This week Colorado’s passion for craft brewing will be front and center in Denver. The city is hosting more than 70 special events—in addition to the Great American Beer Festival, which kicks off later this week.The city will see everything from the Beer Olympics to “Meet the Brewmaster” events. The idea is to showcase the state’s breweries, and give those Coloradans who didn’t buy tickets to the Great American Beer Festival a chance to sample the state’s finest. The event sold out 11 weeks ago.
“We’re not talking about 12 beers in a bucket at happy hour,” said Rich Grant, director of communications for Visit Denver. “We’re talking about a craft product. A lot is made now with all Colorado ingredients. Colorado is now growing hops, and rocky mountain spring water is what started Coors.”
According to the Brewer’s Association, the craft brewing industry is growing at a time when the beer industry overall isn’t. Last year sales increased by 12 percent for craft brewers. Overall, U.S. beer sales decreased by about 2 percent
