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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Wednesday, 21 June 2006 |
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Page 1 of 2 
 WITH MORE THAN 300 kegs of beer, Brewfest will outweigh the biggest “Animal House” inspired fraternity party you remember— or more likely don’t remember— from your good ol’ college days.
 Growing each year, the 17th annual Colorado Brewers’ Festival will be immersed with 48 different types of Colorado brewed ales and lagers.
“We have figured out how to throw a party,” said Amanda Miller, event coordinator. “It’s really exciting for people in Fort Collins and Colorado to celebrate the microbrew industry.”
The two-day event kicks off Saturday in the Old Town Square with food, beer and live music.
To wash down a good and safe time for everyone, the Downtown Business Association recruited more than 400 volunteers. In conjunction with the Fort Collins Police Department, volunteers were trained to recognize the signs of overconsumption and will follow strict policies to assure no one goes overboard. Designated drivers will be rewarded with free Pepsi products.
“It’s an awesome time for people to get together and celebrate,” Miller said.
So gather up some drinking buddies and sample beverages from breweries from all over the state, including Fort Collins breweries like New Belgium, Odell Brewing Company and The Fort Collins Brewery. Admission is $10 Saturday for a two-day pass or $6 Sunday. Tokens are an additional dollar per token. Money raised helps fund other city events throughout the year.
Doug Odell, owner and founder of Odell Brewing Company — not to be confused with the non-alcoholic beer Odoul’s — is particularly proud with how the event has evolved.
Odell, along with a former owner of CooperSmith’s Brewery, was motivated by a brew festival in Oregon, years ago. The two men approached the Downtown Business Association with their idea, and the first Brewfest poured into Fort Collins in 1990.
“We realized early on we needed help planing the event,” Odell said. “The director at the time wasn’t completely convinced it would be a good idea, so we were each asked to put up $500. That was the last time we had to pay up front.”
The first year drew in 11 participating breweries and sold 36 kegs, one tenth the amount sold last year.
Odell said his passion for beer has developed over time.
“I have always been fascinated by brewing history in the United States,” he said.
The walls inside his brewery reflect Brewfest’s own history. Odell has saved and framed a flyer each year. Though some have faded and the first didn’t even say Fort Collins anywhere at all, his collection paints the progression of the tradition.
“Brewfest is a good way to tell people what we are doing, show people what we are doing, and have them taste what we are doing,” Odell said.
When asked what kind of beer is his drink of choice, Odell responded with all kinds.
“I don’t have a favorite,” he said. “It depends on the time of year. It’s sad to say, but the only beer in my fridge right now is ours. I like all styles of beer, as long as they are well made.”
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|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
We call it insight, you call it what you will. | |
|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
|  | Hola Amigos! I'm Sandra. I like to believe that people are 70 percent good and 30 percent dumb. I'm stickin to that story. Reading this blog might make you want to be good, but probably just dumb. | |
|  | Donovan Henderson is editor of NEXTnc. | |
|  | Here at Nextnc we have some characters. Get a sneak peak behind the curtain and find out what amusing antics our staffers get themselves into on a weekly basis. | |
|  | What is up FoCo?
I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
Right now I am just trying to get to know Colorado and FoCo better. Mostly in order to find the best drink specials on each day that ends in Y. So if you know where I can get a cheap drunk on, let me know!
--Drew | |
|  | Life's little morsels of inspiration, observation and encouragement seen through the eyes of the Nextnc reporter.
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|  | Ms. Giles currently lives in Colorado where she stars in her own private reality show. She writes aphoristic accounts of her life, taken completely out of context, and embellished with characters and situations disguised to resemble something close to interesting. | |
|  | over and out | |
| | My name is Michelle Turley and I'm 28 years old. I live in Severance with my hubbie, Brandon. We have 2 dogs and a cat. We enjoy camping, four-wheeling, and just being in the mountains. I like to cook, clean (go figure), flea market, and play poker. I have so much to say about poker... | |
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