Colorado ranks third in the country for number of craft breweries in the state — boasting 284 breweries total — five of which recently landed on the Brewers Association’s Top 50 Craft Breweries in the U.S. list. On March 18, those breweries are coming together to celebrate everything that is good about the state’s craft beer community during Colorado Craft Beer Week (March 18-25). Championed by the Colorado Brewers Guild and anchored by the popular Collaboration Beer Fest, this year’s Colorado Craft Beer Week will highlight collaboration, education and beer and food parings at events and breweries throughout the Centennial State. From meet the brewer events, to educational discussions on the history of beer, to oh-so Colorado events like yoga classes and 5K running races held at local breweries, here’s a look at what’s on tap for this year’s Colorado Craft Beer Week.
Colorado Pint Day – March 22
For one day during Colorado Craft Beer Week, craft beer drinkers throughout the state can order a pint at participating breweries, take home a limited edition “14er” 14 ounce commemorative pint glass, and support the Colorado Brewers Guild — all in one. A dollar from every pint sold will benefit the state’s longtime guild. Visit: coloradobeer.org/events/colorado-pint-day-2017 for a full list of participating breweries.
4th Annual Collaboration Fest – March 25
In a state where at least one beer festival take place just about every weekend, snow or shine, of the entire year, the Colorado Brewers Guild’s Collaboration Beer Fest stands out — due to the unique nature of the beers being poured at the event. At this beer fest, Colorado craft beer drinkers won’t find the same standard beers being poured at every beer fest, instead, 112 collaborations brewed up by a total of 188 breweries from Colorado and beyond will be on tap for the first time. Participating Colorado breweries were tasked with forging collaborations and this year’s final products are set to be some of the best yet. From an double pale ale created by New Belgium and Odell using experimental hops, to Ska Brewing and Boulder Beer Company’s coconut curry Bavarian Hefeweizen inspired by a recipe pulled from Charlie Papazian’s book, The Homebrewer Companion, every beer served at this fest is unique and comes along with a cool story. Ticket pricing starts at $60 per person and can be purchased at collaborationfest.com.
Don’t Miss Brewery Events
Beer and Pancakes bRUNch — Great Divide Brewing Company — March 19
Breakfast beers anyone? Great Divide is kicking off Colorado Craft Beer Week with a beer and pancakes brunch, but you have to earn your beer calories at this event. Register for a 5K or 10K run and get rewarded with a delicious brunch and breakfast beers and beer cocktails at the Great Divide Barrel Room. Tickets are $20 per person and includes registration for either run, brunch and two drinks. brunchrunning.com/
Girl Scout Cookie Pairing — City Star Brewing — March 19
People love Girl Scout cookies. And people love beer. And City Star Brewing Company is putting the two together on March 19 for a self-guided pairing that includes five beers (4 ounce tasters) paired with five different cookies. Tickets are $12 per person. citystarbrewing.com
Yoga and the Baere — Baere Brewing — March 19
It just isn’t a Sunday along the Front Range of Colorado unless you’ve attended a yoga class and indulged in post-workout brews at your local brewery. Space is limited for this free class, and participants get a dollar off beers when all of the sweating is done. baerebrewing.com/home.html
Education Night: The Beginnings of Beer in the Ancient World — Call to Arms Brewing Company — March 20
Up your history of beer knowledge at Call to Arms Brewing’s education night which will be a discussion about the beginnings of beer led by Travis Rupp—R&D manager at Avery Brewing Company and “Beer Archaeologist.” The event is free, but seating is limited. calltoarmsbrewing.com
Beer and Food Pairing Yak and Yeti — Yak & Yeti Restaurant — March 22
If you’re going to attend one beer and food pairing this week, this one should be it. Yak & Yeti’s restaurant is serving award-wining to-die for Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan food, and the brewhouse also boasts a collection of impressive accolades. On March 22, they’ll be serving up a special menu of suggested food and beer pairings created by head brewer, Jeff Tyler. theyakandyeti.com
Don’t Miss Beer Releases
Honey Saison — Left Hand Brewing Company
A seasonal farmhouse-style ale, Left Hand’s latest creation is dry and mildly tart and made with Colorado wildflower honey. Find this beer in 4 packs of 16 ounce cans available at Left Hand Brewing’s Longmont taproom during the beer’s release party on March 18. lefthandbrewing.com
Honeyman 15 IPA — Comrade Brewing Company
This IPA which is set to be released on March 18 is hopped up with Amarillo, Cascade, Chinook and Mount Hood hops, and weighs in at a respectable 6.1 percent ABV. comradebrewing.com
Tart Saison Bottle Release — Baere Brewing
This small 2.5 barrel Denver brewery will be releasing a Tart Saison in 750 ml during their bottle release party of March 18 and will have a limited amount of this delicious brew on tap. baerebrewing.com/home.html
10 Month Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine Release — Joyride Brewing Company
On March 23, Joyride Brewing Company will release a whopper of a barleywine, that’s been aging in a Breckenridge Distillery Bourbon barrel for the past 10 months. joyridebrewing.com
Hola Maria — Boulder Beer Company
Boulder Beer Company is set to welcome the warm weather back with the March 24 release of Hola Maria — an easy-drinking Mexican-style ale. boulderbeer.com
Calamity Jane — City Star Brewing Company
The women of Berthoud-based City Star Brewing harvested Rocky Mountain juniper boughs and berries to make Calamity Jane — a recipe inspired by the Finnish Sahti style of beer, and International Women’s Day. citystarbrewing.com
Passion Fruit IPA — Odyssey Beerwerks
On March 25, Odyssey Beerwerks will release a Passion Fruit IPA — a version of the brewery’s 5535 IPA made with passion fruit puree in the brew. https://www.odysseybeerwerks.com
