Why Rapids & Grass is a Brewer's Favorite Festival, Even When They Can't Go

Photo by Zach Mahone @ South Main Co.

“The beer is great, the music is fire, and the venue is laid out wonderfully.” 

That’s Ashleigh Carter, the co-founder and head brewer of Bierstadt Lagerhaus. She’s not alone.

You know it’s a good sign when you see a brewer at a beer festival. And in this case, the Rapids & Grass festival in Buena Vista is packed full of them— especially in anticipation of the festival’s rafting component. 

Rapids & Grass is so much more than just a beer fest; it’s an opportunity to get to the mountains, enjoy the river, and get social. Although the festival has decided to skip this year, keeping public health and safety in mind, it still goes down as one of our favorite festivals -- and here’s why the brewers agree. 

“The Rapids & Grass beer festival is unlike any other beer festival I have attended. I have traveled all over the country and poured at a few different beer festivals in Europe and none of them are as laid back and chill as Rapids & Grass,” shares Skip Schwartz, wood cellar and innovation lead at WeldWerks Brewing, “Attendees have access to some of the best beer Colorado has to offer at their fingertips with a relaxed, no lines or waiting. Last year was my first time attending and I know why I will be going back in the future.  Never have I worked a festival with my shoes off and my pants rolled up and it fit into the atmosphere of the festival. Not to mention a water gun fight broke out mid-festival with a few other brewers, which was a lot of fun!” 

Jordan Wheeler, senior packaging operator at WeldWerks Brewing adds, “Ummm everything Skip said. It’s definitely a festival I want to attend every year. It will never get old pouring beautiful beer with such a beautiful backdrop.”

There’s no arguing that the festival’s venue is one that is hard to rival. It also makes for a perfect location for brewers to also kick back, relax, and hang out with each other. 

“Obviously Buena Vista is beautiful,” shares Carter, “and really the beer is just a small part of the fest.”

“What makes it unique is how many brewers actually participate,” Carter continues, “We all get to hang out and camp together the night before and night of the festival, so there is that added social aspect that makes it fun to participate.”

It’s not just the brewers who enjoy it, either. 

“It’s an honor to get to pour our whiskey amongst some of the best beers around, and it’s inspiring to see what these brewers continually offer up such bad ass expressions of their craft,” says Lenny Eckstein, founder & head distiller at Deerhammer in downtown Buena Vista, “It’s always been Deerhammer’s approach to bring innovation and creativity to whiskey. A huge part of this is fueled for us by those on the beer side of the fence.”

Not to mention, the festival draws huge crowds to the Arkansas Valley, boosting tourism and the area’s economic viability. 

“There’s this ongoing effort to bring visitation to BV throughout the year,” shares Eckstien, “The thing about Rapids and Grass is that the crowd that comes up here, who’ve maybe blazed through BV or heard of our hot springs or killer mountain bike trails, or whatever, when they come here for Rapids & Grass they are getting full exposure to the full spectrum of awesomeness that BV has to offer. Deerhammer is PACKED during Rapids and Grass. It’s a great crowd who comes here looking to enjoy this place.”

To our friends Sarah, Shane, and their great Rapids & Grass partners, we love you and we miss you. Thank you for bringing world-class beer and music to Buena Vista. 

— Words by Karen Mills

Hop Zombie Day Lurks at Lone Tree Brewing on September 28

LONE TREE, CO— The brewers have confirmed: GABF®. award-winning Hop Zombie by Lone Tree Brewing Company is coming, and this year it has mutated into cans. Try this monstrous beer at the brewery on Saturday, September 28.

Unlike apocalyptic zombie outbreaks, Hop Zombie Day won’t last long. Now in its sixth year, this Imperial Red IPA will be available as a limited release in cans and on draft on Saturday, September 28. Formerly only available in bombers, 2019 marks the first year for Hop Zombie to creep into cans with artwork created by Boulder-based Anthem Branding in collaboration with the Lone Tree Brewing Co.’s team. 

The new can with refreshed artwork will be exclusively available at the brewery on Saturday, September 28 beginning at 11 a.m. Word to the wise, Hop Zombie Day has a cult following; this infamous brew is typically quarantined and contained in one day and sells out.

Guests at Hop Zombie Day 2019 can purchase specialty Hop Zombie glassware and t-shirts designed like the beer’s label. The Ol’ Skool Que and Colorado Pizza Company will be set up by 10am and serving green chili breakfast bowls to people waiting in line. 

For more information about Hop Zombie Day 2019, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

HOP ZOMBIE SPECS - 9% ABV, 90 IBU

Behold the beast. Hop Zombie is Lone Tree Brewing Co.’s most anticipated release of the year. It’s a complex, bold IPA that’s deep red in color with rich malts balanced by huge hop flavor and aroma created by eight different hops (Citra, Columbus, Cascade, Mosaic, Simcoe, Amarillo, Centennial, and Motueka). Hop Zombie is a beer brewed to bring you back from the grave.

ABOUT LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY

Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree's cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado and in select locations in Kansas. Lone Tree’s draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

Karl Strauss Anaheim Presents Five-Course Beer Dinner on September 20

SAN DIEGO, CA— Fresh off their third anniversary in Anaheim, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is keeping the celebrations going with a five-course beer dinner on Friday, September 20 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Located at the Anaheim location (2390 East Orangewood Ave. Anaheim, CA, 92806), this end-of-the-summer soiree is not your average backyard barbeque!

Starting with a meet and greet with Karl brewer Jarrod inside the brewery, followed by a decadent beer dinner where Jarrod and Chef Kevin guide you through a thoughtfully curated five-course menu that demonstrates the versatility and creativity of beer, this elevated dining experience would make any foodie and craft beer lover swoon.

“Not only are these beers complementary to each menu item, three of these beers are 2019 Great American Beer Festival entries, including our third anniversary Triple IPA and a Blackberry Kettle Sour, which has received rave reviews.” says Jarrod Davis, brewer at Karl Strauss.”In other words, these beers are the cream of the crop of what Karl’s northern brewpubs have to offer.”

• First Course: Munich-style Helles with Low Country Shrimp Boil, Jalapeno-Andouille Hushpuppies, Corn Pudding

• Second Course: Fair Dinkum Australian Pale Ale with Fried Chicken Biscuit Sliders, Buttermilk-Cheddar Biscuit, Pickles, Slaw, Hot Honey

• Third Course: Crazy Eyes Coffee Bock with Coffee Rubbed Wild Boar Ribs, Ancho BBQ Sauce, Sweet Potato Salad

• Fourth Course: Triple Play Triple IPA with Whiskey Glazed Beef Brisket, Pork Belly Baked Beans, Crispy Okra

• Fifth Course: That’s My Jam Raspberry/Blackberry Kettle Sour with Rhubarb-Strawberry Pie: Whipped Brie

Tickets for this decadent event costs $65 per person, which includes a pre-dinner happy hour in the brewery with a 9-oz pour and a seat at the five-course beer pairing dinner.

For more information about the Karl Strauss beer dinner, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT KARL STRAUSS BREWING COMPANY

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA. For more information, visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739. Share it. Cheers.