Colorado brewers work together on one-of-a-kind beers

By the Thirst Team

The annual Collaboration Fest always attracts the beer nerds who are hoping to find a new hybrid brew, or at least one produced by their favorite brewery. But the often-sold-out event obviously attracts the beer curious as well – those who are unsure of the difference between a lager and an ale.

Whichever group you fall into, rest assured you’ll be impressed with the selection at the Colorado Brewers Guild’s 2025 Collaboration Fest, Saturday, April 19, at the Westin Westminster.

“It’s a record-breaking year with 180-plus breweries and 130-plus unique collaboration beers,” according to the Brewers Guild.

Launched in 2014, the festival brings together two or more breweries – some from outside Colorado – to create something different that will impress the public, as well as their brewing peers.

Sometimes hard times can generate ideas that make the landing softer. Denver’s Comrade Brewing Company and Niwot’s Fritz Family Brewers both had vehicles crash into their businesses. So, they’ve created a West Coast lager with the appropriate moniker: Drive-Thru Closed.

Comrade also teamed up with Albuquerque-based La Cumbre Brewing to whip up a West Coast IPA.

Bruz Beers in Denver worked with Prost to produce a Belgian quad.

Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Brewery Operations program worked with Resolute Brewing to brew an IPA dubbed Procrastination.

Cheluna Brewing, a Latin-themed brewer based at the Stanley Marketplace, has teamed up with Oaxaca Brewing Co. in southern Mexico to create a sour.

Denver’s Strange Craft Beer Company and Bent Barley Brewing Company in Aurora mashed up a chili cherry honey kolsch named Scary Cherry.

In addition to collabs with Old 121 Brewhouse and Station 26 Brewing, Lady Justice Brewing also teamed up with Joyride Brewing to produce a white stout for this year’s media collaboration.

For more brewery participants and their collaborations, check out the Brewers Guild website.

The price to have fun at the fest includes early ticketing options and early entry as well. And discounted room rates are available at the Westin for those who want to go hard throughout the fest.

The price through April 13:

$90 for early entry, 2-6 pm
$70 for GA, 3-6 pm
$40 for designated drivers

The price the week of April 14-18:

$95 for early entry, 2-6 pm
$75 for GA, 3-6 pm
$40 for a designated driver

Don’t wait too long because the Guild reports that tickets usually sell out.