Tröegs Independent Brewing | Troegenator Double Bock

Described by Tröegs Independent Brewing as “malty and crisp” and “deliciously dark,” Tröegs’ Troegenator Doublebock is a hefty 8.2% ABV malty beast with a surprising subtleness.

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BREAKING | Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Announces 2021 Cancellation

There will be no joy in Breckenridge this January as Laura and Bill Lodge, organizers of Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines, have announced the cancellation of the 2021 event. The festival was planned for January 7-9, 2021 in Breckenridge, CO. The cancellation follows similar moves by virtually every onsite beer festival in 2020 and represents one of the first 2021 events to be canceled. It would have marked the 21st annual event.

Organizers attributed the cancellation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on gatherings.

“Our Big Beers board has met and discussed the pandemic situation. We are very clear that our first priority as a Big Beers community needs to be supporting our sponsors and brewers throughout this bizarre and difficult time as they work hard to adapt business as necessary – and not by asking you to travel and/or otherwise support us in January of 2021,” said organizer Laura Lodge.

Lodge went on to explain that they’ve decided not to move forward with a virtual version of the event, but that they are still exploring the possibility of some scaled-down homage via newsletter or social media that would take place on the originally proposed January 2021 date.

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2020 Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines External Events Roundup

The Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines Festival will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with their 2020 event this year. Over the years, the festival has grown to extend beyond the walls of the Commercial Tasting event, much like what happens each year with GABF. Now, the town of Breckenridge plays host to an assortment of events the week of Big Beers. So, we decided to help round-up everything happening outside of the festival itself. While you’re planning your weekend in Breckenridge, be sure to also check out the 2020 Big Beers 20th Reunion Special Pours and our breakdown of the Commercial Tasting Pour List.

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2018 GABF Route Preview | Big Beers Route

For the past month and a half our staff has been reaching out to every brewery attending the Great American Beer Festival to try to preview what they’ll be bringing to the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through that list of beers to bring you a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.

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Outside Events Guide to 2018 Big Beers Belgians & Barleywines

This weekend’s Big Beers festival is one of Colorado’s most awe-inspiring beer events, featuring more than 500 amazing and sought-after beers. If you’re not able to attend the big show in Breckenridge, there are plenty of mountain events related to the fest. From special releases to rare tappings, we’ve compiled a list of happenings for you to start 2018 with a bang.

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2018 Big Beers Belgians & Barleywines Pour List

Perhaps I’ve become a bit spoiled, or maybe even a little jaded, but its become few and far between that I’ll get downright giddy when it comes to the prospect of attending a beer event. However each year, there’s one event that rivals the level of excitement experienced on Christmas morning as a kid, Big Beers Belgians & Barleywines.

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Big Beers Belgians & Barleywines Announces Massive Brewery List

By now PorchDrinking’s infatuation with the Big Beers Belgians and Barleywines Festival should come as no surprise to our most avid of readers. Over the years we have extolled to great length some of the innumerable characteristics that distinguish Big Beers as one of the industry’s best kept secrets.

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Event Preview | 2017 Big Beers Belgians & Barleywines

January marks the return of one of our favorite Colorado beer events, the (formerly Vail) Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines festival. With activities ranging from brewing seminars and sensory panels to the drool-worthy commercial tasting session featuring an epic beer list from more than 150 breweries from around the world, this fest offers a unique experience attendees are unlikely to forget. Besides dropping Vail from the name, what changes will 2017 bring?

(More: Pour List for 2017 Big Beers Belgians & Barleywines)

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2017 Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines Pour List Preview

As the 2017 Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines festival approaches, I always have one question: what will be poured at the commercial tasting session?

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2016 GABF Route Preview | Big Beers Route

For the past month and a half our staff has been reaching out to every brewery attending the Great American Beer Festival to try to preview what they’ll be bringing to the fest. As part of that research, we’ve sifted through that list of beers to bring you a series of themed routes to help you plan for your GABF based on various styles and flavors.

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Event Preview | Big Beers Belgians and Barleywines Comes to Breckenridge

The greatest of things do not wither, but rather evolve and iterate in order to continue to thrive. For a moment last winter, it all but seemed that one of the industry’s best and brightest festivals might end up without a home, after it was announced that due to ownership changes, the Vail Cascade would no longer play host to the festival formerly known as Vail Big Beers Belgians and Barleywines. However after 16 years, the premiere showcase of high ABV beers, has found a new home in Summit County with the town of Breckenridge. Read More

Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival Moving to Breckenridge

2017 brings big change for Colorado’s annual Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival. The festival organizers have decided to move the festival to Breckenridge after it has been hosted … Read More

Event Preview | 14th Annual Avery Strong Ale Festival Lineup

Local fans of Avery Brewing Company can relate that over the past 14 years, Avery has been on the forefront of throwing niche mid-sized beer festivals with a mega … Read More

Event Recap | 2016 Vail Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines

This piece was written and composed by PorchDrinking.com staff Tristan Chan, Cory Pelc, Kelissa Heiber, Kara Loo, Phil Joyce, Will Dozier, and Desiree Duzich with special contribution from Brittany Werges of 303 Magazine.

In a lot of ways, looking back on the 2016 Vail Big Beers Belgians and Barleywines festival is fairly cut and dry. Everything was amazing. It really is that simple. And yet, I’d be disappointing not only myself, but more importantly organizer Laura Lodge, by leaving you with merely a singular over-the-top statement about the fest. I dare not use the word hyperbole because while my descriptions may seem gratuitous, they are one hundred percent truthful.
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Vail Big Beers Pour List & Must Tries

Cover image courtesy of vaildaily.com

AC Golden – Kriek Noir

The base sour beer was then allowed to ferment on 800lbs of Colorado grown sweet and sour … Read More

Vail Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Craft Beer’s Best Kept Secret

*This post has been updated to reflect the 2016 Vail Big Beers Event*

Laura Lodge is a pro. Checking in at a slender 5’4”, with conservative short locks, a … Read More

Big Beers Festival in 140 Characters or Less

Last weekend I had the great pleasure of going to the Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival in Vail, CO. 13 of us from Northern Colorado loaded into a caravan and headed up the mountain for the 13th annual fest. That’s right, lucky 13. What could go wrong there? Read More