For the initiated, it’s already well-know that if there’s one non-negotiable can’t miss beer festival in the state of Colorado that represents the ultimate beer fest experience, it’s Big Beers Belgians and Barleywines. And this year, expect the spectacle to be even bigger.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary the weekend of January 9-11, the next Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines will offer a full-weekend VIP package which includes Educational Seminars, tickets and VIP access to the Brewers Reception, Traditional Brewmasters’ Dinner, 20 Year Big Beers Reunion, *New* VIP Lounge and more. Those tickets go on sale today at 10am MDT available here. And their normal tier VIP and general admission commercial tasting tickets going on sale Wednesday, September 4 at 10am MDT available here.

Over the years we have extolled to great length some of the innumerable characteristics that distinguish Big Beers as one of the industry’s best-kept secrets.

Stemming from organizers Laura and Bill Lodge’s passionate approach toward curating the best talent, while also going above and beyond in ensuring the best attendee experience, Big Beers has come to capture the essence of what it takes to throw the ultimate beer lover’s festival, ranging from a star-studded cast of brewers, to an elite level lineup of beers, intimate brewers dinners, premier educational seminars, and world-class skiing all to the backdrop of some of the world’s most stunning mountain vistas.

Now entering its 20th year, Big Beers Belgians and Barleywines has truly found itself in the picturesque ski town of Breckenridge Colorado. This year’s event will feature technical seminars from the likes of Jeffrey Stuffings from Jester King, Cory King from Side Project, John Mallett from Bell’s Brewery, Florian Kuplent from Urban Chestnut, Steven Pauwels from Boulevard, Nile Zacherle of Mad Fritz, Kevin DeLange of Dry Dock, Charlie Gottenkieny of Bruz Beers, John Holl from Beer and Brewing Magazine and many more to be announced.

This year’s event will once again feature a Brewers Reception and Traditional Brewmasters’ Dinner on Thursday night with featured brewmasters Neil Fisher of WeldWerks Brewing and Troy Casey from Casey Brewing & Blending.

Additional elements include a Cicerone Workshop and Exam, Homebrew Competition, Small Plates and Beer Pairing, Beer & Food workshop with CraftBeer.com’s Julia Herz and Adam Dulye, and 20 Year Reunion event on Friday night, Beer Yoga, followed by Brewmasters, Technical, Experimental and Sensory seminars on Saturday, all culminating Saturday afternoon with the Commercial Tasting event.

Still not convinced? Hear from some of the country’s best brewers who have spoken with PorchDrinking over the years about just how special this festival really is:

“It was born out of a great ideal of pushing flavorful beers without worrying about whether they’re across the pond or from here — and big obviously, and flavor.” – Adam Avery, Avery Brewing

“Big Beers is like a family reunion, with all the brewers present,” – Cory King, Side Project

“I’ve never understood why a festival that promotes 10 percent-plus alcohol beers at 10,000 feet, how that makes sense. But somehow it does.” – Matt Brynildson, Firestone Walker

“We get a lot of invitations to events and festivals around the world and some of our biggest criteria is “Is it well curated? Are there people there that share our philosophy about beer?” This festival is both of those things. Laura and the organizers put a lot of thought into who they want to be here and it’s a lot of high-quality beer and high-quality people.” – Averie Swanson, Jester King Brewery

“Everyone brings killer beers. The pour lists are incredible and there is so little wait time on some of the most amazing beers in the world. Here in Breckenridge, the atmosphere is great with a sense of educational seminars, pairing events. There is an air of intentionality and innovation. It is a special place.” – Neil Fisher, Weldwerks Brewing

“Hot tubbing with other men with beer bellies is something that happens a lot at this fest [laughs], we’re not afraid to make a little ‘man soup’ while we drink each other’s beers and talk about how the industry’s evolved in our two decades of being in it!”- Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery