Info below was for the 2020 event and is for reference only.
2020 Event: Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Big Beers Affiliate Events | Commercial Tasting Program
Big Beers Event Map at Beaver Run
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 20th Anniversary weekend will be held at Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, with some single events (and all affiliate events) held in other locations.
Got Your Raffle 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 at various times throughout the weekend. Hours are:
- Thursday: 6pm – midnight. (Nate Schweber playing acoustic guitar 8pm – 11pm)
- Friday: 1pm – midnight. Free tastings: 1pm – Surly Brewing, 2pm – New Image Brewing, 3pm – Dry Dock Brewing, 4pm – Avery Brewing, 5pm – Telluride Brewing. (Nate Schweber playing acoustic guitar 5:30pm – 8:30pm)
- Saturday: 6pm – midnight. (Nate Schweber playing acoustic guitar 6:30pm – 9:30pm)
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 9th, 2020 Schedule
Brewers Reception
Thursday, January 9, 2020 | 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 and Brewery Finance for sponsoring this event since its inception. This is a closed event; brewers and importers only. *New this year, Colorado VIP Pass holders will be welcome to join the brewers for this reception.*
Traditional Brewmasters’ Dinner
Thursday, January 9, 2020 | 7:30 pm
Opening the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival 20th Anniversary, our 2020 Featured Brewmasters will be hosting the Traditional Brewmasters’ Dinner on Thursday evening. Neil Fisher, Owner and Brewmaster of WeldWerks Brewing Co. and Troy Casey, Owner and Brewmaster of Casey Brewing & Blending will be your tour guides throughout five courses of double-beer pairing excellence.
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 be Jamie Bogner, Cofounder and Editorial Director of Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine.
Friday, January 10th, 2020 Schedule
Cicerone Workshop
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 8:30 am–noon
This is the opportunity to bone up on your knowledge of everything about beer and 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!
Homebrew Competition (First Session)
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 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. Spectators and interested parties are welcome to attend, although participation is by prior arrangement only. Many thanks to Five Star Chemical Co. for their sponsorship!
Welcome Reception
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 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. We appreciate YCH and White Labs for their sponsorship of this event!
Homebrew Competition (Second Session)
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 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. Spectators and interested parties are welcome to attend, although participation is by prior arrangement only. Many thanks to Five Star Chemical Co. for their sponsorship!
Certified Cicerone Exam
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 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.
Small Plates & Craft Beer Pairing
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 3:00–4:30 pm
Our Small Plates & Craft Beer Pairing event will be held off-site at Sauce on the Maggie in Breckenridge. The two Brewmasters/ Owner teams featured for this dinner are Phil Markowski of Two Roads Brewing Co., and Matt Lincecum of Fremont Brewing Co. John Holl, Co-Host of Steal This Beer/ Industry Journalist/ Author, will be your Master of Ceremonies.
Big Beers Resource Group at the [Pop-up] Falling Rock Tap House
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 3:30–5:30 pm
Join a veritable pantheon of craft beer industry experts and veterans at the Pop-Up Falling Rock at Beaver Run Resort for 2 hours of networking and problem-solving. Bring your questions, meet the people you need to brainstorm issues with, and have a beer in this informal social setting. Bounce from legal advice to marketing and training resources to ingredients and equipment financing solutions all in the same arena. All are welcome, whether you homebrew, professionally brew or are just entertaining a pipe dream and want to meet the people who hold the industry all together… over a beer.
Craftbeer.com Beer and Food Experience
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 6:00–7:00 pm
CraftBeer.com presents The Beer and Food Experience with Chef Adam Dulye and Julia Herz. Titled “Palate Battle: Hops vs. Heat,” you’ll be lead on a palate trip of hops, heat and harmony. Do hops intensify heat or calm heat? It’s the question at the center of a long debate. Test your palate and decide for yourself as you journey through three different levels of hop intensity from small and independent craft brewers.
Big Beers 20 Year Reunion
Friday, January 10, 2020 | 8:30 pm–10:30 pm
Hosted by Featured Brewmasters from the first 20 years of Big Beers, this celebration features unusual, unique, and collaborative beers from the Featured Brewmaster alumni alongside a fun selection after dinner snacks and desserts. Join us in the Imperial Ballroom of the Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center to honor those who have paved the way for Big Beers and for the future of craft beer for the previous two decades. We appreciate ABS Commercial and Antigo Zeon for supporting our celebration!
The 20 Year Reunion will be reception style with a variety of foods to fit all dietary needs.
Saturday, January 11th, 2020 Schedule
Experimental Brewing Seminar
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 9:00–11:00 am
One of the many highlights of our Big Beers Festival Weekend is the Experimental Brewing Seminar, titled “Combination Innovation: Yeast, Barrels, Fruit & Blending.”
Join our savvy panel of Big Beers Alumni and brewing veterans including Jeffrey Stuffings of Jester King Brewery, James Howat of Black Project, Phil Markowski of Two Roads, and Peter Bouckaert of Purpose Brewing, for a lively discussion about some of the most striking advances of the past 20 years. Learn about their approaches to isolating and combining the variables (sometimes cautiously), that make wild yeast, various kinds of barrels, unusual fruit, and techniques of blending unique to each.
The Yoga of Brewing
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 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 to stretch it all out. As an added bonus, we are excited to have Rachel Ponce, Big Beers Yoga Alum, join the fun this morning! No yoga experience, mat, or yoga pants required! Roll out of bed for your first – and most unique – pairing of the day.
Saturday First Session Seminars (11:30 am– 12:20 pm)
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- Brewmasters Seminar Track I:
“Time: The Only Ingredient You Can’t Buy” with Neil Fisher of WeldWerks Brewing Co. and Troy Casey of Casey Brewing & Blending.
- Brewmasters Seminar Track I:
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- Technical Seminar Track I:
“The Dark Side: Exploring Malt” with John Mallett of Bell’s Brewery, Florian Kuplent of Urban Chestnut, and Geoff Larson of Alaskan Brewing Co.Sponsored by Malteurop Malting Co.
- Technical Seminar Track I:
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- Sensory Workshop Track I:
“A Glimpse into the Future of Craft Beer” with John Holl, Co-host of Steal This Beer, Industry Journalist and Author. Panelists will include Nile Zacherle of Mad Fritz Brewing, Paul Arney of The Ale Apothecary, and Andy Parker of Avery Brewing Co.
- Sensory Workshop Track I:
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- Random Track I:
“Brewing Traditional Belgian Styles” with Charlie Gottenkieny of Bruz Beers, and George Otteni of White Labs.
- Random Track I:
Saturday Second Session Seminars (12:45 pm– 1:35 pm)
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- Brewmasters Seminar Track II:
“Sours, Medianoche & Collaboration” with Troy Casey of Casey Brewing & Blending and Neil Fisher of WeldWerks Brewing Co.
- Brewmasters Seminar Track II:
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- Technical Seminar Track II:
“The Evolution of Belgian Styles in the US” with Steven Pauwels of Boulevard, Cory King of Side Project, and Peter Bouckaert of Purpose Brewing.Sponsored by Malteurop Malting Co.
- Technical Seminar Track II:
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- Sensory Workshop Track II:
“Bubbles or Not? A Sensory Exploration” with Dr. Nicole Garneau, Owner/Educator of Dr. Nicole Garneau, LLC, along with panelists Kevin
DeLange of Dry Dock Brewing Co., Alan Simons of Dry Dock Brewing Co., Dave Cole of Epic Brewing Co., and Eric Wallace of Left Hand Brewing Co.
- Sensory Workshop Track II:
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- Random Track II:
“Equipment Innovation in Brewing” with panelists including Doug Odell of Odell Brewing Co., Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Dan Strevey of Avery Brewing Co., and Matt Vincent of Ska Fabricating.
- Random Track II:
Commercial Tasting
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 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 500 different commercially produced specialty beers from around the world.
New this year, the VIP Lounge will be available for those holding any of the three varied kinds of VIP tickets from 3pm until 6:30pm. The VIP Lounge will feature private restrooms, a trio of unique beers not available at the Commercial Tasting, an upscale selection of charcuterie and cheeses, a break from the noise and comfortable seating – complete with mountain view and cozy fireplace.
Homebrew Competition Awards Presentation
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 3:30 pm
Saturday’s Commercial Tasting event includes the Homebrew Competition Awards Presentation, which will be held in the foyer on the 3rd floor of the Beaver Run Conference Center outside of the Colorado Ballroom. Homebrewers from around the world will be awarded medals for their big, Belgian and experimental entries, and one lucky winner will have his/her Best of Show homebrew recipe brewed by Dry Dock Brewing Co. and entered into the 2020 GABF ProAm Competition. Many thanks to Five Star Chemical Company for sponsoring the Homebrew Competition.
Box of Big Beers Raffle Drawing
Saturday, January 11, 2020 | 5:30 pm
Meet in the Colorado Ballroom Foyer at the photo op stage for the much anticipated inaugural Box of Big Beers Raffle drawing at 5:30 pm. The Big Beers staff will be drawing 10 names from all of the raffle tickets purchased to award the lucky winners random collections of 12 beers from the 2020 Commercial Tasting floor.