Spring drinks festivals on tap statewide

The celebrations of beer, wine and spirits heat up along with the weather starting next month

Photo courtesy of Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival

Photo courtesy of Colorado Wine Walk

Colorado Wine Walk
April 13, Denver

Blanchard Family Wines hosts the next Colorado Wine Walk on Sunday, April 13, at Denver’s Dairy Block. At least 10 local wineries pour samples at the daylong event, which also includes live music and gourmet food samples.

The early session starts at 11 a.m., and a separate afternoon session starts at 3 p.m. Tickets for either session cost $50, and VIP packages are available, including access to a wine and chocolate pairing class.

Nikki A. Rae Photography

Collaboration Fest
April 19, Westminster

Every beer at Collaboration Fest is an exclusive blend crafted just for the festival. Every participating brewery collaborates with at least one other craft brewery on a specialty beer, and creative minds can really get wild when they get together. Attendees can expect uniquely delicious brews from hundreds of breweries.




Photo courtesy of the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds

Chalk Lines and Vines
May 3-4, Aurora

A spring wine and chalk art festival returns to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds. At least 15 Colorado wineries will pour samples while live chalk artists create fresh and limited-time masterpieces. The event also features live music, local vendors, food trucks, games, and opportunities to paint and sip. Daily general-admission tickets cost $40, and VIP tickets also are available, including food, VIP parking, private restrooms and more. 

Photo courtesy of The Springs Resort

Pints, Pools and Paddles
May 9-11, Pagosa Springs

The 10th Annual Pints, Pools, and Paddles Craft Brew Festival brings craft beer, geothermal soaking and riverside fun to the Springs Resort in Pagosa Springs. 

The event opens Friday with a beer, chocolate and cheese tasting hosted by Riff Raff Brewery. Saturday brings a day of soaking while watching the Pagosa Paddle whitewater races, followed by samples of craft beer from Colorado, New Mexico and beyond.

Sip Into Spring
May 17, Palisade

The Orchard River View outdoor event center hosts a party in May, with Colorado wine, food, art and music. The venue is surrounded by orchards and vineyards, and offers a great view of the Bookcliffs. The event also is a fundraiser for the Food Bank of the Rockies, which also provides volunteers for the festival.

Photo courtesy of Creekside Beer Fest

Creekside Beer Fest 
May 24-25, Boulder

At least 20 breweries, cideries and seltzer makers will pour samples during two days of tastings. The festival is part of the Boulder Creek Festival, a celebration of live music, art battles, food, family fun and more over Memorial Day weekend.

And plenty more libations are on tap into the summer months:

Manitou Springs Wine Festival
June 7, Manitou Springs

Unlimited samples of exclusively Colorado-made wine, mead and glogg are available, alongside live music and food trucks on June 7 at Memorial Park in Manitou Springs. General admission tickets are available for $65, with an extra 90 minutes of sampling and other perks for an additional $25. Tickets include a tasting glass and six-bottle wine tote bag. 

Lake Dillon Beer Festival
June 7, Dillon

The Colorado Brewers Guild starts the summer season in Dillon by inviting more than 30 Colorado breweries to the beautiful shores of Lake Dillon. The event also has live music and food. 

Belgian Brew Fest
June 7, Denver

Bruz Beers specializes in Belgian beer styles, going back to the motherland each year to tour breweries, sample beers and learn more about traditional methods and styles. Every summer since 2017, they have also hosted a festival for their fellow breweries with Belgian-style beers. Tickets include unlimited pours of dozens of renowned Belgian beers from around the world. 

Vail Craft Beer Classic
June 13-14, Vail

The 9th Vail Craft Beer Classic in Vail Village includes unlimited tastings of beer, seltzers, and spirits, as well as food trucks and live music. Attendees also vote for their favorite breweries, which compete for the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice “Best Beer of Summer” awards. 

Food & Wine Classic
June 20-22, Aspen

Back for a 42nd time, the “unofficial kick-off to the summer” is a deep dive in gourmet food and fine wine. In addition to wine and spirits tastings, the festival consists of cooking demonstrations, seminars and panel discussions led by world-class chefs and beverage experts. Presenters include Emmy-winning TV chef Andrew Zimmern, sommelier and podcaster Amanda McCrossin, wine and spirits writer Anthony Giglio and many more.

Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival
June 22-23, Keystone

Well-crafted bacon and bourbon are two of life’s decadent and delicious delights. Both are plentiful at this festival, where attendees sample Colorado whiskies, bacon and bacon-inspired cuisine. Families are welcome, with live music, competitions and Camp Bacon activities and classes for kids. One-day bacon, beer and bourbon tickets cost $75. Food passes cost $30. Kids’ packages, family four-packs, and individual food and drink tickets also are available.

Reds, Whites & Brews in the Boat
June, tbd, Steamboat Springs

Breweries and wineries take over Yampa Street in Steamboat Springs for an afternoon in June. The event also includes live music, food and vendors. Advance tickets cost $45, including a collector’s cup and unlimited tastings. VIP tickets also are available, and ticket prices increase the day of the event.