The 6th Annual Craft Lager Fest in Manitou Springs attracted another massive swell of beer lovers and geeks. Filtering in steadily from the continuous flow of travelers and scenery gawkers streaming through the main thoroughfare in Manitou, the small, half-moon shaped park hosting the event nearly busted at its foliage-covered seams. Not even a short deluge from the heavens kept the anxious festival-goers at bay.
Straddling the borders of the Great American Empire, Shmaltz Brewing from Saratoga Springs, New York, and Kona Brewing from Hawaii, contributed to a diverse selection of lager's – although it seems as if a couple of ale's worked their way in the back door. As should be expected for a eclectic beer festival in Colorado, many breweries from the beer saturated state presented a vast array of excellent brews. Wolf Rock from Keystone poured a great Marzen, Odell served their excellent Double Pilsner, and CB & Potts in Highlands Ranch unleashed the tasty, alcohol heavy community brew Warning Sign Eis Bock – spearheaded by none other than the founder of the Craft Lager Fest himself, Jason Yester (Check out our Warning Sign coverage for more information on the elusive beer). It's refreshingly unorthodox to experience a festival dedicated primarily to the bottom fermented beers.
From what I could ascertain, Jason and the other members of the Craft Lager Fest board organized and executed another outstanding event. Although some of the lines snaked wildly with fifteen or twenty excited drinkers, they seemed to move quickly and efficiently, leaving very few glasses empty for an unnecessary amount of time.
In conjunction with the festival, the beers flowing from the taps were also judged in competition. Below you'll find a list of those that peaked interest and delectability with the judges.
Thanks to all those who stopped by the Beer Drinker's Guide to Colorado booth to check out the beer map - especially the map geeks!
6th Annual Craft Lager Fest Winners List
Bock
First Goat Toppler
Rock Bottom Brewery - Colorado Springs, CO
Second Butthead Bock
Tommyknocker Brewery - Idaho Springs, CO
Third Red Cock Doppelbock
Maui Brewing - Lahaina, Maui, HI
Export / Helles
First Session Premium Lager
Full Sail Brewing - Hood River, OR
Second Long Board Lager
Kona Brewing - Kailua-Kona, HI
Third Bikini Blonde Lager
Maui Brewing - Lahaina, Maui, HI
Pilsner
First La Plata Pilsner
Carver Brewing - Durango, CO
Second Pavlov's Pilsner
C.B. & Pott's - Fort Collins, CO
Third Rhine River Pilsner
Big Horn - Highland's Ranch, CO
Oktoberfest / Vienna / Marzen
First Ornery Amber
Tommyknocker Brewery - Idaho Springs, CO
Second & Third Not Awarded
Strong Lager
First Silver Mullet Malt Liquor
Rock Bottom Brewery - Colorado Springs, CO
Second Warning Sign Eis Bock
Big Horn & Team
Third Dutch, Pre Pro Pilsner
Phantom Canyon - Colorado Springs, CO
Other Specialty Lager
First Enlightened Black
New Belgium - Fort Collins, CO
Second Old Scratch Amber Lager
Flying Dog Brewery - Frederick, MD
Third Valle Especial
San Luis Valley Brewing - Alamosa, CO
