The San Juan Brewfest is coming up Aug. 25 and 26. My column this month will tell you everything you need to know about this great, annual event.
The Durango Business Improvement District staff has decades of experience planning and implementing events. One event we love doing every year is the San Juan Brewfest. The Brewfest is a beer-tasting festival held at Buckley Park on the weekend before Labor Day weekend. It is a fundraising event for United Way of Southwest Colorado, and also has positive economic outlook on our town. This year’s Brewfest is presented by Bank of the San Juans.
The Brewfest is held over two days – 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 25 and 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 26. Ticket holders receive unlimited tastings from 35 breweries. Each brewery will bring at least three different styles of their products for attendees to taste, so there will be something for everyone. All attendees receive a 5 oz. souvenir tasting glass on entry to sample the beers.
Live music is provided by our friends at the Animas City Theatre. Aug. 25’s band is Cousin Curtiss. He describes his music as blues played at bluegrass speeds. Aug. 26’s opening act is local favorite The Crags and the headliner is The Buzz, a funk, blues, rock and jam band from Denver.
Food is available for purchase from The Crazy Coop and Subversion Revolutionary Sandwiches food trucks on Aug. 25, and the same two food trucks plus Gosar Natural Foods on the 26th. Flatirons Soap Works and Colorado Restrung will also be at the Brewfest selling their unique, handmade items.
Tickets are selling fast, so go to SanJuanBrewfest.com to get yours today. There are three ticket types available. A General Admission ticket is offered on Aug. 25 and 26. The 25th’s ticket costs $45 and the 26th’s costs $50. Aug. 25 will have much fewer attendees, so if you like no waiting in line, come that night. The 26th is setting up to be a big day at Buckley Park with about 1,500 people attending.
The Brewfest also sells a VIP ticket for Aug. 26 for $85. VIPs receive several extras, including one-hour early entry at noon, a meal from Grassburger, access to the VIP-only tent with shaded seating, Rocky Pop caramel popcorn from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and a special beer brewed by Crooked Stave created just for the San Juan Brewfest. A certificate will be provided at check in to pick up this special beer at Star Liquors.
Designated Driver tickets are also available at a heavily discounted price. DDs receive free mocktails from Sunnyside Farms Market, Ska Brewing, El Moro Spirits and Tavern, and Seasons Rotisserie and Grill. DDs also have access to the DD Lounge with shaded seating. Thank you to all who help others get home safely. Reminder that all city buses are free all weekend. Make a plan in advance to get home safely.
SanJuanBrewfest.com has all the event details and a link to buy your tickets. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at tim@sanjuanbrewfest.com or 749-1157. Cheers to the San Juan Brewfest, hope to see you there!
Tim Walsworth is executive director of Durango Business Improvement District. Reach him at timw@downtowndurango.org.
