Here at Singletracks we look for any excuse to ride our bikes more and drink more beer. In an effort to help you do the same, we have compiled a list of events that encourage beer drinking mountain bikers to gather to celebrate the perfect marriage: bikes and beer.
Outside Santa Fe – Bike and Brew: Santa Fe, NM, May 15-17, 2015
Bike & Brew 30 no comcast from Todd Young on Vimeo.
In only its 2nd year, Outside Magazine is sponsoring this quickly-growing festival in Santa Fe, NM. Spanning over 5 days, complete with brewery tours, beer gardens, chocolate tours, and concerts, this event has enough to keep the entire family entertained. This year will feature a handmade bike and handcrafted beer showcase, featuring such handmade bike companies as Reeb Cycles, Durango Bike Company, and Samsara, all while enjoying a pint of handcrafted beer from a plethora of breweries including Stone, New Belgium, and local NM favorites like La Cumbre. With clinics and guided tours on the best trails Santa Fe has to offer, the only disappointment is that this event only occurs once a year.
New Belgium Tour de Fat: Various locations, May through October 2015
Tour de Fat is likely the most well-known bike and brew event, covering 10 stops across the U.S. This event, solely sponsored by New Belgium, touts parades and festivities aimed at making the world a little bit better place by raising funds for bicycle and environmental charities. New Belgium also encourages its participants to apply to be a “car for bike trader,” wherein the winner gets to donate their vehicle and in return they receive a brand-spanking-new bicycle. But the fun doesn’t stop there: concerts and New Belgium beer flow freely for all attendees.
Mud, Sweat and Beers: Traverse City, MI, May 2nd, 2015
Though we didn’t make it to press before the event occured this year, it is definitely worth putting on the calendar for next year. This fat tire festival, mountain bike race, and all-around post-race beer drinking party is a fantastic way to usher in the mountain biking season. They supply the mud and beer, you just have to supply the sweat. In addition to putting on a great event, the proceeds go towards the Mt. Holiday non-profit ski area as well as several other local organizations.
Biketoberfest: Fairfax, CA, October 2015
Beer and mountain bikes in October equates to Biketoberfest. An extraordinarily large number of brewers and bike builders gather in one location for an all-out party at the birthplace of mountain biking. In addition to lusting over 70 bike exhibits with your choice of top brews from over 20 brewers, the event features guided rides for mountain bikers, road bikers, and kids alike.
Bluegrass, Beers and Bikes: Multiple Stop in the Blue Ridge Mountains, March 26-29, 2015
Yet another bike and brew event worth putting on the calendar for next year. This tour featured four stops along the Blue Ridge Mountains: Brevard, NC, Boone, NC, Roseland, VA, and Roanoke, VA. This year’s event featured Grammy-nominated bluegrass-rock band The Infamous Stringdusters, with stops targeting top breweries such as Oskar Blues. In addition to fun on two wheels, the funds raised went back to local bike societies.
Your Turn: Do you know of any bike and brew events that we missed? List them below for all to enjoy!
