Breweries vie for state title

The official State of Wyoming Microbrew Competition will be held Aug. 18 in Saratoga. Microbreweries based in Wyoming are slated to compete for the coveted Steinley Cup at the 23rd annual competition. This year's competition brew is Pilsner and will be judged by a panel of brewing professionals from Colorado. The event starts at 1 p.m. and goes until 5 p.m. at Saratoga's Veterans Island Park.

Among the breweries invited to this year's event is the defending Steinley Cup champion, Snake River Brewing Company of Jackson, and is the winningest brewery for this competition. 2017 was the eighth year they have taken home the Steinley Cup. Black Tooth Brewing based in Sheridan is the defending "People's Choice" champion.

"This microbrew festival is unique in that only those based in Wyoming are invited. It was one of the first original competitions and brew festivals in the state and is known by the brewers as the official competition.

"No one can claim they're the best in the state unless they have carried the Steinley Cup trophy home," said Stacy Crimmins, CEO of the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce. Those nine breweries that have confirmed their attendance for the 23rd Steinley Cup include Saratoga's Snowy Mountain Brewery, Snake River Brewing Company out of Jackson, The Library in Laramie, Black Tooth Brewery out of Sheridan, Altitude Chophouse from Laramie, Accomplice Brewery based in Cheyenne, Wind River Brewery in Pinedale, Cheyenne's Freedom's Edge Brewing and newcomer One-Eyed Buffalo from Thermopolis.

Live music from "Maxwell Mud" will provide entertainment for the half-day event. The park location features great playground equipment for the kids and horseshoe pits. Local and regional crafters will be showing their hand-crafted creations so you can bring home your own trophy.

The annual Chili Competition is planned for Saturday also. With the paid entry, you can taste the red chili, green chili and salsa entered in the contest and then place your People's Choice vote. But get tasting right away-the chili could run out! "The sampling is so good that everything is gone by about 2:30," noted Crimmins. Please call the Chamber at 307-326-8855 if you'd like to enter a favorite family recipe and join the fun! Food vendors will also be on hand all day to stave off hunger pangs.

"Admission is $30 for everyone age 13 and older. Admission is free for children age 12 and under. With paid admission, you can enjoy live music, taste great chili, soda and beer, receive a 12-ounce mug, vote for your favorites in the competition class, and shop at the local craft booths," Crimmins said. Order your tickets online and avoid the lines with an express entry.

Sponsors of the event include Carbon County Visitors Council, The Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, Valley Foods, Firewater Public House, Hotel Wolf, Aspen Sky Merchants Mall, Bigfoot 99, VIP Marketing, Lollypops, North Fork Engineering, The Red Wagon, Union Wireless and Bridge Street Bargains.

Chamber Board Chair Jonathan Schnal says "Rain or shine, bring a lawn chair, your kids and make a weekend of it!"

Complete listings of lodging and other events can be found on the chamber's website (www.saratogachamber.info). Consider camping in the beautiful Medicine Bow National Forest, too. Spend the morning visiting the many shops and restaurants in The Good Times Valley. For more information, call the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce at 307-326-8855 or e-mail [email protected].