Southwest Fresh Fest returns to Billy Goat Hop Farm on Sept. 21

Colorado’s marquee celebration of fresh hop beers — Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm — returns for the third year on Saturday, September 21, with live music and dancing, local food, yard games, and a farm tour. All of the breweries pouring will serve a beer made with fresh hops that will be harvested at Billy Goat in coming weeks.

Southwest Fresh Fest serves the freshest beers to be found in the Four Corners. Fresh hop beers, sometimes called harvest ales, are brewed with hops that come straight off the bine and go right into the brew— usually within 24 hours. That’s the magic of this fleeting crop, made even more special when you can taste a multitude of beer expressions at the place it was cultivated and harvested.

“Harvest is a crazy time of year, and it’s right around the corner,” says Billy Goat Hop Farm Co-Owner Audrey Gehlhausen. “We have a lot of good energy going into this year’s festival thanks to the awesome support from, not only our OG participating brewers, but also folks just opening their doors. And of course, we are grateful for our local community’s ongoing love and partnerships.”

Participating breweries all serve at least one beer made with Billy Goat fresh hops, and festival-goers will have a chance to vote on their favorite in the Best of Show competition for the traveling hop trophy.

Brewers pouring beers this year …

• Base Camp Beer Works,
• Breckenridge Brewery,
• Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery,
• Elevation Beer Company,
• Glenwood Canyon Brewpub,
• Horsefly Brewing Company,
• Lady Justice Brewing,
• Milieu Fermentation,
• Mountain Tap Brewery,
• Pomona Brewing Company,
• Shelter Distilling & Brewing,
• Ska Brewing, and
• Stronghouse Brew Pub.

For the first time this year, breweries have the option to bring a second seasonal beer— so there’s certain to be something for everyone.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 day-of; $15 for designated drivers and people under 21; and free for kids under 12.

This year’s bands are Liver Down The River, a five piece band of musicians based in Durango promising a lively good time, and Derek Dame Ohl joining from Denver, who has been described as ‘warm butter on hot bread with blustering conduct.’

Southwest Fresh Fest is made possible by community sponsors including Pomona Brewing Company, Maxfield – Peterson, P.C., AgWell, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Colorado River District, RadCraft, Northwest Rafting Company, TelluRides, Valley Food Partnership, Alpine Events, and Visit Montrose.