The 6th Annual Craft Lager Fest in Manitou Springs attracted another massive swell of beer lovers and geeks. Filtering in steadily from the continuous flow of travelers and scenery gawkers streaming through the main thoroughfare in Manitou, the small, half-moon shaped park hosting the event nearly busted at its foliage-covered seams. Not even a short deluge from the heavens kept the anxious festival-goers at bay.
Straddling the borders of the Great American Empire, Shmaltz Brewing from Saratoga Springs, New York, and Kona Brewing from Hawaii, contributed to a diverse selection of lager's â€" although it seems as if a couple of ale's worked their way in the back door. As should be expected for a eclectic beer festival in Colorado, many breweries from the beer saturated state presented a vast array of excellent brews. Wolf Rock from Keystone poured a great Marzen, Odell served their excellent Double Pilsner, and CB & Potts in Highlands Ranch unleashed the tasty, alcohol heavy community brew Warning Sign Eis Bock â€" spearheaded by none other than the founder of the Craft Lager Fest himself, Jason Yester (Check out our Warning Sign coverage for more information on the elusive beer). It's refreshingly unorthodox to experience a festival dedicated primarily to the bottom fermented beers.
From what I could ascertain, Jason and the other members of the Craft Lager Fest board organized and executed another outstanding event. Although some of the lines snaked wildly with fifteen or twenty excited drinkers, they seemed to move quickly and efficiently, leaving very few glasses empty for an unnecessary amount of time.
In conjunction with the festival, the beers flowing from the taps were also judged in competition. Below you'll find a list of those that peaked interest and delectability with the judges.
Thanks to all those who stopped by the Beer Drinker's Guide to Colorado booth to check out the beer map - especially the map geeks!
6th Annual Craft Lager Fest Winners List
Bock
Gold, Goat Toppler, Rock Bottom Brewery, Colorado Springs, CO
Silver, Butthead Bock, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO
Bronze, Red Cock Doppelbock, Maui Brewing, Lahaina, Maui, HI
Export / Helles
Gold - Session Premium Lager, Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, OR
Silver- Long Board Lager, Kona Brewing, Kailua Kona, HI
Bronze - Bikini Blonde Lager, Maui Brewing, Lahaina, Maui, HI
Pilsner
Gold - La Plata Pilsner, Carver Brewing, Durango, CO
Silver - Pavlov's Pilsner, C.B. & Pott's, Fort Collins, CO
Bronze - Rhine River Pilsner, Big Horn, Highland's Ranch, CO
Oktoberfest / Vienna / Marzen
Gold, Ornery Amber, Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs, CO
Strong Lager
Gold - Silver Mullet Malt Liquor, Rock Bottom Brewery, Colorado Springs, CO
Silver - Warning Sign Eis Bock, Big Horn & Team
Bronze - Dutch, Pre Pro Pilsner, Phantom Canyon, Colorado Springs, CO
Other Specialty Lager
Gold - Enlightened Black, New Belgium, Fort Collins, CO
Silver - Old Scratch Amber Lager, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD
Bronze - Valle Especial, San Luis Valley Brewing, Alamosa, CO
