There are two weeks in the year that I look forward to the most: GABF week and Colorado Craft Beer Week (March 21-29). And 2015 has no shortage of fantastic beer events lined up for beer lovers in Colorado. I’m personally excited for Collaboration Fest, which is sold out. But there are plenty of other fun things going on. Here are some ideas to get you going. Also check out the Colorado Brewers Guild’s calendar for the scoop on where to go and what to do.
Beers & Spears #5
On Saturday, March 21, stop by Denver Beer Co. between 12-5 for Beers & Spears #5. Denver Beer Co. & The Real Dill are collaborating on an awesome paired flight of pickles & beer. The flight will include tasters from specialty firkins and a bloody beer (made with The Real Dill Bloody Mary Mix) paired with The Real Dill pickles! Don’t forget about the infamous SPICY PICKLE EATING CONTEST! The winner goes home with a 6 pack or growler of a DBC beer of their choice and a jar of TRD pickles! Free admission. $10 per flight.
South of the Border Beer Dinner
On Monday, March 23 join the Founders of McDevitt Taco Supply and Sanitas Brewing Co. for a unique Southwestern-style beer dinner. It will include four courses ranging from Jalapeno Squash Soup to Chipotle Brownies paired with multiple Sanitas beers, including a special pour of Coffee Cinnilla Stout. The meal will be coupled with stories and conversation from the food truck and brewery founders. Dinner costs $25 per person. Click here for more details.
Fuss Off
On Wednesday, March 25, imagine yourself in a room full of handlebar mustaches, oversized glasses, and refined palates. Add a lineup of some of Colorado’s most thoughtfully crafted beers, and then picture yourself rubbing shoulders with the fine brewers who made them. Where is this fantasy beer festival, you ask? In downtown Denver, of course, in a mysterious venue that has never hosted a beer festival before. Only guests will be privy to its actual location… and they wont find out where it is until the morning of. Join Colorado’s craft beer aristocracy at Fuss Off, and don’t forget your beard wax for the beard competition. Some festivals are worth the fuss. Click here to purchase tickets, which cost $50 per person.
New Kids on the Block Beer Festival
This newbie brewery party is back! New Kids on the Block, slated for Thursday March 26, is a beer-centric event celebrating Colorado breweries under 2 years old. Come in your finest ’80s duds to this all-you-can-drink event! The event will include unlimited beer tastings, ’80s jams, and a costume contest. VIP tickets to this festival include a seated three-course beer dinner beforehand. Tickets range from $25 to $45 and can be purchased here.
Colorado Beer Book Showcase
In honor of Colorado Craft Beer Week, Dry Dock Brewing Company is hosting a Colorado Beer Book Showcase on Friday, March 27 at its North Dock location. Meet the authors of three Colorado beer titles— Colorado Breweries by Dan Rabin, Colorado’s Top Brewers by Emily Hutto, and Mountain Brew by Ed Sealover— from 4 to 7pm at Canoe Room at North Dock. Guests can purchase books and get them signed at this event. Visit Dry Dock’s Facebook page for more information.
Rye Fest
Rye the hell not?! That was the general thought passed around between Brew on Broadway, Chain Reaction Brewing and Black Sky Brewery when they concepted this rye beer festival. Together these three breweries created a rye pale ale for the fest that used the additions of pale rye, flaked rye and crystal rye malts. This event, which includes beers from several other Denver breweries, will take place from 1 to 5pm on Saturday, March 28 at Black Sky Brewery. $35 tickets include admission, unlimited tasters, and a rye fest pint glass. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to MaxFund No Kill animal shelter and adoption center. More details here.
CRAFTED
The Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Brewers Guild is excited to host the 2nd annual CRAFTED event on Saturday, March 28 from 12 to 3:30pm. The venue will be located at the top of Painter Boy lift at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. This on mountain tasting event features 20 different breweries and distilleries from around Colorado, in addition to local food offerings. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 the day of, and $80 including a lift ticket for the day.
Ongoing Events
Dry Dock Brewing Co. Pint Glass Giveaway
Got your I Heart Colorado Beer shirt yet? How about a Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) member t-shirt? During Colorado Craft Beer Week from March 21 to March 29 receive a free Dry Dock pint glass with the purchase of an I Heart Colorado Beer shirt or hoodie, or the CBG Colorado Beer Shirt, while merchandise supplies last. This promotion will go on at both of Dry Dock’s locations. Get the details here.
Old Mine Anniversary Week
The Old Mine Cidery & Brewpub in Erie is celebrating its one year anniversary during Colorado Craft Beer Week. The week-long extravaganza includes special tappings from Colorado breweries, vintage beers, and special Old Mine cider releases like the Citra Hopped Handlebar and the SIDRA Tequila Barrel Fermented Imperial Cider. More information here.
Stout Street Social Tappings
Denver’s Stout Street Social, located at 1400 Stout Street, is tapping specialty beers from some of the city’s small-batch breweries all week. Head to the restaurant for Station 26 Cream Ale, Fiction Beer Company’s Feely Effects Green Tea Chocolate Stout, Two22 Brew’s Red Cinnamon Ale, Wit’s End Brewing Company’s Oatmeal Porter, and Jagged Mountain Ptarmigan Ridge Cascadian Dark Ale.
Beer-Infused Dessert at The Mainline
Breckenridge Nitro Vanilla Porter is the magic component that makes the Chocolate Ganache Tort at The Mainline in Fort Collins completely unique. Executive Chef Justin Burdick tops the dark, sweet tort with salted caramel, a perfect compliment to the vanilla undertones that the beer imparts. Try this beer, this dessert, and many of The Mainline’s other beer-friendly menu items during Colorado Craft Beer Week.
