Drink a beer... save a tree!
It's that time of year again when bottom of the barrel beers get their chance to shine. That's right, the 8th Annual Craft Lager Festival will be held this weekend at Memorial Park in historic Manitou Springs, Colorado!
The two-day festival (August 14 - 15; 1:00pm - 6:00pm each day) brings beer lovers a plethora of award-winning hand-crafted lagers from across the United States. Brewers from more than 20 states will be on hand to pour their liquid gold. For a list of brewers and the lagers they'll be pouring, check out the list of 2010 Participating Brewers.
This is a unique festival for many reasons, not the least of which it showcases only lager beers. Lagers are sometimes looked at with a weary eye. But the beers poured at the CLF will shed a new light on a sometimes maligned style. Lagers can be very tasty! The CLF is is also America's first solar-powered lager festival and has been named by USA Today as one of the "Top 10 Beer Festivals in the Nation." There will be party tents for rain or shade, new brews, bigger pours, less waiting in line, free soft drinks (for designated drivers), and free parking. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
There are several ticket options with prices ranging from $25 per day per person to $65 for a couple (which includes special collector's gear), so be sure to check the website for all the details. Price of admission includes unlimited (responsible) sampling of fine craft lagers, live performances by local favorites Grass It Up! and Big Paddy Band, a local art show, and as always... unlimited fun. Food will be available for separate purchase from favorite west side eateries including Front Range BBQ, Jake & Telly's, and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. No matter which ticket you buy all proceeds from the event go to support open spaces and parks in Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs.
And for the really hardcore beer geeks out there, don't miss the inaugural Lager School on Friday, August 13th at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs where David Bryant from the Brewing Science Institute, Erik Maxson from Carver Brewing, Zak Davis from Shmaltz Brewing, and yours truly - Eli Shayotovich - will be speaking on a number of beer related topics. For $55 you'll receive a continental breakfast at the 8:00am reception, get to hear the four speakers, and attend an "after school" party at Trinity with $1 beers and cheese/sausage samplings. Check out the itinerary for all the details.
So set aside some time this weekend to come out and enjoy a few beers from the bottom of the barrel. You won't be disappointed!
Zivjeli!
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