First in Line, A Tradition Full of Craft Beer Love

The energy at the gate was magnetic.    The line of beer fans was 10 lanes deep and wrapped around the grounds as far as my eye could see.   Thousands of enthusiastic beer fans got up early to be one of the “first in line”.

First in line is about tradition, it’s about hanging with friends, it’s about anticipation, it’s about passion.   Mountain Brewer’s festival  is in it’s 20th year and it’s fans that have created their own set of traditions.  I found organizers,  volunteers,  brewers, and fans that had been coming to the event for over 18 years.


An Oddessy

Mountain Brewers is no ordinary festival.    It’s roots date back to the pre-craft beer boom.   Shades of Pale’s own, Trent Fargher, remembers first attending the festival as a beer enthusiast,  14 years ago.  He drove 8 hours from Dillon, Colorado, to Park City, Utah at a friend’s invitation to join him on a flight to Idaho.  Mike Conte, owner of Mtn Timber Furniture and long time friend, planned to fly in to the festival in his private plane.    Trent recalls a festival of approx 10 craft breweries and 500 attendees;  a small event by today’s standards but extraordinary for it’s time.

Beer Enthusiasts, You Rock!

Particularly impressive, is the event’s organization and efficiency.  Even more impressive is that this is a

100% volunteer endeavor that grew out of a home brew club.   Beer enthusiasts, you rock!   Back at the gate, stood several  thousand people eagerly awaiting entry.   Organizer Lisa Lambic, shared with me in an interview,  she expected a smooth and speedy check in.    The volunteer set up at the gate was extensive.   Entry was comprised of 5 lanes with 2 ticket checkers a piece for a total of 10 entry points. Tickets were pre- sold on the web and same day ticket sales began early at a ticket booth near the gate.   To further expedite the process, ticket checkers were armed with electronic swipe guns.  Wow!

I stepped through the gate to have a chat with some of the fans first in line.   I discovered a happy and
excited crowd even though they’d been standing in the sun several hours.   For many, the day started with a group breakfast a local restaurant then carpooling to the Rodeo grounds to hang with their best buds.  Angel Street, a group of musicians, made the trek from Utah on their motorcycles.  One thing that was shared, enthusiasm, joy, camaraderie,  and a passion for beer.
As opening time neared, the energy and anticipation began to build.   “10 minutes,  5 minutes,  2 minutes”,  I heard someone yell.   At 12:00pm on the dot a loud bell began to ring immediately followed by the roar of the crowd.

Can’t wait for next year.
Alexandra

If you'd like to find out more about the event, follow this link to hear an interview with organizer, Lisa Lambic.