Snowmass summer tourism season on tap to start this weekend

One of the highest elevation beer festivals in the country, and the start of Snowmass’ summer season, kicks off Saturday with the third annual craft beer festival and the first Fanny Hill concert.

Snowmass Tourism Director Rose Abello said, “the event sold out last year and this year is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with tickets going quickly.”

New to this year’s rendezvous, three local restaurants will host a special beer pairing dinner Friday night.

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Beginning between 6 and 6:30 p.m. Friday, TORO Latin Kitchen at the Viceroy Snowmass, Slow Groovin’ BBQ and The Edge Restaurant and Bar will offer a three- or four-course prix-fixe dinner.

Abello said Snowmass Tourism “has been tossing this around for a couple of years,” as the brewers arrive Friday.

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On Saturday, more than 30 breweries will be on tap during the three-hour grand tasting event, which starts at 3 p.m. along the Snowmass Mall and will spill onto Fanny Hill. See sidebar to the right for a complete list of participating breweries.

During the tasting, festivalgoers may channel their energy onto Fanny Hill for a free performance by Denver folk singer-songwriter Kyle Emerson starting at 3:30 p.m.

The Colorado-based, Americana rock band, “The Drunken Hearts” will take the stage at 6:45 p.m.

The concert on Fanny Hill this weekend will be one of two shows this summer scheduled on a Saturday. The other Saturday performance will be for the annual Aspen Deaf Camp Benefit on July 21.

At Snowmass Tourism’s quarterly update before the Town Council on June 4, Abello said that based on communal feedback she’s received, the Thursday night tradition is preferred over other days.

As such, 10 consecutive concerts are booked on Thursday throughout the summer, with two “bonus” Saturday shows, Abello said.

For tickets and more information on the beer rendezvous this weekend, visit http://www.snowmassbeer.com.

erobbie@aspentimes.com