Sponsored conten 6 reasons to experience craft beer in Colorado The upcoming Vail Craft Beer Classic will feature hundreds of beers from Colorado breweries By Lauren Glendenning Bought to you by the Val C Beer Classi Colorado has the second highest number of eraft breweries (behind California) in the country- and some killer beer festivals to boot- but this powerhouse indastry often faces some image myths R CLASs TAIL CRAFT Despite the fact that plenty of bearded white dodes do enjoy craft beer, this is mot the industry's lone demographic. In fact, about half of the guests at Colorado Brewers Guildaffiliated festivals-such as the upcoming Vail Craft Beer Classic- are women What exactly defines "eraft" beer?The Colorado Brewers Guild defines it as beer brewed by breweries that are inde pendent and small, brewing less than 2 million barrels peryear HOTO COURTESY OF THE VAL CRAFTSEER CLASSm Ifyou've tried a craft beer before and didn't like it, don't swear off craft beers forever. There will be hundreds of varieties to try at the Vail Craft Beer Classic The eraft'aspeet also incorporates a strong sense of community and centu ries worth of brewing tradition," said Shawnee Adelson, Deputy Director at the Colorado Brewers Guild, "combined with a focus on pushing the boundaries of what can be done with this incredible beverage trend toward prodacing lighter, lower calorie eraft beers beer is ideally situated to cater to those desires, Jessen said. "Try as many beers as you can, and support the breweries that do good things in your comms nity. Most brewery owners/operators are working very long hours for very slim rewards because they're passionate about beer, the people that drink it, and their respective communities Jessen points out that peers in the indus try are always willing to belp spread knowledge about qality practices, too. Tristan Schmid, Marketing and Events Manager at the Colorado Brewers Guild, said if you tried one brewery and didn't like it, visit another or try a tasting flight to explore all the varieties "And, to a great extent, it's a self-polic- ing business, he said. "If the beer isn't good, most people probably won't give it Here are some of the qalities of Colo- rado's craft beer industry to experience yourself at the upeoming Vail Craft Beer Classic a second chance "Some people might feel like eraft beer is unapproachable, though if they stop in at their local brewery, they'll likely find that the bartender will be happy to help them find a beer theyll enjoy, Schmid said. FRIENDLY COMPETITION Last year, 67 independent brewer ies opened in Colorado, with about 50 planned to open this year. Many of these breweries are opening up in communities that didn't havea eraft brewery before, Schmid noted. ENDLESS VARIETY Attend a beer festival like the Vail Craft Beer Classic and you'll immediately notice the camaraderie among the brew ers. These men and women are a passion- ate bunch just looking to share the joy of beer with as many people as possible From styles of beer inclading IPAs, ales, stouts and porters, brown ales, wheats hefeweizens, Belgian pale ales and others, to flavors such as tangerine, coriander, ginger, blood orange, watermelon and many more, eraft beers are not easily defined by taste CRAFT BEERS FOR THE COLORADO LIFESTYLE BREWERS WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT It's become a tradition in commanities. across the state to hit the local brewery after a day of skiing, mountain biking road cycling, mountaineering or what ever the outdoor adventure du jour is QUALITY These festivals also offer unique opportu- nities to get face time with these world dass brewers and enjoy one-of-a-kind beers Colorado brewers are constantly learn ing about ways to prodace the highest quality beers through events sach as the Colorado Brewers Gaild's annual Colo- Colorado is a melting pot that brings a wide spectrum of flavors and creativity to the table," said Andy Jessen, co-foander and manager at Bonfire Breaing in Eagle. "Because it's such an attractive place to live, we have brewers from all over the country bringing the best of many different recipe formulation philos- ophies. I think it ereates unparalleled variety. "This history and integration of eraft beer in Colorado makes our industry unique and central to what defines Colorado, The Vail Craft Beer Classie is a great spom to meet many of those folks, Jessen said, "and try a wide variety of what Colorado has to offer, in one of the most beautiful settings in our great state. rado Craft Brewers Sammit. The Guild also helps brewery owners and managers learn about the best ways to make their breweries and beers approachable and enjoyable Adelson said. COMMUNITY BASED There's been a shift in the U.S. toward VAIL CRAFT BEER CLASSIC MORE THAN HOPS knowing where products are sourced from produce to meat to seafood, and yes even beer. By definition, craft beer and its smaller batch production is suited to small-town community vibes What: The Vail Craft Beer Cassic, fraturing handreds of beers from around Colorad from crisp ales to fruity lagers to ereamy stouts You've probably tried a craft beer- or maybe even several-that you didn't like, but breweries are coming out with new styles all the time. Jessen said people often think eraft beer is too hoppy, bitter or flavorful, but he said the variety of styles "is a rainbow with something for everyone. When: June 21-2 Where Vai Cost: Events range from tastings to seminars to lanches and dinners. Ticket prices range from Craft brewers are also "serappy, resilient and exceptionally community-oriented Jessen said s25 to 8195 More information: Visit vaikraftbeenclassic.com for a full list of breweries, schedule "People want products they can see the people and history behind, and eraft Currently, there's a national industry ofevents and to purchase tickets Vail CRAFT BEER ELEVATED CRAFT BEER CLASSIC JUNE 21-23,2019 Sponsored conten 6 reasons to experience craft beer in Colorado The upcoming Vail Craft Beer Classic will feature hundreds of beers from Colorado breweries By Lauren Glendenning Bought to you by the Val C Beer Classi Colorado has the second highest number of eraft breweries (behind California) in the country- and some killer beer festivals to boot- but this powerhouse indastry often faces some image myths R CLASs TAIL CRAFT Despite the fact that plenty of bearded white dodes do enjoy craft beer, this is mot the industry's lone demographic. In fact, about half of the guests at Colorado Brewers Guildaffiliated festivals-such as the upcoming Vail Craft Beer Classic- are women What exactly defines "eraft" beer?The Colorado Brewers Guild defines it as beer brewed by breweries that are inde pendent and small, brewing less than 2 million barrels peryear HOTO COURTESY OF THE VAL CRAFTSEER CLASSm Ifyou've tried a craft beer before and didn't like it, don't swear off craft beers forever. There will be hundreds of varieties to try at the Vail Craft Beer Classic The eraft'aspeet also incorporates a strong sense of community and centu ries worth of brewing tradition," said Shawnee Adelson, Deputy Director at the Colorado Brewers Guild, "combined with a focus on pushing the boundaries of what can be done with this incredible beverage trend toward prodacing lighter, lower calorie eraft beers beer is ideally situated to cater to those desires, Jessen said. "Try as many beers as you can, and support the breweries that do good things in your comms nity. Most brewery owners/operators are working very long hours for very slim rewards because they're passionate about beer, the people that drink it, and their respective communities Jessen points out that peers in the indus try are always willing to belp spread knowledge about qality practices, too. Tristan Schmid, Marketing and Events Manager at the Colorado Brewers Guild, said if you tried one brewery and didn't like it, visit another or try a tasting flight to explore all the varieties "And, to a great extent, it's a self-polic- ing business, he said. "If the beer isn't good, most people probably won't give it Here are some of the qalities of Colo- rado's craft beer industry to experience yourself at the upeoming Vail Craft Beer Classic a second chance "Some people might feel like eraft beer is unapproachable, though if they stop in at their local brewery, they'll likely find that the bartender will be happy to help them find a beer theyll enjoy, Schmid said. FRIENDLY COMPETITION Last year, 67 independent brewer ies opened in Colorado, with about 50 planned to open this year. Many of these breweries are opening up in communities that didn't havea eraft brewery before, Schmid noted. ENDLESS VARIETY Attend a beer festival like the Vail Craft Beer Classic and you'll immediately notice the camaraderie among the brew ers. These men and women are a passion- ate bunch just looking to share the joy of beer with as many people as possible From styles of beer inclading IPAs, ales, stouts and porters, brown ales, wheats hefeweizens, Belgian pale ales and others, to flavors such as tangerine, coriander, ginger, blood orange, watermelon and many more, eraft beers are not easily defined by taste CRAFT BEERS FOR THE COLORADO LIFESTYLE BREWERS WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT It's become a tradition in commanities. across the state to hit the local brewery after a day of skiing, mountain biking road cycling, mountaineering or what ever the outdoor adventure du jour is QUALITY These festivals also offer unique opportu- nities to get face time with these world dass brewers and enjoy one-of-a-kind beers Colorado brewers are constantly learn ing about ways to prodace the highest quality beers through events sach as the Colorado Brewers Gaild's annual Colo- Colorado is a melting pot that brings a wide spectrum of flavors and creativity to the table," said Andy Jessen, co-foander and manager at Bonfire Breaing in Eagle. "Because it's such an attractive place to live, we have brewers from all over the country bringing the best of many different recipe formulation philos- ophies. I think it ereates unparalleled variety. "This history and integration of eraft beer in Colorado makes our industry unique and central to what defines Colorado, The Vail Craft Beer Classie is a great spom to meet many of those folks, Jessen said, "and try a wide variety of what Colorado has to offer, in one of the most beautiful settings in our great state. rado Craft Brewers Sammit. The Guild also helps brewery owners and managers learn about the best ways to make their breweries and beers approachable and enjoyable Adelson said. COMMUNITY BASED There's been a shift in the U.S. toward VAIL CRAFT BEER CLASSIC MORE THAN HOPS knowing where products are sourced from produce to meat to seafood, and yes even beer. By definition, craft beer and its smaller batch production is suited to small-town community vibes What: The Vail Craft Beer Cassic, fraturing handreds of beers from around Colorad from crisp ales to fruity lagers to ereamy stouts You've probably tried a craft beer- or maybe even several-that you didn't like, but breweries are coming out with new styles all the time. Jessen said people often think eraft beer is too hoppy, bitter or flavorful, but he said the variety of styles "is a rainbow with something for everyone. When: June 21-2 Where Vai Cost: Events range from tastings to seminars to lanches and dinners. Ticket prices range from Craft brewers are also "serappy, resilient and exceptionally community-oriented Jessen said s25 to 8195 More information: Visit vaikraftbeenclassic.com for a full list of breweries, schedule "People want products they can see the people and history behind, and eraft Currently, there's a national industry ofevents and to purchase tickets Vail CRAFT BEER ELEVATED CRAFT BEER CLASSIC JUNE 21-23,2019