Strong ale highlights 7th annual fest

February 25, 8:41 AMNorthern Colorado Beer Examiner'Chipper' Dave Butler

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Leave your car keys at home. A festival is coming this weekend that is only for the boldest beer drinkers. I'm talking about the annual Boulder Strong Ale Festival.

Avery Brewing Company and Harpo's Sports Grill of Boulder is once again hosting the 7th annual Boulder Strong Ale Festival this weekend.  And by strong ale, they mean strong ale.  All of the 60+ featured high gravity beers will contain at least 8% ABV or higher.

For your $25 at the door entry fee, beer fans will receive a commemorative drinking glass and 16 tasting tickets good for 2 ounce samplings of some of the best strong ale in the region.  All 60 or more beers will be available each day at the start of the festival.  Additions tasting tickets will be available for $1 and good for 2 more 2oz pours.

The festivities will be held at Harpo's Sports Grill at 2860 Arapahoe Avenue in Boulder on Friday, February 27th from 4pm to 10pm and also on Saturday February 28th from noon to 6pm. 

This event really packs in the crowd.  No advance tickets will be available so get there early to get a seat.  Try to get someone to take you home or take a taxi back from this event and the beers here are some of the strongest in the land. There are discounts available for nearby hotels such as the Boulder Outlook Hotel and the Boulder Inn, both of which are within walking distance of the event.

For those curious as to which breweries will be providing beers for this event, take a look at this list: Avery (CO), Allagash (ME), Full Sail (OR), Shorts (MI), Stone (CA), Pizza Port (CA), Lagunitas (CA), Jolly Pumpkin (MI), Shorts (MI), Snake River (WY), Smuttynose (NH), Russian River (CA), Bear Republic (CA), Dogfish Head (DE), New Holland (MI), Moylan?s (CA), Flying Dog (MD), Left Hand (CO), Boulder Beer (CO), Golden City (CO), Pumphouse (CO), Mountain Sun (CO), Twisted Pine (CO), Oskar Blues (CO) Wild Mountain (CO) with still more to confirm!

So those of you who drink only light lagers beware - this festival will knock your socks off.  This is not for the wimpy beer drinker!  Go prepared to test yourself and taste some of the best strong ale in the land.  Better pace yourself, these beers will sneak up on you fast.  Don't forget to drink responsibly and don't drive afterwards.