It’s like giddy children trading baseball cards in backyards across America. Beer buffs relish the ritual of trying on the latest micro-brew with their buddies, savoring every hoppy nuance and discussing the finest details.

On Saturday, the designated drinkers and educated sippers will descend upon Antlers Park downtown to attend the Springs Beer Fest. More than 50 breweries will start pouring at noon with Old Chicago, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, McCabe’s Tavern and Front Range BBQ, among others, serving up the eats throughout the day. The event will wrap up around 5 p.m.

“The Springs Beer Fest is all for charity,” said Sean Goodspeed, local event organizer and Old Chicago general manager at at 4110 N. Academy Blvd. “I think that is the coolest thing about it. Our festival supports a great cause and everything goes straight back to the community.”

Last year, the event raised about $22,000 and organizers are hoping to double-down in 2012. After the passing of Bristol Brewing Comany’s General Manager Josh Osterhoudt in February, organizers have presented the festival in his memory and with his wife Kristie taking part in choosing where the proceeds will go.

“This year our goal is to raise $40,000 for two local charities, UpaDowna and Friends of Cheyenne Canyon” said Angie Leach, community relations manager for CraftWorks Foundation, the non-profit arm of company that owns event sponsors Old Chicago and Rock Bottom.

Charity sets the event apart from other festivals, says Goodspeed. But in the end, it all comes back to rubbing elbows with friends and having a glass of chilled perfection in hand. Maybe that’s why Colorado has so many beer festivals.

“I think beer is such an accessible thing,” he said. “Beer really is an everyman’s drink these days because there are so many things you can do with it now. The appeal has become so broad.”

Leach concurred. “Our state is known as the Munich of the West. We produce more beer than any other state in the country,” she said. “The popularity of Great American Beer Festival, coupled with the craft brewing segment experiencing double digit growth the past few years, is driving the demand for festivals around the state.”

A sampler to the many options at the festival, we highlight five breweries and its featured beers that are sure to please this year. Be sure to tip the barkeep and, as always, drink responsibly.

Bristol Brewing Company1647 S. Tejon St., 633.2555, bristolbrewing.comSignature brews: Laughing Lab Scottish Ale, Beehive Honey Wheat and Compass IPA

What to expect at the festival: Yellow Kite Summer Pils and Red Rocket Pale Ale

Characteristics: The flavor of Yellow Kite is light and refreshing. The Pilsen barley lends a traditional malt component to Yellow Kite, while fine Czech and German hops add a nice snap. Red Rocket is lively and hoppy up front, with just enough malt flavor to balance the crisp finish.

Trinity Brewing Company1466 Garden of the Gods Road, 634-0029, trinitybrew.com

Signature brews: Flo IPA and Soul Horkey Ale

What to expect at the festival: Chi Belgian Pilsner and Soul Horkey Ale

Characteristics: The Chi Belgian Pilsner is traditional bottom fermented lager beer, but with the unusual twist of being super hopped with Belgian Styrian Goldings. This creates a spicy, dry profile. The Soul Horkey Ale showcases malts of caramel and chocolate. It is built to be a session beer for true malt heads.

Left Hand Brewing Company1265 Boston Ave., Longmont, 303 772-0258, lefthandbrewing.com

Signature brews: Sawtooth Ale and Milk Stout

What to expect at the festival: Polestar Pilsner and 400 Pound Monkey IPA

Characteristics: The Polestar Pilsner is a zesty, German style pilsner with a dry, crisp finish. The 400 Pound Monkey IPA smells like citrus hops and malts. The easy going IPA tastes mostly malty and has a dry hop presence. 

Odell Brewing Company800 East Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, 970 498-9070, odellbrewing.com

Signature brews: 90 Shilling Ale and Easy Street Wheat

What to expect at the festival: 90 Shilling Ale, St. Lupulin Extra Pale Ale and Odell India Pale Ale

Characteristics: Odell’s flagship beer, 90 Shilling is a lightened up version of a Scottish ale that is smooth, sweet upfront and malty with a delayed but lingering hop bitterness on the end. St. Lupulin is an Odell seasonal with bitterness that rides on a level that is noticeable but not tongue splitting. It has citrus notes with touch of mango and a slight yeastiness that works well with the hop profile. The IPA has a sweet malt body of caramel, grapefruit and banana citrus above a backbone of piney hops. It is well balanced with a lingering sweetness.

Avery Brewing Company5763 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303 440-4324, averybrewing.com

Signature brews: Avery India Pale Ale and Ellie’s Brown Ale

What to expect at the festival: Avery India Pale Ale and White Rascal Belgian Wheat

Characteristics: The Avery India Pale Ale is touted as Colorado’s hoppiest pale ale. It has a citrusy, floral bouquet with a rich, malty finish. White Rascal is an authentic unfiltered white ale spiced with coriander and Curaçao orange peel.

PARTICIPATING BREWERS

Complete list as of press time. THINK WE NEED FULL NAMES ON EACH. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

AC Golden Brewing Company

Alaskan Brewing Company

Angry Orchard

Avery Brewing Company

Blue Moon Brewing Company

The Boston Beer Company

Boulder Beer

Breckenridge Brewery

Bristol Brewing Company

MillerCoors

Del Norte Brewing Company

FireStone Walker Brewing Company

Gordon Biersch Brewing Company

Guinness & Company

Lagunitas Brewing Company

Left Hand Brewing Company

Leinenkugels Brewing Company

New Belgium Brewing Company

Odell Brewing Company

Oscar Blues Brewing Company

Peroni Brewery

Phantom Canyon Brewing Company

Pikes Peak Brewing Company

Pilsner Urquell Brewery

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

Ska Brewing Company

Tommyknocker Brewery

Trinity Brewing Company

Upslope Brewing Company