POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: A BIRDERS’ PARADISE

For most travelers, Nebraska is considered a fly-over state, often forgotten and overlooked by the rest of the country. But for those of the winged variety, it’s a world-class destination for hundreds and thousands of migratory birds to rest their weary wings and re-fuel for the long journey north. During the spring season, birders flock to the state, sporting binoculars and referencing detailed birding books, to catch a glimpse of the great Sand Hill Crane Migration, which is considered one of the top must-see migrations in the world. And further west, in the nooks and crannies of the slow-rising Sand Hills, people quietly watch as colorful prairie chickens faithfully perform their mating ritual each morning—dancing through the tall prairie grass and sending echoes of coos and calls out to potential mates. And if you’re a lucky birder, you might stumble upon nature’s jackpot: a reservoir where white-feathered heads line the horizon and hundreds of bald eagles casually carry on—swooping down to the water for a meal and silently greeting those who venture off of the beaten path to explore one of the country’s hidden gems.

Photo Location: Calamus Reservoir, Nebraska

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

CELEBRATE PUBLIC LANDS DURING NATIONAL PARK WEEK

During the weekends of April 15-16 and April 22-23, entry for all national parks and select state parks are free to visitors looking to take advantage of public lands all across the United States. In addition to free admission, the NPS is hosting educational events throughout National Park Week, including Junior Ranger Day on April 15, Earth Day celebrations on April 22, and Park Rx Day on April 23.

The National Park Service dates back to its creation in 1916 and currently covers more than 84 million acres of land. Originally created under the guidance of President Woodrow Wilson to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations,” the NPS, after celebrating their Centennial in 2016, now includes 417 sites made up of 129 historical parks or sites, 87 national monuments, 59 national parks, 25 battlefields, 19 preserves, 18 recreation areas, 10 seashores, four parkways, four lakeshore, and two preserves. Yellowstone National Park became the country’s first national park signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, and Bears Ears National Monument in Utah was added on December 28, 2016, becoming the newest addition to national park land, and the last added by President Barack Obama before leaving office in 2017. NPS sites receive over 300 million visitors each year and National Park week is the perfect time get out and explore the vast land designated for the enjoyment and appreciate for all.

Looking for tips to explore your favorite national park without getting caught up in the crowds? Check out REI Co-Op’s free app created in partnership with the NPS. Find information on everything from the best camping sites to the best hikes for 34 national parks.

Want to help continue the legacy of the National Park Service? Here’s how:

Donate: The NPS operates on an estimated $2.8 billion budget annually, which is comprised of donations, visitor spending, park fees, and partnerships.
nationalparks.org/support

Volunteer: Roll up your sleeves and donate your time to preserving your favorite public lands. nps.gov/getinvolved/volunteer.htm

Support These Businesses: The National Park Service maintains partnerships with a growing list of corporate partners who provide support and donations to the NPS. Here’s a few of our favorite retailers on the corporate partners list. To see the full list of supporters, visit: nationalparks.org

REI Co-Op, Coleman Tents, The North Face, Toad & Co, Chaco, Columbia, Eagles Nest Outfitters, Eddie Bauer, Osprey, Parks Project, Taos Mountain Energy Bars, Yakima Products, and STABIL—who announced this week they would be donating five percent of all sales over the next four years to the National Park Foundation.

GRAIN TO GLASS: SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE WHISKEY FILM

In recent years, while Colorado’s craft beer industry was busy hitting its stride and wading through a series of headline-making growing pains, the Centennial state’s distillers sat in the shadows—patiently waiting for their turn to step into the spotlight. When it takes at least three years to produce one batch of whiskey, you get pretty good at being patient. But for those hardworking and future-thinking whiskey-makers, and the local farming communities they source ingredients from, the wait to share their stories with the world is over, thanks to one Colorado-based filmmaker.

Last month, director Thomas Kolicko and his production company Traverse Image LLC, shared a sneak peak of The Whiskey Film—a documentary film about American whiskey, the people that make the whiskey, and the agricultural community that supplies them with ingredients to do so. The film’s teaser reel features Michael Myers from Distillery 291 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Lenny and Amy Eckstein from Deerhammer Distilling Company in Buena Visita, Colo., and the Cody family from Colorado Malting Company in Alamosa, Colo.

The film is currently in the early stages of filming and is Kolicko’s third feature-length documentary film. It follows the filmmaker’s second documentary, Crafting A Nation, a film about the craft beer industry which is currently being streamed on Netflix.

Photo Courtesy Traverse Image LLC

“The whiskey industry in the United States is at a very exciting time right now, as it’s following the same explosive growth that craft beer experienced a few years back,” explains Kolicko. “The Whiskey Film is more than a film about whiskey, it’s about the human spirit. It’s about strong opinions, a creative outlook, the intention of design, patience, and the stewardship of a unique craft. It’s about a refined expression of agriculture. It’s about history, education, and entrepreneurship. It’s about… well, whatever the hell whiskey means to you.”

Kolicko and his crew are currently crowdfunding to unlock new filming locations across the U.S. For more information on the film and fundraising for the film, visit: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-whiskey-film#/.

EAT, SLEEP, PLAY: FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS

EAT

Founded by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, Fredericksburg and its cuisine still center around delicious traditional German dishes, like the ones on the menu at the historic Der Lindenbaum (derlindenbaum.com). Located in the heart of downtown, Der Lindenbaum’s mouthwatering menu features schnitzels, bratwurst and one of the largest selections of German beers in Texas. For a sample of authentic Texas Hill Country cuisine, visit Fischer & Wieser’s Das Peach Haus (daspeachhaus.com)—a boutique culinary shop that offers free samples of every delicious product in the store. Fredericksburg is also home to more than two dozen wineries and tasting rooms as well as an open container law in the town’s main drag, so be sure to save some time to explore the local winery scene on your visit.

SLEEP

Fredericksburg bustles with more than 400 bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, inns and guest ranches. Consult visitfredericksburgtx.com to find your perfect accommodations. For a truly unique experience, head to the Fredericksburg Brewing Company’s Bed & Brew (yourbrewery.com)—an 11-room hotel located above the oldest brewpub in Texas. Nightly rates run between $99 and $129 mid-week.

PLAY

Spring is the time to dust off your road bike, and scenic Texas Hill Country is the perfect place to get back in the saddle. The area’s miles and miles of quiet, rolling hills are lined with wineries and wildflowers. Stop by Hill Country Bicycle Works (hillcountrybicycle.com) for rentals and the scoop on local rides. If you’re after hiking or rock climbing, head to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (bit.ly/1vgI7di) to explore 11 miles of hiking trails and some epic climbing. The park has Dark Sky Park designation, and hosts Rock Star stargazing parties throughout the warm weather months.

—Tyra Sutak

TOP SPRING TRAVEL GEAR PICKS FOR WOMEN

Springtime is always a tricky time to pack for your travels, whether they lead you through towering concrete jungles or to your favorite backcountry campsite. There’s nothing worse than getting stuck, unprepared, in a surprise springtime rain or sleet storm, which is why you need gear that is weather-proof, versatile, and portable enough to stash in even the smallest of travel packs. Check out our top gear picks to add to your list of go-to travel gear this spring.

Teva Foxy Leather Boot

These boots were made for walking. Whether you’re touring the streets of a new city, or classing it up for dinner after a day on the trails, these boots are comfortable, durable, and versatile in a way that make them the perfect day or night boot for traversing the tricky and always-changing spring weather in the Rocky Mountain region.

$130 teva.com

Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Water Bottle Filter Bottle

Staying hydrated is an essential part of any adventure, whether it’s chugging H20 on the plane, or exploring the rugged and natural beauty of the mountains. Katadyn’s BeFree Collapsible water bottle features the BeeFree filter, which is easy to clean and makes drinking water accessible no mater where you are in the world. The portable water bottle also collapses and folds up into a lightweight item that is easy to stow away in your travel pack when not in use.

$39.99 katadyn.com 

Granite Gear 20″ Packable Duffle

Traveling with a suitcase can be cumbersome, which is why Granite Gear’s 20″ Packable Duffle is an excellent luggage option for travels that involve a variety of different activities and adventures. The duffle can be carried by hand or converted into a backpack, and features a simple design and plenty of storage. This packable duffle is made out of weather-proof material and is easy to carry — whether you’re running through the airport or kicking off your first car camping excursion this spring.

$49.99 granitegear.com

Helly Hansen Vanir Heta 2.5L Women’s Jacket

Springtime weather is unpredictable, which is why it’s important to always have a water-resistant jacket on hand. Helly Hansen’s Vanir Heta 2.5L Women’s Jacket is weather-proof to the extreme and packs up nicely without taking up room in your pack. Throw it in your backpack for outdoor adventures, or keep it on hand when touristing your way through a new city.

$160 hellyhansen.com

currexSole Run Free Insole

The best way to explore a new place is to hit the sidewalks or trails. The currexSole Run Free insole is a customizable performance insole designed to protect your arch, absorb shock, provide odor management and add comfort for those long travel days.

$49.95 currexsole.com

DOWN ‘N DIRTY: THERM-A-REST QUESTAR HD 20 DOWN SLEEPING BAG

I would be lying if I said that the first selling point for me on Therm-a-Rest’s new Questar HD 20 Down Sleeping Bag was something other than the bag’s stuff sack. I know, it’s the little things. Anyone who’s been lucky enough to camp with me will tell you that packing up sleeping bags isn’t exactly one of my shining life skills, but with the spacious stuff sack and easily compressible material of this sleeping bag, that doesn’t matter anymore. But this small piece of thought-out functionality is just the tip of the iceberg. Therm-a-Rest really outdid themselves with the many functions built into this bag. For starters, it’s super cozy and warm. Made up of 650 Fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down, the bag feels like you’re wrapped head to toe in your favorite down puffy jacket, and ThermaCapture technology traps heat, locking in warmth all night. This bag also does an impressive job of resisting water. On a failed winter camping trip to Canyonlands National Park earlier this year, this bag held up beautifully when condensation soaked everything else on a 15-degree F night that forced us to forego the tent and rough it out in the back of my 4Runner.

MSRP: $239.95

The Therm-a-Rest Questar HD 20 Down Sleeping Bag comes in small, regular and long sizes designed to fit men and women.

Pros: The stuff sack, seriously. Followed closely by the Toe-asis™ Foot Warmer Pocket. Therm-a-Rest went and built a specific pocket inside of the foot of bag to ensure that no camper will go to sleep at night with cold feet. The sleeping bag’s heat-trapping draft collar and cinchable hood are also key components of the bag that help capture heat and keep it trapped in. The Questar also features connectors to attach the sleeping bag to your sleeping pad or mattress, eliminating shifting off of the pad in the middle of the night.

Cons: While the Questar has so many features and functions that add another level of comfort to camping, I’m a little disappointed that the Questar isn’t built as a four-season bag that can comfortably be a go-to bag year-round. The lowest temp range that this bag comfortably operates in is 31 degrees F, which some early spring and late fall adventures fall just below.

Where We Took It: Winter camping in Canyonlands National Park (in 15 degree weather) and spring camping at very windy campsite in Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: SAND AND STARS

As we steer the car around one final curve on the road to the entrance of Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, one thing is certain: the wind is the center of everything here. It’s nature’s great architect, diligently sculpting and molding the dunes on a daily basis for more than 400,000 years. It’s the great protector—whispering cautious tales to visitors that scale the dunes (the tallest of which rises 750 feet). It’s a reminder of the beauty of change. At night, while the westerly winds rest, we watch in silence as a full moon and a blanket of stars emerge to take their posts to keep watch over the shifting grains of sand that make up one of the country’s most beautiful and unique natural treasures.

Photo Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

NATIONAL BEER DAY: A CELEBRATION BY NUMBERS

It’s National Beer Day — a day to commemorate that oh-so refreshing and delicious combination of malts, hops, yeast and water. Thousands of breweries operate in the United States today, but beer is a beverage that has been enjoyed around the world dating back to ancient times. So to celebrate the many milestones of this boozy drink, we take a look back at the history and achievements of one of the world’s oldest and most-consumed beverages.

Let’s all raise a glass and step back in time for lesson about beer.

9500 BC: The estimated first appearance of beer in history.

4: The amount of liters of beer researchers believe workers building the Great Pyramids in Egypt were served each day during construction.

1: The number of Beer Archaeologists employed by Avery Brewing Company. Check out Avery’s historic beer series which currently includes the Khonsu Im-Heb—an ancient Egyptian-inspired beer, and the Ragnarsdrápa—a Viking-inspired beer from the 9th century.

1935: The year the first can of beer was released in a partnership between the American Can Company and the Gottfried Krueger Brewery.

13: The number of years Prohibition — the nationwide constitutional ban on all things booze — lasted.

1980: The year Guinness introduced a widget that enabled ntirogenated beer to be packaged.

1984: The year Congress passed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, which required states to raise their ages for purchase and public possession to 21 by October 1986 or lose 10 percent of their federal highway funds.

2002: The year the first can of craft beer was released by Colorado-based brewery, Oskar Blues.

28: The percentage of alcohol by volume of Samuel Adam’s 2015 Utopias: a behemoth of a blended barrel-aged beer that first hit the shelves in 24-ounce bottles that sold for $200 a pop.

$252.6 billion: Estimated economic output of the entire beer industry in America in 2014.

$1 billion: The amount in dollars that alcoholic beverage conglomerate Constellation Brands paid for San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewery in 2015 in the midst of a year that included several craft brewery acquisitions by the beer industry’s “Big Beer” sector.

518: Roughly the number of craft breweries operating in the state of California which boasts the most craft breweries per state in the country.

5,301: The number of breweries operating in the United States at the end of 2016.

DOWN ‘N DIRTY: HELLY HANSEN VANIR HETA 2.5L WOMEN’S JACKET

Two weeks ago, I was trudging through a pretty gnarly mid-morning windstorm on a wide-open prairie in central Nebraska. Not only was the springtime weather chilly, but the wind carried that chill and transformed it into a bitter cold that attacked any part of your body that wasn’t covered in some sort of windproof material. As the morning turned to afternoon, the rain blew in — and scattered showers marred the rest of the day. While this type of weather can definitely be an adventure-ruiner this time of year, I was prepared, and protected by Helly Hansen’sVanir Heta 2.5L Women’s Jacket. This soft-shell jacket is windproof, water-resistant, breathable, and an excellent piece of gear to always keep in your backpack and on your travels, no matter where they might take you. It packs up nicely, has deep reinforced pockets that keep your phone and other goodies securely stashed while traversing along trails, and features reflective details throughout the jacket to keep you visible and safe during whatever activity you might be out enjoying.

MSRP: $160

**While currently out of stock, the Helly Hansen Vanir Heta 2.5L Women’s Jacket will return Helly Hansen’s inventory on April 7. 

Pros: The best feature of the jacket is its ability to completely block out the wind. I bring this jacket on every adventure I go on for this specific reason. While dealing with some harsh weather conditions in the midwest, I threw the Vanir Heta 2.5L jacket over my puffy and stayed warm and dry throughout the day. On a slightly chilly start to a spring morning, I layer this jacket over a moisture-wicking base layer before heading out on a run. The combination of 2.5 layer performance fabrics make this jacket a great piece of outdoor apparel that holds up to most conditions, and also moves with your body, eliminating stiffness and noise when running on the trails on cruising on a bike. The Vanir Heta 2.5L’s design also includes articulated sleeves for better mobility, and a comfortable and flattering elongated length.

Cons: This jacket is exceptionally well-thought out, and is such a versatile piece of gear, that I haven’t experienced many cons with it. It’s held up its end of the bargain on every adventure that I’ve been on over the past few months, except for one very rainy hike in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. After an hour of hiking in a downpour, the water started to penetrate the jacket ever so slightly, but still kept me from completely getting drenched.

Where We Took It: On early morning and late evening sand hill crane viewings in central Nebraska, spring snowboarding in Whitefish, Montana, and running and hiking on local trails in Colorado.

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: BIG SKY

A blanket of clouds on my flight’s descent veiled my first views of Montana’s Glacier National Park and the small ski town of Whitefish that loomed below. It’s almost as if even Mother Nature wanted to keep this beautiful gem of a mountain town a secret — only unveiling the area’s natural beauty for those who would truly appreciate it. 360-degree epic views capped off with a big starry night sky set the pace each day — tourists and locals alike checking time by the shadows on Big Mountain and the number of stars in the sky.

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

Opening Alert: Wild Cider and Decadent Saint Winery

The cidery and the winemaker have joined forces at their lively north Boulder tasting room.

A small business district in north Boulder is quickly becoming one of the best blocks in town for craft booze lovers. On March 27, Decadent Saint Winery reopened with a new look and a new roommate: Wild Cider. Four-year-old Decadent Saint—which shares a parking lot with neighbors like Upslope Brewing Company, Settembre Cellars, and Bookcliff Vineyards—recently relocated its production operations to a Louisville facility, freeing up an enticing piece of real estate in the back of its north Boulder building. Firestone-based, four-year-old Wild Cider happily moved in.

The revamped tasting room is large and open, accented by vibrant colors, and features community-style seating and a bar adorned with cider taps and rows of wine bottles and cider cans. A stationary, vintage RV-turned-pizza truck called Hot Tin Roof Pizza—the brainchild of Wild Cider co-owner Adam Gorove—is parked inside. Gorove initially launched the pizza business in order to provide food at the cidery’s original outdoor tasting room. Now, the truck is dishing up health-conscious pies for the Boulder crowd, including a tasty gluten-free option.

Wild Cider’s picturesque Firestone orchard. Photo courtesy of Wild Cider

The Decadent Saint Winery and Wild Cider joint tasting room features a large selection of both brands’ products. Wild Cider is pouring year-round and seasonal offerings (including the most popular flavors, apple, pear, and apple pie) from eight rotating taps, and four-packs and mixed eight-packs of its cider are also available for purchase. From the same bar, guests can try a variety of Decadent Saint Winery’s award-winning sangrias (which customers can also purchase in concentrated 750 milliliter bottles) as well as vinos from the winery’s reserve collection.

1501 Lee Hill, Unit 14, Boulder

DOWN ‘N DIRTY: LOWA RENEGADE GTX® MID HIKING BOOTS

If you spend a lot of time in hiking boots, you had better make sure they’re good ones — and  Lowa’s Renegade GTX® Mid Hiking Boots are some of the best. One of Lowa’s best-selling boot options, the Renegade features a durable leather exterior, waterproof GORE-TEX lining and a gripping VIBRAM® Evo sole, which makes these boots excellent for all seasons. Regardless of where my travels take me, these boots are a staple in my travel pack. They’re stylish enough to rock in casual settings, perform well in wet, dry, warm, and cold conditions, and are also versatile enough to be used for other rugged outdoor adventures — like snowshoeing, fishing, and exploring mountain towns. Hiking over uneven terrain is a breeze in these boots, thanks to the MONOWRAP® frame construction and mid-calf rise which provide top-notch support for the foot and ankle. This smart design paired with the climate controlling powers of the footbed make these boots comfortable and ideal for lengthy hikes and long days. Lowa’s Renegade GTX Mid Hiking Boots come in both women’s and men’s sizes.

MSRP: $230  lowaboots.com

Pros: These shoes are incredibly durable and waterproof. I’ve been stuck hiking out of a canyon in Colorado during a springtime downpour, and my feet were never cold or wet. I packed my Renegades for a long trip through various parts of the providence of Quebec, and ended up using them for winter hiking, snowshoeing, dogsledding, and ice fishing adventures, and also sported them while exploring the city of Montreal instead of packing a separate pair of winter boots for the trip. Having a durable, comfortable and versatile pair of hiking boots saves space in a travel pack and keeps you prepped for whatever adventures might come your way during travel.

Cons: At $230 a pair, these boots lean towards the expensive side, but it’s money well spent for outdoor adventurers looking to make an investment in their footwear.  

Where We Took It: Dogsledding and snowshoeing in Quebec, hiking in Colorado’s wet spring conditions, winter camping in Canyonlands National Park…the list goes on.

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: BIRDS IN FLIGHT

By the thousands they arrived, wings flapping so loudly it sounded like a jet passing overhead. Their coos and cries echoed throughout the chilly Nebraska night, and their bodies saturated the already blue, vast waters of the Platte River. From late February to early April, over eighty percent of the world’s Sand Hill Crane population can be found dining in corn fields, sleeping in rivers, and blanketing the skyline of central Nebraska.

Photo Location: Rowe Sanctuary // Gibbon, Nebraska

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

Three Beers to Try at Collaboration Fest

Colorado’s team-oriented beer festival returns to Denver on Saturday, March 25.

The spirit of collaboration defines the craft beer community, and it will once again take center stage at the Colorado Brewers Guild’s fourth-annual Collaboration Beer Fest when it returns to Denver this weekend.

On Saturday, March 25, 188 breweries will pour more than 100 collaboration brews for festivalgoers at the National Western Stock Show Complex. Participation rules are simple: Colorado breweries can collaborate with any brewery—even out-of-staters—to make any type of beer they want, as long as the final product is a cooperative effort. The result? Unique beers, all of which are available to Colorado craft beer fans for the first time this weekend. Here’s a sneak peek at three collaborations to be on the lookout for at this year’s fest.

New Belgium Brewing Company and Odell Brewing Company: Experimental Pale Ale

A conversation about experimental hops between the brewing teams at New Belgium and Odell spawned this pale ale—a hop-forward mind-meld from the longtime Fort Collins breweries. Both are currently sponsoring unique, secret hops at the Hop Breeding Company in Yakima, Washington, which will be featured in this handcrafted brew. Want to know what the next “it” hop is? You’ll have to sample this one at the festival to find out.

Ska Brewing and Boulder Beer Company: Coconut Curry Hefeweizen

This year, the brewers at Ska Brewing Co. and Boulder Beer Company are literally taking a page from the book of Charlie Papazian (the founder of the Brewers Association and the Great American Beer Festival). Papazian published a recipe for a coconut curry hefeweizen in his 2003 The Home Brewer’s Companion, and Ska and Boulder Beer’s brewers teamed up to create a modern version. “It’s a little bit out there,” Kurt Randall, Ska’s head brewer, says, “but it’s so good.”

Epic Brewing Company and Telluride Brewing Company: Blizzard Conditions New England-Style IPA

Epic Brewing and Telluride Brewing got together to create this experimental brew, which is a style new to both breweries. Blizzard Conditions is a New England-style IPA, cloudy and slightly creamy. The Cashmere hop gives the brew a tropical flavor, but the 7.2 percent ABV might sneak up on you.

Tickets for the 4th Annual Collaboration Beer Festival start at $60 per person and can be purchased at collaborationfest.com.

10 Craft Beer Festivals You Don’t Want to Miss in 2017

Springtime ushers in the return of beer festival season, and regardless of which part of the country you call home, chances are, there’s a killer beer fest taking place near you in 2017.

From festivals featuring world-class craft beer to unique events highlighting the delightful relationship between food and beer, to beer fests that encourage you to earn your beer calories, check out these 10 craft beer festivals in 2017 to add to your calendar.

(MORE: 5 Easy Ways to Learn More About Craft Beer)

SAVORSM: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience | June 2-3 | Washington D.C.

Each year, SAVOR defies all stereotypes. It’s not a festival: it’s an experience. At this two-day event, ticket holders can enjoy craft beer and small plate food pairings that highlight the craft of making beer, and the art of creating delicious dishes. The breweries who pour are picked via a lottery; here’s who will be there in 2017. Tickets are on sale to the public now.

THE GREAT AMERICAN BEER FEST RUNS OCT. 5-7 IN 2017. (CREDIT: BREWERS ASSOCIATION)

Burning CAN Beer Festival | June 3 – Lyons, CO & July 21-22 – Brevard, NC

Oskar Blues Brewery recently entered retail markets in all 50 states, which means you’ve probably had a taste of this fun-loving brewery at some point in your beer drinking adventures. And this brewery loves to throw a good old fashioned hootenanny, which is why they’re hosting their annual Burning CAN Beer Festival at Oskar Blues brewery locations in Colorado and North Carolina this year. At this fest, you’ll only find breweries that can their liquid offerings, along with three other things that define this brewery’s brand: live music, delicious food and a handful of adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities. Overnight camping is encouraged at both Burning CAN beer festivals.

San Diego International Beer Festival | June 16-18 | San Diego, CA

The San Diego International Beer Festival is the largest beer fest on the West Coast, with more than 200 breweries from around the world represented. From rare beers and limited releases to your favorite go-to craft brews, this festival has it all, and they’re serving it up over the course of five different sessions in sunny Southern California. Keep an eye out for tickets to go on sale in the spring for this massive festival.

(MORE: Top 50 US Craft Breweries)

Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival | July 21-22 | Ypsilanti, MI

The craft beer scene in Michigan is exploding right now, thanks to an increase in barley and hop farmers that are providing Michigan brewers with some excellent homegrown ingredients. And every year, the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival celebrates the growth of the beer culture in the state, and craft beer fans in Michigan are loving it. In its 20th year, this festival has plans to pour more than 1,000 beers from over 100 Michigan breweries. Tickets are on sale May 4. 

Oregon Brewers Festival | July 26-30 | Portland, OR

The Oregon Brewers Festival is one of the longest-running craft beer festivals in the U.S. and they’re celebrating the big 3-0 this year. With 30 years of experience, you can expect this beer fest, which takes place in the heart of craft beer country, to bring its A game. Last year, more than 800,000 beer drinkers attended this summer festival, set on the banks of the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon. This multi-day fest is free to the public. Tokens for beer tasting are available for purchase onsite.

Belgium Comes to Cooperstown | August 4-5 | Cooperstown, NY

Every year, the folks at Brewery Ommegang bring a little bit of Belgium to Cooperstown, New York. The Belgium Comes to Cooperstown festival is an annual event highlighting the best Belgian and Belgian-style beers around. Since kicking off its inaugural year in 1999, this fest has grown into a massive production that includes a 700-person VIP dinner option, weekend camping, live music and late-night movie screenings. Expect to find more than 100 breweries from around the world pouring at this festival. VIP and General Admission ticket options are available and go on sale on April 1.

Southern Brewers Festival | August 26 | Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga’s craft beer and outdoor recreation communities are flourishing, making this city an excellent place to visit in late August—just in time for the Southern Brewers Festival. In its 23rd year, this beer fest takes place in a gorgeous venue alongside the mighty Tennessee River, with optional parking spaces for boats available to festival-goers. More than 30 southern breweries are represented at this festival, which also includes popular live music each year.

(MORE: How I Got My Lucky Break in Beer)

Brewgrass Festival | September 16 | Asheville, NC

Any beer festival held in Beer City, USA, is bound to be a good one. In Asheville, North Carolina, the Brewgrass Festival is a celebration of craft beer and bluegrass music, which are like two peas in a pod on a warm fall afternoon. More than 100 breweries and brewpubs showcase their handcrafted brews at this beer festival each year. Expect ticket to go on sale this spring, and don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate beer fest season in beautiful Western North Carolina.

Fresh Hop Ale Festival | September 30 | Yakima, WA

There’s nothing better than the smell and sights of fields and fields of fresh hops ready for harvest. Every year, during the fall harvest season in Yakima, Washington, the Fresh Hop Festival takes place, showcasing more than 100 beers brewed with hops picked no more than 24 hours prior to brewing. If you’re a fan of fresh hop beers, you won’t want to miss this festival.

The Great American Beer Festival® | October 5-7 | Denver, CO

GABF is the mack daddy of all beer festivals in the United States. The Great American Beer Festival will once again take place in the halls of the Colorado Convention Center this fall, continuing a 30+ year tradition that brings together hundreds of breweries showcasing more than 3,500 handcrafted beers. Tickets for this three-day festival sell out fast, so stay tuned to the Great American Beer Festival website this summer for updates on ticket sale dates.

COLORADO CRAFT BREWERIES CELEBRATE COLORADO CRAFT BEER WEEK

Colorado ranks third in the country for number of craft breweries in the state — boasting 284 breweries total — five of which recently landed on the Brewers Association’s Top 50 Craft Breweries in the U.S. list. On March 18, those breweries are coming together to celebrate everything that is good about the state’s craft beer community during Colorado Craft Beer Week (March 18-25). Championed by the Colorado Brewers Guild and anchored by the popular Collaboration Beer Fest, this year’s Colorado Craft Beer Week will highlight collaboration, education and beer and food parings at events and breweries throughout the Centennial State. From meet the brewer events, to educational discussions on the history of beer, to oh-so Colorado events like yoga classes and 5K running races held at local breweries, here’s a look at what’s on tap for this year’s Colorado Craft Beer Week.

Colorado Pint Day – March 22

For one day during Colorado Craft Beer Week, craft beer drinkers throughout the state can order a pint at participating breweries, take home a limited edition “14er” 14 ounce commemorative pint glass, and support the Colorado Brewers Guild — all in one. A dollar from every pint sold will benefit the state’s longtime guild. Visit: coloradobeer.org/events/colorado-pint-day-2017 for a full list of participating breweries.

4th Annual Collaboration Fest – March 25

In a state where at least one beer festival take place just about every weekend, snow or shine, of the entire year, the Colorado Brewers Guild’s Collaboration Beer Fest stands out — due to the unique nature of the beers being poured at the event. At this beer fest, Colorado craft beer drinkers won’t find the same standard beers being poured at every beer fest, instead, 112 collaborations brewed up by a total of 188 breweries from Colorado and beyond will be on tap for the first time. Participating Colorado breweries were tasked with forging collaborations and this year’s final products are set to be some of the best yet. From an double pale ale created by New Belgium and Odell using experimental hops, to Ska Brewing and Boulder Beer Company’s coconut curry Bavarian Hefeweizen inspired by a recipe pulled from Charlie Papazian’s book, The Homebrewer Companion, every beer served at this fest is unique and comes along with a cool story. Ticket pricing starts at $60 per person and can be purchased at collaborationfest.com.

Don’t Miss Brewery Events

Beer and Pancakes bRUNch — Great Divide Brewing Company — March 19

Breakfast beers anyone? Great Divide is kicking off Colorado Craft Beer Week with a beer and pancakes brunch, but you have to earn your beer calories at this event. Register for a 5K or 10K run and get rewarded with a delicious brunch and breakfast beers and beer cocktails at the Great Divide Barrel Room. Tickets are $20 per person and includes registration for either run, brunch and two drinks. brunchrunning.com/

Girl Scout Cookie Pairing — City Star Brewing — March 19

People love Girl Scout cookies. And people love beer. And City Star Brewing Company is putting the two together on March 19 for a self-guided pairing that includes five beers (4 ounce tasters) paired with five different cookies. Tickets are $12 per person. citystarbrewing.com

Yoga and the Baere — Baere Brewing —  March 19

It just isn’t a Sunday along the Front Range of Colorado unless you’ve attended a yoga class and indulged in post-workout brews at your local brewery. Space is limited for this free class, and participants get a dollar off beers when all of the sweating is done. baerebrewing.com/home.html

Education Night: The Beginnings of Beer in the Ancient World — Call to Arms Brewing Company — March 20

Up your history of beer knowledge at Call to Arms Brewing’s education night which will be a discussion about the beginnings of beer led by Travis Rupp—R&D manager at Avery Brewing Company and “Beer Archaeologist.” The event is free, but seating is limited. calltoarmsbrewing.com

Beer and Food Pairing Yak and Yeti — Yak & Yeti Restaurant — March 22

If you’re going to attend one beer and food pairing this week, this one should be it. Yak & Yeti’s restaurant is serving award-wining to-die for Indian, Nepalese, and Tibetan food, and the brewhouse also boasts a collection of impressive accolades. On March 22, they’ll be serving up a special menu of suggested food and beer pairings created by head brewer, Jeff Tyler. theyakandyeti.com

Don’t Miss Beer Releases

Honey Saison — Left Hand Brewing Company

A seasonal farmhouse-style ale, Left Hand’s latest creation is dry and mildly tart and made with Colorado wildflower honey. Find this beer in 4 packs of 16 ounce cans available at Left Hand Brewing’s Longmont taproom during the beer’s release party on March 18. lefthandbrewing.com

Honeyman 15 IPA — Comrade Brewing Company

This IPA which is set to be released on March 18 is hopped up with Amarillo, Cascade, Chinook and Mount Hood hops, and weighs in at a respectable 6.1 percent ABV. comradebrewing.com

Tart Saison Bottle Release — Baere Brewing  

This small 2.5 barrel Denver brewery will be releasing a Tart Saison in 750 ml during their bottle release party of March 18 and will have a limited amount of this delicious brew on tap. baerebrewing.com/home.html

10 Month Bourbon Barrel Aged Barleywine Release — Joyride Brewing Company

On March 23, Joyride Brewing Company will release a whopper of a barleywine, that’s been aging in a Breckenridge Distillery Bourbon barrel for the past 10 months. joyridebrewing.com

Hola Maria — Boulder Beer Company

Boulder Beer Company is set to welcome the warm weather back with the March 24 release of Hola Maria — an easy-drinking Mexican-style ale. boulderbeer.com

Calamity Jane — City Star Brewing Company

The women of Berthoud-based City Star Brewing harvested Rocky Mountain juniper boughs and berries to make Calamity Jane — a recipe inspired by the Finnish Sahti style of beer, and International Women’s Day. citystarbrewing.com

Passion Fruit IPA — Odyssey Beerwerks

On March 25, Odyssey Beerwerks will release a Passion Fruit IPA — a version of the brewery’s 5535 IPA made with passion fruit puree in the brew. http://www.odysseybeerwerks.com

DRINK UP: WILD CIDER OPENS FIRST YEAR-ROUND TASTING ROOM IN BOULDER

Oh, cider. It’s not beer and it’s not wine, but it’s still boozy and delicious. There’s just something about drinking something that tastes like it came from a juice box and knowing that it still has the power to knock you on your butt the next day. In the outdoorsy state of Colorado, the cider industry has quietly been skyrocketing in recent years—not quite to the tune of the explosive craft beer industry—but cider makers are definitely on the rise. The health-conscious communities along the Front Range in particular can’t seem to get enough of this light, refreshing and gluten-free beverage, which is why Firestone-based Wild Cider, in collaboration with Decadent Saint winery, will be opening up a year-round tasting room in Boulder this weekend.

Since 2014, Wild Cider has been operating on 14 acres of land in Firestone which is home to a production facility, orchard and small outdoor seasonal tasting room that all exist under the watchful eye of Longs Peak and the snowcapped mountains looming to the west. Best known for their popular Apple, Berry, Bee Hoppy, and Agave Peach ciders, Wild Cider has sent 18 different ciders out into the world, packaged in kegs as well as 4 packs and mixed packs of 16 ounce cans—all making their way throughout Colorado and into 8 states total.

On March 17, the popular cidery and Decadent Saint winery will unveil a joint tasting room, complete with community seating, a large bar filled with a variety of draft, bottled and canned offerings from both booze-makers, and the vintage Hot Tin Roof Pizza RV (which will stay stationary inside of the tasting room and operate from 4-8 pm when the tasting room is open) at 1501 Lee Hill, Unit 14 in north Boulder. The small business district which the new collaboration will call home also houses a handful of other Colorado beverage makers like Upslope Brewing Company, Settembre Cellars and Bookcliff Vineyards. The joint effort was inspired by growth in Decadent Saint, sparking the winery to move production from the back portion of their location which freed up some real estate that Wild Cider owner Adam Gorove jumped on.

Opening weekend festivities will run on Friday and Saturday from 1 to 9 pm and Sunday from 1 to 6 pm. Hot Tin Roof Pizza will be serving wood-fired pizza all weekend and the New Jersey-based Barefoot String Band will be playing tunes on Saturday from 4 to 7 pm. The weekend will also include giveaways from both business and Wild Cider will be pouring three speciality ciders: Lemon Basil, Berry dry-aged in oak, and a Bourbon Cherry cider. Following the grand opening shenanigans, the tasting room, which is family-friendly and dog-friendly, will be open to the public Thursday through Sunday during the week.

EVENT RECAP: LEFT HAND BREWING COMPANY’S HOPS + HANDRAILS

A mix of overcast and blues skies provided the backdrop for Left Hand Brewing Company’s Hops + Handrails event. Part beer fest, part rail jam, part concert, part fundraiser, part massive community block party, the crowds came out in droves and spread out throughout Longmont’s Roosevelt Park over the weekend to celebrate this funky and fun event. In it’s fifth year, Hops + Handrails once again bid winter adieu and welcomed spring, and the warm Colorado sunshine for the season. From skiers and snowboarders throwing down tricks on the massive snowboard ramp, to 60+ craft breweries from around the country pouring killer craft beers, to festival-goers relaxing in hot tubs in the VIP section, to the Chris Robinson Brotherhood closing out the festivities, here’s a look at this year’s Hops + Handrails event.

POSTCARDS FROM THE WEEKEND: GETTING ELEVATED

Surrounded by a sea of greening grass stands a towering mountain of snow — a larger than life reminder of the changing of the seasons. It’s Left Hand Brewing Company’s Hops + Handrails event. Snowboarders and skiers soar through the air, leaving a trail of glittering snow that trickles down over the sandal-wearing, t-shirt-clad group of beer drinkers below. Part craft beer festival, part rail jam, part concert, part block party — it’s the Colorado craft beer industry’s unofficial farewell to the cold weather months, and highly-anticipated welcome to the busy beer festival season ahead.

Postcards From the Weekend is our weekly photo series showcasing images and stories from our adventurous and outdoor-loving contributors at Elevation Outdoor Magazine. Follow along and see where our team of adventure-seekers like to spend their weekends. 

TEMPERATURE RISING

On a cold and hazy winter day in Salt Lake City, Utah, members from all different walks of the outdoor industry left their posts inside of the busy Outdoor Retailer Winter Market to gather together to talk about one thing: climate change. Led by three hard-charging leaders in the climate change fight, the Outdoor Industry Association’s “You Can’t Do Business on a Dead Planet” panel wasn’t filled with shocking new information about the Earth. It’s burning up. But anyone with senses knows that.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2016 was the hottest year on record, coming in at nearly two degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th century average. And there’s no indication that the record-breaking temperatures being recorded across the planet each year are on course to reverse anytime soon. So instead of lamenting about what we already know, the panel, consisting of Chris Steinkamp, executive director of Protect Our Winters; Luke Cartin, environmental sustainability manager for Park City, Utah; and Anne Kelly, the senior program director for public policy and director of the Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) program at Ceres, focused on action.

“There isn’t really time to discuss this anymore,” Steinkamp said as he addressed the engaged crowd of flannel-clad attendees. “We know the problem, and we know the solution. We can’t dance around this anymore.”

Steinkamp’s place on the panel represented the voice of the outdoor industry, a powerful force in the U.S. economy responsible for $646 billion in annual consumer spending and 6.1 million direct jobs. As a community, the outdoor industry has always been vocal about protecting the planet—the place where they do business. But it’s not just the CEOs of major companies in the industry, like Black Diamond and Patagonia that have recently taken a more vocal stance on climate change action (the show announced last month that it is leaving the state due its intractable stance on public lands). Only five months into his new role as the city’s Environmental Sustainability Manager, Luke Cartin announced Park City’s climate goals to reduce the ski town’s carbon footprint to zero and transition the city’s energy grid to 100-percent renewable energy by 2032 for everything within city limits.

Located in a state where the official rock is coal, Cartin has set ambitious goals to create a sustainable future. And his enthusiasm and drive have been infectious. Following Park City’s climate announcement, officials in Salt Lake City announced that they, too, would work to achieve a goal of 100-percent clean energy by 2032—which for the largest city in a state predominantly powered by coal—is an encouraging sign.

The past four years have also brought  encouraging signs from Washington D.C., which give key players in the fight against climate change hope for the future. During the Obama’s presidency, the Environmental Protection Agency introduced the Clean Power Plan, aiming to strengthen and support the trend towards clean American energy by reducing carbon pollution from power plants. Just prior to leaving office, Obama officially entered the United States into the Paris Agreement—within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to double down on halting the effects of climate change on a global level. President Obama also sent an encouraging message to the outdoor industry when he signed the Outdoor REC Act into law. The bill ensures that the outdoor industry’s economic impact is recognized by the U.S. government and accounted for as part of the gross domestic product (GDP), putting the industry on the same footing as extractive industries when it comes to government accounting. But perhaps the most important thing the Obama administration did to battle climate change was acknowledge it.

On January 20, 2017, Donald J. Trump was sworn into office as America’s 45th president. Before announcing his historic bid for the highest seat in the country, Trump shared his diagnosis of climate change with a 2012 tweet: “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” His stance on the topic didn’t waver much as his controversial campaign charged across the country. As the election unfolded, tension rose throughout outdoor community as a potential Trump presidency became reality.

Trump has wasted no time making good on the pro-fossil fuels stance he built a good portion of his campaign on. The new president nominated Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head up the EPA—an agency Pruitt has sued 13 times and condemned for overestimating air pollution from natural gas drilling. Pruitt was approved by the Senate in February. In the first three hours of his presidential term, Trump erased President Obama’s Climate Action Plan from the White House website, replacing it with An America First Energy Plan “committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan” and taking advantage of “untapped shale, oil and natural gas reserves, especially those on federal lands.”

Regardless of where you fall on the political spectrum, numbers don’t lie. Things aren’t looking good for the future of the planet. Winter seasons are getting shorter and wetter. Forty-six states in the U.S. reported above-average temperatures during the 2015/2016 winter season. The last decade has seen a rise in wildfires, with the Forest Service estimating an average of more than 73,000 wildfires burning roughly seven million acres of federal, tribal, state and private land. Soars in annual average temps will incite droughts, which will not only affect water resources for millions of Americans, but jobs and income as well.

So are we doomed? With so much political turmoil and uncertainty surrounding the climate change issue, and the impact of climate change becoming more visible around the world, is there still hope for the planet? The outdoor industry’s collective response is a resounding yes. Immediately following the election, organizations like the Sierra Club and the Outdoor Industry Association issued powerful statements to that they would fight harder than ever for the welfare of the planet, firing up and mobilizing supporters across the country.

“Right after the election, people came out of the woodwork, looking for ways to get involved,” said Steinkamp. “There has been an outpouring of enthusiasm and energy for climate action, which was the silver lining of this election.” Steinkamp and his team of volunteer ambassadors and climate activists at Protect Our Winters are changing their strategy for moving the needle in Washington D.C. on climate change. “The idea of signing letters and sending petitions to Washington is kind of old school,” he said. “We’ve got to dial up our activism beyond what we’ve ever done.” For Steinkamp and crew, this means an ambitious game plan for 2017 that focuses on engaging the people behind the big money in the outdoor industry to join forces with POW and demand climate action in Washington.

For Luke Cartin and Park City, a positive change in climate action on a city and state level is brewing, spawning more energy behind the movement than ever before. “Because we set these ambitious goals, there’s that sense of urgency, and that sense of urgency has actually led to a sense of excitement,” said Cartin. “We’re making great headway, and we’re doing it in a state that isn’t putting all of these sustainability incentives out there. So the response is, if we’re doing it in Utah, then we hope to be a road map to other cities in the country. Now is the time to take action.”

Tyra Sutak is a freelance writer based out of her van and the digital editor of Elevation Outdoors.