Steinley Cup Microbrew Competition Gears Up Soon in Saratoga

The official State of Wyoming Microbrew Competition will be held Aug. 20 in Saratoga, Wyoming. Microbreweries from Wyoming are slated to compete for the coveted Steinley Cup at the 16th annual competition. This year’s competition brew is ‘Amber Ale’ and will be judged by a panel of brewing professionals from Colorado. The event is slated to open to the public at 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Saratoga’s Kathy Glode Park.
Organizers of the event had to find a new location for the event this year. “Due to our spring flooding situation, we decided to relocate from Veterans Island Park,” stated Stacy Crimmins, Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber Executive Director. “There is quite a bit of debris, structural damage, and as of a few days ago, standing water in the park. We will be using Kathy Glode Park as our new location,” Crimmins announced. Glode Park is located just off of Highway 130 near the Saratoga Museum on Constitution Avenue.

Among the breweries competing in this year’s event is the defending Steinley Cup champion, Altitude Chop House of Laramie. Snake River Brewing Co. of Jackson, is looking to gain back their title from 2009. The defending “People’s Choice” champion is The Library Sports Grille & Brewery of Laramie, winning the last two years. Other competitors for the coveted traveling trophy are Lander Brewing Company, Saratoga’s Snowy Mountain Brewery, Grand Teton Brewing Company, the Wyoming Brewing Company of Casper, Bitter Creek Brewing of Rock Springs, Wind River Brewing Company based in Pinedale, Black Tooth Brewing of Sheridan, The Suds Brothers of Evanston, Thai Me Up Brewery out of Jackson and Shadow’s Brewing Company located in Cheyenne. This may be the first year on record that all twelve breweries will be represented. Steve Simpson, brewer for the Snowy Mountain Brewery said, “I have always wanted to see if we could get everyone here, and it looks like that may happen this year.”

“This microbrew festival is unique in that only breweries based in Wyoming are invited. It was the first, original competition and brew festival 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,” says Crimmins.

In addition to the panel-judged contest for the Steinley Cup and the state title, a “People’s Choice” award is also presented. Root Beer will also be a competition category and a “People’s Choice” award presented. “Those wishing to attend the festival pay $20.00 at the gate and receive a 12 ounce mug and ballots to vote for their favorites in the competition. But only those over 21 (IDs will be checked) will be allowed to taste the brews,” Crimmins said. Admission is free for children under the age of 12. A live bluegrass band, “High Plains Tradition”, will be providing entertainment for the day-long event. The park location features playground equipment and horse shoe pits. The ever-popular “bounce-house” will also be set up for the kids. Local and regional crafters will be showing their hand crafted creations so you can bring home your own trophy.

The annual Chili Cook-Off Competition will be planned for Saturday also. With the paid entry, you can taste the red chili, green chili, tortillas and salsa entered in the contest and then place your People’s Choice vote. Please call the Chamber if you’d like to enter a favorite family recipe and join the fun! In addition, food vendors will also be on hand to stave off the hunger pangs.

Other events slated for that weekend in Saratoga include the 11th Annual Saratoga Bullfest planned for 7 p.m. Saturday night at Buck Springs Arena. The Bullfest is an exciting bull riders only event and will feature the region’s top cowboys. Separate admission of $10 per person will be charged and those under age 12 are free.

Chamber Board President, Alyson Sneddon, says “Rain or shine, bring a lawn chair, your kids, and make a weekend of it!” Complete listings of lodging can be found on the chamber’s website (www.saratogachamber.info). For more information call the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce at 307-326-8855 or e-mail info@saratogachamber.info