Breweries work together to craft unique beers just for the event
By the Thirst Team
Open-minded craft beer lovers seeking fresh tastes always look forward to Collaboration Fest, returning to Westminster on March 30.
Collaboration Fest
What: A celebration of one-off collaboration beers
Where: Westin Westminster
When: 2-6 p.m. Saturday, March 30
Cost: $65 ($85 for VIPS, $40 for designated drivers)
There will be plenty of IPAs, pale ales, lagers and other expected standards, but they’ll be poured with a twist.
Presented by the Colorado Brewers Guild, Collab Fest features Colorado breweries that have teamed up with other craft producers from across the nation - and Japan in one case - to create beverages that can’t be purchased at the local liquor store.
Shawnee Adelson, executive director of the Colorado Brewers Guild, said this year’s gathering will be the largest yet. The fest launched in 2014 and has bounced around to different locations, including the Fillmore Auditorium in 2022, the Hyatt Regency Denver in 2019 and Sports Authority Field (now Empower Field) at Mile High in 2016. From the obsession with IPAs to the abundance of chili beers offered in 2016, Collab Fest attendees have tasted some of the craziest and best beers available.
This year, Adelson said attendees can expect about 150 beers from 184 different breweries. “This is the largest gathering of Colorado craft breweries showcased at a single event,” she said.
New Terrain Brewing in Golden worked with Vector Brewing from Dallas to produce a contemporary maibock with citrus and pine character.
“Allowing the beer to lager on Cypress and Yellow Birch wood accentuates the malt character with notes of yellow cake, vanilla wafers, toffee, butterscotch, and honeyed croissant,” according to notes offered by the brewers.
Rails End Beer Co., Comrade Brewing, and Cheluna Brewing Co. joined forces to create a West Coast pilsner that is hopped like a hazy and easy to drink. Rails End and Cheluna created a version of this beer last as part of the Homie series. Version 2 is new and improved, they said.
Vail Brewing and Hakuba Brewing Co. in Nagano, Japan, crafted a Japanese rice lager with plum. Garrett Scahill, co-owner and head brewer at Vail, was skiing near the Hakuba brewery when he connected with the owner. The idea for Hanami Lager was born, and the result will be available at the fest.
Other collaborators closer to home include Comrade Brewing Co. in Denver and Rails End Brewing in Broomfield, as well as:
• Novel Strand Brewing and Call to Arms Brewing
• Burns Family Artisan Ales and River North Brewing
• Tommyknocker and Fritz Family Brewers
• Sanitas Brewing and Flyteco Brewing
• Elevation Beer and Jagged Mountain.