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

Southwest Fresh Fest 2026:

The arrival of hop harvest season means fresh hop beer is back, and Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, Colorado, is preparing for another big celebration. The fifth annual Southwest Fresh Fest returns October 3, bringing breweries from across Colorado together to showcase beers made with hops harvested directly from the Billy Goat farm.

Now in its fifth year, Southwest Fresh Fest has grown into a distinctive celebration of the connection between farmers, brewers and beer drinkers. Rather than simply sampling finished beers, attendees can walk the hop farm, meet the people growing the ingredients and experience how freshly harvested hops make their way from bine to brew.

The 2026 festival will combine fresh hop beers with live music, local food, yard games, dancing and panoramic Western Colorado scenery. With 13 breweries pouring beers made with Billy Goat hops, plus ginger beer, wine and cider options, the event offers a full day of harvest-season fun for beer fans, families and dogs alike.

Here is the full announcement from Southwest Fresh Fest and Billy Goat Hop Farm:

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. 

Related Billy Goat Hop Farm news from mybeerbuzz.com:
MyBeerBuzz has been following Billy Goat Hop Farm as it has expanded its role in Colorado’s craft beer community. Previous coverage includes the fourth annual Southwest Fresh Fest at Billy Goat Hop Farm, the earlier Southwest Fresh Fest return, and the farm’s Down at the Hop Yard Campground and Fridays on the Farm, which brought camping, farm tours, beer and live music to the property. Together, these stories track Billy Goat’s evolution from hop farm to a destination connecting Colorado agriculture, craft brewing and beer tourism

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. 

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