Oskar Blues Burning Can Beer Fest raises $16,500 for local benefactors

The third annual Oskar Blues Burning Can Beer Fest drew a mountainous crowd as part of the 2013 Lyons Outdoor Games. More than $16,500 was raised for local benefactors and more than 265 lbs. of aluminum cans were recycled throughout the weekend.

All proceeds from the beer festival went to the Lyons Department of Parks and Recreation and the Colorado Brewers Guild, two groups that embody the soul of Oskar Blues. Ball Corp., Novelis Inc. and Alcoa Inc. spearheaded an initiative that recycled all of the empty cans from the weekend and donated the proceeds to American Whitewater. American Whitewater is a national non-profit organization with a mission “to conserve and restore America’s whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely.”

Burning Can drew more than 40 innovative canning craft breweries from across the country that served a diverse mix of canned craft brews amid live music by Chain Station, food trucks, the Lyons Outdoor Games 5K, Rugby and the BMX/Mountain Bike dirt-jump & best trick bike competition, all while world class kayakers ran the river.

Now in its 12th year, the multisport competition of Lyons Outdoor Games has grown into a world-class celebration of mountain sports and draws heavy hitters from the outdoor, beer and music industries over three days.

A big funky addition to the 2013 Lyons Outdoor Games was the Friday night kick off concert featuring New Orleans’ Dumpstaphunk and local band Interstate Stash Express. More than 1,500 craft beer and music enthusiasts came out to enjoy the views and live music in Bohn Park.

Why canned beer? Canned craft beer has many benefits including defending beer from the damages of sunlight, an air-tight seal that eliminates oxygen into the beer creating a fresher tasting beverage. Not only are cans good for the beer, they are also good for the environment. Aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable and are lighter to ship, which reduces the ecological impact. Last, but not least, you can take canned beers wherever your next soul-saving adventure takes you — including places where glass isn’t allowed and where you need to “pack it in, pack it out.”