Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Big Beers Affiliate Events | Commercial Tasting Program
PDF Schedules: Thursday and Friday | Saturday | Full Weekend Schedule
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 Nineteenth Anniversary weekend will be held at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, with some single events (and all affiliate events) held in other locations.
HAVE THE ENTIRE BEER LIST IN YOUR POCKET!
Download the DigitalPour mobile app and have complete control on how you view and taste the beers at this year’s 2019 Commercial Tasting. See brief instructions how to use the app and make sure to get your tickets!
Join us at the new Falling Rock Tap House at Big Beers! Located on Level 3 next to the Beaver Run hot tub area, Falling Rock has a curated list of craft cans available, acoustic guitar music each evening, and free tastings on Friday afternoon. Hours are:
- Thursday: 6pm – midnight
- Friday: 1pm – midnight
- Saturday: 6pm – midnight
- Get all the details
Swing by for a beer, meet your friends, or hang out and see who else randomly shows up in true Big Beers fashion!
Thursday, January 10th, 2019 Schedule
Brewers Reception
Thursday, January 10, 2019 | 6–9 pm
This is our opportunity to thank all of the breweries and importers who make this weekend possible. Our annual Brewers Reception will be held at Beaver Run Resort with much fun and camaraderie. We thank the brewers for donating libations for the festivities, and BSG Craft Brewing for sponsoring this event since its inception. This is a closed event; brewers and importers only.
Calibration Dinner
Thursday, January 10, 2019 | 7:30 pm
The Nineteenth 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, and we will announce our Dogfish Head host soon.
The dinner will be held in the Imperial Ballroom at Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, featuring a pairing menu created by the Beaver Run culinary team headed by Executive Chef Phil Dilks. Your Master of Ceremonies will Jamie Bogner, Cofounder & Editorial Director of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine. See the Calibration Dinner page for further information.
Friday, January 11th, 2019 Schedule
Cicerone Workshop
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 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 thanks to our sponsors, the $99 fee per person will be waived.
Take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity in Breckenridge! For more information, see the Seminars page.
Homebrew Competition (First Session)
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 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.
Welcome Reception
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 12:00–1:00 pm
Our Welcome Reception in the Imperial Ballroom will be featuring breweries TBD.
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.
Homebrew Competition (Second Session)
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 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.
Certified Cicerone Exam
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 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.
Small Plates & Craft Beer Pairing
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 3:00–4:30 pm
Our Small Plates & Craft Beer Pairing event will be held off-site at Aurum Food & Wine in Breckenridge. The two Brewmasters/Owner teams featured for this dinner are Travis Hixon of Blackberry Farm Brewery and Josh Grenz of Verboten Brewing Co. John Holl, Senior Editor of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, will be your Master of Ceremonies. See the Small Plates Pairing page for further information.
Craftbeer.com Beer and Food Experience
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 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.
Traditional Brewmasters’ Dinner
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 7:30 pm
The Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Traditional Brewmasters’ Dinner highlighting our 2019 Featured Brewmasters, Dave Thibodeau of Ska Brewing, and Lasse Ericsson of Nynäshamns Ångbryggeri in Sweden. Your Master of Ceremonies will be Julia Herz of the Brewers Association and CraftBeer.com. Join us for a second evening of double beer pairing fun with chefs Dan Hoyle and Adam Dulye! See the Brewmasters’ Dinner page for further information.
Cigar Pairing Experience
Friday, January 11, 2019 | 10 pm–midnight
Join us for cigars and great craft beer with Paul Gatza of the Brewers Association and Clay Carlton of Palma Cigars. Experiment with various pairings and visit with your hosts while enjoying a myriad of beers offered from various generous breweries. 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.
Saturday, January 12th, 2019 Schedule
Experimental Brewing Seminar
Saturday, January 12, 2019 | 9:00–11:00 am
One of the many highlights of our Big Beers Festival Weekend: our Experimental Brewing Seminar, titled “High Gravity and High Elevation: The Impacts of Water Chemistry on Aroma, Flavor, Texture and Style”.
Join Nile Zacherle of Mad Fritz Brewing Co., Nick Ison of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Matt Ruzich of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chad Yakobson of Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, and Will Cayler from Sierra Nevada as they unveil their experimental beers, and taste the results!
See the Seminars page for further information.
The Yoga of Brewing
Saturday, January 12, 2019 | 9:30–10:30 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 (11:30 am– 12:20 pm)
- Brewmasters Seminar Track I:
“Glucoamylase: From Brute to Brut” by Steve Breezley of Ska Brewing Company. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Technical Seminar Track I:
“Yeast Health and Viability in High Gravity and Sour Beers” with John Giarratano of Inland Island Yeast Co. and fellow panelists Jon Cross of Call to Arms, Dan Strevey of Avery Brewing and Jordan Fey of Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Sensory Workshop Track I:
“Foraging For Beer” with John Holl, Senior Editor, Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine. Panelists will include Augie Carton of Carton Brewing, Ross Koenigs of New Belgium Brewing, Nile Zacherle of Mad Fritz Brewing and Dan Rabin, Beer and Travel Writer, Author, Homebrewer. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Random Track I:
“Sensory Exploration: Sometimes You Just Want a Beer” with Dr. Nicole Garneau, Owner/Educator of Dr. Nicole Garneau, LLC. See the Seminars page for further information.
Saturday Second Session Seminars (12:45 pm– 1:35 pm)
- Brewmasters Seminar Track II:
“Extreme…ly Simple Beers” by Lasse Ericsson and Andrew Colley of Nynäshamns Ångbryggeri in Sweden. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Technical Seminar Track II:
“The Multiple Personalities of Brett” by Jensen Cummings of Brewed Food with fellow panelists Jeff Albarella of Jessup Farm Barrel House, Jeffrey Airman of Paradox Beer Co., Kyle Carbaugh of Wiley Roots, and Andy Parker of Avery Brewing Co. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Sensory Workshop Track II:
“DIY Beer Pairing Dinners” with Justin Wright and Justin Kruger. See the Seminars page for further information.
- Random Track II:
“Ancient Scandinavian Beer Styles” with Josh Cody of Colorado Farm Brewery and his panelists Aaron Stueck of BJ’s Brewhouse, Jan Chodkowski of Our Mutual Friend, John Bricker of Three Barrel Brewing and Matthias Hüfner. See the Seminars page for further information.
Commercial Tasting
Saturday, January 12, 2019 | 2:30–6:00 pm
The Commercial Tasting portion of the Big Beers Festival begins at 2:30 pm and continues through until 6:00 pm. This international tasting is open to the public and showcases over 400 different commercially produced specialty beers from around the world.
Homebrew Competition Awards Presentation
Saturday, January 12, 2019 | 3:30 pm
Saturday’s Commercial Tasting event includes the Homebrew Competition Awards Presentation.