Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines!

A weekend full of high alcohol content beer at high altitude in Vail, Colorado equals an unforgettable weekend. With the chilly weather and steady snow fall, what better way to keep you toasty than enjoying these rich, delicious beers.

This year was the 14th annual Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines (BBBB) Festival. This is no ordinary day festival; it is a weekend full of activities from beer pairing dinners, brewing seminars and competitions, to a sensory workshop about cooking with beer.

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I had the pleasure of working with Ginger Johnson from Women Enjoying Beer (WEB) in the sensory workshop: “Mmmmm! Ahhhhh! Beer In Food: Cooking With The Best Ingredient In Your Kitchen.” Below is a quick overview of the delicious 3-course meal prepared:

  • Beans were soaked in the Collage by Deschutes to make a pork and beans dish that was enjoyed with bread, cheese and chocolate.
  • The Sixth Glass by Boulevard was used in a hummus mix and enjoyed wtih veggies, bread and cheese.
  • Ladyfingers were soaked in the Fluxus 2013 by Allagash and used in a chocolate-orange topping for ice cream.

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Some of the other exciting events to prepare you for the festival were a cigar pairing experience and a yoga of brewing. The morning yoga session was for preparing your body, mind and soul to receive all the amazing beer throughout the day. Though I was unable to attend either event, I plan to make it happen in future years!

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The build up to the event is enough to keep you satisfied but everyone is still patiently waiting for all the delicious beers to hit their lips. Breweries bring their best, strongest big beers to satisfy our palates!

Beer Highlights:

Abraxus- Perennial Artisan Ales (Missouri)
Barrel Aged Cuvee- Great Divide (Colorado)
Gooseberry Colorambic- AC Golden (Colorado)
Mirror Mirror- Deschutes (Oregon)
2008 Angles Share – Lost Abbey (California)
Hop Slam- Bell’s Brewery (Michigan)
Raspberry Dark Origins- Crooked Stave (Colorado)
Tropical Paradise- Wild Woods (Colorado)

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The festival was a great time with lots of beers to warm you up on this cold, snowy night in Vail. Hop-Pickles by Brooklyn Brine were another way to warm you right up! They were absolutely delicious and very enjoyable paired with the Sixty-One from Dogfish Head. Great Divide also provided cheese samples for pairing with some of their beers. These little additions make me even more happy 😀

The BBBB Festival is one you do not want to miss! Plan a trip around this festival and not only will you enjoy some outstanding beers, but you will be able to enjoy the winter wonderland in this mountain town, Vail. “It is the ultimate beer-cation!”

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Music For Your Ears:

~Buffalo by Alt-J featuring Mountain Man

More To Love:

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Breakfast Beer Beans

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Farmhouse Ales

Denver Festivus 2013

Denver Festivus 2013