The 23rd San Juan Brewfest opened ticket sales earlier this week. The San Juan Brewfest has grown into the biggest and best beer-tasting festival in the Four Corners, and it benefits United Way of Southwest Colorado.
The Brewfest will occur on two days this year. Aug. 26 is VIP Day from 5 to 8 p.m. at Buckley Park in downtown Durango. There will only be 500 tickets sold, so there will be barely any waiting in lines because of the small crowd size. VIPs receive a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited tastings from 35 breweries, live music, a meal from 2nd Deli and Spirits and Cream Bean Berry, plus some Brewfest merchandise.
Aug. 27 is General Admission Day from 1 to 5 p.m., and this day is presented by Bank of the San Juans. Fifteen hundred tickets will be sold, and ticket holders receive a souvenir tasting glass, unlimited tastings from 35 breweries and live music. Food will be available for purchase.
Thirty-five breweries and cideries have signed up to participate, and each will bring at least three different beverages to taste. The participating breweries/cideries are: AC Golden, Alaskan Brewing, Animas Brewing Co., Avery Brewing, Boot Strap Brewing, Bottom Shelf Brewery, Breckenridge Brewery, Carver Brewing Co., Crooked Stave, Delirium, Eddyline Brewery, Elysian Brewing, Fenceline Cider, Four Peaks Brewing Co., Goose Island Beer Co., Great Divide Brewing Co., High Trestle Brewing, La Cumbre Brewing Co., Main Street Brewery, Mancos Brewing Co., Marble Brewery, Melvin Brewing, New Belgium Brewing, Odell Brewing Co., Oskar Blues Brewery, San Juan Brews, Ska Brewing, Soulcraft Brewing, Steamworks Brewing Co., Talbott's Cider Co., Telluride Brewing Co., Three Barrel Brewing Co., Tommyknocker Brewing and Two Roads Brewing Co.
Live music is provided by our friends at the Animas City Theatre. On Aug. 26, Ryan Chrys and the Rough Cuts bring their outlaw country tunes. On Aug. 27, longtime local favorites the Crags open, and then Warsaw Poland Bros. will bring the ska music to wrap up the day.
Tickets are available now at SanJuanBrewfest.com.
∎∎∎
The Downtown Ambassadors have started their work this summer to assist anyone and everyone visiting downtown Durango. By the middle of June, Downtown Ambassadors will be working daily shifts. There will be an Ambassador stationed at the train depot on weekends, and other Ambassadors will be walking up and down Main Avenue, East Second Avenue and the cross streets looking for anyone who might need some information. Look for the Ambassadors in their bright red uniforms. Thanks to Becky, Debi, Joanne, Kelly, Laurie, MaryEllen, Sharon, Stephanie and Sue for being on our team this year.
Ambassadors typically average one positive interaction with people visiting downtown every six minutes when they are working. Last year, Ambassadors produced 11,000 of these positive touch points with people in the heart of our town.
I also want to thank Tanya Clegg, BID’s director of Marketing and Communications, for organizing the Ambassador program and creating a great tool to make everyone feel welcome downtown. Thank you, Tanya!
I hope to see you downtown and in the North Main District soon.
Tim Walsworth is executive director of Durango Business Improvement District. Reach him at timw@downtowndurango.org.
