New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat to Stop in San Diego on September 27 for A Day of Bikes, Beer and Bemusement

Don’t miss this day of crazy costumes, New Belgium libations and local electronic dance trio, Beats Antique
 

Ft. Collins, Colo., September 5, 2014 – It’s the best way to celebrate the end of summer, complete with costumes, bikes, music, performers, contests and beer. New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat is coming to Golden Hill Park in San Diego, Calif. on Saturday, September 27, 2014. The daylong event is free, yet all donations and proceeds from beer and merchandise sales go to San Diego-area non-profits. In total the 2013 season raised nearly $536,000, with the San Diego stop bringing in more than $40,000. This year, all funds raised in San Diego will go to San Diego County Bicycle Coalition and San Diego Mountain Biking Association.

At Tour de Fat friends, family and neighbors are all invited to come enjoy eclectic entertainment, brewing education, a bicycle revival and even a fashion show of the best Tour de Fat costumes. In the afternoon, the stage heats up with the Bay Area-based headlining act, Beats Antique, which is an Electronica/World fusion dance trio. The trio is renowned for its outrageous live performances and creates a uniquely communal experience in the expression of their most recent album, A Thousand Faces. From choreography to costumes and the music itself, Tour de Fat festivarians are in for a wild ride. 

Before the acts take to the stages, Tour de Fat kicks off with a costumed bicycle parade that winds through city streets. The parade begins and ends in Golden Hill Park, where the rest of the day’s entertainment shines from musical acts to yo-yo performers, bike contests and even vaudeville acts. This year will also include some brewing education and feature a “Bicycle Revival” to inspire festivalgoers to believe in the power of two-wheeled transportation.

Throughout the day, kids of all ages can ride funky bikes in the bike corral, eat delicious fare, relax in the grass, and participate in games and activities such as a “Thousand Person Dance Contest,” which will determine the winner of a 2014 New Belgium Cruiser Bike. Everyone 21 and older can sample new and classic favorites from New Belgium. The main beer station will offer the brewery’s flagship beer, Fat Tire, and Ranger IPA, Tour de Fall, Snapshot Wheat and 1554 Black Lager. For those looking for more esoteric libations, the Lips Lounge will feature selections of the acclaimed Lips of Faith Series, including La Folie, Gruit Ale, Rampant Imperial IPA, Gratzer Ale, Carnie’s Blood and FoCollaboration.

“This is our 15^th year of Tour de Fat and it’s been an incredible journey. This really is one of the best ways to spend a Saturday – there isn’t much that can beat the fun that comes with dressing up, riding a bike, drinking beer, listening to music and just having a great day with old and new friends,” said Matt Kowal, New Belgium Brewing’s Tour de Fat Impresario. “There really is no excuse not to experience the magic yourself!”

Car-for-Bike Swap
This year, New Belgium will once again encourage one brave role model to step on stage to trade in his or her car keys and pledge to live car-free for one year. Each swapper is awarded a stipend to buy his or her own commuter bike. We’re now on the hunt for a swapper in San Diego. Car-for-Bike Swappers are chosen after submitting an application describing why they are ready to give up their vehicle for the gift of two wheels. To apply, visit: http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/san-diego.aspx.

Tour de Fat Details
Sign language interpreting will be provided at this year’s San Diego Tour de Fat!

Date:                                       
Saturday, September 27

Location:                               
Golden Hill Park

Registration:             
10:00 a.m.

Ride Times:                          
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Entertainment/Revivalation:                      
12:00 p.m. — Fashion! (Best Costumes of the Tour de Fat)
12:20 p.m. — The Reals Band (https://www.facebook.com/therealsband)
1:20 p.m. — The Slow Ride Race
1:40 p.m. — The Handsome Little Devils (http://handsomelittledevils.com)
2:30 p.m. — Car for Bike Trade
2:45 p.m. —Yo-Yo People (http://www.yoyoshow.com)
3:35 p.m. — 1,000 Person Dance Contest – winner receives a New Belgium cruiser bike!
4:00 p.m. — Beats Antique (http://beatsantique.com)
5:00 p.m. –– Finale

Benefitting:                           
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition (http://www.sdcbc.org)
San Diego Mountain Biking Association (http://www.sdmba.com)

Price: 
Admission – FREE!
Donations for non-profits are accepted
Beer – $5

Pre-Registration
You can pre-register and donate to receive a limited edition Tour de Fat license plate, bike light or sunglasses at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tour-de-fat-san-diego-registration-11454325195?ref=ebtn.

See https://www.facebook.com/TourDeFat?ref=br_tf for the Tour de Fat credo, schedules, videos and to submit an entry to swap your vehicle for a fancy new bicycle. For more on the San Diego stop, visit http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/san-diego.aspx.

About New Belgium Brewing Company 
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews nine year-round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.