What wine is to regions of Europe, craft beer is to Colorado. Nationally recognized as a brewmaster’s haven, Colorado is home to more than 150 craft breweries. Paying homage to the barley, hops and avant-garde brewmasters that fill our mugs, the Vail Cascade is launching its signature Craft Beer, Creative Cuisine series this month. Featuring a different Rocky Mountain brewmaster each month, Craft Beer, Creative Cuisine champions the movement of handcrafted, small-batch brews that offer quality over quantity. The series takes the trend further by expertly pairing craft brews with the artisanal cuisine of Executive Chef Todd Bemis and educational seminars hosted by the brewmaster. The first Craft Beer, Creative Cuisine event is slated for Mar. 23-24 and will showcase Eric Wallace, president and co-founder of Longmont-based Left Hand Brewing Company.
“Craft Beer, Creative Cuisine gives beer enthusiasts the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the industry’s most innovative brewmasters and learn about the inspiration that drives their craft,” said Brett Schoenfield, general manager at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa. “Craft beer is truly a liquid art form and this series gives our patrons the forum to further their understanding and cultivate a deeper sense of appreciation for craft beer.”
2012 Craft Beer, Creative Cuisine Series
Starting this month, brewmasters and beer lovers will convene at the Vail Cascade for two days of mingling, learning and sampling. The format includes a happy hour craft beer sampling session with the guest brewmaster and other craft beer and food pairing events throughout the weekend. The happy hour mingler and educational seminars are free and open to the public, but some craft beer and food pairing events may require a participation fee and/or reservations.
The 2012 Craft Beer, Creative Cuisine series will host the following brewmasters at the Vail Cascade:
Craft Beer, Creative Cuisine Learning PackagesThe Vail Cascade Fireside Bar and Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant boast an eclectic lineup of more than 25 Colorado, American and International craft beers, spanning classic brews, hard-to-find vintages, exclusive releases and one-of-a-kind creations. Five craft beers on draft cover a spectrum of basic brew styles, while bottled beers are continually rotated to provide approachable options for newcomers and fresh thrills for connoisseurs. For guests interested in a one-on-one learning experience, the Vail Cascade is offering three signature craft beer packages. Each package is tailored for two guests to enjoy, but can be customized to meet any size party and beer style preferences.
For the Love of Beer, $30
For the Love of Beer offers craft beer enthusiasts the opportunity to relax, sample and learn about craft beer trends and the varying ingredients and characteristics that make each craft beer unique.
For the Love of Beer AND Food, $82For the Love of Beer AND Food offers guests the opportunity to savor, compare and enjoy expertly paired craft beer and small plates while learning tips on how to create pairings, build flavor contrasts and create palate pleasing duos that will satisfy both thirst and hunger.
Sweet Influences, $48Sweet Influences puts guests under the influence of indulgently paired craft beers and sweet confections and sets the stage to learn the art of pairing, tips for integrating sweet ingredient enhancers and ideas for inspired seasonal pairings.
Vail Cascade offers special lodging rates and discounts for guests that book one of these signature packages. For more information, visit www.vailcascade.com or call 970.479.7014.About Vail Cascade Resort & Spa
Vail Cascade’s ideal location and breathtaking mountain surroundings create the perfect natural playground for all-season adventure. With pleasantly warm summers and cool falls, you can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, strolling through the Villages and soaking up sun poolside. Frosty winter and springtime temperatures transform the hotel into a snowy wonderland with true ski-in/ski-out access. Just like the hotel itself, dining at Vail Cascade is truly an event to be savored. Atwater on Gore Creek, the hotel’s signature dining venue overlooking Gore Creek, fuses modern style with the region’s natural elements. Locally inspired and delightfully enjoyed, Atwater serves creative American cuisine in a stylish yet comfortable environment for an exceptional dining experience. A world of wellness awaits you at Vail Cascade’s 78,000-square-foot Aria Spa & Club – the largest spa and fitness facility in the Vail Valley. From the moment you arrive, you feel the inviting warmth and healthy energy of a true mountain retreat. Focusing on all-encompassing wellness, Aria Spa & Club brings mind, body and spirit into balance with pampering treatments, invigorating workouts and a focus on a healthy life. Visit www.vailcascade.com and call 1-800-420-2424 for more information.
About Destination Hotels & Resorts
Destination Hotels & Resorts is a privately held hospitality management company headquartered in Colorado. With more than 35 independent, luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and golf clubs, Destination is the third largest hospitality management company in the country. The company’s portfolio features more than 9,100 guest rooms, 16 golf courses and 16 full-service spas. Destination Hotels & Resorts properties are located in key metropolitan and resort markets including Washington, D.C., Seattle, Denver, San Diego, Santa Fe, Aspen, Austin, Phoenix, Portland, Palm Springs, Palos Verdes, Maui and Lake Tahoe. The company is a subsidiary of Los Angeles-based investment, development and management firm Lowe Enterprises.
For a complete list of properties in the Destination Hotels & Resorts collection, please visit www.destinationhotels.com.