May Baskets of Beer

May Day, in my childhood, meant May baskets hung by my mother on our bedroom door while we sleep. Never were we clever enough to catch her and be rewarded with a kiss, as tradition holds, but were always pleasantly surprised to wake and find a spring basket full of goodies. This May Day brings a different kind of goodie, the adult kind, the kind Fort Collins is famous for…beer!

One of Fernweh’s most beloved breweries, Horse & Dragon Brewing, turns one on May 1st and they are celebrating all weekend! And the birthday “gifts” are in the form of tours, cupcakes, staff sing-a-longs (yep, you read that right), free H&D merchandise, and the return of the mind-blowing, mouthwatering, Maracuyá IPA! Trust me, I had this passion fruit IPA last year on opening day and it is worthy of the hype! One of our all-time favorites. Bonus, dogs welcome!

Now it is Fort Collins so don’t think that is the only beer event this month. We have America on Tap and Fort Love Brewers Jamboree for you beer fanatics! America on Tap, coming to us May 2nd in Downtown Fort Collins, just a quick bike ride from Fernweh, is “the first and only nationally integrated entertainment series dedicated to showcasing specialty and craft breweries from around the globe.” A unique opportunity to experience both local and global beers in one festive environment! Fort Love Brewers Jamboree, May 16th, offers a more intimate focus on the local craft beer scene and is a beer geek’s dream. This event aims to put the “craft” back in craft brewing. This family friendly happening focuses on tasting, education, and story sharing from local Loveland and Fort Collins brewers.

For those looking to add some dramatic flair and possibly a rendezvous with lady luck to their Fort Collins visit, this is the event for you. May 9th brings us the Moulin Rouge: A Benefit for Open Stage Theater. Set in the Montmartre District (think artsy and bohemian) of Paris in the early 1900’s, so dress accordingly. "This ravishing affair wouldn’t be complete without live entertainment from OpenStage Theatre and friends, decadent hors d’oeuvres, a stunning silent auction, raffle prizes, casino games, and joie de vivre for all!” What fun!

If you would rather spend your Saturday tinkering under the hood than at the theater, Fort Collins has something for you, too. William Rootes said “No other man-made device since the shields and lances of the knights quite fulfills a man's ego like an automobile.” If you agree and share the love of the automobile, round out the month of May with the Old Town Car Show! This free event for the automobile aficionados and admirers takes place on May 30th and features an array of vintage cars, hot rods, and classic trucks, all sure to get your motors running! Magnificent and grand cars of all ages line the streets of Old Town for your viewing pleasure so head on down, take it all in and make sure to have a look around Old Town while you are at it, there is much to be enjoyed in our quaint, beautiful heart of the city!

Whatever you do, we hope you delight in the splendid spring weather and the joys and good times Fort Collins has to offer! Happy May!

Photo courtesy of Nina Zietman