A long while ago, it’s been forever it seems, I was working for a brewery in my hometown of Florence, Colorado. The brewery is called Florence Brewing Company and it’s seriously my favorite brewery. I worked alongside the owner, Hans, to promote the brewery daily doing blog posts, updating things on social media, managing the website.
I’ve learned so much from working there. And although I am not there anymore, my love for FBC and craft beer hasn’t changed.
Fortunately enough, I was blessed with being able to attend a mass amount of beer festivals all over the state of Colorado (thank you, Hans). Having gone to so many, I definitely have discovered my favorites.
In my other posts about beer, I have definitely talked about it a lot, but I will say again, I LOVE the Colorado craft beer community. They are the nicest and most helpful people on the planet.
So, what are my favorite beer festivals? I’ll list ’em below and if you have the time, I highly suggest visiting all of them.
All Colorado Beer Festival – (Colorado Springs)
All Colorado Beer Festival was the first beer festival I ever went to. It is your standard walk around and try all the beers once, twice, or maybe three or four times before your time slot has ended. Their primary goal as a beer fest is to raise money and donate it to local charities, so come out and drink!
The beer fest welcomes concoctions from breweries all around the state of Colorado and everything gathers in Colorado Springs to celebrate the unique tastes of each brewery. It’s a really fun time!
Dates: 2019 dates have not yet been released.
Ticket Prices: Look for it on their website
Rails and Ales – (Alamosa)
Rails and Ales is a beer festival that takes you on a Rio Grande scenic train ride from Alamosa up into the San Luis Valley. The train makes a final stop at a venue in the mountains where the cell service is non-existent and the rolling hills have grass as tall as you. They’ve even managed to set up a stage for bands to play in.
The scenery is so gorgeous, who wouldn’t want to spend some time drinking beer in the sun with mountains on all sides.
Dates: June 15, 2019
Ticket Prices: Starts at $79 a Person
Great American Beer Festival – (Denver)
I can’t go through this post without mentioning the nations largest and most ridiculously awesome beer festival in the nation. The Great American Beer Festival is the most prestigious of all brewfests in the nation. They invite over 800 breweries from all over the country to share their creations.
Not only do they share, but each brewery also enters their best beer in for a chance to win the highest honored beer award there is.
Dates: October 3-5 2019
Ticket Prices: Starts at $85 a Person
Pints and Pools – (Pagosa Springs)
If you are a big lover of both hot springs and beer, Colorado has a beer festival for you too. Take a trip through Wolf Creek pass or up from the states below Colorado to partake in a long soak in one of the 23 Pagosa Hot Springs Resorts pools just before trying some of Colorado and New Mexico’s best beers.
Pints and Pools was one of the best and most unique brewfests in my opinion. Plus, if you have some time after the festival, you can visit one of the few breweries located in Pagosa Springs.
Dates: April 27, 2019
Ticket Prices: Starts at $50 a Person
Big Bear Brew Fest – (Pueblo)
Big Bear Brew Fest is Southern Colorado’s largest beer festival and it takes place in Pueblo, Colorado. They invite around 50 breweries and over 100 beer to try and love.
Visit with some of your favorite breweries in the Pueblo area, or discovered the tastes from other breweries around the state! This is by far one of the most inexpensive, and totally worth it, beer fests to visit in 2019. And there is so much to do in the Pueblo area, especially nightlife.
Dates: August 2-3, 2019
Ticket Prices: Stars at $40 a Person
Snowmass Rendevous Beer Fest (Snowmass)
Who would pass up a chance to drink beer in one of the most luxurious parts of Colorado? No one! Well maybe someone, but if they have the chance, they shouldn’t pass up the Snowmass Rendezvous.
Enjoy beer, food pairings, and live music at this beer festival, all while surrounded by some of the best scenery in the state. It’s one you won’t wanna miss!
Dates: June 7-8, 2019
Ticket Prices: Starts at $20 a Person
Brewer’s Rendevous – (Salida)
If you like roaring white water rivers, and quaint little towns nestled in the mountains, the Brewer’s Rendezvous of Salida is a prime choice to beer drinking festivals.
Over 70 breweries from around Colorado attend this beer festival, and you get the chance to enjoy some of the states best breweries while enjoying the scenic areas around you.
Dates: July 13, 2019
Ticket Prices: Starts at $95 a Person
Collaboration Festival – (Denver)
Perhaps another one of my most favorite beer fests in Collaboration Fest. Breweries partner with other breweries in their region to create a unique beer together. The festival offers over 100 beer projects and over 200 collaborators!
One or both of the breweries that partner with each other is guaranteed to be a part of the Colorado Brewers Guild, which you will see lurking about at most beer fests. At this beer fest, the beers tapped will be some of the most unique flavors you find. I remember trying a banana’s foster beer known as Foster Child, which was absolutely divine.
Dates: Watch out for their 2020 dates and ticket prices!
Ticket Prices: Beer fest over :(. Go next year!
Bacon and Beer Classic – (Denver)
Bacon and Beer, the perfect combo. I’m vegan now, but that doesn’t mean I still don’t love bacon. This unique beer fest takes place at Broncos Mile High Stadium for your chance to taste unlimited beers from around Colorado and eat a ton of bacon while you’re at it.
The Bacon and Beer Classic tickets are selling like crazy, so it’s best to purchase them now before they sell out. Over 100 beers to try and more than 30 different bacon-inspired dishes. Seriously. It’s gotta be heaven.
Dates: May 11, 2019
Ticket Prices: Starts at $75 a Person
Have you been to any of these beer fests and loved them? Leave your comments below! Or visit my other blogs on Colorado Craft beer.
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