Breckenridge Brewery Hootenanny
By: Christine Keitlen
Summer, for most of us, is our favorite time of the year. We can’t wait for those long, lazy, hot days we plan to fill with the sort of outdoor entertainment only the summer days can provide: drifting down a cool creek on a rubber tube, three-day weekends camping under the stars with our fishing poles just a reach away, scoping out the best deals at our nearest farmers markets to grab some locally grown veggies or gourmet pastas, and best of all making sure we make it to at least one of the many beer and music festivals hosted in this lovely state. This past weekend, much was to be celebrated at the annual Breckenridge Brewery Hootenanny held at its amazing new location in Littleton, Colorado.
In addition to its annual pig roast, the Breckenridge Brewery celebrated its 25th silver anniversary alongside the Boulder-based jam band Leftover Salmon. While celebrating respective anniversaries, the new collaboration brew named Silver Salmon was released, an India style pale lager, along with the band’s new album which was comprised of 25 of their best live cuts from the past two years.
Previously, the city of Denver would shut down Kalamath Street to allow for the 2,000 or so people the brewery’s annual festival would attract. This year, the short stretch of Brewery Lane (named after the Breckenridge Brewery) was shut down to allow for the complimentary shuttles busing in droves of people too numerous to count. There was also plenty of bike parking available for the Littleton locals who opted to pedal in. No doubt this was their biggest turn out by far. Since the 12-acre farm-inspired brewery and Farm House Restaurant opened its doors, people from all over Colorado have stopped in to check out this $36 million dollar gem which has become a very popular summer hotspot.
Let me just say that this Hootenanny was well worth the price of admission and I encourage those who didn’t make it out to put a little reminder on your calendar for next year. In addition to the two stages set up to feature Leftover Salmon, Anders Osborne, Zach Deputy, Milkdrive, The Drunken Hearts, Chain Station, as well as others, there was mouth-watering barbeque, and a wide choice of brews to help wash it down, visitors were also able to check out the tasting room or grab a table inside the Farm House to mingle and order off their special limited menu giving you a sneak peek of their daily offerings.
I was personally blown away by their creative desserts with the contrast of flavors that hollered out to me like the peach galette with a side of cinnamon ice cream. And for those who might not be the biggest fans of beer, I’d recommend trying any of their barrel-aged cocktails. But you know the Breckenridge Brewery is a place for the entire family. It really is. The beer garden located in the “back yard” right outside the screened in porch, is set up with games like corn hole and bocce ball and families had plenty of room to sprawl out on the lawn with their picnic blankets and little ones.
Breckenridge Brewery feels like friendly block party where you’re guaranteed to make new friends. I definitely recommend coming out to visit and see for yourself first-hand, if you haven’t already, and get ready to have your mind blown.
