Although in its fifth year, the Craft Lager Fest is a festival I have not had the opportunity to attend. But I like the idea of it, being another niche festival that highlights a particular style of beer, in this case lagers broadly. But since the majority of craft beer is undoubtedly ales, shining a spotlight on lager styles is a great idea. In fact, I have an article coming out in the next issue of American Brewer on this very subject, the rise of the small, niche festival.

The Craft Lager Festival takes place in a small town in Colorado, Manitou Springs, which is near Pikes Peak. This year they got 30 breweries from Hawaii to Boston participating. The winning breweries are listed below.
 

2007 Winners List

PILSENER

1. Blue Paddle (New Belgium)
2. La Plata Pilsener (Carver Brewing)
3. Polestar Pilsener (Lefthand Brewing)

EXPORT/HELLES:

1. Light Lager (Rock Bottom Colorado Springs)
2. Longboard Island Lager (Kona Brewing)
3. Session Beer (Full Sail Brewing)

BOCK:

1. Ltd. #2 (Full Sail Brewing.)
2. Rye Bock Lager (Lefthand Brewing)
3. Butthead Bock (Tommyknockers)

STRONG LAGER:

1. No 1st Place Awarded
2. Warning Sign Eis Bock (Good Ol’ Boys Brewing COOP)
3. Dutch (Rockyard American Grill & Brewery)

OKTOBERFEST/VIENNA/MARZEN:

1. No 1st Place Awarded
2. Steam Engine Lager (Steamworks Brewing)
3. Ornery Amber (Tommyknockers)

OTHER SPECIALTY LAGER:

1. Spring Tonic Elixir (Carver Brewing)
2. Cerbeza Real (Carver Brewing)
3. Hop Goblin (Il Vicino Albuquerque)