with the great beer comes many fun beer festivals around the state. Our list includes some of our favorite festivals and is not meant to be a master list with every beer festival in Colorado. The 2018 Colorado Beer Festival list will continue to grow throughout the year and you can find the updated list here.

2018 Colorado Beer Festivals

Belgian Brewfest – Denver, CO: Belgian Brew Fest started in 2017 as a celebration of Belgian-style beer and the Denver breweries bringing it to life. We pioneered RFID Taste Tracking and Spigot Labs is back with their latest tech. Come enjoy the first outdoor festival of the season with your favorite friends, family, and Flemish Reds!
April 28, 2018

Big Beers, Belgiuns & Barleywines Festival – Breckenridge, CO: A world-class beer festival in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Meet renowned brewmasters and brewery owners, taste hundreds of big, Belgian style, and experimental beers, explore beer & food pairings, and learn from an impressive array of brewmasters and industry experts. January 4-6, 2018

Boulder Craft Beer Fest – Boulder, CO: The 4th Annual Boulder Craft Beer Festival brings together the best craft breweries from Boulder County and beyond for a tasting festival, offering attendees samples of Boulder’s best beer. The festival includes live music and food for purchase. This is a ticketed event for those 21 years of age and older. August 18, 2018

Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival – Breckenridge, CO:  The Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival is one of the coolest events of the spring in the Colorado Rockies!  Featuring brews, views and free live music, the Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival is an event you don’t want to miss. April 8, 2018

Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival – Breckenridge, CO: The Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival is one of the coolest events of the Summer in the Colorado Rockies!  Featuring brews, views and free live music, the Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival is an event you don’t want to miss. July 7, 2018

BrüFrouFEST – Denver, CO: BrüFrouFEST 2017 will not only be the largest craft brewer + chef pairing event in the country, but also the finest. As always, the main attraction will be the finest Colorado craft beer + culinary pairing menu featuring 120 local brewers & chefs collaborating on 80+ unique pairings. 2018 Date TBD

Bruises & Brews Festival – Glendale, CO: Join thousands of rugby fans and beer aficionados at Glendale’s Bruises & Brews Beerfest Saturday, August 25 & 26, 2018 at Infinity Park in Glendale. More than 20 breweries will showcase their top brews, along with a few distilleries and a couple terrific hard ciders. Beer and rugby… they are better together! August 25-26, 2018

Burning Can notjusta BeerFest – Lyons, CO: The 2018 Colorado Burning Can Fest at the Lyons Outdoor Games is the perfect weekend for lovers of adventure, beer, music, and camping. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Lyons Colorado boasts a natural playground for runners, riders, kayakers, dogs, and climbers. Featuring adventures to see and watch, a mountain-side beer fest with close to 100 breweries, world class athletes, beautiful camping, and a huge concert, the Burning Can Fest at the Lyons Outdoor Games is quickly growing to be one of the top outdoor lifestyle festivals in the U.S. June 2-3, 2018

Collaboration Festival – Denver, CO: Collaboration Fest returns for a 4th year! Don’t miss out on America’s most creative beer festival featuring 100+ beer projects with over 150 participating breweries. Come for the beers, stay for the conversation! Every beer tapped at Collaboration Fest has a unique story as two or more breweries come together to brew something special. The result? Some of the most exciting, delicious beer tappings you’ll find anywhere. March 31, 2018

Colorado Brewers’ Festival – Fort Collins, CO: Beer (and Music) Fans rejoice! The Colorado Brewers’ Festival returns to Downtown Fort Collins on June 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2018! This iconic event weekend will feature 90+ Colorado beers, 40+ Colorado breweries and an interactive Beer School with tastings and demonstrations. The fest also proudly features some of Northern Colorado’s finest musicians, vendors and food trucks – with no admission charge to enter the festival grounds in Washington Park. June 22-24, 2018

Colorado Brewers Rendezvous – Salida, CO: Over 75 Colorado Breweries celebrate the 21st Annual Colorado Brewers Rendezvous with plenty of food and fun with live music throughout the day! Sample more than 200 different beers from 78 Colorado brewers on Saturday, July 14, in Riverside Park. Hosted by the Salida Chamber of Commerce. It takes place along the banks of the Arkansas River and features great food and music. July 14, 2018

Denver Brew Fest @ Mile High Station –  Denver, CO: The Brew Fest at Mile High Station will celebrate craft beverages from around Colorado and beyond and features; live local music, food, and other vendors. 100+ brews from 45+ craft breweries! There are two Denver Brew Fests, Winter & Summer.
    Winter Brew Fest: January 26-27, 2018 |  Summer Brew Fest: July 27-28, 2018

Easy Brews Beerfest – Aurora, CO: Join us at Easy Brews Beer Festival for an afternoon of unlimited craft beer tastings, food trucks galore, live music from Wake Up & Live all while enjoying the view of the beautiful rocky mountains! All proceeds to benefit the National Hemophilia Foundation: Colorado Chapter. 2018 Date TBD

Erie Brewfest – Erie, CO: 30 Local Colorado Breweries, Regional Food Trucks, Music by local groups. This is the Erie Chamber’s 6th Annual OUTDOOR BREWFEST held in Historic Downtown Erie on Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt. June 9, 2018

Estes Park Winterfest – Estes Park, CO: For those that have been with us from the beginning, you have seen us grow from hosting 1,000 people in year one to over 7,000 last year. This event is quickly becoming a popular festival not only in Colorado, but surrounding states. Micro-brews and Wine tastings from Colorado!
January 13-14, 2018

Evergreen Summerfest & Palette of Brews – Evergreen, CO: Colorado breweries serving unlimited tastes to ticket holders as part of Summerfest on July 21. The event takes place only five minutes off I-70 in Evergreen at the Buchanan Park Athletic Fields (at Hwy 74 & Squaw Pass Rd.). July 21, 2018

Feast of Saint Arnold – Colorado Springs, CO: The 5th Annual Feast of Saint Arnold. “Colorado’s Family Friendly Beer Festival ” showcasing the best of Colorado’s craft brewers, winemakers, and emerging distilleries. It is located on the historic grounds of the Chapel of our Saviour Episcopal Church in the heart of the Broadmoor Neighborhood at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain. June 9, 2018

Great American Beer Festival – Denver, CO: A Denver tradition that takes place each fall. With exhibits manned by more than 400 of the top craft brewers in the nation, attendees are able to sample more than 1,800 different brews. The festival is produced by the Brewers Association, the national trade association for all craft breweries, which is located in Boulder, Colorado. September 20-22, 2018

Hops + Handrails – Longmont, CO: Back for its sixth year, Hops + Handrails Beer Fest & Rail Jam, returns to Longmont, Colorado with the support of Winter Park Resort. The hybrid winter event will feature a 2-day beer fest with 55+ craft breweries. Day 1 will feature a 40’ high snowboard ramp & rail jam competition and headliner Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. Day 2 will be a family-focused winter wonderland featuring a sledding & tubing hill. March 24-25, 2018

JUL-IPA Festival – Boulder, CO: A CELEBRATION OF THE BEST & BADDEST IPAs! The West End Tavern and The Millennium Harvest House bring you the Third Annual JUL-IPA Festival. Bringing together brewers, beer geeks + the community. Check back for 2018 info.

Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival – Keystone, CO: Keystone brings the wonders of Appalachia to the Rockies. Down-home cooking, mountain music and a unique blend 30 microbreweries from Colorado and beyond showcase their unique blends of hops and barleys. Live music rocks out on 3 stages. August 4-5, 2018

Lafayette Brewfest – Lafayette, CO: Come and join us for the Lafayette’s Brew Fest featuring craft beers for sale from 25+ breweries.  Explore craft/micro beers one pour at a time! No entrance fee. Tickets sold by 4 oz pours. Visit a variety of restaurant and food booths, wine will also be sold. Only Service Dogs allowed. September 8, 2018

Leadville BBQ & Brew Festival – Leadville, CO: The world’s highest BBQ competition at 10,152′ Don’t miss all of the incredible beer, bbq, and fun to be had in historic and scenic Leadville, CO. The Leadville BBQ & Brew Fest is facilitated by the Leadville/Lake County Chamber of Commerce. June 22-23, 2018

Manitou Springs Heritage Brew Festival – Manitou Springs, CO: Manitou Springs welcomes 25+ local craft breweries to Memorial Park for the ultimate beer tasting experience! Tickets get you admission unlimited tastings, a commemorative tasting glass, music, food and more. Help support the Manitou Springs Heritage Center in the preservation of Manitou Springs History. September 29, 2018

Palisade Brews & Cruise Festival – Palisade, CO: The Colorado National Bank Brews & Cruise Festival offers an opportunity to taste and chat with fellow beer lovers. We will have several acclaimed craft breweries, beer, and food pairings, live music and the finest quality of handcrafted unique products and arts and crafts. New this year is the VIP tent for 100 serious beer lovers. May 5, 2018

Parker Brewfest – Parker, CO: Many of the best, local craft brewers from Douglas and surrounding counties will showcase their products for sampling and discussions with attendees. 100% of proceeds from this event go to our Rotary Club’s support for many local projects and organizations and can be eligible for matching funds from our Rotary District 5450. August 18, 2018

Rocky Mountain Beer Festival Tour – Boulder & Louisville, CO
The Rocky Mountain Beer Festival Tour brings together the best for your summer afternoon – refreshing craft beer, live music from local artists, and classic lawn games – in a family-friendly forum for breweries to showcase their best products. June 23, 2018 Community Park in Louisville and September 3, 2018 Hometown Festival, Boulder.

Red, Whites and Brews in The Boat –  Steamboat Springs, CO – The Reds Whites & Brews In The Boat Festival (formally known as Reds Whites & Brews) is proud to announce we’re moving to Steamboat Springs this June. The Reds, Whites & Brews Festival has evolved to become a ‘don’t miss’ event of the summer!  This event will feature amazing unlimited wine & craft beer tastings, LIVE music, vendors and food all in beautiful Downtown Steamboat Springs. June 23, 2018

Save the Ales – Denver, CO
Raise a glass with friends while helping Conservation Colorado raise funds to protect, conserve, and ensure a future with plenty of clean water for all Coloradans. Because no water means no beer! Your Save the Ales ticket purchase will help Conservation Colorado educate citizens on how to be stewards of water, collaborate with lawmakers to protect water at the policy level, and encourage people to stand up for the basic human right to clean, healthy water for all. 2018 Date TBD

South Denver Beer Fest – Littleton, CO: South Denver Beer Fest features over 60 breweries both local and national. The festival takes place in beautiful Clement Park in Littleton, Colorado.  The festival is set next to a lake with Rocky Mountain views in a distance.Guests will have the opportunity to sample over 150 beers and vote for their favorites in a variety of categories. Check back for 2018 info

Steel City Brewfest & Competition – Pueblo, CO: Join us at the beautiful Pueblo Riverwalk for the 4th Annual Steel City Brew Fest. This event is part of the 17th Annual Loaf ‘N Jug Boats, Bands and BBQ Festival, presented by Loaf ‘ N Jug, an annual event that draws over 30,000 people over a two day period. The Steel City Brew Fest will allow participants to sample beer from both Colorado and national craft breweries. This event benefits the HARP Foundation, a 501(c)(3). 2018 Date TBD

Steers and Beers Brewfest with Whiskey – Colorado Springs, CO: There will be hundreds of brews and spirits to sample. Yes, we said spirits too. It’s a Whiskey and Beer Brew Fest. Step into the RNDC Whiskey Trail Rooms to listen to some live music and enjoy some of the top whiskey out there served to you by whiskey professionals. August 18, 2018

Taste of the West – Golden, CO: Taste of the West is the premier culinary event in Jefferson County, Colorado. The “Taste” will feature award-winning cuisine from many of Jeffco’s best restaurants and caterers. In addition to tasty food samples, the festival will feature an assortment of beer from local breweries, wine and culinary exhibitors. 2018 marks the 4th year for our Taste of The West beer garden, which highlights the great local craft beer from Jefferson County. June 7, 2018

The All Colorado Beer Festival – Colorado Springs, CO: Lots of Great Colorado Beers. Lovers of Colorado Beer allow the All Colorado Beer Festival to distribute over $80,000 to very deserving charities during the past five years. The festival is located in Colorado Springs, CO. November 10, 2018

The Springs Beer Fest – Colorado Springs, CO: Enjoy a fun-filled day of bottomless, fresh, craft beer samplings from over 55 Notable Craft Brewers. Join 4,000 beer enthusiasts for an afternoon of live music, local vendors, and local fare from food trucks and area restaurants. July 21, 2018

Ullr Grass Music & Beer Festival – Golden, CO: Enjoy a fun-filled day of bottomless, fresh, craft beer samplings from over 20 notable craft brewers along with an afternoon of live music, local vendors, and local fare from food trucks in lovely Parfet Park Golden, CO.  Beer Festival sampling comes with a commemorative sampling cup and bottomless tasting from 1-4 PM January 26-28, 2018.

Westy Craft Brew Fest – Westminster, CO: Westminster’s premier beer festival is back and better than ever! Presented by RE/MAX Alliance, this year’s event features more than 45 regional breweries! Enjoy unlimited 5-oz beer samples while enjoying live music, food trucks, an enhanced VIP experience, and unparalleled vistas of the Front Range. Free childcare available on site. Buy your ticket in advance and $save! Tickets are limited so you can enjoy the beer — not long lines. July 28, 2018

Wild West Fermentation Fest – Glenwood Springs, CO: The Glenwood Springs Historical Society and Roaring Fork Events look forward to spending the weekend with you at the 2nd Annual Wild West Fermentation Fest. Craft Breweries ♦ Cideries ♦ Distilleries ♦ Wineries ♦ Music ♦ Art ♦ Food. June 29-30, 2018

Palisade Brews & Cruise Festival – May 6, 2017

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Cruise on over to The Colorado National Bank Brews & Cruise Festival! The festival will be held Saturday, May 6, 2017 from Noon – 5:00 p.m. at Palisade Veterans Memorial Park (120 W 8th St, Palisade, CO 81526). Rain or shine, There will be vendors, food, brew samples, local wine for sampling, corn hole tournament and live entertainment with The Navigators, Lincoln Pants Band, and Dual Lakoo.

General drinking tickets are $25/person which includes a complimentary beer mug. Bring your bike for the ride home. Non-drinking tickets are also on sale now.  Volunteers are welcome to call 970-464-7458 for sign up form. Ticket prices will be higher the day of the event. Purchase your tickets here.

NEW FOR 2017 – VIP Tent
New this year is the VIP tent for serious beer lovers. Craft beers not available on the western slope will be on tap in the VIP tent, Oskar Blues special draft, Cigar City and Parrin the featured Breweries. Ticket holders will have tables, water and food all for $55 pre-sold and $60 at the gate. Tickets are limited to only 100. Buy early!

Black Shirt Brewing Company – Denver, CO

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Black Shirt Brewing Company is located in the River North (RiNo) district in Denver, near the intersection of Walnut and Downing. Just north of the brewery, maybe a couple hundred yards away, is a stop for RTD’s A-Line Light Rail line. Many travelers either heading out to DIA or coming from DIA to Denver, stop at Black Shirt Brewing to try a fresh Colorado craft beer. Due to their unique location, Black Shirt has loyal fans all over the country that enjoy stopping in when they visit Colorado. Black Shirt is one of the must-try breweries in the Denver area whether you live nearby or you’re planning to visit from another state.

History:
Black Shirt Brewing Company’s story began in 2011 when brothers Branden and Chad Miller along with Chad’s wife, Carissa, decided it was finally time to realize their dream of owning a brewery. The siblings had the idea to make this happen as far back as 1999, but like they say, “good things take time”. With help from Carissa’s brother, Aaron Holstad, they worked long hours to transition the old brick building into a functioning brewery. The building is thought to be from the 1920s and there are varying stories as to its exact history. From a furniture store in the 50s to a disco in the 60s-70s, to a brothel sometime along the way (not confirmed), the building had a lot of history.

The owners worked hard to begin the next chapter for the building as it transitioned to a brewery. For nearly two years (one year, 9 months) Branden, Chad and Aaron worked to renovate what they could as they were paying for improvements as they went. Due to the fact they had a small budget, every single piece of the brewery was touched by one of the three. There are some really cool touches to the construction that have unique stories. For instance, the barn wood was brought in from Branden and Chad’s hometown.

Black Shirt Brewing Owners Branden and Chad Miller are Colorado natives, having grown up in the Southern Colorado town of Westcliffe, CO. They will proudly tell you that they are in fact, 5th generation Coloradans. The brothers gravitated towards skateboards and the music of Johnny Cash, while preferring their clothes to be black. It wasn’t what all of the popular kids did, it was what Branden and Chad did. When they decided to open the brewery, Branden and Chad thought it was important to stay true to their style and design things to fit what they liked. When you walk in Black Shirt Brewing, you quickly notice pictures of Johnny Cash and many references to music on the walls. You will hear music playing and it might just be coming from the back patio.

The Beer:
One of the questions we like to ask at Colorado Craft Brews is what makes a brewery unique from the others. For Black Shirt this is an easy question to answer. Black Shirt specializes in Red Ales, a style of beer that is an uncommon focus among most breweries. Sure, most breweries brew a Red IPA from time to time, or a Red Ale for a seasonal, but very few focus on primarily brewing Red Ales. When we asked Branden Miller why he chose to brew Red Ales, he quickly told the story of his dad and the fact he believes it’s best to one thing and do it better than everyone else.

Branden and Chad decided to pursue brewing Red Ales for a number of reasons. Colorado is a Spanish adjective that means “red”. Early Spanish explorers named Colorado for the red that could be found around the state. A great example of this is the area in Southern Colorado where Branden and Chad grew up. This area is known for being the home of the Sangro de Christo Mountains. Sangre de Christo means “the blood of Christ” in reference to the red hues of the mountain range. Branden thought Red Ales were being done well but there was definitely room for improvement. Ultimately, it seemed fitting that in a state known for its red soil and red rock formations, he could brew Red Ales and brew them better than anyone else.

We sampled a number of Black Shirt’s beers and were impressed by the variety and quality of the samples. While difficult to pick a favorite, we thoroughly enjoyed the Frontmaniac IPA. Hop lovers will enjoy this big, bold IPA with a smooth finish. The Baritone Black IPA stood out for the earthy, piney notes – definitely a beer we will be trying again. The Colorado Red Ale (Black Shirt’s flagship beer) has floral and citrusy notes that make it a favorite for American IPA drinkers. If you prefer lighter, less hoppy beers, the Semitone Saison, Common Red Kolsch are great options. One thing we noted in trying some of the higher ABV (alcohol by volume) beers was that they were not overpowering, each was smooth and balanced. Often times, higher ABV beers can be either too hoppy or too malty. Overall, we enjoyed the tastings and would recommend Black Shirt’s beer to anyone from craft beer fanatics to those that are looking to try craft beer for the first time.

Beer List:

  • Born to Hula (Nitro) – Sour Ale: 6.5% abv – Sour Ale conditioned atop Pineapple and Coconut, dry-hopped w/ Citra
  • Common Red – Kolsch: 5.5% abv – Crisp, clean, and crushable
  • Semitone – Saison: 5.4% abv – Petit Saison brewed with sweet orange peel
  • Stringender Saison – Saison: 7.5% abv – An amplified, resonant and expressive Saison
  • Timekeeper Rye Pale Ale – American Pale Ale: 6% – A precise, balanced and crisp Rye Pale Ale
  • Colorado Red Ale – Amber Ale: 7.3% abv – The flagship beer, a floral citrusy Red IPA
  • Frontmaniac IPA – IPA: 7% abv – Hopped to a rate of over 5 lbs per barrel of Citra, Simcoe and Mosaic hops
  • Blood Orange – Double IPA: 8% abv – Double IPA conditioned atop fresh blood oranges and double dry-hopped w/ Mosaic and Amarillo hops
  • Ocean of Noise – Gose: 5.4% abv – Gose brewed w/ Yuzu, Lemongrass, Hawaiian Red Gold Sea Salt, dry-hopped w/ Equinox and Hallertau Blanc
  • Fourtrack Porter – Porter: 6.3% abv – American Porter w/ notes of milk chocolate, caramel and toffee
  • Baritone – Black IPA: 7.5%: Dark and brooding Black IPA inspired by the original man in black Johnny Cash. Warrior, Chinook and Simcoe hops
  • Black Beacon Storm Nitro – Imperial Stout: 8.5% abv – Imperial Rye Stout aged in a variety of bourbon barrels.
  • Frontman IPA – IPA: 7.3% – A mic’d up, hoppy and loud IPA brewed w/ Chinook, Simcoe and Mosaic Hops.

Black Shirt Brewing distributes their beer in many liquor stores around the metro Denver area. You can also find Black Shirt in a handful of mountain towns including, Buena Vista, Gunnison, Salida and Crested Butte. If you want to find a location near you that sells Black Shirt’s beer try their beer locator. The best way to enjoy a Black Shirt beer is to visit the taproom. If you can make it on the first Wednesday of the month, you’ll be able to try a new release beer and help raise money for local charities. $1 from each sale of the special release beer is donated to a local charity. If you are not able to make it on the first Wednesday, you can still try the new release beer for the entire month, until the next special release (and your purchase still helps raise money for charity).

Events:
We mentioned that you may hear music coming from the beer garden at Black Shirt. They have a stage in the back that is a hot spot for artists in the local music scene. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Black Shirt hosts live bands on the stage and welcomes fans to enjoy music with a fresh craft beer.Be sure to check the schedule as there are many events going on throughout the spring and summer.

We would like to thank Branden Miller for taking time to chat about Colorado craft beer. It was apparent in our discussion how passionate Branden is about brewing high quality beer. We encourage anyone reading this to make a trip to Black Shirt Brewing to enjoy a delicious beer, you won’t be disappointed. If you would like to learn more about how they got their start, you can see Black Shirt in a craft beer documentary called Crafting a Nation.

Black Shirt Brewing Company
3719 Walnut St.
Dener, CO 80205
(303) 993-2799

WestFax Brewing Company Celebrates its One Year Anniversary

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On Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18, WestFax Brewing Company, a small craft brewery located on West Colfax Ave. in Lakewood, CO will be celebrating their one year anniversary.

The doors open at 2 p.m. on Friday March 17. ShaWING food truck will be on site serving up their Western NY favorites and hosting a chicken wing eating contest at 7 p.m. WestFax will be releasing a barrel aged version of their Tears of Our Enemies Scottish Ale, and in honor of St. Patrick’s Day a small batch Nitro Dry Irish Stout and Green Colfax Cream ale. The first 40 people to purchase a pint will receive a free Belgian beer glass. There will also be giveaways and raffles throughout the evening.

Saturday March 18, the doors open at noon and Mile High Cajun food truck will be parked out front serving up two separate buffets to pair with WestFax’s beer releases. There will be a Colorado inspired buffet paired with a Peach Saison, and a Cajun buffet paired with Concussion Protocol Belgian Quad. In addition to the beer releases WestFax will be giving way Belgian beer glasses to the first 40 pints purchased and there will be giveaways and raffles throughout the day.

Anthony Martuscello Owner and President of WestFax Brewing Co. had the following to say regarding their one year celebration, “First we want to thank all of our great patrons and the local community for their continued support throughout the past year. It’s been a very busy year and we couldn’t be happier with where we’re at as a brewery and business. We’ve been working very hard to provide the best product possible for our customers, and we will continue that moving forward. The Celebration on the 17th and 18th is going to be a blast so stop by enjoy a pint and have fun.”

2017 Colorado Beer Festivals

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Colorado is full of great breweries and of course, great beer. Along with the great beer comes many fun beer festivals around the state. Our list includes some of our favorite festivals and is not meant to be a master list with every beer festival in Colorado. The 2017 Colorado Beer Festival list will continue to grow throughout the year and you can find the updated list here.

2017 Colorado Beer Festivals

Boulder Craft Beer Fest – Boulder, CO: The 4th Annual Boulder Craft Beer Festival brings together the best craft breweries from Boulder County and beyond for a tasting festival, offering attendees samples of Boulder’s best beer. The festival includes live music and food for purchase. This is a ticketed event for those 21 years of age and older. August 19, 2017

Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival – Breckenridge, CO:  The Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival is one of the coolest events of the spring in the Colorado Rockies!  Featuring brews, views and free live music, the Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival is an event you don’t want to miss. April 8, 2017

Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival – Breckenridge, CO: The Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival is one of the coolest events of the Summer in the Colorado Rockies!  Featuring brews, views and free live music, the Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival is an event you don’t want to miss. July 8, 2017

BrüFrouFEST – Denver, CO: BrüFrouFEST 2017 will not only be the largest craft brewer + chef pairing event in the country, but also the finest. As always, the main attraction will be the finest Colorado craft beer + culinary pairing menu featuring 120 local brewers & chefs collaborating on 80+ unique pairings. July 16, 2017

Bruises & Brews Festival – Glendale, CO: Join thousands of rugby fans and beer aficionados at Glendale’s Bruises & Brews Beerfest Saturday August 26, 2017 from 12-4 p.m. at Infinity Park in Glendale. 20 breweries will showcase their top brews, along with a few distilleries and a couple terrific hard ciders. Beer and rugby… they are better together! For the complete Bruises & Brews Beerfest experience, fans also gain admittance to the 2017 RugbyTown Sevens tournament.

Burning Can notjusta BeerFest – Lyons, CO: Music. Food. 50+ Breweries. Rocky Mountain revelry. Our cans only beer fest set in our home town that kicked off the can beer apocalypse – Lyons, CO. All proceeds benefit ‘Can’d Aid’ the non-profit side of Oskar Blues Brewery, and is a public charity dedicated to giving back and doin’ good. June 3, 2017

Collaboration Festival – Denver, CO: Collaboration Fest returns for a 4th year! Don’t miss out on America’s most creative beer festival featuring 100+ beer projects with over 150 participating breweries. Come for the beers, stay for the conversation! Every beer tapped at Collaboration Fest has a unique story as two or more breweries come together to brew something special. The result? Some of the most exciting, delicious beer tappings you’ll find anywhere. March 25, 2017

Colorado Craft Beer Week – Colorado Craft Beer Week 2017 will host hundreds of brewery supported events throughout the state from educational panels at neighborhood breweries to the fourth annual Collaboration Fest at the National Western Stock Show Complex. March 18-25, 2017

Colorado Brewers’ Festival – Fort Collins, CO: Beer (and Music) Fans rejoice! The award-winning* Colorado Brewers’ Festival (COBF) returns to Downtown Fort Collins on June 24th & 25th, 2017! This iconic event weekend will feature 90+ Colorado beers, 40+ Colorado breweries and an interactive Beer School with tastings and demonstrations. June 24-25, 2017

Colorado Brewers Rendezvous – Salida, CO: The Brewers Rendezvous is held in Salida every July, and features more than craft breweries from around the state. It takes place along the banks of the Arkansas River and features great food and music. July 8, 2017

Denver Brew Fest @ Mile High Station –  Denver, CO: The Brew Fest at Mile High Station will celebrate craft beverages from around Colorado and beyond and features; live local music, food, and other vendors. 100+ brews from 45+ craft breweries! There are two Denver Brew Fests, Winter & Summer. Summer Brew Fest: July 28-29, 2017

Erie Brewfest – Erie, CO: 30 Local Colorado Breweries, Regional Food Trucks, Music by local groups. This is the Erie Chamber’s 5th Annual OUTDOOR BREWFEST held in Historic Downtown Erie on Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt. June 10, 2017

Evergreen Summerfest & Palette of Brews – Evergreen, CO: Colorado breweries serving unlimited tastes to ticket holders as part of Summerfest on July 15-16. The event takes place only five minutes off I-70 in Evergreen at the Buchanan Park Athletic Fields (at Hwy 74 & Squaw Pass Rd.). July 15-16, 2017

Feast of Saint Arnold – Colorado Springs, CO: The 5th Annual Feast of Saint Arnold. “Colorado’s Family Friendly Beer Festival ” showcasing the best of Colorado’s craft brewers, winemakers, and emerging distilleries. It is located on the historic grounds of the Chapel of our Saviour Episcopal Church in the heart of the Broadmoor Neighborhood at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain. June 10, 2017

Great American Beer Festival – Denver, CO: A Denver tradition that takes place each fall. With exhibits manned by more than 400 of the top craft brewers in the nation, attendees are able to sample more than 1,800 different brews. The festival is produced by the Brewers Association, the national trade association for all craft breweries, which is located in Boulder, Colorado. October 5-7, 2017

Haunted Brew Fest – Colorado Springs, CO: The Haunted Brew Fest team have worked tirelessly preparing for one of the most unique brew fest’s Colorado Springs has ever seen!  This Is Going To Be The Biggest Halloween Party To Date! Don’t Miss It! Check back for 2017 info

Hops + Handrails – Longmont, CO: Back for its fifth year, Hops + Handrails Beer Fest & Rail Jam, returns March 11th to Longmont, Colorado with the support of Winter Park Resort, Burton Boards, and the Satellite Board Shop. The hybrid winter event will feature a 60+ brewery craft beer fest alongside a 40′ high snowboard ramp & rail jam competition, world-class rock and blues lineup. March 11, 2017

JUL-IPA Festival – Boulder, CO: A CELEBRATION OF THE BEST & BADDEST IPAs! The West End Tavern and The Millennium Harvest House bring you the Third Annual JUL-IPA Festival. Bringing together brewers, beer geeks + the community. Check back for 2017 info.

Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival – Keystone, CO: Keystone brings the wonders of Appalachia to the Rockies. Down-home cooking, mountain music and a unique blend 30 microbreweries from Colorado and beyond showcase their unique blends of hops and barleys. Live music rocks out on 3 stages. August 5-6, 2017

Lafayette Brewfest – Lafayette, CO: Come and join us for the Lafayette’s Brew Fest featuring craft beers for sale from 25+ breweries.  Explore craft/micro beers one pour at a time! No entrance fee. Tickets sold by 4 oz pours. Visit a variety of restaurant and food booths, wine will also be sold. Only Service Dogs allowed. September 9, 2017

Manitou Springs Heritage Brew Festival – Manitou Springs, CO: Manitou Springs welcomes 25+ local craft breweries to Memorial Park for the ultimate beer tasting experience! Tickets get you admission unlimited tastings, a commemorative tasting glass, music, food and more. Help support the Manitou Springs Heritage Center in the preservation of Manitou Springs History. September 2017 (check back for date)

Palisade Brews & Cruise Festival – Palisade, CO: The Colorado National Bank Brews & Cruise Festival offers an opportunity to taste and chat with fellow beer lovers. We will have several acclaimed craft breweries, beer, and food pairings, live music and the finest quality of handcrafted unique products and arts and crafts. New this year is the VIP tent for 100 serious beer lovers. May 6, 2017

Parker Brewfest – Parker, CO: Many of the best, local craft brewers from Douglas and surrounding counties will showcase their products for sampling and discussions with attendees. 100% of proceeds from this event go to our Rotary Club’s support for many local projects and organizations and can be eligible for matching funds from our Rotary District 5450. August 19, 2017

Red, Whites and Brews in The Boat –  Steamboat Springs, CO – The Reds Whites & Brews In The Boat Festival (formally known as Reds Whites & Brews) is proud to announce we’re moving to Steamboat Springs this June. The Reds, Whites & Brews Festival has evolved to become a ‘don’t miss’ event of the summer!  This event will feature amazing unlimited wine & craft beer tastings, LIVE music, vendors and food all in beautiful Downtown Steamboat Springs. June 14, 2017

Save the Ales – Denver, CO
Raise a glass with friends while helping Conservation Colorado raise funds to protect, conserve, and ensure a future with plenty of clean water for all Coloradans. Because no water means no beer! Your Save the Ales ticket purchase will help Conservation Colorado educate citizens on how to be stewards of water, collaborate with lawmakers to protect water at the policy level, and encourage people to stand up for the basic human right to clean, healthy water for all. August 10, 2017

South Denver Beer Fest – Littleton, CO: South Denver Beer Fest features over 60 breweries both local and national. The festival takes place in beautiful Clement Park in Littleton, Colorado.  The festival is set next to a lake with Rocky Mountain views in a distance.Guests will have the opportunity to sample over 150 beers and vote for their favorites in a variety of categories. Check back for 2017 info.

Steel City Brewfest & Competition – Pueblo, CO: Join us at the beautiful Pueblo Riverwalk for the 4th Annual Steel City Brew Fest. This event is part of the 17th Annual Loaf ‘N Jug Boats, Bands and BBQ Festival, presented by Loaf ‘ N Jug, an annual event that draws over 30,000 people over a two day period. The Steel City Brew Fest will allow participants to sample beer from both Colorado and national craft breweries. This event benefits the HARP Foundation, a 501(c)(3). May 20, 2017

Taste of the West – Golden, CO: Taste of the West is the premier culinary event in Jefferson County, Colorado. The “Taste” will feature award-winning cuisine from many of Jeffco’s best restaurants and caterers. In addition to tasty food samples, the festival will feature an assortment of beer from local breweries, wine and culinary exhibitors. 2017 marks the 3rd year for our Taste of The West beer garden, which highlights the great local craft beer from Jefferson County. June 8, 2017

The All Colorado Beer Festival – Colorado Springs, CO: Lots of Great Colorado Beers. Lovers of Colorado Beer allow the All Colorado Beer Festival to distribute over $80,000 to very deserving charities during the past five years. The festival is located in Colorado Springs, CO. November 2017 (check back for info)

The Springs Beer Fest – Colorado Springs, CO: Enjoy a fun-filled day of bottomless, fresh, craft beer samplings from over 55 Notable Craft Brewers. Join 4,000 beer enthusiasts for an afternoon of live music, local vendors, and local fare from food trucks and area restaurants. August 5, 2017

Wild West Fermentation Fest – Glenwood Springs, CO: The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts & Roaring Fork Events look forward to spending the weekend with you at the 2nd Annual Wild West Fermentation Fest. Craft Breweries ♦ Cideries ♦ Distilleries ♦ Wineries ♦ Music ♦ Art ♦ Food. June 30th & July 1st, 2017

Burning Can Festival, Lyons, CO – June 4, 2016

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Burning-CanOskar Blues Brewery is bringing its BURNING CAN (notjusta) Beer Fest and CAN’d Aid Fundraiser back to Lyons, Colorado on June 4, 2016. This summer tradition is an award-winning celebration of canned craft beer, Burning Can (notjusta) Beer fest is part of Lyons Outdoor Games. More than 60 craft breweries from around the country will be on hand to sample their canned brews – nearly 200 beers in all – and take part in the country’s original active beer festival that combines live music, spectator sports and sport competitions, and a concert by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Registration is open and tickets are on sale HERE. Burning Can also features participant and spectator sport competitions including The Beer Relay, a team trail running and beer drinking event. This four-hour competition is run in teams of two or four. Runners will complete as many 5K laps as possible within the four-hour time period. If they choose to drink an Oskar Blues beer prior to their lap, they get two-minutes deducted from their lap time. The team with the most laps wins. Those who’d rather spectate than participate can watch legendary mountain bike freeriding and trials rider, Jeff Lenosky, perform jaw-dropping, not-to-be-missed demos. Lenosky is a three-time National Champion and World Record Holder for the highest bunny hop on a mountain bike (45.5 inches).

This celebration of craft beer-in-a-can raises money for Can’d Aid Foundation. The CAN’d Aid Foundation is all about diggin’ in and makin’ a difference with their “do-goodery” program areas: Towns, Tunes, Treads + Trails and Love Yur Mama. The two-year-old public charity has raised nearly $2 million and has recently provided disaster relief assistance to South Carolina, North Texas and Flint, MI with fresh drinking water and rebuilding efforts through its “Towns” program. Look for additional events highlighting Can’d Aid Foundation’s community do-goodery to surround their April events, including bike builds & giveaways and free music workshops and instrument donations. Burning Can in CO and NC were called “7 don’t miss US beer fests” by CNN. Burning Can and Lyons Outdoor Games named USA TODAY 10 BEST “Greatest Beerfest in All the Land”.

Taste of the West – June 9, 2016

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Taste-of-the-West-logo-finalThursday, June 9, 2016
Jeffco Fairgrounds, 15200 W. 6th Ave. Frontage Rd, Golden, CO 80401

Taste of the West is the premier culinary event in Jefferson County, Colorado. The “Taste” will feature award-winning cuisine from many of Jeffco’s best restaurants and caterers. In addition to tasty food samples, the festival will feature an assortment of beer from local breweries, wine, spirits, culinary exhibitors and networking with over 1,200 attendees. 2016 marks the 2nd year for our Taste of The West beer garden, which highlights the great local craft beer from Jefferson County! Check out the full vendor list below:

Celebrating more than 20 years of “Great Tastes,” this is an event enjoyed by attendees of all ages. The West Chamber hosts Taste of the West each June at venues in Jefferson County. This year the event will be held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W 6th Ave Frontage Rd, Golden, CO 80401.

Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. Tickets include unlimited food tasting and 5 beer, wine or spirits tastings! Join us for Taste of the West and experience the best food and drink that Jefferson County has to offer! Click Here to purchase tickets. Your ticket stub will be good for a BUY ONE – GET ONE FREE drink at World of Beer – Belmar the weekend following Taste of the West (June 9-12).

Beer-Garden-Sponsor-Banner-Web6Breweries:
AC Golden Brewing
Barrels & Bottles
Brewery Rickoli
Caution Brewing
El Rancho Brewing
Golden City Brewery
Holidaily Brewing
Ironworks Brewery
Joyride Brewing
WestFax Brewing

Restaurants, Wine & Spirits Vendors:
240 Union
Applejack Wine & Spirits
Buck’s BBQ
Chad’s Grill
Coyote Gold Natural Margarita
Enstrom Candies
Flights Wine Café
Grappa Italian Bisto
Hana Matsuri Sushi
Hurricane Grill & Wings (Littleton)
IHOP Belmar
Jose O’Shea’s
Mount Vernon Country Club
Old Chicago
Outback Steakhouse – Denver West
Pink Zebra Cupcakes
The Grove Restaurant @ Raccoon Creek
Table Mountain Inn
The Vista @ Applewood Golf Course
Village Roaster

Wynkoop Brewing Hosts Grand Re-Opening – Friday, April 22

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Wynkoop Lightrail AleAfter undergoing a major remodel of the restaurant, brewing facilities and equipment, Wynkoop will celebrate it’s grand re-opening this Friday, April 22 with a showcase of the full range of updates and a host of new seasonal brews in rotation. From 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. guests can enjoy a beer and tour the new brewery; the re-opening falls on the same day as the launch of the Train to the Plane and will take part in the festivities going on at the 22nd and Wynkoop DIA line launch.

In honor of the A Line, attendees can try a throwback batch of the Light Rail Organic Ale made with organic pilsner malt and a blend of New Zealand grown hops. Pints of Light Rail are $4 all day Friday; public brewery tours are free and will run every 30 minutes. In addition, attendees can taste Saison done three ways—Saison de Seigle, the kettle-soured Necessity Saison, and the Forethought Saison, a barrel-aged sour—plus the limited-run Rye-Teo Old Chap, an imperial rye stout aged in Laws Whiskey House Secale rye whiskey barrels.

“We’ve taken the best of what’s classic about the Wynkoop and added a state of the art brew house,” explains Bess Dougherty, Barrel Troll (and Lead Brewer) at Wynkoop. “The new brew house means that we have an even better ability to develop complex taste and aroma profiles in our beers.  In addition, we have more capacity and are excited to be able to dig more deeply into experimental and barrel-aged beers, including high ABV selections. We’re making even better beer, a more diverse range of styles and we’re doing it all at the heart of Denver.”

Wynkoop FermentersAbout Wynkoop Brewing Company
In 1988 LoDo had no ballpark, no valet parking, no farm-to-table restaurants: just four guys who wanted to make really good beer. Those four guys were John Hickenlooper, Jerry Williams, Mark Shifler and Russell Scherer. They opened the first craft brewery in Denver on Skid Row in the century-old J. S. Brown Mercantile Building. Beer drinkers across the state braved the sketchy ghost town that was LoDo in the late 1980s for billiards and pints of Russell’s unexpected beer styles. He was one of the first professional brewers in the country to try his hand at mead-making, doppel alt, and cream stout. He was honored by the Brewers Association when he passed with the Russell Scherer Award for Innovation in Brewing, awarded each year at the Craft Brewers Conference to a brewer who knocks down doors.

Almost thirty years later, Wynkoop remains a Denver institution. We are still known for
innovative, ballsy brewers who put just about anything in the beer, including Rocky Mountain oysters, gummy bears and green chiles. It is known as the brewery that brewed a neighborhood because—without exaggeration—the Wynkoop helped spark the revitalization of LoDo. Today, our neighborhood is the heartbeat of the city, surrounded by iconic landmarks like Coors Field, Larimer Square, and the recently renovated Union Station across Wynkoop Street. We may be a bit biased, but we like to think that it all began with really good beer.