Steamboat Springs — Treat your palate to some Rocky Mountain brews this weekend.

Two events, the Suds N’ Grub craft beer-tasting stroll and the annual OktoberWest, will feature local and regional breweries in celebration of fall and all things craft beer.

“I think this is one of the top beer festivals that we do all summer,” said Rob Day, account manager for Butcherknife Brewing Co. “The amount that it has grown and the full weekend concept of it is incredible.”

Kicking off what has turned into a full weekend event, the Suds N’ Grub craft beer-tasting stroll will start at Schmiggity’s at 5:30 p.m. where patrons can purchase beer tokens and an OktoberWest tasting mug for $20 or buy five tokens for $5 in support of the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Steamboat Springs Young Professionals Network.

Beer lovers have a chance to visit 12 different establishments as they mingle, nibble and sample the local fare while strolling through downtown Steamboat.

“Colorado’s craft beer scene is definitely blowing up and adds to the already vibrant pull the state has,” said Matt Eidt, Young Professional Network board member and one of the organizers of the Suds N’ Grub stroll. “Also, I think people in general are more excited about Steamboat and what it has to offer.”

On Saturday, the popular OktoberWest will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. in Gondola Square along Burgess Creek featuring live music with local opener, Throwdown. and The Ben Miller Band as the headliner.

Adding another flavor of Colorado, the I Love Beef Cook-Off will give 12 local restaurants the same cut of beef brisket to concoct an original, signature dish. Each competitor will vie for best dish honors as patrons cast votes for their favorite.

Pouring over 80 variations and styles of beer from 43 tasting booths, the seventh annual OktoberWest will have more of the gold nectar than years past.

In addition to beer coming from all over the Rocky Mountain region, there be whiskey, a meadery and two cider distilleries featured.

But with so much beer in one place, a few “beer aficionados” have offered their advice for enjoying the festival to the fullest.

The Do’s and Don’ts of a Beer Fest

1.) “Pace yourself. That is always the number one rule, always.” Rob Day, account manager for Butcherknife Brewing Co.

2.) “Go outside your normal realm of beers you are used to, and checkout the new breweries on the scene that you may have never heard of.” Bug Stroop, director of marketing for Declaration Brewing

3.) “Don’t just get stuck on one style of beer, try different ones. For someone who may not like a porter usually, it could change your mind if you try a porter from a new brewery.” Rob Day, account manager for Butcherknife Brewing Co.

3.) “Talk to the brewers. They can help you understand what they are going for with the beer. Plus, it adds to the experience.” Dan Tullos, Steamboat local and avid beer connoisseur.

4.) “Follow your tastings with tastes of water.” Dimitri Brown, Steamboat local and avid beer connoisseur.

5.) “Taste lighter beers before “hop-ing” to a darker one.” Lucas Vondran, Steamboat local and avid beer connoisseur.

6.) “Stay away from drinking beers with high level brews, especially ones that are 7 percent and higher.” LaLa Cartmill, Steamboat local and avid beer connoisseur.

7.) “Don’t be afraid to pour out beers you don’t like. There are too many beers to try to fill up/get drunk on ones you just don’t like.” Tullos, Steamboat local and avid beer connoisseur.

To reach Audrey Dwyer, call 970-871-4229, email adwyer@ExploreSteamboat.com or follow her on Twitter @Audrey_Dwyer1