5 Reasons You Can’t Miss the 2018 Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival this October

Make sure your calendars are marked for October 19th – October 21st, 2018.  Makers of the finest craft spirits from all over the great state of Colorado gather together in the beautiful town of Breckenridge. At the 2018 Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival, those over the age of 21 years old are welcome to dive into the world of craft distilleries.  Here are 5 reasons why you cannot miss the 8th Annual Breckenridge Craft Spirits Festival this October.

1. The Distillers

Over 40 craft distillers come to the festival to share their products with the public. At the “Still on the Hill Grand Tasting” at the Breckenridge Riverwalk Center, you can try all the distillers craft spirits. Held on Saturday the 20th from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, admission costs $45 if bought in advance and $55 if bought day of.  Along with the tasting there will be artisan snacks and acoustic music provided by the Bourbon Brawlers and Tejon Corner Street Thieves. You also get to vote for your favorite craft spirt in the Peoples Choice Award. Proceeds of this event go to the Community Partners of the Breckenridge Restaurant Association.

2. The History

This festival will also give people an amazing chance to learn about the history of Breckenridge. On Friday the 19th you can check out the Preston Ghost Town & Gold Mine tour. On the 19th & 20th guest can go on the Behind Swinging Doors Historic Saloon Tour. All 3 nights of the festival you can enjoy the Walk Through History and take a guided tour of the Breckenridge Historic District. Then close out your history lessons Sunday night with the Tombstone Tour at Twilight through the historic Breckenridge Cemetery.

3. The Food

At every corner of the festival there will be amazing food. When you’re hungry, be sure to pick up a Breckenridge Dining Passport and take advantage of promotions being offered by our restaurant community. Available at the Welcome Center and participating restaurants for just $10.

4. The Workshops

On Saturday mixologist master Steven Teaver will be giving a mixology workshop to teach you how to make the perfect cocktail. There will also be lesson from Matt Lanning on “All Things Agave”. On Saturday you can also check out the Starting a Distillery workshop with Tim Daniels.

5. The Fun

This Festival is packed with fun events. On Friday you can participate in the scavenger hunt and bar mix-off. Featuring the saloons, restaurants and taverns of Breckenridge, contestants will depart on self-guided tours of the various establishments. Contestants will seek out answers to scavenger hunt questions and take selfies in certain locations. Scavenger lists and craft cocktail menus available at participating bars. For the Bar Mix-off– Sampling of Breck bartenders’ creativity, featuring a cocktail throwdown among local mixologists, utilizing craft spirits as their base. No need to sign up for either of these elements. Friday there will also be the Breckenridge Distillery Open House & Dinner Party. On Saturday there will be the Spirited Cooking at Colorado Mountain College. Here you can join chef Ian Buchanan for a hands-on cooking class featuring spirits. How to make a beverage edible? Enjoy the lesson and three-course lunch. Menu includes spirits and their creative uses. Close Saturday out with the after party at the Gold Pan. Wake up Sunday and go to the Bloody Sunday Hangover Brunch. Various restaurants around town will be featuring craft-spirit cocktails and/or breakfast, brunch or lunch menus with many football viewing options also available.

Be sure to head up to Breckenridge this October and join your favorite Colorado craft distillery for a fun-filled weekend.  If you want to partake in an adventure along the way, stop at Breckenridge Whitewater‘s Idaho Springs outpost to try the zipline course or Via Ferrata tour!