Colorado Food & Drink Events for August and Beyond

The debut of BIG Denver Barbecue Block Party is just the beginning of an exciting line-up of culinary events sweeping the state of Colorado. Here's a festival rundown for your eating and drinking pleasure.

BIG Denver Barbeque Block Party
When: August 4-5, 2012
Where: Skyline Park, Denver
What: New York City's wildly popular Big Apple Barbecue Block Party, created by restaurateur sensation Danny Meyer, is bringing some of the top pitmasters from across the country to show-off their skills in Denver's Skyline Park. Both days will also include live music and chef demos. Admission is free to the weekend’s live musical performances and cooking demonstrations, and food and beverage sales will benefit Judi’s House and the Downtown Denver Partnership.

Ball-Park Plates
When: August 7, 2012
Where: Ballpark District, Denver
What: An evening of tastings from the neighborhood's bars and restaurants. Participants include Great Divide Brewery, Breckenridge Brewery, Trillium, Ignite, WhiskeyBar, Ginn Mill, Star Bar, Herbs, Twelve, Chino Latino Tacos, Snooze, Biker Jim's, HiRise, Buenos Aires Pizzaria, Marcos Coal Fired Pizza, Scruffy Murphy's, El Charrito, i-fish, Blake St. Tavern, Chelo's, Zanzibar Billiards Bar & Grill and more. Tickets are $25.

Mile High Beer Festival
When: August 4, 2012
Where: The Ogden Theatre, Denver
What: An event featuring 70+ brews from some of the best brewers in the nation coupled with live music. Tickets are sold out.

The 6th Annual Beaver Creek Wine & Spirits Festival
When: August 9-11, 2012
Where: Beaver Creek Resort
What: This festival, sponsored by Wine Spectator, takes place in the stunning, acclaimed Beaver Creek Resort and features a manageable schedule of tastings, hikes, and dinners. No big star power here. Tickets are $30-$125, depending on the event.

Colorado Distiller's Festival
When: August 19, 2012
Where: Rackhouse Pub, Denver
What: An entire day dedicated to Colorado spirits brought to the masses by the Colorado Distillers Guild. Sample the good stuff from Altitude Spirits, Black Canyon Distillery, Overland Distillery, Colorado Gold Distillery, Peach Street Distillers, Rob's Mountain Gin, Deerhammer Distilling Company, Distillery 291, Roundhouse Spirits, Spring 44, Downslope Distilling, Syntax Spirits, Montanya Distilleries and Telluride Vodka. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the door.

Denver Burger Battle
When: August 22,2012
Where: Sports Authority Field
What: Twelve of the city's hottest burger destinations will throw-down for the ultimate title of of Denver's Best Burger (peoples' choice and judges' choice). Participants include TAG, Parkburger, Highland Tap and Burger, Larkburger, The Sink, Mateo, Madison St, H|Burger, Cholon, Crave Real Burgers, City Grille and Row 14. Tickets are $75 for general admission and $95 for the VIP experience. The event benefits Denver hunger charities.

The 19th Annual Telluride Blues & Brew Festival
When: September 14-16, 2012
Where: Town Park, Telluride
What: A 3-day wonderland of music and beer, The 19th Annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival features over 20 prominent musicians 50 microbreweries.
On Saturday, September 15, the grand tasting event will include upwards of 150 different beers. This year's stage headliners include Phil Lesh & Friends, Gov't Mule, The B-52'S, Little Feat, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue. Tickets are $170 for 3-day passes and $55/$65 for individual day passes.

Colorado Mountain Winefest
When: September 15, 2012
Where: Riverbend Park, Palisade
What: A festival celebrating Colorado wine with 50 local winemakers. The event includes live entertainment, unlimited wine samples, chef demos and wine pairing seminars. Tickets are $43 for general admission and $185 for the VIP Experience.

Great American Beer Festival
When: October 11-13, 2012
Where: Colorado Convention Center, Denver
What: The Great American Beer Festival, the Super Bowl for beer enthusiasts, consist of three days of intense beer appreciate. The festival include tasting sessions with access to more than 2,200 different beers from some 500 of the nation’s finest breweries. Tickets are $65 for each day.

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