Log In


Reset Password
Columnists View from the Center Bear Smart The Travel Troubleshooter Dear Abby Student Aide Of Sound Mind Others Say Powerful solutions You are What You Eat Out Standing in the Fields What's up in Durango Skies Watch Yore Topknot Local First RE-4 Education Update MECC Cares for kids

Craft beer is big business in Durango

The Durango Business Improvement District represents commercial property owners in the Central Business District and along North Main Avenue, as well as the businesses in those properties. Four of our six local craft breweries fall within those boundaries.

Steamworks Brewing Co., Carver Brewing Co., Durango Brewing Co. and BREW Pub and Kitchen are all within the BID. Animas Brewing Co. is literally right next to our boundary, and while Ska Brewing Co. is in Bodo Park, its products are all over the district in restaurants and bars. Plus Ska attends just about every downtown event.

Craft beer is big business. Our six local breweries employ at least 400 people. Three of the six (Durango Brewing, Steamworks and Ska) distribute their product outside the immediate area, bringing money into our economy from elsewhere.

Craft breweries are filled with creative entrepreneurs who work hard and run good businesses. They are artisans, manufacturers and economic drivers for their communities. Plus, they are fun to hang around with, not to mention the amazing beer they are creating every day.

We have a chance in Durango to interact with 54 craft breweries at the San Juan Brewfest event this Saturday. This event, presented by Chevron, has become one of the most popular events on the annual calendar, with an estimated attendance of over 2,000 people this year. There are three live bands playing, and all the proceeds benefit United Way of Southwest Colorado.

Tickets have sold out at the gate the past two years for the San Juan Brewfest, so I encourage everyone to buy their ticket online at SanJuanBrewfest.com. A general admission ticket only costs $30 and gets you in to the event from 1 to 5 p.m. After showing your ID and checking in, you will receive a five-ounce souvenir tasting glass, then you can have unlimited samples. We encourage all guests to know their limits and plan in advance for a safe ride home.

Buckhorn Limousine is offering rides in town for just $5 for Brewfest attendees. The Brewfest has also worked with the city of Durango to make all the city buses free this Saturday, including the Main Avenue Trolley. The Brewfest sells a designated driver ticket for just $15, and DD’s get coupons for mocktails that are donated by local restaurants, thanks to Four Corners Broadcasting and Celebrating Healthy Communities Coalition. Food will be available for purchase inside the event area from five different food vendors.

The San Juan Brewfest is a 21-and-over-only event, no kids or pets of any kind are allowed into the event area. Visit SanJuanBrewfest.com to learn more and get your tickets.

timw@downtowndurango.org. Tim Walsworth is the executive director of the Durango Business Improvement District.



Reader Comments