The Freshest Beers In The Four Corners: Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm Returns September 21
Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm, Colorado’s marquee celebration of fresh hop beers, returns for the third year on Saturday, September 21 with live music and dancing, local food, yard games, and a farm tour.
MONTROSE, CO— Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm, Colorado’s marquee celebration of fresh hop beers, returns for the third year on Saturday, September 21 with live music and dancing, local food, yard games, and a farm tour. All of the breweries pouring will serve a beer made with fresh hops that will be harvested at Billy Goat in coming weeks.
Southwest Fresh Fest is an afternoon to remember that serves the freshest beers to be found in the Four Corners. Fresh hop beers, sometimes called harvest ales, are brewed with hops that come straight off the bine and go right into the brew— usually within 24 hours. That’s the magic of this fleeting crop, made even more special when you can taste a multitude of beer expressions at the place it was cultivated and harvested.
Brewers pouring beers made with Billy Goat’s craft hops fresh off the bine at Southwest Fresh Fest are Base Camp Beer Works, Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Elevation Beer Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Horsefly Brewing Company, Lady Justice Brewing, Milieu Fermentation, Mountain Tap Brewery, Pomona Brewing Company, Shelter Distilling & Brewing, Ska Brewing, Strange Craft Beer Company, and Stronghouse Brew Pub. Participating breweries all serve at least one beer made with Billy Goat fresh hops, and festival-goers will have a chance to vote on their favorite in the Best of Show competition for the traveling hop trophy. For the first time this year, breweries have the option to bring a second seasonal beer— so there’s certain to be something for everyone.
This year’s bands are Liver Down The River, a five piece band of musicians based in Durango promising a lively good time, and Derek Dame Ohl joining from Denver, who has been described as ‘warm butter on hot bread with blustering conduct.’
Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 day-of; $15 for designated drivers and people under 21; and free for kids under 12. Get tickets to taste the freshest beers made with craft hops at southwestfreshfest.com.
“Harvest is a crazy time of year, and it’s right around the corner,” says Billy Goat Hop Farm Co-Owner Audrey Gehlhausen. “We have a lot of good energy going into this year’s festival thanks to the awesome support from, not only our OG participating brewers, but also folks just opening their doors. And of course, we are grateful for our local community's ongoing love and partnerships.”
The new Rathbone Hotel and Country Lodge will offer discounted lodging for out-of-town guests attending Southwest Fresh Fest. TelluRides will provide free shuttle rides to and from both hotels, the Montrose Recreation Center, and the farm. Find the shuttle schedule at southwestfreshfest.com.
Southwest Fresh Fest is made possible by community sponsors including Pomona Brewing Company, Maxfield - Peterson, P.C., AgWell, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado River District, RadCraft, Northwest Rafting Company, TelluRides, Valley Food Partnership, Alpine Events, and Visit Montrose.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Southwest Fresh Fest or Billy Goat Hop Farm. Download press images here.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST FRESH FEST
Southwest Fresh Fest is the first and only fresh hop beer festival in the Southwest, hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, CO on September 21st. Attendees and brewers alike can enjoy fresh hop beers from across the region in a rad complimentary taster glass. There will also be a Pickin’ Party with live bluegrass music, local food trucks, farm tours, and games… not to mention the panoramic views from the San Juan Mountains to the Grand Mesa. Come out for the festivities and stay for the recreation, beauty, and good beers abound. Join the fun at Billy Goat Hop Farm and celebrate harvest at Southwest Fresh Fest.
Buy tickets, sign up to pour beer, or sponsor at southwestfreshfest.com.
ABOUT BILLY GOAT HOP FARM
Billy Goat Hop Farm is the largest hop farm in the Southwest, providing superior quality fresh, whole cone, and pelletized hops directly to craft brewers. Starting in 2017, they've grown to 32 acres that produce 9 varieties of amazing hops. They also source additional varieties of whole cone hops from other quality growers, pelletizing them themselves to offer more options to their brewers. The quality of hops they produce has gained nationwide notoriety with two Cascade Cup wins. They were the first farm outside of Washington or Oregon to win this prestigious award from the Hop Quality Group in 2023, and then in 2024 became the first farm ever to win back-to-back years.
Owners and farmers Chris and Audrey pride themselves on creating genuine farmer-brewer relations and bringing true craft into their process. Combining traditional hands-on practices and state-of-the-art technology, they use less water and chemicals which transcends into a healthier ecosystem, soil, and hop plants. Brewers enjoy the bright aroma and subtly unique flavor profile imparted from Colorado's terroir, and the passion poured into every step of the process. Know your farmer, Love your beer.
Learn more at billygoathopfarm.com.
Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm Returns September 23
Montrose, Colorado’s Second Annual Celebration of Local Hops and Regional Beer to take place on Fall Equinox at Billy Goat Hop Farm.
MONTROSE, CO— Billy Goat Hop Farm is thrilled to bring back Southwest Fresh Fest for the second year. This showcase of all fresh-hopped beers with live music, food trucks, and yard games will take place on the farm on Saturday, September 23rd from 2 to 6pm.
Fresh hop, or wet hop, beers are brewed with hops that come straight off the bine and into the brew— usually within 24 hours— instead of being dried and pelletized. “They're special because they're only available at harvest time and are best imbibed immediately,” say Billy Goat Hop Farm Owners, which makes this festival an extra special celebration of the freshest beers to be found in the Four Corners.
Breweries pouring include Avery Brewing Company, Base Camp Beer Works, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Elevation Beer Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe & Brewery, Horsefly Brewing Company, Mountain Tap Brewery, Primitive Beer, Stronghouse Brew Pub, The Steel Bender Brewyard, Wren House Brewing Company, and Yampa Valley Brewing Company.
Beyond the beer, Southwest Fresh Fest, guests can enjoy local food trucks and live music from the Drew Dvorchak Band and the Still House String Band, tour the hop farm, and get down on yard games. TelluRides will provide free shuttle rides to and from Montrose and the farm.
Ticket prices are as follows: The Full Sha-Bang - $30 in advance and $35 day-of; Designated Driver or Under 21 - $15; Under 12 are free. Tickets are on sale now at southwestfreshfest.com.
The Southwest Fresh Fest is made possible by the local community and sponsors including Colorado River District, Maxfield - Peterson, P.C., AgWell, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, RadCraft, TelluRides, CropwoRx, West of 105, Valley Food Partnership, Visit Montrose, Colorado Grain Chain, and Northwest Rafting Company.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Southwest Fresh Fest or Billy Goat Hop Farm. Download press images here.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST FRESH FEST
Southwest Fresh Fest is the first and only fresh hop beer festival in the Southwest, hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, CO on September 23rd. Attendees and brewers alike can enjoy fresh hop beers from across the region in a rad complimentary taster glass. There will also be a Pickin’ Party with live bluegrass music, local food trucks, farm tours, and games… not to mention the panoramic views from the San Juan Mountains to the Grand Mesa. Come out for the festivities and stay for the recreation, beauty, and good beers abound. Join the fun at Billy Goat Hop Farm and celebrate harvest at Southwest Fresh Fest.
Buy tickets, sign up to pour beer, or sponsor at southwestfreshfest.com.
ABOUT BILLY GOAT HOP FARM
Billy Goat Hop Farm is the largest hop farm in the Southwest, providing superior quality fresh, whole cone, and pelletized hops directly to craft brewers. Starting in 2017, they've grown to 32 acres that produce 9 varieties of amazing hops. Owners and farmers Chris and Audrey pride themselves on creating genuine farmer-brewer relations and bringing true craft into their process. Combining traditional hands-on practices and state-of-the-art technology, they use less water and chemicals which transcends into a healthier ecosystem, soil, and hop plants. Brewers enjoy the bright aroma and subtly unique flavor profile imparted from Colorado's terroir, and the passion poured into every step of the process. Know your farmer, Love your beer.
Learn more at billygoathopfarm.com.
Freshtober Fest by The Empourium Returns To Denver’s Berkeley Neighborhood October 15, 2022
Freshtober Fest 2022 at The Empourium Brewing Co. in the Denver Berkeley neighborhood will feature ten breweries pouring their fresh hop expressions.
The Empourium Owners Sara and Greg Fetzer
DENVER, CO— The Empourium Brewing Co. brings back its beloved celebration of fresh hop beers to the Berkeley neighborhood for the third year on Saturday, October 15 from noon to 6pm.
Freshtober Fest 2022 will feature ten breweries pouring their fresh hop expressions (the brewery list is below), The Hucklebearers at 12:30pm and Westword’s best new band of 2022 Traveling Rose Band at 3:30pm, eats from local favorite food trucks Little Red’s Kitchen and Pho King Rapidos. The Empourium will also host its annual denim drive to support The St. Francis Center. It’s all going down on the brewery patio that’s expanded into 42nd Street for the day.
The Empourium will also bring back its fresh hop beer Now & Forever, made with El Dorado hops from Hop Head Farms that were overnighted to the brewery for supreme freshness. This beer will return in a can with new label art for 2022.
Tickets cost $45 and include a festival glass and beer tokens for beers poured on the patio. Guests can also purchase full pints inside of the tasting room that can be taken back outside. Bring your friends, bring your jeans, and come ready to taste the season’s freshest hops all in one place.
Freshtober Fest 2022 Breweries
Barquentine Brewing
Berkeley Alley Beer Co.
Call to Arms Brewing
FlyteCo Brewing
Goldspot Brewing
Hogshead
Joyride Brewing
Odell Brewing
The Empourium Brewing Co.
Uhl’s Brewing
Media interested in attending or with questions can contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.
ABOUT THE EMPOURIUM BREWING CO.
Located in the heart of Denver’s Berkeley Neighborhood, The Empourium is a gathering place for all— patrons and beer styles alike. Armed with true to style recipes and local pride, owners Greg and Sara Fetzer, Mike Cugini, and Justin Vallely focus their efforts to craft a warm, lively community hub centered around balanced, sessionable beers guaranteed to bring people together. Visit The Empourium at 4385 W. 42nd Avenue or online at theempourium.com.
Horsefly Brewing Company Presents First Annual Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm
Horsefly Brewing Co. presents first annual Southwest Fresh Fest and Pickin’ Party located at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, Colorado on October 1, 2022.
Montrose, Colorado’s First Annual Celebration of Local Hops and Regional Beer is October 1
MONTROSE, CO — Horsefly Brewing Company presents Southwest Fresh Fest and Pickin’ Party hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm, the first-ever fresh hop beer festival of its kind in Southwest Colorado slated for October 1, 2022 from 2 - 6pm. Southwest Fresh Fest will showcase all fresh-hopped beers made at breweries across the Four Corners region and beyond. Elk Range and Floodgate Operators will perform live bluegrass tunes to a backdrop of the San Juan Mountain Range. Tour the hop farm, enjoy eats from one of the local food trucks on-site and take a crack at some yard games.
“We not only enjoy drinking fresh hop beers, but love the concept of growing hops and having the cones go straight off the bine and into the brew. It reminds me of simpler times, truly connecting farming and harvest to a tangible delicious beer. We just want to share this with everyone!” Audrey Gehlhausen Co-Owner of Billy Goat Hop Farm.
The Southwest Fresh Fest would not be possible without support from sponsors and the local community including Colorado River District, RadCraft, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, AgWell, Telluride Express, Wayfinder Magazine, Maxfield-Peterson, P.C., Montrose Community Foundation, Valley Food Partnership, Northwest Rafting Co., Colorado Grain Chain, and Visit Montrose.
Tickets are on sale now at southwestfreshfest.com. Breweries and inquiring sponsors can contact southwestfreshfest@gmail.com to participate.
Enjoy fresh-hopped beers during the festivities from Base Camp Beer Works, Breckenridge Brewery, Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery, Copper Club Brewing Co., Elevation Beer Co., FlyteCo Brewing, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Grandma’s House, Horsefly Brewing Co., Mountain Tap Brewery, Stronghouse Brew Pub, and Outer Range Brewing Co. The complete brewery list will be published in coming weeks.
Contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com with media inquiries about Southwest Fresh Fest or Billy Goat Hop Farm.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST FRESH FEST
Southwest Fresh Fest presented by Horsefly Brewing Company is the first and only fresh hop beer festival in the Southwest, hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, CO on October 1st. Attendees and brewers alike can enjoy fresh hop beers from across the region in a rad complimentary taster glass. There will also be a Pickin’ Party with live bluegrass music, local food trucks, farm tours, and games… not to mention the panoramic views from the San Juan Mountains to the Grand Mesa. Come out for the festivities and stay for the recreation, beauty, and good beers abound. Join the fun at Billy Goat Hop Farm and celebrate harvest at Southwest Fresh Fest.
Buy tickets, sign up to pour beer, or sponsor at southwestfreshfest.com.
ABOUT BILLY GOAT HOP FARM
Billy Goat Hop Farm is the largest hop farm in the Southwest, providing superior quality fresh, whole cone, and pelletized hops directly to craft brewers. Starting in 2017, they've grown to 32 acres that produce 9 varieties of amazing hops. Owners and farmers Chris and Audrey pride themselves on creating genuine farmer-brewer relations and bringing true craft into their process. Combining traditional hands-on practices and state-of-the-art technology, they use less water and chemicals which transcends into a healthier ecosystem, soil, and hop plants. Brewers enjoy the bright aroma and subtly unique flavor profile imparted from Colorado's terroir, and the passion poured into every step of the process. Know your farmer, Love your beer.
Learn more at billygoathopfarm.com.