The official State of Wyoming Microbrew Competition will be held Aug. 20 in Saratoga. Microbreweries from Wyoming are slated to compete for the coveted Steinley Cup at the 21st annual competition. This year’s competition brew is ‘American Wheat’ and will be judged by a panel of brewing professionals from Colorado. The event starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 5 p.m. at Veterans Island.
Among the breweries invited to this year’s event is the defending Steinley Cup champion, Altitude Chop House based in Laramie and the defending “People’s Choice” champion, The Library Sports Grill & Brewery of Laramie.
Twenty-six Wyoming-based competitors were asked to attend, including Saratoga’s Snowy Mountain Brewery, Wyoming State Brewing Company, Snake River Brewing Company, Lander Brewing Company, Coal Creek TAP, Black Tooth Brewery, Pat O’Hara Brewing, Wind River Brewing, Clear Creek Brewing Company, Freedom’s Edge, Gillette Brewing, Luminous Brewhouse, Roadhouse Brewing Company, Sheep Mountain Brewery, Melvin’s, Suds Brothers Brewery, Ten Sleep Brewing, and Bitter Creek Brewery. New breweries were also invited: Headstrong Brewing, Jackson Hole Brewing, Millstone Brewing, One Eyed Buffalo Brewing and WYOLD West Brewing Company.
“This microbrew festival is unique in that only microbreweries based in Wyoming are invited,” Stacy Crimmins, CEO of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, said. “It was one of the first, original competitions and brew festivals in the state and is known by the brewers as the official competition. No one can claim they’re the best in the state unless they have carried the Steinley Cup trophy home.”
Last year’s Steinley Cup Microbrew Festival had good attendance and brewery participation. In addition to the panel-judged contest for the Steinley Cup and the state title, a “People’s Choice” award is also presented.
“Admission is $25 for everyone age 13 and older. Admission is free for children age 12 and under. With paid admission you can enjoy live music, taste great chili, soda and beer, receive a 12-ounce mug and ballots to vote for your favorites in the competition class, and shop at the local craft booths,” Crimmins said. “Those over age 21 will have the chance to taste the competition class as well as many other hand-crafted brews,” she added.
Live music from “Slopeside” will provide entertainment for the half-day event. The park location features playground equipment for the kids and horseshoe pits. Local and regional crafters will be showing their hand-crafted creations so you can bring home your own trophy.
The annual chili competition is planned for Saturday also. With the paid entry, visitors can taste the red chili, green chili and salsa entered in the contest and then place their People’s Choice vote. But get tasting right away—the chili could run out! .“The sampling is so good that everything is gone by about 2:30,” notes Crimmins. Please call the Chamber at 307.326.8855 if you’d like to enter a favorite family recipe and join the fun. In addition, food vendors will also be on hand all day to stave off the hunger pangs.
The Trout Run—a 5K fun run—will be held the morning of August 20. Registration will begin at 7:30am and the run starts at 8 a.m. Runners will receive a free T-shirt and will have a few obstacles and surprises. To register, please call Lisa at 307-326-8338 or Joe at 307-326-7822.
Chamber Board Chair Mitch Bangert, said “Rain or shine, bring a lawn chair, your kids, and make a weekend of it!” Complete listings of lodging and other events held that weekend can be found on the chamber’s website (www.saratogachamber.info). For more information, call the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce at 307-326-8855 or e-mail [email protected]
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