Jay, VT – Jay Peak will have beans, brews and more on Saturday, Oct. 9, when the Vermont ski and snowboard resort resort premieres its first annual Bean and Brew Festival featuring a massive winter gear sale.nThe new fall fest is designed to be an international celebration as it will showcase the most flavorful coffees from either side of the border (the “Bean” portion of the event) as well as local beers from Hill Farmstead Brewery, Long Trail and Harpoon. Happening in the middle of it all will be the Jay Peak Ski Club’s huge ski sale with shops from New Hampshire and Vermont offering clearance deals on skis, boots, boards, bindings, poles and more.
The October 9th date was selected to coincide with the United States’ celebration of Columbus Day as well as the Canadian Thanksgiving.
“This is something new for Jay Peak,” remarked Steve Wright, the resort’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We looked around at all of the great coffee roasters from Vermont and Quebec and all of the phenomenal beer this state has to offer, and thought having an event that puts the spotlight on them would be a great way to celebrate the fall. And with winter close behind, we figured visitors would appreciate the opportunity to take advantage of clearance deals on skis, boards, and all kinds of gear to get ready for the coming season.”
Jay Peak’s Bean and Brew gets underway at 10 a.m., when the doors open to the ski sale and roasters begin pouring some of their best seasonal coffees. Brewers will open the taps at 11 a.m. and live music from Vermont’s own Copper Kettle will fill the air starting at 3 p.m. $12 will buy 10 draught tickets.
The ski and board sale, sponsored the Jay Peak Ski Club, will feature close to 500 pieces of gear. The “B&B” will be in Jay’s International Room, located beneath the resort’s aerial tram. Tram rides will be offered throughout the day.
To wrap things up the resort’s new Alice’s Table restaurant will be offering an Oktoberfest-themed buffet. Located in the Tram Haus Lodge, the buffet will open at 5 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. The all-you-can-eat dinner includes such Oktoberfest favorites as Geschnetzelte chicken, brats with sauerkraut, sauerbraten with gingersnaps gravy, pretzel bread, and more.
The 33rd Annual Jay Peak Arts and Crafts Fair, hosted by the Jay Peak Area Chamber of Commerce, will be happening on both Saturday and Sunday of the same weekend, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and featuring more than 40 artisans, food and drink, and live music. The arts and crafts fair will be held just down the road from the resort at the Degree Auction House in Westfield, Vt.