Arapahoe Basin to host 12th annual Festival of the Brewpubs

Home to the Great American Beer Festival, Colorado boasts nearly 200 craft breweries and is also known to have some of the best skiing in the nation. Join your friends at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area (A-Basin) to celebrate both of these great traditions at the 12th annual Festival of the Brewpubs.

The festival takes place Sunday, May 26, from noon to 4:00 p.m. in the base area. Ten Colorado breweries will be sampling their brews, and A-Basin’s culinary team will be serving sliders, turkey legs, tacos and other items for purchase.

The bluegrass band Hardscrabble will be playing live on the ticket office steps from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A-Basin is still open for skiing and riding seven days a week, and the lifts will be running every day of Memorial Day weekend from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

“This is one of most fun days at the Basin,” said Alan Henceroth, Arapahoe Basin’s chief operating officer. “Great music, good friends, and spring skiing – it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Participating breweries include Pug Ryan’s, Dillon Dam, AC Golden, Avery, O'Dells, Oskar Blues, Wynkoop, Tivoli, Twisted Pine, and Elevation Brewing.

Mugs for the beer tasting go on sale the day of the event at 11 a.m. and can be purchased at either the Season Pass Office or in Guest Services until 3 p.m. Each mug costs $25, and entitles the guest to unlimited beer tastings from noon to 4 p.m.

Festival attendees must be at least 21 years of age, but they do not need a lift ticket to attend. Food tickets will be available for purchase; the cost is $1 per ticket or 15 tickets for $12.

Arapahoe Basin Ski Area is scheduled to close out the 2012-13 ski and ride season on Sunday, June 2. Single and multi-day lift tickets and 2013-14 season passes can be purchased online at arapahoebasin.com/passes.