Colorado’s signature beer festival returns in March

What do Bent Barley Brewing, a 5-year-old beermaker in Aurora, and Wynkoop Brewing, the 35- year-old Lower Downtown mainstay co-founded by Sen. John Hickenlooper, have in common? What about Ska Brewing, a regional IPA and lager specialist in Durango, and Bruz Beers, which turns out Belgian-style specialties at its north Denver brewhouse?

You can find out when Collaboration Fest returns on March 25. The state’s signature beer festival, which is hosted by the Colorado Brewers Guild, will feature more than 120 unique collaborative  beers produced by 175 different breweries, including 20 from out of state.

What’s a collaborative beer? It’s when two or more breweries work together on a beer, each bringing their own set of talent and skill, along with ingredients, flair and style.

“I’m delighted to see non-Colorado breweries such as Beachwood Brewing and Monday Night Brewing on the roster, as well as Cyprez Tap Room out of Mexico,” said the guild’s executive director, Shawnee Adelson, in a written statement. “This proves that Collaboration Fest is a world-class beer event that brings both breweries near and far.”

Some of the collaborations include: 105 West Brewing and The Elizabeth Brewing; Angry James Brewery and Locavore Beer Works; Cabin Creek Brewing and Soulcraft Brewing; Danico Brewing and Ursula Brewery; Denver Beer Co. and El Rancho Colorado; Glenwood Canyon Brewing and Craftsman Brew Co.;Great Divide Brewing and Boneyard Beer; Jade Mountain Brewing and WeldWerks Brewing; Los Dos Potrillos and River North Brewery; Mythmaker Brewing and Outworld Brewing; New Image Brewing Company and Cerebral Brewing; New Terrain Brewing and Fritz Family Brewers; and Novel Strand Brewing and Cohesion Brewing.

Collaboration Fest takes place at The Westin Westminster, 10600 Westminster Blvd., in Westminster, on Saturday, March 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $65, while early entry tickets (beginning at 2 p.m.) are $85. Get more information online.

Subscribe to our new food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.