Ah, beer festivals. The perfect setting for day drinking and debauchery. Sampling and swilling beer is less snobby than slurping down wine, and beer is definitely the favored form of booze in Durango. Whether you’re a serious beer connoisseur or just looking to get drunk (hey, no shame in that), here is everything you need to know about this Saturday’s San Juan Brewfest in Buckley Park.
About the festThere will be 54 craft breweries and distilleries in attendance, and each will bring at least two different beers. You can sample as many beers as you want from your souvenir 5 oz. tasting glass. There will also be live music and food vendors. No dogs and no one under 21 admitted.
The new brewery participants this year are Barrel Brewing Co. (Bend, OR), Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits (San Diego), Big Sky Brewing Co. (Missoula, MT), Crazy Mountain Brewing Co. (Edwards), Eddyline Brewing (Buena Vista), Full Sail Brewing Co.(Hood River, OR), Golden Block Brewery (Silverton), Goose Island Beer Co. (Chicago), Melvin Brewing Co. (Alpine, WY) and Renegade Brewing Co. (Denver).
Ticket PricesThe Fest sold out the past two years, so get your tickets ASAP at www.SanJuanBrewfest.com/tickets
General admission ticket $30 (there might be a few left to sell at the gate)
Upgraded general admission ticket $45 (you get in ½ hour early at 12:30 p.m. and receive an event t-shirt)
Designated driver ticket $15 (DDs must be at least 21 years old)
Live musicHog MaGundy (Fort Collins) JamGrass/Americana/Bluegrass
Liver Down the River (Durango) An eclectic mix of psychedelic bluegrass and funk
Sweetwater String Band (Mammoth Lakes, CA) Cello-driven high Sierra soulgrass
Full schedule
1 p.m.: Gates open for general admission ticket holders and day-of ticket purchases
1 p.m.: Hog Magundy
2:15 p.m.: Liver Down the River
4 p.m.: Sweetwater String Band; food services ends in VIP Lounge
4:30 p.m.: People’s Choice Award Presentation
4:50 p.m.: Last call
5 p.m.: Brewfest ends
