Saturday, Aug 27, 2016 10:58 AMUpdated Monday, Aug. 29, 2016 4:57 AM
53 craft breweries at annual festival
Brian England with Eddyline Brewing of Buena Vista pours a beer for Wendy Ward and Tim Ward on Saturday during San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. The Brewfest is a fundraiser for United Way of Southwest Colorado.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Thirsty beer lovers packed in for this year’s San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. The brewfest is a fundraiser for United Way of Southwest Colorado.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The 10 Barrell Brewing Co. of Bend, Oregon, was at the San Juan Brewfest Saturday in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Cloudy skies and few raindrops didnt’ deter the crowd Saturday at the 18th annual San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
The San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park was sold out Saturday. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
A special booth where strawberry lemonade was provided for designated drivers on Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Golden Block Brewery of Silverton was at the San Juan Brewfest Saturday in Durango. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
The Bottom Shelf Brewery of Bayfield was the 18th annual San Juan Brewfest in Durango. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Eddyline Brewing of Buena Vista serves up a sample Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Wolfe Brewing Company of Pagosa Springs was the San Juan Brewfest Saturday in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
The line for the portable toilets at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Bratwurst and sausages were popular Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Riff Raff Brewing Company of Pagosa Springs was at the San Juan Brewfest Saturday in Durango. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Serving up bratwurst and sausages Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Several bands performed Saturday at the 18th annual San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
People sit on the grass Saturday to listen to music at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Crowd at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
The crowd enjoys the entertainment Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
The servers get a short break from serving up brew from Silverton’s Avalanche Brewing Company at the San Juan Brewfest in Durango. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Orange slices and pretzel are served up at 10 Barrel Brewing Co.’s booth at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Durango Brewing Co. was serving Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Freebies at the Moab Brewery booth Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
The Eddyline Brewing booth at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park was busy Saturday serving samples from the Buena Vista brewery. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Lagunitas Brewing Company of California was at the San Juan Brewfest Saturday in Durango. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
Utah’s Moab Brewery serves up beer Saturday at the San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park. Photo by Sue McMillin/Durango Herald
A beer-logged Buckley Park was alive with people Saturday afternoon for the 18th annual
Fifty-three craft breweries, including Durango’s own, were doling out 5-ounce samples for locals and visitors to a backdrop of music from Hog Magundy, Liver Down the River and Sweetwater String Band.
“This is my first time at this festival, and it’s been a great platform,” said Kelly Garoutte, a salesperson for Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon. “We’ve sold a lot of our Hop Slice, a new beer we have for the summer.”
Ska Brewing, which makes an annual Brewfest appearance, tended to a non-stop line all afternoon, said Jason Jones, who works in the brewery’s warehouse.
Brewfest raises money for United Way of Southwest Colorado. Last year, the event pulled in $25,000 for the organization.
Doug and Teresa Lashley, parents of Silverton’s Avalanche Brewing Co. owner Austin Lashley, both wore pretzel-strung necklaces and attended to show support for their son but were keeping the beer drinking to a minimum.
“I’m kind of a lightweight,” said Teresa Lashley.
Others festival goers, however, happily tested their limits.
“I have a pretty high tolerance,” said Dean Bourgoin, a Durango resident and maple syrup salesman who reported he had nine glasses of beer and was “still sober.”
The best part of the afternoon?
“No conflicts,” he said. “Some people get aggressive when they drink.”