Vail Big Beers Festival

Pure, 100%, unadulterated badass. But don't tell anyone because I want this to be one thing in the craft beer world that doesn't blow up.

This will be my first year staying the night so I don't have a lot of input about "extracurricular activities".

 

I'll be there. Went for the first time last year and it was by far my favorite beer festival or event, ever. From a homebrewer's perspective, there's a ton of great information at the various seminars. And the seminars are probably still fun and education for non-brewers.

Matt Brynildson from FW is leading a seminar entitled "Oak Three Ways: Fermented, Aged & Wild". I'm sure he'll be sharing some great FW barrel-aged beers. And Kevin Delange from Dry Dock is doing a seminar on Barleywines, and I'd be willing to bet he'll be pouring Bligh's.

 

I hate you.

 

I got nothin' but love for you and your Navajo truckstop blanket.

 

I hope it doesn't blow up only if they never move it into a bigger space. The seminars are incredible, and I'll be completely devastated the first year I can't just walk into one. This conference makes my dreams come true.

 

Haven't been since '07, but I remember it being killer. That year, Deschutes brought The Abyss, which had just rolled out a few months prior, Bristol was pouring Winter Warlock XXX, which hadn't yet hit and Dogfish brought a bunch of vintage stuff. It was awesome!

I remember being pretty impressed by the international selection. We attended a seminar with Hildegard and Bas from Urthel. Just a really fun weekend with some amazing beer.

Excited to be going back this year. Thought about trying to put together a bottle share for Friday night. We're at Simba Run and know a few people that might be interested. Where's everybody staying?

 

Best festival I've ever been to. Small number of attendees in comparison to similar events, so you can actually talk to the brewers who are pouring their best brews. The public transportation around Vail makes for a hassle free trip. Seminars are fantastic, but get there early, they won't let you in after they start. Some good pizza joints downtown.

 

Love this fest! This is my 3rd year going. Or is it 4th?... It's the first time going that I have tix for the Friday dinner. Never been to the seminars, but always heard good things about them. The last few times my husband I have gone we have found more beer to drink/bottle shares, etc after the Sat tasting as well since that ends relatively early in the evening. Last year they had specials at the breweries that we're in the area along I70. I think the Vail bus can get you out to Edwards and back if you're interested in checking out Crazy Mountain. I haven't heard anything special going on this year. I'll have to check my emails for more info.

Plus, Surly will be there again!

 

If anyone has space in a car going up Friday night or Saturday morning and returning the next day, I'm a Big Beers orphan this year in need of a ride and a floor to sleep on. I could easily help pay for anything and everything, I just didn't get my act together soon enough this year for planning. Shoot me a BM if you could accommodate.

 

We've got a condo at the Holiday Inn. We're doing our own beer dinner Friday night but a bottle share on Saturday might be fun. No set plans for later on Saturday.

 

I'm debating going up Sat morning. My other plans fell through

 

Third time going. Best beer fest I've been too... Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison is damn epic too!

 

I thought that ended 3 or 4 years ago.

 

They are going to have it on two levels again. Really they need a bigger spot for this but there really isn't anywhere bigger.

 

I didn't go last year, what do you mean two levels? The commerical tastings on two levels or are the seminars on a different level?

 

Both. They have one big room where most of the breweries will be at. But there will be a down stairs area. There is a good sized room where all the other brewers will be and there will be another room where they will hold the seminars.

 

Not a brewer, so my question is, will this be good enough for me from a beer sampling standpont?

 

I assume you're talking about the seminars. If so, it depends. I've been to ones where, strictly from a beer sampling standpoint, I wasn't impressed. I've been to others where it was definitely worth the time.

Bottom line: I've really enjoyed all of the seminars I've been to. Some of them had much better beer sampling options.

 

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but don't take a seat at a seminar where the point is to learn about something just to be able to taste beers. That's what the tasting session is for. Leave room at the seminars for people who are there to learn.