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Chill Out with a Cold Brew at these Winter Beer Festivals

By Lee Heidel Jan 6, 2020 2:54 PM

The cold months aren’t just for hibernating. While your initial instinct may be to sip an ale alone by the fire, instead get out and take advantage of a big winter beer festival.

Denver Beer Festivus

Denver Beer Festivus — Photo by Alyson McClaran Photo by Alyson McClaran

Where: Denver, Colorado
When: December 16, 2017

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Hosted at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, Two Parts presents the sixth annual Seinfield-inspired Denver Beer Festivus. More than 50 Denver-area breweries will be in attendance, showcasing the best of one of America’s largest regional beer scenes. Wear your ugly holiday sweater, air your grievances. and enjoy the beer “Festivus” for the rest of us. Ticket prices start at $40.

Extreme Beer Fest

Beer Flight — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Where: Boston, Massachusetts
When: February 2-3, 2018

Seaport World Trade Center in Boston is home to the 2018 Extreme Beer Fest. Three tasting sessions will feature some of the best breweries in the world demonstrating their less-than-traditional beers. Hosted by the beer authority magazine Beeradvocate and sponsored by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, this is a can’t miss for lovers of the weird and wild. A $65 ticket gets you three and a half hours with the most interesting beers money can buy.

Big Beers, Belgians & Barley Wines Festival

Big Beers Belgians and Barley Wines Festival — Photo by David Foxhoven Photo by David Foxhoven.

Where: Breckenridge, Coloardo
When: January 4-6, 2018

Cold weather is meant for big, burly beers. High alcohol, intense flavors, and creative brewing techniques will be found aplenty at the Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center in Breckenridge for the Big Beers, Belgians & Barley Wines Festival. Get to know the makers by meeting brewers and owners while sipping lambics, strong ales, and similarly intense beers. Full weekend passes are sold out, but reserved seminar seats are still available.

Arizona Strong Beer Festival

best beer bars in las vegas — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Where: Phoenix, Arizona
When: February 10, 2018

Timed conveniently during Arizona Beer Week, the Arizona Strong Beer Festival has 136 breweries lined up to tempt your tastebuds. A $100 VIP ticket includes Friday night’s brewers reception, early admission to the festival, 40 tastings, and private restroom access.

Feature image by Alyson McClaran.

Lee Heidel is the managing editor of Brew/Drink/Run, a website and podcast that promotes brewing your own beer, consuming the… Read Full Bio

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Liquor, Beer, Wine & Drinks

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Old Overholt, the rye whiskey brand owned by Beam Suntory, just released the 2026 edition of its Extra Aged Cask Strength rye — and it’s the strongest bottle the series has ever put out.

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The best beers to pair with your summer yard games

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When it comes to leisure activities during the summer months, it’s difficult to beat the appeal of a round of yard games. What could be more fun on a hot, sunny day than besting your friends and siblings in an epic backyard brawl? I can’t think of anything.

I’m talking about games like croquet, lawn darts, bocce, ladder ball, cornhole, and more. The only thing that makes the experience better is having a frosty, refreshing beer firmly in one of your hands. But just like how you don’t enjoy every yard game, not just any beer will do.