2023 Colorado Beer Festivals & Brewery Anniversary Tracker | Winter Edition

It might still be Dry January for many folks, but the beer calendar is already beginning to fill up for the first half of the year. And with so many breweries and events still working on ramping up after a few years of dormancy, it’s already starting to shape up to be a busy year for beer.

To help you navigate the multitude of festivals, brewery anniversaries, and major events happening around Colorado this year, we’ve, once again, compiled your comprehensive Colorado Beer Festival Tracker. This year’s research was aided by the Facebook Group: Craft Brews &. Mountain Views: Ultimate Resource to Colorado Beer Events. Be sure to give them a follow AND bookmark this page as we’ll continue to update our list throughout the rest of the year.

Genius Wizard Launch Party

Going beyond just a normal beer release, Ratio Beerworks has truly evolved the yearly debut of Genius Wizard, their Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout and transformed it into a one-of-a-kind beer experience. Each year the Denver-based brewery partners with local artists to transform the brewery into a fully immersive art installation. This year Ratio will once again welcome Spectra Art Space along with featured local artist DAS (Douglas A. Schenck) to takeover not only the RiNo taproom but also their outdoor patio. Ticket holders will also get to enjoy special limited edition variants of Genius Wizard, which this year includes Chai Spice and Vanilla Coconut, alongside taco pairings from La Diabla Pozole Y Mezcaleria. In all, ticket holders receive four variants of Genius Wizard, which last year won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Beer Cup, a Genius Wizard four-pack to-go, commemorative glass, tacos, and the full immersive experience.

Where: Ratio Beerworks – 2920 Larimer Street Denver, CO 80205

When: Sat, January 28, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM MST

Tickets: $50: Available Here

New Belgium’s Lost in the Woods

Colorado’s originator of the fully immersive beer release experience, New Belgium’s Lost in the Woods remains one of the state’s most unique and jaw-dropping beer release events. Each year New Belgium transforms its foeder forest into a fully immersive experience inviting guests to dress the part of that year’s theme. In 2023, Lost in the Woods goes the way of the Big Apple channeling New York City for a magical evening of sour beers, great eats, and dancing to commemorate the release of La Folie.

Where: New Belgium Brewing – Fort Collins: 500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO

When: Saturday, February 11, 2023, 8:00pm – 12:00am

Tickets: $75: Available Here

Left Hand Nitro Fest

Left Hand Brewing renowned for its Nitro Milk Stout revives its long-time celebration of nitro beers after a three-year hiatus. The event which exclusively features nitro beers heads to Denver’s Mission Ballroom for the first time located right next door to Left Hand’s new Denver taproom. Nitro Fest will once again feature high-flying circus performances from aerialists, and circus performers milling throughout the crowd with guests invited to join in the “Cosmic Masquerade” theme.

This year’s festival will also feature 32 total guest breweries, 8 international breweries including representatives from Ireland, Croatia, Hungary, United Kingdom, Iceland, Argentina, and Korea, as well as several specialty releases from the host, Left Hand Brewing. To cap off the night, guests will enjoy an interstellar musical performance by world-renowned musician and record producer, Ott.

Where: Mission Ballroom – 4242 Wynkoop St, Denver, CO

When: Saturday, March 4 from 4:00pm-7:30pm

Tickets: $85 – $150 – Available Here

Collaboration Fest

The American craft beer movement has credits its success to the industry’s collaborative and communal spirit. No festival in the country better imbues that ethos than the Colorado Brewers Guild’s Collaboration Fest. Featuring over 100 breweries collaborating on beers brewed specifically for this event.

This year’s fest moves to Westminster for the first time but will assuredly showcase some of the most inventive and creative beers produced. Colorado Brewers Guild members are allowed to collaborate with both an in-state brewery as well as an out-of-state brewery for one of the signature events of the year.

Where: The Westin Westminster – 10600 Westminster Boulevard Westminster, CO 

When: Saturday, March 25, 2023 from 2pm – 6pm

Tickets: $65 – $85 : Available Here

Vail Craft Beer Classic

One of the most amazing things about attending a beer festival in the mountains is that you typically get to enjoy incredible beers set to an even more breathtaking backdrop. There might be no more magical summer beer fest than the Vail Craft Beer Classic, which returns June 16 & 17 with over 30 world-class breweries and beverage producers available to sample across two sessions. What’s even more fantastic about attending a fest like this is the opportunity to sample from incredible mountain breweries, that don’t always make it down to the Front Range.

Where: Ford Sculpture Garden Park – 522 S Frontage Rd E, Vail
When: Friday, June 16 from 4-7pm – Saturday, June 16 from 12-2:30 & 3:30-6pm
Tickets: Find out More Available Here

This post was made possible through support from On Tap Credit Union

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