2017 Event: Thursday | Friday | Saturday
See Big Beers 2017 Affiliate Events
It’s the perfect combination for a Winter Wonderland getaway: A world-class beer festival at a world-class ski resort! There are discounted ski/snowboard rentals available, discounted lodging, and other arrangements made for Big Beers Festival attendees. Almost all of the Seventeenth Anniversary weekend will be held at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, with some single events held in other locations.
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Thursday, January 5th Schedule
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Thursday (6–9 pm)
This is our opportunity to thank all of the breweries and importers who make this weekend possible. Our third annual Brewers Reception will be held at Coppertop Cafeteria with much fun and camaraderie. BSG Craft Brewing is sponsoring the event, and we thank the brewers for donating libations for the festivities. This is a closed event; brewers and importers only.
Thursday Evening (7:30 pm)
The Seventeenth Anniversary Big Beers Festival Weekend opens in traditional Big Beers style! Enjoy a double beer pairing dinner with fantastic creations from both Avery and Dogfish Head at each course. Adam Avery will once again be hosting the Calibration Dinner with Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, and Executive Chef Phil Dilks & the Beaver Run culinary team will join the fun for the first time this year. See the Calibration Dinner page for further information.
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Friday, January 6th Schedule
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Friday Morning (8:30 am–noon)
This is the opportunity to bone up on your knowledge of everything about beer & brewing at our Cicerone Workshop. The Cicerone Team will be here to lead this morning workshop! And thanks to All About Beer Magazine, our signature sponsor for this event, the $99 fee per person will be waived.
Take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity in Breckenridge! For more information, see the Seminars page.
Friday Morning (9:30 am–noon)
The first session of the American Homebrewers Association-sanctioned Belgians, Barleywines and Strong Ales Homebrew Competition. This event is a judging by a select judging panel for entries registered in advance. For more information about the competition, see the Homebrew Competition page. Spectators and interested parties are welcome to attend, although participation is by prior arrangement only.
Friday Afternoon (12:00–1:00 pm)
Our Welcome Reception will be featuring the following breweries: Coronado Brewing Co., WeldWerks Brewing Co., and Brouwerij de Brabandere. Each will be showcasing a beer of their choice with a food pairing designed by Exec Chef Phil and his culinary team at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center. In addition to tasting, the Welcome Reception also offers the opportunity to hobnob with some of the most innovative brewers in the world. Guests attending multiple weekend events, Volunteers, Judges, Brewers and Brewery Representatives are welcome to drop in.
Friday Afternoon (1:00 pm)
The second session of the American Homebrewers Association-sanctioned Belgians, Barleywines and Strong Ales Homebrew Competition. This event is a judging by a select judging panel for entries registered in advance. For more information about the competition, see the Homebrew Competition page. Spectators and interested parties are welcome to attend, although participation is by prior arrangement only.
Friday Afternoon (1:30 pm)
This is your opportunity to become a Certified Cicerone! The Cicerone Team will be administering the Certified Cicerone Exam to interested parties who have passed the online Certified Beer Server exam. For more information, see the Seminars page.
Friday Afternoon (4:00–6:00 pm)
Our Small Plates & Craft Beer Pairing event will be held off-site at Ember Restaurant. The two Brewmasters/Owner teams featured for this dinner are Chris Trogner of Tröegs Independent Brewing and Fred Bueltmann of New Holland Brewing Co. John Holl, Editor of All About Beer Magazine, will be your Master of Ceremonies. See the Small Plates Pairing page for further information.
Friday Evening (6:00–7:00 pm)
CraftBeer.com presents Craftbeer.com Beer and Food Experience with Chef Adam Dulye and Julia Herz. Foodies and beer geeks unite while we help tune your inner pairing guide during this unique and cutting edge demonstration. Get ready to enjoy craft beers from small and independent U.S. brewers along with a strategic pairing plate of locally sourced ingredients representing the basic tastes of sweet, salt, sour, bitter and umami while we take your palate and mind on a ride. See the Seminars page for further information.
Friday Evening (7:30 pm)
The Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Traditional Brewmasters’ Dinner highlighting our 2017 Featured Brewmasters Phil Leinhart, Brewmaster of Brewery Ommegang and Florian Kuplent, Co-Owner/Brewmaster at Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. will be held off-site at Quandary Grille. Julia Herz, Brewers Association Craft Beer Program Director, will be your Master of Ceremonies. Join us for a second evening of double beer pairing fun! See the Brewmasters’ Dinner page for further information.
Friday Evening (10 pm–midnight)
Cigar Pairing Experience – Join us for cigars and great craft beer with Paul Gatza of the Brewers Association and Greg & Bridgette Geiger. Experiment with various pairings and visit with Clay Carlton of Palma Cigars and your hosts behind the featured pairings. No ticket required for this event, and no formal presentation. Come and go as you like. Bring a jacket for smoking cigars outside. See the Seminars page for further information.
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Saturday, January 7th Schedule
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Saturday Morning (9:30–11:30 am)
One of the many highlights of our Big Beers Festival Weekend: our Experimental Brewing Seminar, titled “Brewing Outside of the Box: Brewers Gone Wild!” The topic for this year’s seminar is “Experimenting with Local Maltsters”. Jason Cody of Colorado Malting Co., John Bricker and Will Kreutzer of Three Barrel Brewing Co., John Mallett of Bell’s Brewery, Andrea Stanley of Valley Malt, and Chad Yakobson of Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project will be among the panelists. David Edgar will lead the charge for this crazy panel and try to keep them under control. See the Seminars page for further information.
Saturday Morning (10–11 am)
The Yoga of Brewing: Discover yogic wisdom and practices to enhance your skill as both a brewer and a consumer of amazing beer. This session is the perfect way to prepare your body, mind, and soul to receive the outstanding selection of beers coming your way throughout the day. Join Kim Fuller, Yoga Instructor and Co-Founder of In Your Element Yoga, and Bobby L’Heureux, Yoga Instructor. No yoga experience, mat, or yoga pants required! Roll out of bed for your first – and most unique – pairing of the day. See the Seminars page for further information.
Saturday First Session Seminars (12:00 pm– 12:50 pm)
- Brewmasters Seminar Track: “Brewing Strong Beers of Belgian & German Origin” by Phil Leinhart, Brewmaster for Brewery Ommegang & Florian Kuplent, Co-Owner/Brewmaster of Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Technical Seminar Track: “Discovering Fruit & Fruit Flavors in Brewing” by Steven Pauwels, Boulevard Brewing Co. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Sensory Workshop Track: “Brewing With Exotic Fruit & Vegetables” with John Holl, Editor, All About Beer Magazine. Panelists will be Brian Faivre of Deschutes Brewery, Kyle Carbaugh of Wiley Roots Brewing Co., Phil Markowski of Two Roads Brewing Co., and Dr. Jeremy Gobein of Copper Kettle Brewing Co. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Random Track: “Unearthing Ancient Styles” moderated by Aaron Heaton of Grimm Brothers Brewhouse with panel including Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Tony Simmons of Pagosa Brewing Co., James Howat of Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales, and Don Chapman of of Grimm Brothers Brewhouse. See the Seminars page for further information.
Saturday Second Session Seminars (1:15 pm– 2:05 pm)
- Brewmasters Seminar Track: “Ommegang & Urban Chestnut Collaborations” by Florian Kuplent, Co-Owner/Brewmaster of Urban Chestnut Brewing Co. & Phil Leinhart, Brewmaster of Brewery Ommegang. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Technical Seminar Track: “Brewery Terroir” by Jeffrey Stuffings of Jester King Brewery, Chase Healey of American Solera, Phil Markowski of Two Roads Brewing Co., and Nile Zacherle of Mad Fritz Brewing Co. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Sensory Workshop Track: “Who Needs Milk When You Can Have Beer With Your Cookies” by Dr. Bill Sysak, Wild Barrel Brewing Co. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Random Track: “The Science of Contentious Big Beers: Our Love/Hate Relationship with Bitter and Sour” by Dr. Nicole Garneau, DraughtLab, LLC. See the Seminars page for further information.
Saturday Afternoon (2:30–6:00 pm)
The Commercial Tasting portion of the Big Beers Festival begins at 2:30 pm and continues through until 6:00pm. This international tasting is open to the public and showcases over 400 different commercially produced specialty beers from around the world.
Saturday Afternoon (3:30 pm)
Saturday’s Commercial Tasting event includes the Homebrew Competition Awards Presentation.
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BIG BEERS 2017 AFFILIATE EVENTS
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New for 2017, the Big Beers Festival has activated in the Town of Breckenridge to create some terrific events in conjunction with Breckenridge businesses. Although there will be many events going on in addition to this list, these breweries and event hosts have gone the extra mile to add something extra to their event… education, food pairings, community connection, music, art, etc. In return, we have offered each event host and supporter an honorary Big Beers sponsorship with benefits.
Many thanks to everyone involved, and have a wonderful Big Beers weekend!
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Telluride Beer Dinner
Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 6:30pm $45 in advance/$55 day of. Call or stop in to make your reservation. Come Join the Telluride Brewing Crew and Chef Mitch of Flipside Burger as they pair together 5 courses of food with Telluride brews |
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Ballast Point Tap Takeover & Creative Food Pairings
Thursday – Saturday (January 5-8, 2017) Per draft/small plate Ballast Point will be featured all weekend at Modis highlighting some of their most awarded beers (Sculpin, Grapefruit Sculpin, Longfin Lager, California Amber, Victory at Sea). Chef Ryan Caswell is creating a dish to pair with each different Ballast Point beer. |
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Breckenridge Brew Pub Limited Release Tap Takeover & Meet the Brewers (Bonus: Brewery Tours!)
Thursday, January 5th, Open to close (or until the beer runs out) No charge (except for the beer) 12 beers on tap, ALL brewed on site – For the 1st time since moving the production facility to Denver (1992) all of the draft beer offered will come from the original location (almost 27 years old now). Come check out all the innovative beers coming out of this historical Breckenridge landmark- Ones that you can’t find anywhere else! Sours, Saisons, Barrel Aged, and beautifully hopped beers. The mainline beers you know will be offered in bottle/can only. Also: Brewers will be on site all day Thursday to answer questions, talk & drink beer, and give tours on the hour (First come, first served basis) |
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Broken Compass Welcome to Breck!
Thursday, January 5th from 3 – 6pm No charge/per pint Join Ax & Ford for a pint and sustenance on your way into town for Big Beers! |
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RMU’s Backyard Brews
Thursday, January 5th, 4pm-8pm Rocky Mountain Underground 114 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424 Free DRAFT Magazine and Rocky Mountain Underground are teaming up to host a Breckenridge backyard bash featuring live music and brews from 4-8pm on Thursday, January 5th, with special $1 Big Beers courtesy of New Holland Brewing Co. from 4-6pm! |
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Beer & Food Pairings + Live Music
Pairings all weekend. Music on Thursday night starting at 8pm The Bakers’ BrewerySilverthorne, CO No cover Enjoy specially paired entrees all weekend at The Bakers’ Brewery. On Thursday night, celebrate Big Beers weekend on your way in with live music starting at 8pm. |
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Brewers Trivia
Thursday, January 5th at 8:00pm Rita’s Specialty Margs & Taco Bar Trivia is free, draft cost varies Telluride and Ska are ready to take on everyone in Beer Trivia! |
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Limited Release Casey Brewing & Blending Release + Special Tasting
Friday, January 6th from 2 – 4pm Base Camp Wine & SpiritsFrisco, CO Free Check out our exclusive beers with Casey Brewing and Blending! Troy took our AD Laws Whiskey and Rye Barrel and aged a special batch of Oak Theory in each barrel to make an incredible Whiskey Sour. Public release starting at 12:00 on Friday, January 6th followed by a tasting with Troy Casey himself from 2:00 to 4:00 PM! Be there or be square! |
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The Best of the Elite Brands
Friday, January 6th, all night Per draft Epic, Elevation, Telluride, Fate, Destihl, Ballast Point, Green Flash, Grand Teton, and Lost Abbey will all be featuring some of their finest limited release beers all night. Plus: Roots and Rhythm Duo Band starts at 8:00pm! |
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Odell Special Release
Friday, January 6th from 4 – 6pm Per draft Enjoy a sneak peak of the latest creation from Odell Brewing Co.! Even better, enjoy an especially crafted cheese pairing from The Cheese Shop as a bonus! |
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Melvin & Casey Tap Takeover
Friday, January 6th from 5 – 11pm Per draft Casey beers available will be The Cut: Blackberry – Unreleased Blend, Supreme Clientele – CFP with Cherries, Blackberries and Raspberries, The Cut: Peach – Glowhaven, Dry Hop Peach Casey Family Preserve, Santa Rosa Plum Casey Family Preserve – Unreleased Blend Plus: Roots and Rhythm Duo Band starts at 8:00pm! |
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An Avalanche of Avery!
Friday, January 6th at 6 pm Ollie’s Pub & Grub401 Main Street, Breckenridge, CO Free to get in, and beers a la carte Tap Takeover from Avery Brewing Co. featuring Tangerine Quad, Raspberry Sour, Tweak, Avery IPA, and Pow Day IPA. Plus: Our friends from Matchstick Productions will have their ski films playing, and the Crested Butte Avalanche Center will be on hand to answer your questions. Plus: Roots and Rhythm Duo Band starts at 8:00pm! |
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Great Divide Tap Takeover with SOS
Friday, January 6th from 7 – 9pm Per draft Indulge in Great Divide goodness and visit with the brewery team while learning about the Breckenridge Snowboard Outreach Society. |
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Ska Brewing presents the Nuns of Brixton
January 6th from 8:00pm-10:00pm The Historic Brown Bar & Venue No admission/per beer Live music by the Nuns of Brixton and Ska beer specials |
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Belgians & Barleywines Pairing with Guest Chef Jensen Cummings from Brewed Food
Saturday, January 7th at 6:00pm Individual cost for drafts and small plates 10 Belgians (Gulden Draak, Monks Cafe, Petrus, Petrus Sour quad, Piraat, Silly, Maredsous, La Chouffe, Houblon Chouffe, Duvel) and 5 Barleywines (Destihl, Hebrew, Bruery, Nebraska, Apres/Little Machine Collab). Chef Jensen Cummings will be pairing food with each beer all night. |
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Recovery Brunch with Black Project, Jester King, American Solera & more!
Sunday, January 8th. Welcome beer at 10:30am, Brunch at 11am TBD, reservations limited to 30 people Enjoy a 5 course paired brunch with the Founders and Brewmasters from Jester King, American Solera, Black Project, and other renowned breweries. |
Affiliate Event sponsors include:
- Flipside Burger
- Modis Breckenridge
- Rocky Mountain Underground
- Rita’s Specialty Margs & Taco Bar
- Base Camp Wine & Spirits
- Kenosha Steakhouse
- Apres Handcrafted Libations
- Ollie’s Pub & Grub
- The Gold Pan
- The Historic Brown Bar & Venue
- The Breckenridge Tap House
- Chef Jensen Cummings, Brewed Food
- Broken Compass
- The Baker’s Brewery