Discounted Lift Tickets, Lodging Packages Announced

Vail, CO–August 22– Tickets for the 12th Annual Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival will be available for sale September 1st via the event website, www.bigbeersfestival.com or on the Facebook page at bigbeersfestival. Discounted ski lift tickets are offered this year, marking the first time that the event has offered a discounted lift ticket and lodging package. The package is offered in conjunction with host location, Vail Cascade Resort, for the event being held January 5-7, 2012. Other first time programs during the event will be a “Cigar and Beer Pairing” and the “Vail Cascade Big Beer of the Year” people’s choice competition.

The discounted ski lift ticket advantage, in conjunction with Vail Cascade Resort and Vail Resorts, offers an additional level of attraction to attendees who can experience both world class experiences: skiing at Vail Mountain and enjoying the renown Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival. Lift tickets are valid at all five Vail Resorts ski areas during the specified period surrounding the festival weekend. Only guests who book their lodging at Vail Cascade will receive the offer–up to a 33% discount on last year’s multiday lift ticket rates, and the package is available for a limited time. To reserve this package or to receive more information, parties can call the hotel directly at 1-800-420-2424 .

Other Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines partnering properties offering special lodging packages (without discounted lift tickets) include Holiday Inn/Apex Vail, Simba Run, Lionshead Inn, and The Roost Lodge. More information about these packages are listed on the event website, www.bigbeersfestival.com .

Also new to this year’s festival are the Cigar and Beer Pairing sensory workshop and the Vail Cascade People’s Choice competition. The cigar and beer pairing will be among the first of its kind at a festival-type event, and the flavors of the different tobaccos will be designed bring out the flavors in the beers. The experimentation portion of the Cigar and Beer Pairing will be held near the picturesque outdoor fireplace at Vail Cascade with a focus of encouraging people to experiment with various combinations as well as try the suggested pairings. The second new addition will be a people’s choice competition between the participating festival beers. The winning beer will be dubbed the “Vail Cascade Big Beer of the Year” which will land the winner a spot on the beverage menu for a year at Vail Cascade’s award winning restaurant, Atwater on Gore Creek.

For more information on the Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines event, email [email]bigbeersfestival@hotmail.com[/email]. For information about Vail Cascade Resort visit www.vailcascade.com .

Media inquiries: Reservations for press trips to the event are now being accepted. Applications may be submitted to [email]kirsten@keylinkinc.net[/email] and should include publication, assignment and verification from an editor. Other applications may be accepted on an individual submission basis.
The Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival is a three day event featuring educational seminars, two Brewmasters dinners, a Commercial Tasting, a homebrew competition and other tastings and pairings. Designed to welcome the beer connoisseur, the innovative homebrewer, or the novice taster, participants will find events appropriate for all levels of interest. The festival regularly draws breweries from around the world offering literally hundreds of choices. The beer & food pairing competition is a popular option as well as the Cicerone Workshop, a program similar to the Sommelier designation in the world of wine.

Additionally, the Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival actively supports the efforts of the Vail Valley Charitable Fund, a local organization that helps individuals who live and work in the Vail Valley that have critical financial need due to medical catastrophes, accidents or long-term illnesses. For more information about the VVCF, visit www.vvcf.org Contact Big Beers,
Barleywines Festival at www.bigbeersfestival.com and follow the event on facebook.