Southwest Fresh Fest At Billy Goat Hop Farm Returns For Year Five

MONTROSE, CO—The fifth annual Southwest Fresh Fest returns to Billy Goat Hop Farm on Saturday, October 3. This family and dog-friendly celebration of local agriculture will serve up fresh hop and seasonal beers from across Colorado, as well as live music and dancing, food trucks, yard games, and a farm tour.

“We want Fresh Fest to be more than just a beer festival,” says Audrey Gehlhausen, Co-Owner of Billy Goat Hop Farm. “It’s a chance for people to come to the hop farm, see where the hops are grown, meet the brewers who use them, and taste what those hops become in the glass. Five years later, that connection between the farm, the breweries and our community is still what makes this event so special to us.”

The beers to be poured at this festival will all be crafted with Billy Goat hops, straight off the bine and right into the brew. The fan favorite fresh hop beer will be voted upon by festival participants, and the winning brewery taking home the iconic Fresh Hop Trophy for the year.

The breweries pouring in 2026 include Breckenridge Brewery, Cabin Creek Brewing, Colorado Boy Pizzeria & Brewery, Elevation Beer Company, Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, Goldspot Brewing, Horsefly Brewing Company, Mountain Tap Brewery, Reckless Brewing Company, Shelter Distilling, Stodgy Brewing Company, Storm Peak Brewing, and Stronghouse Brew Pub. Ginger beer from Too Steppin’ Hard Ginger Beer will also be included in the ticket price, and local wine and cider are available for additional purchase.

This year’s Southwest Fresh Fest live music lineup features Jesse Meade, a soulful singer-songwriter and finger style acoustic guitarist, and Mojo Birds, a funky flock of music-makers creating a joyful, groove-driven party with a mix of roots-heavy soul, gospel-inflected harmonies, and a touch of Afro-Peruvian mojo. There will be local food from Figure 8 Farming, Uncompahgre Farms, Kendra’s Kitchen, Dippity Donuts, and Crepeful Heads.

Tickets to Southwest Fresh Fest are $35 and include custom festival glassware. Get yours at southwestfreshfest.com.

Country Lodge, Riverbend RV Park & Cabins, and the Waypoint RV Park have discounts available for festival-goers. There is free on-site parking, and guests are encouraged to designate a driver.

Check out southwestfreshfest.com for more festival details, and suggestions for what else to do in Montrose.

Southwest Fresh Fest would not be possible without the support of community sponsors, Maxfield - Peterson, P.C., RadCraft, Forage and Fetch, Rye Resurgence Project, Montrose Community Foundation, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Valley Food Partnership, Alpine Events, Visit Montrose, CropwoRx, Down Valley Flowers, and Friends of the Black Canyon.

Contact Emily Hutto at hutto at radcraftbeer dot com with media inquiries about Southwest Fresh Fest or Billy Goat Hop Farm.

ABOUT SOUTHWEST FRESH FEST

Southwest Fresh Fest is the first and only fresh hop beer festival in the Southwest, hosted at Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, CO. Attendees and brewers alike can enjoy fresh hop beers from across the region in a rad complimentary taster glass. There will also be a Pickin’ Party with live music, local food trucks, farm tours, and games… not to mention the panoramic views from the San Juan Mountains to the Grand Mesa. Come out for the festivities and stay for the recreation, beauty, and good beers abound. Join the fun at Billy Goat Hop Farm and celebrate harvest at Southwest Fresh Fest.

Buy tickets, sign up to pour beer, or sponsor at southwestfreshfest.com.

ABOUT BILLY GOAT HOP FARM

Know your farmer, Love your beer.

Billy Goat Hop Farm is the largest hop farm in the Southwest and the only hop farm in Colorado, providing premium quality, fresh, whole cone, and pelletized hops directly to craft brewers. Starting in 2017, they've grown to 32 acres that produce 7 varieties of craft hops. The quality of their hops have gained nationwide notoriety with two Cascade Cup wins. Owners and farmers Chris and Audrey pride themselves on using sustainable practices, supporting a strong community, and creating true relationships that strengthen the craft beer supply chain.

Billy Goat Hop Farm is now open to the public with camping, tours, and ‘Fridays on the Farm’ events with live music and food trucks— a unique opportunity to drink beer made with hops grown on the farm, learn about hop farming and processing, and sleep next to hop bines with amazing views of the San Juan Mountains. Learn more at billygoathopfarm.com.