Blues, Brews and BBQ returns Memorial Day Weekend

Since 2003, Beaver Creek has been serving up lip smackin’ deliciousness, cold craft beers and melodies that speak to your soul at Blues, Brews and BBQ. This annual event happens on Memorial Day weekend and ushers in the summer season at Beaver Creek.

It’s really like three festivals in one. Concertgoers will enjoy the spectacular lineup of blues artists and other performers. Craft brew fans will get to sip and sample different types of beers all in one day, and for the barbecue lovers, Memorial Day weekend is prime time to sharpen your skills on the grill and maybe learn some tricks from the pit masters in attendance.  

The Blues

This year, the talent is coming straight out of the South with George Porter, Jr., hailing from New Orleans and Tab Benoit is the pride of Louisiana. Porter, Jr. is a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and the founding member of funk group The Meters. Porter, Jr. will headline the first night of Blues, Brews and BBQ after opener Larry McCray on May 22.

Tab Benoit is no stranger to playing venues in the Vail Valley. He’ll be coming to Colorado straight from the New Orleans Jazz Festival, so get ready for the sounds of the bayou when he takes the stage on Sunday after Kent Burnside, Ghalia Volt and Kevin Burnt & Big Medicine play throughout the day.

Tommy Castro may not be from the deep South, but this born-and-bred Californian has blues in his blood. He picked up a guitar at the age of 10 and attended shows featuring John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal and many other artists. Castro received his fourth Blues Music Award for B.B. King Entertainer of the Year in 2023. Tommy Castro and The Painkillers will rock the Beav’ on Saturday afternoon after Kara Grainger, Buffalo Nichols and Jontavious warm up the crowd.

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The Brews

All this music is sure to work up a thirst, and the brews portion of Blues, Brews and BBQ will not disappoint. Choose from some of your faves or try something new. Beers (and cocktails and wine) are available via a punch card or get a tasting card to sample different beers. Individual beverage tickets will be available, too. There will also be an appearance by the Minturn Whisky Rambling Dram, an authentic-looking Scottish traveling pub for sips that will pair well with barbecue. Check out the punch card options on bcbluesbrewsbbq.com and please note that the drink stations will be cashless.

The BBQ

The star of the weekend will be the barbecue creations. Area restaurants will have tents to serve their respective takes on barbecue, and then there’s the BBQ competition where chefs will showcase lamb and pork. You can purchase tickets to watch, sample and vote for your favorites during the competitions at bcbluesbrewsbbq.com.

This event happens rain, snow or shine on the plaza of Beaver Creek Village May 22-24. Parking is limited, so it is best to park at the lots below and take the buses up to the venue. Plan to spend the day there, maybe do a hike if conditions permit on the trails near the base of the mountain and then enjoy the food, drink and friendships. Most of all, Blues, Brews and BBQ is a reunion of sorts after the offseason. People gather to see old friends and make new ones, and it’s a time to celebrate why we live here.