Photo courtesy Winter Craft Beer Fest website

Now in its fourth year, Boulder’s Winter Craft Beer Festival has announced that it will only accept independently owned breweries to pour at its upcoming event.

“The world of craft has become murky and confusing,” said festival co-founder Ross Bowdey. “So, we will only be inviting independent brewers to this year’s fest. We don’t care how big the brewery is or where they come from, but we want to help the independent brewers continue to grow.

The Winter Craft Beer Festival is slated to take place from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, in the covered parking lot at Boulder’s 29th Street Mall. The event partners with Community Cycles, a local nonprofit that recycles, repairs and refurbishes bicycles to be re-enjoyed by the surrounding community. Last year, WCBF raised more than $4,000 for Community Cycles and they hope to double that amount for 2018.

The founders of the Winter Craft Beer Festival wanted to create an event that showcases different varieties of craft beer that show up during the winter months.

“Beer festivals can be a great way to introduce all levels of beer drinkers to new things happening in the industry,” Bowdey said. “Beginner drinkers have an opportunity to taste lesser known styles like saisons, sours or even tea infused beer. The ‘beer nerds’ will have a chance to try new styles from some of their favorite breweries and to figure out which up and coming taprooms to fill their growlers at this winter season.”

With the announcement that the festival will only be accepting independent breweries, WCBF leaked a few heavy hitters that are expected to be pouring. The current lineup boasts 45 breweries from eight different states, that combined, account for more than 180 GABF medals. Colorado behemoths Left Hand, Odell and Great Divide are expected to make an appearance along with out-of-staters Melvin, Surly and New Holland.

“Amazing beer, people, music, and food, all for a good cause,” said Bowdey. “There is no better way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Boulder.”

- Dylan Hochstedler