Fifth annual Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival returns to Beaver Creek Aug. 18-20

Combining world-renowned culinary talent and outdoor venues, the 5th annual Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival returns August 18-20, 2011 for the perfect blend of summertime in the Colorado Rockies. From wine and mix-ology cocktail seminars to cooking classes and wine dinners, the event features culinary delights in wine and spirits offerings for a variety of palates.

Featuring the winners of the San Francisco International Wine Competition and World Spirits Competition, the Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival features a top-shelf lineup of events including educational seminars like “The ABC's of Tequila” and the “Riedel Crystal Glassware Seminar”, along with fun activities like the “Walk & Wine” where guests can enjoy a hike with staff from the Beaver Creek Hiking Center, light summer wines and lunch at Grouse Mountain Grill.

The “Best of Walk-Around Tasting” is the culmination of the weekend festival Saturday night, featuring more than 40 award-winning wines and spirits and dishes from celebrity chefs and Beaver Creek favorites served outdoors in the Village.

Schedule of Events:

Thursday, Aug. 18

The ABCs of Tequila

Wine Spectator Demo Tent (Plaza behind Beaver Creek Sports), 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $45

Anejo, Blanco, Joven, Reposado. Tequila is nearly as varied and complex as wine. In this educational seminar you will discover the complexities and varietals of this often under-appreciated spirit.

Riedel Crystal Glassware Seminar

May Gallery, Vilar Center, 3-4 p.m.
Tickets: $60

Learn how proper glassware enhances the wine drinking experience. Riedel Crystal is world renowned for their study of and innovations in wine glassware. Seminar participants will receive a set of Riedel's Vinum XL tasting glasses as they sample the effects each glass has on four different wines.

Beaver Creek Rodeo Series Guest Chef BBQ

Beaver Creek Rodeo at Traer Creek 5-8 p.m.
Tickets: $60

Join us for the weekly Rodeo at Traer Creek for an exclusive BBQ with guest chef Brendan Collins from Waterloo & City LA and Beaver Creek master chef Jay McCarthy of The Chophouse.

Friday, August 19th

Walk & Wine

Beaver Creek Hiking Center and Grouse Mt. Grill, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tickets: $100; Luncheon only: $70

Enjoy a wonderful hike on Beaver Creek Mountain with our own Hiking Center staff. Enjoy light summer wines and a fantastic lunch from the Grouse Mt. Grill by guest chef Abraham Salum from Salum Restaurant in Dallas.

Dessert Pastry and Cocktail Seminar

8100 at the Park Hyatt, 3-4:30 p.m.
Tickets: $60

Learn how to make delicious dessert pastries with chef and author Marisa Churchill. Mixologists from Blue Lifestyle will teach you how to pair spirits with sweets and make dessert cocktails.

Wine Spectator Seminar – Riesling Revealed

Wine Spectator Demo Tent (Plaza behind Beaver Creek Sports), 5-6 p.m.
Tickets: $25

Summer time means Riesling! Join us for a blind tasting seminar to take a trip around the globe through this most delicious grape. The tasting and discussion will be led by Tim Clark, national wine educator for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

Guest Chef Dinner with Craig Hopson (Benefiting The Bright Future Foundation)

Splendido at the Chateau, 7-10 p.m.
Tickets: $125

Enjoy an amazing wine pairing dinner with guest chef Craig Hopson of Le Cirque NYC and Splendido's David Walford. A silent auction will take place at the dinner to benefit The Bright Future Foundation. Only 100 seats are available for this very special signature festival event.

Saturday, Aug. 20

Cooking Class with Guest Chef Brendan Collins
Splendido at the Chateau, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Tickets: $120

Guest chef Brendan Collins of Waterloo & City LA will show you ways to freshen up great favorites. Enjoy perfectly paired cocktails and wine with your learning lunch at the exclusive event.

The Double Gold award Winning Spirits Presentation

The Osprey, 3-4 p.m.
Tickets: $45

Join world-famous wine and spirits expert and host Anthony Dias Blue as he unveils this year's Double Gold spirits from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. This is the exclusive ticket to the first event since the SFWSC to sample some of this year's Double Gold spirits.

Wine Spectator Seminar and Cooking Demo – The Voice of Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Spectator Demo Tent (Plaza behind Beaver Creek Sports), 5-6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $60

This tasting seminar and discussion will reveal what dimensions different regions give to Cabernet Sauvignon. And food? What could be a more natural match than fine meats roasted or grilled with a great Cab? Join Tim Clark, national wine educator with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and Beaver Creek's master chef Steve Topple of Beano's Cabin for a lively look at these perfect partners.

“Best of” Walk-Around Tasting

Vilar Performing Arts Center, 7:30-10 p.m.
Tickets: $65

Taste over 40 award-winning wines and spirits, and dishes from all of the celebrity chefs and your Beaver Creek favorites.

Event Packages

Three different event packages are available at the Wine & Spirits Festival this year for guests who want to make the most of their experience. Each package offers a savings of 20%.

• The Wine and Spirits VIP Package includes one ticket to the Riedel seminar, Rodeo BBQ, Walk & Wine with lunch at Grouse Mt. Grill, Wine Dinner at Splendido, Double Gold Presentation at The Osprey, one cooking class or demonstration on Friday and Saturday, and Best of Walk-Around Tasting for $516.

• The Just a Taste Package includes one ticket to the Rodeo BBQ, Double Gold Presentation, one seminar or cooking class on Friday and Saturday, and the Best of Walk-Around Tasting for $336.

• The Wine and Spirits Weekender includes one ticket to the Wine Spectator Demonstrations on Friday and Saturday, Spirits Presentation on Saturday, and the Best of Walk-Around Tasting for $156.

Event and Lodging Packages

Spend the weekend wining and dining in Beaver Creek with great deals on combined lodging and event ticket packages over the Wine & Spirits Festival weekend.

• The Walk & Wine Lodging Package starts from $201 per person/per night and includes three nights of lodging and one ticket to the Rodeo BBQ, Walk & Wine with lunch at Grouse Mt. Grill, Cocktail Seminar at The Osprey, Wine Dinner at Mirabelle, Wine Seminar at Spago, one demonstration on Friday or Saturday, and the Best of Walk-Around Tasting. Additional restrictions may apply.

• The Just a Taste Lodging Package starts from $130 per person/per night and includes one ticket to the Rodeo BBQ, Cocktail Seminar or Wine Seminar, one demonstration on Friday or Saturday, and the Best of Walk-Around Tasting. Additional restrictions may apply.

For more information on the Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival and event and lodging packages please visit www.beavercreek.com or call 1-800-953-0844. For event tickets only please call 1-888-920-2787.