Denver Beer

Parade of Darks @ Wynkoop Brewing Company

2010-01-15T11:17:00.002-07:00

This Saturday, Wynkoop Brewing Company will be hosting a special event they're calling the Parade of Darks. Much like their Beers of the Year event a couple of weeks ago, they'll be tapping several rare brews and also featuring guest brewers. In total almost 40 "dark" beers (brown ales, porters, doppelbocks, stouts, dunkels, barleywines, dubbels, etc.) will be on tap. 4 oz samples are available for $1, or you can purchase unlimited samples for $25. Additionally, SOCIAL members will get a $5 discount.

Here's a partial beer list for the event:

Backcountry - Whiteout Barley Wine and Jack Frost Doppelbock
Boulder Beer - Planet Porter and Never Summer Ale
Breckenridge - Mighty Brown and Porter-Porter
Bull & Bush - To Be Determined
Dogfish Head - Indian Brown Ale and Palo Santo Marron
Dry Dock - Vanilla Porter
Great Divide - Yeti Imperial Stout, Old Ruffian Barley Wine, Oak-Aged Yeti, St. Bridget’s Porter, Hibernation
Jolly Pumpkin - To Be Determined
Left Hand - Fade to Black, Milk Stout, Imperial Stout
Lost Abbey - Devotion, Lost & Found, Inferno
Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot
Ska - Ten Pin Imperial Porter and Steel Toe Milk Stout
Stone - Black IPA and 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout
New Belgium - 1554 and Small-Batch Stout
Wynkoop Brewing - B3K Schwarzbier, Milk Stout, Coconut Milk Stout, Berserker Barrel-Aged Mead, Churchyard Scottish Ale

February is Stout Month at Mountain Sun

2010-01-12T20:15:00.002-07:00

Next month, the Mountain Sun Brewpub will be hosting it's 17th annual Stout Month at all three of it's locations (Mountain Sun, Southern Sun, and Vine Street Pub here in Denver). They'll be celebrating everyone's favorite winter beer by having no less than 12 of their own and 15 guest stouts on tap throughout the month. Additionally, Adam Boggs won this year's competition and will be brewing up his Mint Chocolate Stout at Mountain Sun. Can't wait to try all these beers!

Beer List for Mountain Sun Stout Month:
House Stouts:

Guest Stouts:

Stone Russian Imperial Stout
Belhaven Imperial Stout
Deschutes Imperial Stout (I'm not sure which one this is)
Avery The Czar Imperial Stout
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
Young's Double Chocolate Stout
Port Brewing Old Viscosity
Moylan's Dragoon Stout
Bear Republic Big Bear Stout
Victory Donnybrook Stout
Port Brewing Ryan Sullivan's Imperial Stout
Stone 12th Anniversary
Ska Brewing Steel Toe Milk Stout
Pumphouse Brewery Collaboration and more
Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper

Upcoming Events (Week of 1/10)

2010-01-11T11:59:00.003-07:00

This looks like a huge week for beer drinkers in the Denver area with several great events. It also looks like just about every brewer around has decided to release a new beer on Friday. It'll be almost impossible to try them all, but two that I know I won't miss are Great Divide's Barrel-Aged Yeti and the latest in Avery's Barrel-Aged series, Black Tot. Yeti is already one of my favorite Imperial Stouts and if this brew is anything like the Barrel-Aged Hibernation I had over Christmas, it'll be worth every penny of the $25 price tag. Black Tot is also a barrel-aged imperial stout, but Avery aged the beer in Gosling's Old Rum barrels rather than the more common whiskey barrels. I've never had a beer aged in rum barrels before, but the tasting notes say this adds "deep flavors of roasted dark malts, sweet rum, espresso and more subtle elements of brown sugar, molasses and vanilla." Can't wait to try it!

Beer events in the Denver area this week:

1st Annual Potluck Dinner @ Twisted Pine - 1/12, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Participants are to prepare dishes incorporating Twisted Pine. The dishes will then be judged by 3 local chefs with proceeds being donated to a local food organization.
This event is free if you prepare a dish or a $5 donation if you prefer just to eat. Sign up early as it will be capped at 20 dishes and 50 participants.

Barrel-Aged Yeti Release @ Great Divide, 1/15

A special release of Great Divide's Yeti Imperial Stout that has been aged for 9 months in Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey barrels. Like the brewery's two previous Barrel-Aged releases this will only be available at the tap room and select Colorado retailers in 750 ml bottles.

Mojo Risin' Roll-Out Party @ Boulder Beer Company - 1/15, 4:00pm

Boulder Beer is hosting a special tapping party for this year's batch of their Mojo Risin' Double IPA.

Papa Legba Release Party @ Trinity Brewing Company - 1/15, 5:00pm

Another new saison from this great brewpub in Colorado Springs. Pappy Legba was brewed with flaked maize and aged on a grip of pie cherries.

Firkin Friday @ Dry Dock Brewing - 1/15, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Black Tot Day @ Avery Brewing - 1/15, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

A special party for the 3rd beer in Avery's Barrel-Aged series. This is a limited one-time release and only around 300 cases will be available with a very limited distribution.
They'll also have 5 gallon kegs of unoaked, rye barrel, and bourbon barrel versions as well as Black Tot. $3 per taster

Parade of the Darks @ Wynkoop Brewing Company - 1/16, 1:00pm - 5:00pm

Featuring over 25 brown ales, porters, doppelbocks, stouts, dunkels, barleywines, dubbels, and other dark colored beers from Wynkoop and guest breweries including Lost Abbey, Left Hand, Stone, Boulder Beer, Great Divide, Back Country, Breckenridge, Bull & Bush, and New Belgium.
Attendees can purchase $1 tokens for a 4 oz sample or a $25 wrist band for unlimited samples.

If you know of any events I've missed or would like your event added please e-mail me: denverbrew@gmail.com

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 1/3)

2010-01-07T17:06:00.003-07:00

A relatively slow beer week continues in the Denver area with only two new releases. However, I've also added all the beers that came out during the two weeks I was on vacation. One that you definitely won't want to miss is Flying Dog's new Raging Bitch Belgian IPA. This special beer was brewed to celebrate the brewery's 20th Anniversary and features all the hops you'd expect from an American IPA, but with the addition of a Belgian yeast twist. If you can't find a six pack in town, it's also currently available on tap at the Rackhouse Pub.

Also today, the Rock Bottom Brewery on 16th Street will be giving away FREE BEER from 6:00pm to 6:30pm to celebrate the release of their new Salamander Amber. That's a price you can't beat and while you're there I recommend trying the oak aged Imperial Stout and Hop Bomb IPA. Both were excellent the last time I was there.

New beer releases in the Denver area this week:

Deschutes Red Chair Pale Ale (Seasonal)
Widmer W10 Black IPA (New)

Beer releases you might have missed:

Flying Dog Raging Bitch Belgian IPA (Limited Release)
Avery New World Porter (Seasonal)
Lagunitas Cappuccino Stout (Seasonal)
Avery Mephistopheles Stout (Seasonal)

Upcoming Events (Week of 1/3)

2010-01-04T09:52:00.003-07:00

Happy New Year, everyone! It looks like 2010 is going to get off to a slow start beerwise in Denver, but this weekend also marks the 10th Annual Big Beers, Belgians, and Barleywines Festival out in Vail. This is a huge event that will feature some of the biggest names in brewing and several brand new beers made just for the festival. A full listing of the events are available below, and it looks like it's not to be missed.

If you know of any events I've missed or would like your event added please e-mail me: denverbrew@gmail.com

Beer events in the Denver area this week:

American Sign Language Night @ Avery Tap Room - 1/5, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

Join Avery on the first Tuesday of each month for an ASL happy hour! Must be deaf or actively signing (or learning to sign!) to get the discount: $1 off pints.

Tenth Annual Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival @ Vail, CO - 1/7 - 1/9 (Tickets are $40 for the Saturday events pass and are available on their website)

Thursday, 7:30pm - Adam Avery, Brewmaster/Founder of Avery Brewing, and Sam Calagione, Founder/President of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, start the weekend off right with some incredible beers at our Calibration Dinner
Friday Late Morning, 8:30am - 12:00pm - The Cicerone Program with program creator Ray Daniels.
Friday Afternoon, 12:00pm - Welcome Reception - All About Beer Magazine provides you with the opportunity to taste all Commemorative Tenth Anniversary beers that have been created for Big Beers Weekend.
Friday Afternoon, 1:30pm - American Homebrewers Association-sanctioned Belgians, Barleywines and Strong Ales Homebrew Competition.
Friday Afternoon, 2:30pm - Ray Daniels will be administering the Certified Cicerone Exam to interested parties who have passed the online Certified Beer Server exam
Friday Evening, 8:00pm - Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Brewmasters’ Dinner
Saturday Morning, 10:00am - 12:00pm - White Labs Yeast Company presents an Experimental Brewing Seminar, titled “Brewing Outside of the Box: Brewers Gone Wild!”
Saturday Early Afternoon, 12:30pm - 1:30pm - International Featured Brewmaster, Lodewijk Swinkels of LaTrappe/ Bierbrouwerij Koningshoeven, will be speaking on a topic of his choice for an educational seminar
Saturday Afternoon, 1:30pm - 2:30pm - Colorado Featured Brewmaster, Peter Bouckaert of New Belgium Brewing Co., will be speaking on a topic of his choice for an educational seminar
Saturday Afternoon, 2:30pm - 7:00pm - Commercial Tasting portion of the Big Beers Festival featuring over 150 different commercially produced specialty beers from around the world.

Dry Dock Brewing Firkin Friday - 1/8, 3:00pm - 11:00pm

Winter Brew Fest & Boulder Beer Rave Tickets On Sale

2009-12-22T14:17:00.001-07:00

In addition to Avery's SourFest, tickets are now available for two more upcoming beer festivals in the Denver area. The first of these is the Winter Brew Fest on Friday, January 22nd at Mile High Station right here in town. It will feature beers tons of great breweries including Alaskan, Big Sky, Bristol, Del Norte, Fort Collins, Left Hand, Odell, Twisted Pine, Avery, Boulder Beer, Great Divide, Oskar Blues, Ska, Upslope, Wynkoop, Breckenrdige, Blue Moon, Flying Dog, Mountain Sun, Pyramid, Stone, and Sierra Nevada. Regular tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door for unlimited tastings and a souvenir glass, but they also have a VIP option for $10 more that includes admittance an hour early and a special beer & cheese pairing by Sierra Nevada and Avery.

Then just over a week later, Boulder Beer Company will be hosting their third annual Beer Rave on Saturday, January 30th. For just $25 you'll get to sample rare craft beer from around the country and they promise "this is NOT your typical Colorado beer festival." Tickets are on sale for $25 at their web store.

I'm about to head out of town for the next 10 days, so this might be my last post until next year. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Inaugural Boulder SourFest

2009-12-18T19:22:00.000-07:00

Avery Brewing in Boulder has recently announced that they will host a sour beer festival on February 27th (12:00pm - 5:00pm). The fest will feature at least 35 beers from some of the leading sour beer makers in the world. A preliminary list of all the brewers involved is expected next year, but I can confirm that all attendees will receive twenty 2oz. sample pours and a complimentary tasting snifter.

Advance tickets go on sale 12/22 at 8 AM on their website or at 12 PM on at the Avery Tap Room.

Special Releases On Tap @ Bull & Bush

2009-12-18T00:23:00.010-07:00

Attention Denverites! Go ahead and cancel whatever plans you may have had this weekend because something a lot better (probably) just came up. Starting this Friday, December 18th, the Bull & Bush brewpub will be reaching deep into their beer cellar and pulling out five aged beers for your drinking pleasure. This includes two of my favorites, the Legend of the Liquid Brian and Royal Oil. It'll be worth stopping by just to try those two and I'm sure the others will be excellent as well.

Special releases at Bull & Bush this weekend:

The Legend of the Liquid Brain Imperial Stout - 2008 Vintage

Aged in a used 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel

Royal Oil Barley Wine - 2008 Vintage

Aged in a used 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel

Pimp My Rye - 2007 Vintage

Aged in a Sazarac Rye Whiskey Barrel for 2 years

Yule Fuel - 2009 Vintage
Yule Fuel Lambic - 2004 Vintage

Aged in a French Oak Burgundy Barrel with Brettanomyces added

38th Anniversary Ale - 2008 Vintage

Belgian style Export Stout aged in a 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel with Italian Plums

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 12/13)

2009-12-17T09:07:00.004-07:00

With just a week till Christmas Eve the new beer list is far shorter than usual and I've already covered the only one of these that looks like standout, so I guess I'll use this post to talk about the blog. I'm currently trying to come up with some new ideas for future posts and was wondering what you, the readers, would like to see. I have a little poll on the right or you can just comment on this post. Additionally, I'll be going on another vacation next week, so posting may be sporadic until the new year.

New beer releases in the Denver area:

Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout (Seasonal)
Great Divide Barrel Aged Old Ruffian Barleywine (Limited Release) - More details here
Green's Gluten-Free Discovery Amber (New)
Leinenkugel's Fireside Nut Brown (Seasonal)

Breckenridge Announces Homebrew Contest Winner

2009-12-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

A couple of months ago Breckenridge Brewery announced that they would continue the recent industry trend of professional/homebrewer collaborations by holding a homebrew competition to determine their 20th Anniversary brew. Today, the brewery announced on FOX 31 News that winning beer was a French and Belgian style Saison from Jen and Greg Seitz of Denver. The couple only started homebrewing 8 months ago, so this is quite the accomplishment. You will be able to taste their winning beer sometime in mid-February at all the Breckenridge locations.

Great Divide Barrel-Aged Old Ruffian Release Details

2009-12-14T18:02:00.001-07:00

Great Divide released the 2009 version of their Barrel-Aged Old Ruffian Barleywine today at both their tap room and in area liquor stores. There are 1,188 bottles of this beer available and just like last month's Barrel-Aged Hibernation most of them will be distributed to Denver stores (the two bottles above were purchased at Argonaut). Each 750 ml bottle is retailing for $25 and I also believe there is a 2 per person limit at the tap room. The brewery expects to release the last of their barrel-aged beers (Yeti) in January.

From Great Divide:

The special release of our acclaimed hefty barely wine has been aged for nine months in Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey barrels. The process tempers Old Ruffian's edges for a mellowed version with heady whiskey flavors and subtle oak notes. Bottle conditioned, it'll age nicely for years. If you can resist it that long. 65-80 IBU's.

Upcoming Events (Week of 12/13)

2009-12-14T09:38:00.002-07:00

If you're anything like me, your wallet gets a bit thinner this time of year and the beer buying budget shrivels up. Luckily, Dry Dock Brewing is starting the gift giving a bit early with help from Joe's Dent Removal. This Wednesday, December 16th, you can head down to the brewery and get a free pint courtesy of Joe Griffith (owner of Joe's Dent Removal). Dry Dock will also be tapping a keg of their delicious Russian Imperial Stout and should have a special firkin on tap.

Other beer events in the Denver area this week:

The Society for the Pursuit of Hoppiness @ Avery Tap Room - 12/14, 6:00pm

Hop Lover Challenge - Contestants must first identify various hop strains in pellet form, and then identify those same hops when used to dry-hop a keg of Avery IPA. 1st place wins a $50 Avery gift certificate
Free for Society members, $15 for a lifetime Society membership

Great Divide Barrel-Aged Old Ruffian Release - 12/14 (I'll be posting more details about this later today)
Recession Relief Wednesday @ Dry Dock Brewing - 12/16, 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Sour Tapping Event @ Trinity Brewing Company - 12/16 (Looks like the moved the date on this one, still don't have many details)
Hop Disciples Meeting @ Great Divide Tap Room - 12/17, 6:00pm (RSVP to info@greatdivide.com)
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday @ The Tasty Weasel - 12/18, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday - 12/18, 3:00pm -11:00pm
Black Fox Hiver Saison Release @ Bristol Brewing - 12/18, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

A special holiday spiced beer

Special Tapping @ Avery Tap Room - 12/18, 5:00pm

They'll be tapping at 3 year old keg of Samael's Oak Aged Ale at 5:00 sharp.

If you know of any events I've missed or would like your event added please e-mail me: denverbrew@gmail.com

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 12/6)

2009-12-10T11:21:00.001-07:00

The seasonal beers are back in a big way this week and just in time for the Christmas holiday. California heavyweights Stone, Lost Abbey, and Port have all sent new winter beers to Denver that you won't want to miss. Lost Abbey's Gift of the Magi is a big Golden Ale inspired by the story of the Three Kings using the bark of Frankincense and a little bit of Myrrh. Stone's Special Holiday Ale is a collaboration with Nøgne Ø and Jolly Pumpkin that was brewed with chestnuts, juniper berry, white sage, and caraway seed (Check out Chipper Dave's review of last year's version here). Port Brewing's Santa's Little Helper is one of my favorite imperial stouts and it is so flavorful that I have difficulty describing it. That could be because it's brewed with “everything but the kitchen sink.” This great beer was also on tap at Falling Rock last weekend, so head down there for a taste.

Additionally, Tommyknocker's The Legend Oaked Brown Ale (covered here) has started showing up on liquor store shelves in the area. I believe only 1,500 bottles were produced, so get it while you can.

New retail beer releases in the Denver area:

Anderson Valley Winter Solstice (Seasonal)
Breckenridge Christmas Ale Hand Numbered 1 liter bottles (Limited Release)
Del Norte Luminaria (Seasonal)
Lost Abbey Gift of the Magi (Seasonal)
Nøgne Ø/Stone/Jolly Pumpkin Special Holiday Ale (Seasonal)
Port Santa's Little Helper (Seasonal)
Tommyknocker The Legend (Limited Release)
AC Golden Herman Joseph's Private Reserve (New)
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti (Seasonal)
Great Divide Old Ruffian Barleywine (Seasonal)
Boulevard Harvest Dancer Wheat Wine (Limited Release)

New Oaked Beer from Tommyknocker

2009-12-09T08:44:00.005-07:00

Tommyknocker Brewery in Idaho Springs has just announced a new oaked beer for their 15th anniversary on December 12th. The brewery has been developing The Legend for over a year and it will be an oaked nut brown ale (10% abv). I'm assuming this is a new take on their already great Imperial Nut Brown Ale, so it should be delicious. Brewmaster Steve Indrehus used toasted Hungarian Oak in this beer with Crystal, Munich, and Chocolate malts, a little pure maple syrup, and a blend of American hops. In the press release, Indrehus says he "used oak in this brew as an ingredient rather than just an aging vessel. Utilizing this technique has really brought out notes of spiced vanilla as well as hints of smoky biscuit, harmonized with black pepper and coffee overtones." I'm not sure when it will be hitting stores, but it will be available in 375ml wax dipped bottles so keep your eyes open.

Upcoming Events (Week of 12/6)

2009-12-07T09:09:00.002-07:00

This week is looking like another special one for beer drinkers in the Denver area with several events you won't want to miss. The highlights include Oskar Blues' 7th CANiversary where they'll be debuting a brand new seasonal, a Holiday Beer Dinner at the Wynkoop featuring 4 courses and 6 great Colorado beers, and the 2009 release of Avery's monstrous Mephistopheles Stout (16% abv!) complete with a 4 year vertical tasting. However, the one event I definitely won't be missing is Twisted Pine's release party for their new sour ale. I'm a huge fan of sour beers and I've enjoyed most of the speciality releases the brewery has put out recently, so I'm expecting great things. They'll only have two kegs on for the initial release and they will surely go quick, but I've been told that it will be released again in 7 months on tap and in 750 ml bottles. Can't wait to try it!

Upcoming beer related events in the Denver area:

Great Divide Brewmaster's Dinner @ Beatrice and Woodsley - 12/8, 6:00pm ($50 per person, RSVP at (303) 777-3505)
Oskar Blues 7th CANiversary Party @ The Barn in Lyons - 12/9, 5:00pm - 10:00pm

Oskar Blues will have live music, food, and specialty brews on tap. Additionally, they'll be announcing a new seasonal beer and you'll have the opportunity to hand can your own beer to bring home with you.

Holiday Beer Dinner @ Wynkoop Brewery - 12/10, 6:30pm ($35 per person, RSVP at 303-297-2700)

4 courses paired with 6 winter beers. Featuring selections from AC Golden, Breckenridge, Dry Dock, Great Divide, Odell and the Wynkoop.

Oskar Blues Firkin Friday - 12/11, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday - 12/11, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Sour Brown Ale Release Party @ Twisted Pine - 12/11, 3:00pm - 9:00pm

Twisted Pine's first sour beer is a brown ale that was brewed with special strains of yeast and has been barrel-aged.

Mephistopheles' Stout Release and Vertical Tasting @ Avery Tap Room - 12/11, 5:00pm-8:00pm ($15 for 5 tasters of your choice)

Four consecutive years of Mephistopheles on tap (2006-2009)
A keg of Straight Outta Hell will be on tap (50% Mephistopheles, 50% Out of Bounds with Coffee)

Sour Tapping Event @ Trinity Brewing Company - 12/12

I don't have many details on this one yet, but it's supposed to feature some of the best sour beers from around the world.

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/29)

2009-12-04T16:09:00.002-07:00

It looks like we're in for a great new release week in Denver coming off the Thanksgiving holiday. For the first time in a while, we're getting new releases that aren't seasonals! You'll definitely want to be on the lookout for the Sam Adams Barrel Room collection brews (covered here). Denver is one of 4 locations to get these beers and after trying the American Kriek I can assure you they're worth the $9.99 price tag. Definitely my favorite offerings from Sam Adams.

Another "can't-miss" beer is Boulevard's Bourbon Barrel Quad. This is the latest release in their Smokestack Series and it sounds fantastic. The brewers aged an abbey-style quadrupel in various oak barrels for up to a year then carefully blended them together. The end result has "very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore."

Oh and a collaboration beer from two little breweries in California and Delaware has finally reached Denver. Only a limited number of bottles of Life & Limb (from Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada, in case you didn't figure that out) were sent to Colorado, and from what I understand they are going quick. In fact, some stores aren't even putting it on shelves, so be sure to ask an associate wherever you shop. If you miss out on a bottle though there is always the tapping party at Falling Rock tonight!

New beer releases in the Denver area this week:

Birrificio Montegioco Demon Hunter (New)
Birrificio Montegioco Draco (New)
Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quad (Limited Release)
Goose Island Pere Jacques (New)
Sam Adams Barrel Room American Kriek (Limited Release)
Sam Adams Barrel Room New World Tripel (Limited Release)
Sam Adams Barrel Room Stony Brook Red (Limited Release)
Southampton Cuvee des Fluers (New)
Sierra Nevada/Dogfish Head Life & Limb (New/Rare)

Oskar Blues Beer Tasting @ Lukas Liquor

2009-12-04T07:40:00.001-07:00

This week's tasting at Lukas Liquor in Lone Tree will feature beers from the Oskar Blues Brewery including their amazing Ten FIDY Imperial Stout (the best beer you'll ever have from a can). As usual, the event will take place from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and a representative from the brewery will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Oh and on your way back to Denver don't forget to stop at The Rackhouse Pub and try the Stranahan's Whiskey Barrel-Aged version of Ten FIDY. It's a rarity that you won't want to miss.

Oskar Blues beers available for tasting:

Mama's Little Yella Pilsner

This German-style Pilsner (Lager), is the perfect antidote to the mass produced, cornfed versions of an American light lager. This sessionable brew has a big malt backbone and a clean crispness that lends to superior drinkability.

Dale's Pale Ale

Dale's Pale Ale is Oskar Blues' flagship beer and America's first hand-canned craft beer. It's an assertive but deftly balanced beer (somewhere between an American pale ale and an India Pale Ale) brewed with hefty amounts of European malts and American hops.

Old Chub Scotch Ale

Old Chub is a Scottish strong ale brewed with hearty amounts of seven different malts, including crystal and chocolate malts, and a smidge of US and UK hops. Old Chub also gets a dash of beechwood-smoked grains imported from Bamburg, Germany, home of the world's greatest smoked beers. Equivalent to a lightly smoked single malt scotch, or your favorite dark chocolate.

Ten FIDY Imperial Stout

This ridiculously big Imperial Stout is immensely vicious and loaded with neck-deep flavors of chocolate, malt, coffee, cocoa and oats. It's the beer equivalent of decadently rich milkshake made with malted-milk balls and Heaven’s best chocolate ice cream. Ten FIDY is about 10% ABV and is made with enormous amounts of two-row malts, chocolate malts, roasted barley, flaked oats and hops. Its huge-but-comforting flavors hide a whopping 98 IBUs that are deftly tucked underneath the beer’s mountains of malty goodness.

Dry Dock Brewing's First Bottled Beer

2009-12-03T11:53:00.004-07:00

Tomorrow, December 4th, Dry Dock Brewing (GABF winner for Small Brewery of the Year) in Aurora will release their first bottled product onto the public. The Immolator Doppelbock was the winner of last Saturday's HO HO HO Slapdown (a competition between three Dry Dock brewers) holding off the Three Heavy Scotch Ale and Vixen's Cherry Ale in heated race. The winning beer is a big, malty lager (8.3% abv) that was bottled on Monday, labeled today, and will be available in the brewery tomorrow. Talk about a quick turnaround!

The 22 oz bottles will retail for $13 and will also be available at Chambers Wine & Liquor in Aurora.

Upcoming Events (Week of 11/29)

2009-12-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the lack of updates, I went on vacation during the holidays and have just been getting back into the groove of things. I plan on resuming my normal posting schedule next week, but here is a quick post with a few events coming up this weekend that should tide you over. The highlight looks to be the release party that Falling Rock is hosting this Friday, December 4th, for the new Dogfish Head/Sierra Nevada collaboration, Life & Limb. This dark heavy weight (10% abv) supposedly defies all style guidelines and is a unique rarity. It is a true joint effort between the two renowned breweries using pure maple syrup from the Calagione family farm (Sam Calagione is owns Dogfish Head) in Massachusetts and estate barley grown on the Grossman "farm" (Ken Grossman is Sierra Nevada's founder) at the brewery in Chico, CA. Additionally, Falling Rock will have Limb & Life on tap tomorrow. This is a low gravity (5% abv) session beer brewed using the second runnings of Life & Limb. It's only available on tap, so this may be your only chance to try it in the Denver area.

Upcoming events in the Denver area:

Dry Dock Firkin Friday - Anthony's Milk Stout - 12/4, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday @ Tasty Weasel - 12/4, 5:00pm
Life & Limb Draught Release Party @ Falling Rock Tap House - 12/4, 5:0ppm
Edge City Christmas Ale Release Party @ Bristol Brewing - 12/4, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/15)

2009-11-20T16:08:00.001-07:00

Another solid new beer week in the Denver area with 4 seasonal beers hitting the market plus a new limited release from Odell. I've already covered Left Hand's Fade to Black here and Odell's Woodcut No. 3 here and both are worthy purchases, but you won't want to miss out on Left Hand's other seasonal offering, Widershins Barleywine. This is the latest release in the brewery's Big Mo' series of specialty beers, and if the others are any indication, it will not disappoint. Left Hand has been aging a batch of the barleywine in Heaven Hill brandy barrels since April and then blended it with an un-aged batch to create the perfect balance. It sounds fantastic.

From Left Hand Brewing:

Counter clockwise to the traditional American style barleywine, we designed this beer to be rounder & smoother than some less refined versions. Full of caramel and malt flavors, yet balanced with a variety of different hop varieties all vying for your attention. Oak aging and sparing use of speciality malt add complexity to this already deep beer. Pairs with cerebal after-dinner conversation.

New beers available in the Denver area this week:

Boulder Beer Never Summer Ale (Seasonal)
Full Sail Wreck the Halls (Seasonal)
Left Hand Fade to Black (Seasonal)
Left Hand Widershins (Seasonal)
Odell Woodcut No. 3 (Limited Release)

The Abyss Tapping Party @ Olde Towne Tavern

2009-11-19T09:57:00.003-07:00

Tonight, Old Towne Tavern in Littleton will be hosting a tapping party for Deschutes' highly rated imperial stout, The Abyss (previously covered here). Samples are free, so you won't want to miss out. The details are below.

Meteor Shower Porter Release @ Twisted Pine

2009-11-18T13:27:00.001-07:00

On Friday, November 20th, Twisted Pine Brewing will unveil a new limited release beer, Meteor Shower Porter, at their Boulder tap room. The new beer is a Belgian-style dark ale that checks in at 10% abv and was brewed with blackstrap molasses and honey. If you were at the Northstar Vertical Tasting a few weeks ago then you've already tried this one, but for the rest of you, get up to Boulder quick because only a small quantity was brewed and when it's gone, it's gone forever.

Woodcut No. 3 Release Party @ Falling Rock Tap House

2009-11-17T14:15:00.001-07:00

This Friday, November 20th, Falling Rock Tap House will be hosting a party for the third release in Odell Brewing's acclaimed Woodcut series (the first in the series was voted one of the top 25 beers of 2008 by Draft Magazine). Woodcut No. 3 is a limited edition crimson ale that was aged in virgin oak barrels to add complexity and flavor. It sounds excellent and this is a great opportunity to try it out at an affordable price.

Things will kick off at 5:00pm and 3 oz tasters will be available for $5 each. Woodcut No. 2 will also be available for side-by-side comparisons. Additionally, a representative from the brewery will be on hand to discuss the brews and answer any questions you may have.

From Odell Brewing:

For Woodcut No. 3, brewers artfully combined Crystal, Cara, and Munich malts to create a pleasant sweetness and an appealing red color. Hints of caramel, raisin, and toasted almonds are balanced by delicate hop flavors, and the beer's distinct oak aroma enhances the finish. Woodcut No. 3 is a perfect pairing for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

Barrel-Aged Hibernation Release Details

2009-11-17T08:30:00.003-07:00

Great Divide released the 2009 version of their Barrel-Aged Hibernation yesterday at both their tap room and in area liquor stores. Only 492 bottles of this beer were brewed and only 24 cases are available at the brewery. The rest is being distributed to Denver area liquor stores (I know Argonaut already has a few bottles). Due to the small number of bottles available at Great Divide they've decided to stagger the release to allow everyone a fair chance at getting some. The plan is for 2 cases (just 24 bottles!) to be made available each day until they're all gone on Saturday, November 21st. There is a 2 per person limit and each 750 ml bottle is retailing for $25. The brewery expects to release two other barrel-aged beers (Old Ruffian and Yeti) in November and December, respectively.

From Great Divide:

Last winter we took our Hibernation Ale and set it to age in Stranahan's Whiskey barrels. This fall we hand filled 492 750mL champagne-style bottles and set them aside to bottle condition. Once they were ready to drink, our packaging technicians hand labeled and hand foiled each and every bottle. We finished off the process by hand numbering each bottle

Upcoming Events (Week of 11/15)

2009-11-16T09:55:00.002-07:00

This week there are several beer dinners, tastings, and release parties in the Denver area, but only one that you definitely won't want to miss as Avery Brewing celebrates 10 years of making their Belgian Quad, The Reverend, with the "beer dinner of the decade" this Friday, November 20th. Chris Blackwood, Executive Chef with the Big Red F Restaurant group, prepared a special Belgian-inspired five-course meal for the event and it will be served with a ten-year vertical tasting of The Reverend! Adam Avery will also be on hand, and in addition to the ten year vertical, he'll be presenting several other rarities from the Avery cellar. They will also tap a firkin of Avery IPA, dry-hopped with a pound of centennial hops. Only 60 tickets are available, so get them while you can. Advance tickets are available at their web store.

Upcoming events in the Denver area:

Great Divide Beer Dinner @ Argyll Gastro Pub - 11/16, 7:00pm ($45 per person, Call 720-382-1117 for reservations)
Grimm Brothers Brewhouse Tasting @ The Pour House Bar & Grill - 11/17, 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Oskar Blues One-of-A-Kind Keg Tapping @ Tasty Weasel - 11/17, 5:00pm
Baker St. Pub & Grill Beer Dinner - 11/17 ($40 per person, Call 720-974-9490 for reservations)
Homebrewers & Collectors Support Group @ Avery Tap Room - 11/18, 6:00pm - 8:00pm ($5 cover)
Avery Beer Dinner @ Carellis - 11/18, 6:30pm ($40 per person, Call 303-938-9300 for reservations)
Left Hand Beer Tasting @ Proto’s Denver - 11/19, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Hop Disciples Meeting @ Great Divide Tap Room - 11/19, 6:30pm
Old #23 Barleywine Release Party @ Bristol Brewing - 11/20, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday - 11/20, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday @ Tasty Weasel - Cranberry Pilsner - 11/20, 5:00pm
A Decade of Decadance: 10 Years of The Reverend Belgian Quadrupel @ Avery Tap Room - 11/20, 6:30pm - 9:30pm ($60 per person)
Left Hand Beer Dinner @ The Empire Lounge - 11/21, 6:30pm - 8:30pm ($40 per person)

Barrel-Aged Hibernation on sale Monday

2009-11-13T13:38:00.001-07:00

The 2009 vintage of Great Divide's Barrel-Aged Hibernation Ale will be going on-sale this Monday, November 16th! It will be available in 750 mL bottles (~$25 each) at the brewery's tap room and in several Denver area liquor stores. This is an extremely rare beer with only about 500 bottles produced each year, so if you miss it you'll have to wait until next year!

Extreme Winter Beer Tapping @ Trinity Brewing Company

2009-11-13T13:14:00.001-07:00

Trinity Brewing Company in Colorado Springs just released the beer list for their Extreme Winter Beer Tapping Party on November 28th and it looks amazing. Featuring no less than 19 rare and seasonal beers from around the country including two specialties brewed by Trinity themselves, it looks like a can't-miss event and the perfect way to celebration the Thanksgiving holiday.

Extreme Winter Beer Tapping Beer List:

Beast - Avery Brewing (Boulder, Colorado). One of the strongest beers ever brewed in Colorado! Avery's reputation on this beer proceeds itself. Age and a light oxidation give this monster ale aromatic notes remarkably similar to a respectable port wine. Lots of flavors throughout this Grand Cru' of caramel, butter toffee, cherries, raisins, and citrus. 15.0% ABV; Brewer Steve Breezley.
Bourbon Strike Stout - Rockyard Brewing Co (Castlerock, Colorado). The formidable house brewed stout from our northern friends is aged on a single small batch bourbon barrel for three months. The result is a well balanced marriage of stout and spirit featuring: a boosted alocohol level, notes of bourbon caramel intertwined with dark malt, vanilla, and oak. 8.5% ABV; Brewer, Jim Stinson.
Bully Porter - Boulevard Brewing (Kansas City, MO). Fresh to Colorado, this highly respected brewery has finally released its porter to our high mountain country. Rich in dark malts, hints of cocoa, and coffee. This beer is then keg conditioned for a natural carbonation and a silky texture. 5.2% ABV, Brewer Steve Mills.
Christmas Ale - Anchor Steam (San Francisco, CA). Anchor produces a single batch of the country's most famous winter seasonal annually. The entertaining fact about this warming ale is the fact that they spicing is changed every batch! We never know exactly what to expect! 5.5% ABV; Brewer, Fritz Maytag.
Czar - Avery (Boulder, Co). One of the three "Imperial Series" beers from Avery. This Imperial Stout is extremely hoppy for the style. It pours black and thick with notes of coffee, chocolate, and hints of age. 11.0% ABV; Brewer, Steve Breezley.
Delirium Noel - (Brouwerij Huyghe, Melle Belguim). A mysterious, strong, and dark Belgian spiced ale. What do we know about this beer ? NOT MUCH! But, we do know it's very tastey and extremely hard to find. We feel very fortunate to have landed a 5 gal to pour on site. 9.00% ABV; Brewer, N/A.
Dragoons Dry Irish Stout - Moylan's (Navoto CA). Aromatically strong with roasted malts, notes of cocoa, and hints of leafy hops. Mouth feel of this stout is large, color is black with a tan head, and finish is dry. 5.00% ABV; Brewer, Denise Jones.
Fade to Black - Left Hand (Longmont, Co). A brand new annually brewed rotating dark winter beer. This year's batch is somewhat of a hybrid between an Import Stout and an Imperial Stout. It's big, well balanced with hops, and extremely roasty. 8.5% ABV, Brewer Joe Schiralde.
Jubelale - Deschutes (Bend, Or). A winter warmer from the northwest coast. Amber in color and thick in malt flavor. Very bready with a heavy body. A rare beer to see on tap in Colorado. 6.7% ABV, Brewer, NA.
Old Jubilation - Avery (Boulder, Co). Old school winter warmer first brewed WAY back in the 1990's. Similar to an English strong ale by palate. Very malty with large caramel backed by light roast and chocolate. 8.00% ABV, Brewer Steve Breezley.
Life and Limb - Dogfish Head/Sierra Nevada (Milton, DE and Chico, CA). A collaborative beer dedicated to the family of beer drinkers and enthusiasts worldwide who continue to support the little guys, iconoclasts, entrepreneurs, and pioneers who risk life and limb to shape the vibrant craft-brewing community. Life & Limb is a 10% ABV strong beer that defies style characteristics-brewed with pure maple syrup from the Calagione family farm in Massachusetts and estate barley grown on the Grossman "farm" at the brewery in Chico. The beer is alive with yeast-a blend of both breweries' house strains-bottle conditioned for added complexity and shelf life, and naturally carbonated with birch syrup fresh from Alaska; it is the first beer we know of ever to use birch syrup in the brew. 10% ABV; Brewers, Sam Calgione and Ken Grossman.
Never Summer - Boulder Beer (Boulder, Co). A dark red winter seasonal ale hailing from Colorado's very first microbrewery. Very sweet caramel with underlying notes of roast and chocolate. The perfect beer for a cold day. 6.60% ABV; Brewer, Steve Trese.
Noel Farmhouse - Trinity Brewing (Colorado Springs, Co). Brewed with brown sugar, garam masala, pumpkin, white sage, coriander, and grains of paradise. This version of our seasonally rotating Saison tastes like liquid Thanks Giving .... If you were in Belgium that is! 6.5% ABV; Brewer, Jason Yester.
Nut Cracker - Boulevard (Kansas City, Mo). A deep hazy orange hued brew, which is a little fruity as it warms up from elements of noticeable citrus hops. Surprisingly full bodied for its appearance. 6.6% ABV, Brewer Steve Mills.
Old #23 Barleywine - Bristol Brewing (Colorado Springs, Co). A very special tapping indeed J. We're not sure who is aware of this but our Brewer/Owner worked at Bristol for a decade before starting Trinity, and 11 years ago Old#23 was his first commercially crafted beer. Historically , the first bottled barley wine in the state of Colorado. It's recipe changes each year it is brewed. It is always big, chewy, malty, hoppy, and very warming. 9.6% ABV. Brewer, Joe Hull.
Old Winter Ale - Fullers (Chiswick, London). Hailing all the way from England this frothy mahogany beige capped beer is truly food for the soul. Nutty, fruity, floral, and traditional. 5.30% ABV; Brewer, NA.
Shiner Holiday Cheer - Spoetzl Brewing (Shiner, TX). A copper winter brew with notes of pecans, overripe peaches, and brown sugar. The light hop presence gives this ale a dry finish making it quite refreshing and quite sessionable. 5.40% ABV, Brewer NA.
Slap Your Mammy - Trinity Brewing (Colorado Springs, Co). Our very first Double IPA! Accidentally brewed stronger than planned, this beer quickly became our fastest selling seasonal ever. Boiled 125 minutes and bittered to 125 IBU's with 8 hop varietals, this beer is literally one of the hoppiest beers on the planet. 10.5% ABV; Brewer, Jason Yester.
Wreck the Halls - Full Sail (Portland, OR). A nice alternative to all the malt bomb winter beers. This complex orange ale features piney and citrus notes supported well with a toasty malt backbone. Very balanced and very drinkable. 6.5% ABV; Brewer Amigo Paul.

Fort Collins Brewing Tasting @ Lukas Liquors

2009-11-13T10:40:00.002-07:00

This week's tasting at Lukas Liquors in Littleton will feature beers from the Fort Collins Brewing Company including their seasonal Double Chocolate Stout. As usual, the event will take place from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and a representative from the brewery will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

FCB beers available for tasting:

Double Chocolate Stout

The most decadent creation ever to be conjured in the Fort Collins brewhouse. Deep, roasty flavors, rich chocolate nose, coffee undertones and impeccable balance are the result of imperializing an already flawless brew. Perfect way to put a smile on your face on a dreary day. No chocolate was harmed in the making of this delicious aphrodisiac.

Retro Red Ale

This banshee of a red ale is a looker, and a taster. English crystal malts create a toasty, nutty flavor and medium body as Tettnang hops produce an assertive, yet balanced hop presence. Retro Red is a tantalizing treat for your taste-buds, and your eyes.

Rocky Mountain IPA

An I.P.A. by definition is liberally hopped, and higher in alcohol. Rocky Mountain I.P.A. was made by being dry-hopped for an intense floral aroma, and a generous helping of malt was added to create a backbone stable enough to support the characteristic bitterness of the beer.

Z Smoked Amber Lager

Rauchbier (smoked beer) dates back to the 1500's in Bamberg, Germany when malt was often dried over the flames of a beechwood fire. Z Lager was crafted to be smoky and palatable. Slight caramel undertones and a bright amber color compliment the lingering smoke flavors. Perfect companion to a good meal.

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/8)

2009-11-13T09:01:00.003-07:00

This week brings us another huge new beer list in the Denver area with several big name seasonal releases. As I discussed yesterday, the list is anchored by Deschutes' amazing The Abyss imperial stout. However, there are other rarities worth checking out including Boulder Beer Company's Killer Penguin and The Bruery's Two Turtle Doves. Killer Penguin is a barleywine that has over twice the malt of other seasonal beers and checks in at a big 10% abv. According to the blurb on Rate Beer, it's also already been aged for 6 months, so it should be drinking great right away. Meanwhile, Two Turtle Doves is the second beer in The Bruery's Twelve Beers of Christmas series and it's a Belgian dark ale that was brewed with toasted pecans and cocoa nibs. That sounds perfect for the holidays, but it's also suitable for aging for up to 10 years so you might want to pick up a couple of bottles.

New beer releases in the Denver area:

Deschutes The Abyss (Seasonal)
Anchor Our Special Ale 2009 (Seasonal)
Belhaven Scottish Stout (New)
Blue Moon Grand Cru (New/Seasonal)
Boulder Beer Killer Penguin (Seasonal)
Dogfish Head Chicory Stout (Seasonal)
Dogfish Head Burton Baton (Limited Release)
Koningshoeven La Trappe Isid'or (Limited Release)
Moylan's White Christmas (Seasonal)
Rockyard Bourbon Barrel Stout (Seasonal)
The Bruery Two Turtle Doves (Seasonal/Limited Release)
St. Bernadus Christmas (Seasonal)
Victory Yakima Twilight (Seasonal)

The Abyss appears in Denver

2009-11-12T08:49:00.002-07:00

Another great seasonal release arrives in the Denver area this week as the 2009 version of the Deschutes Brewery's highly acclaimed imperial stout, The Abyss, has begun showing up on shelves. Part of the brewery's fantastic Reserve Series, this is one of my favorite stouts and given it's high ratings on the review sites (100 on Rate Beer and A+ on Beer Advocate) I'm not alone. Unfortunately, it's also a limited release that will definitely not be around long. Additionally, the beer will only improve with age and Deschutes recommends picking up a couple of bottles to try one now and cellar one for the future, so stock up while you can.

From Deschutes Brewery:

The Abyss: Stout brewed with licorice and molasses with 33% aged in oak and oak bourbon barrels. It’s dark. It’s deep. It’s mysterious. Aged in French Oak and Bourbon barrels, this special brew has immeasureable depth inviting you to explore and discover its rich, complex profile. The flavor of molasses and licorice draw you in further and further with each sip. The Abyss beckons. Enjoy the journey.

Upcoming Events (Week of 11/8)

2009-11-09T10:06:00.003-07:00

After all the events this past Saturday, this week seems like a relatively tame one for beer drinkers. The highlight looks to be Friday night's Fade to Black release party at the Left Hand tap room up in Longmont. The first in a new series replacing their Snow Bound Spiced Ale, Fade to Black is a Export/Foreign Stout that weighs in at a hefty 8.5% abv. Perfect for a cool winter night. It's about a 40 minute drive from Denver, but it should be worth it to get an early taste of the brewery's latest offering.

Tasting Notes from Left Hand Brewing:

Pours black with licorice, espresso beans, mollassses, and black cardamom notes that give way to a feeling of self loathing, burnt opportunities, and smoked relationships.

Other beer events in the Denver area this week:

Oskar Blues one-of-a-kind Keg Tapping @ Tasty Weasel - 11/10, 5:00pm
Elysian Pumpkinfest @ Falling Rock Tap House -11/10, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday - 11/13, 3:00pm -11:00pm
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday @ Tasty Weasel - Dry Hopped Dale's Pale Ale - 11/13, 5:00pm
Fade to Black Release Party @ Left Hand Brewing - 11/13, 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Oskar Blues Beer Dinner @ Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House - 11/13 ($65, Call (303)796-0100 for reservations)
Cask Ale @ Bristol Brewing - 11/14, 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Colorado Cheese Festival @ Embassy Suites Denver Tech Center - 11/14, 10:00am - 6:00pm ($20 for General Admission, $79 for All Day Pass) - Featuring beer from Great Divide

Vine Street Pub approved to brew

2009-11-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, the Denver City Council unanimously voted to approve a request to change the zoning regulations at Vine Street Pub to allow brewing on the premises. All that remains is for Mayor John Hickenlooper to sign off on the request, which could be done as early as today.

Vine Street is the Denver branch of the Mountain Sun brewpub chain (along with Mountain Sun and Southern Sun in Boulder) and the change will allow them to increase production to 3,500 barrels annually with future plans to expand to 5,000-6,000. They hope to have the Denver pub brewing within a year with the plan being for Vine Street to brew their eight year-round offerings, Southern Sun to handle small-batch beers, and Mountain Sun to focus on experimental beers.

It sounds like this change will be beneficial for both Mountain Sun and the Denver craft beer scene, so I hope it goes through without a hitch.

Odell Brewing Tasting @ Lukas Liquors Today

2009-11-06T09:19:00.004-07:00

Today, November 6th, Lukas Liquor in Lone Tree will be hosting a special Odell Brewing beer tasting from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. This week they'll be sampling four great beers including Odell's seasonal Isolation Ale and their brand new Mountain Standard Reserve. This is the perfect opportunity to try new beers at a great price, FREE!

These four Odell offerings will be available for tasting:

Isolation Ale

Ever been in a warm, cozy cabin and had a secret desire to get snowed in? To celebrate the winter season, we offer our Isolation Ale – a traditional winter brew made with premium malts imported from England. It’s just one of the reasons Isolation Ale stands alone.

Mountain Standard Reserve

This is more than a limited edition offering. It’s an enigma in liquid form. At first it looks like a deep mahogany ale, then you take your first sip and notice its distinct hoppy character. We begin with a ridiculous amount of Cascade and Chinook hop varietals from Western Colorado and bring out their flavor with the hop back. Then we double dry hop for even more of that aroma you love. The result is an unforgettable beer from the forgotten time zone.

Levity Amber Ale.

Levity is our lighter take on the amber ale. Munich and honey malts give it a full-bodied flavor and a happy-go-lucky personality. Then we let the finishing hops shine, for a beer that’s crisp instead of bitter. Levity was named by our brewers partly for its light color – and partly for the way it just refuses to take itself too seriously. Hey, we could all use a little levity once in a while.

Easy Street Wheat

Light and refreshing, Easy Street Wheat is an unfiltered American-style wheat beer. Leaving in the yeast gives the beer a nice, smooth finish and a slightly citrusy flavor. Easy Street Wheat gets its name by brewers “taking it easy” and not filtering the beer. However, for ultimate enjoyment, we encourage you to work just a little harder in pouring it: pour 2/3 of the beer into a glass, swirl what’s left to stir up the yeast, then pour the rest and enjoy.

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/1)

2009-11-06T08:54:00.001-07:00

The holiday beer season is officially in full swing with no less than 12 seasonal beers hitting shelves in Denver liquor stores this week. Additionally, Odell has released the newest beer in their Single Serve Series, Mountain Standard Reserve. This deep mahogany ale was brewed with 400 lbs of locally grown, organic Cascade and Chinook hops from Rising Sun Farms in Paonia, CO. Odell then double dry hopped the beer to create an even hoppier aroma that just sounds fantastic. It's currently being sold in 750 mL corked bottles for about $15 and they are planning on brewing it once a year after the hop harvest. I'm definitely looking forward to trying this one.

New beer releases this week:

Breckenridge Christmas Ale (Seasonal)
AC Golden Winterfest (Seasonal)
Delirium Noel (Seasonal)
Dupont Avec Les Bon Voeux (Seasonal)
Gouden Carolous (Seasonal)
Lagunitas Brown Shugga (Seasonal)
Odell Mountain Standard Reserve (Limited Release)
Rouge Santa's Private Reserve (Seasonal)
Sam Adams Winter Lager (Seasonal)
Samichlaus Classic (Seasonal)
Shiner Holiday Cheer (Seasonal)
Sierra Nevada Celebration (Seasonal)
Tommyknocker Cocoa Porter (Seasonal)

Sam Adams barrel-aged beers are coming to Denver

2009-11-03T10:03:00.003-07:00

Last week, the Boston Beer Company announced that they will be releasing three new beers in a series called the Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection including a tripel, an American kriek, and a red ale. All three beers have been aged at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery in Eastern European oak barrels originally used to age brandy in Italy. This process has added a sweet, toasty flavor to the beers that sounds delicious.

The kicker is the the 750 mL bottles will only see a very limited distribution. Luckily for us, Denver is one of the four locations where the beers will be available according to Sam Adams' press release (along with Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire). No word yet on when they will be in area liquor stores, but keep your eyes open.

The Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection includes:

Samuel Adams New World Tripel: Pale gold in color, this ale is big, flavorful and complex. A special Belgian yeast strain adds tropical fruit and spice notes to the crisp dry ale, while Saaz hops add a subtle herbal note. (~10%ABV)
Samuel Adams American Kriek: The intense black cherry character in this beer comes from Balaton cherries, which were discovered in Hungary and are now grown in Michigan. These special cherries are prized for their depth of flavor. The tartness from the cherries is balanced by a rich, malty characterwith toasted oak notes added from the barrel aging. (~7% ABV)
Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red: This unique brew defies traditional beer style definition. The rich, malty brew combines notes of tart fruit from the yeast with a toasty oak character from the barrel aging. The long dry finish is almost wine-like. This is a beer that is satisfying on its own and also pairs well with many foods such as braised or roasted meats, beef stews and strong salty cheeses. (~9% ABV)

Upcoming Events (Week of 11/1)

2009-11-02T09:00:00.001-07:00

This week is jam packed with beer related events in the Denver area highlighted by a vertical tasting at Twisted Pine and three big events this Saturday. On Thursday, November 5th, Twisted Pine will be hosting a 5 year vertical tasting of their Northstar Imperial Porter. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door and include five 6 oz samples of different Northstar vintages from 2004-2009, a commermative glass, and a 1.5 hour educational session with owner Bob Baile, brewer Eric Mosiman and brewer Jeff Brumley. Space is limited, so try to get your ticket early.

Then on Saturday, November 7th, you'll have to choose between the 3rd Annual All Colorado Beer Festival in Colorado Springs, Upslope Brewing's 1st Anniversary Party in Boulder (featuring 6 beers on tap including their First Anniversary Stout), and perhaps the biggest event this week, Wynkoop's Beers of the Year party here in Denver. From 1:00pm to 5:00pm, the Wynkoop will be pouring 25 different beers including all their 2009 specialty beers and a few from 2008. Four ounce samples are just a dollar each, or you can get unlimited samples for $25.

This week's beer events in the Denver area:

Mountain Standard Reserve Release Party @ Odell Brewing, 11/2, 5:00pm
Sisterhood of the Hop - Inaugural Meeting @ Avery Tap Room, 11/3, 6:00pm - 8:00pm (Free, Women Only)
Northstar Imperial Porter Vertical Tasting @ Twisted Pine Tap Room, 11/5, 6:00pm - 7:30pm ($20 in advance, $25 at the door)
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday @ The Tasty Weasel, 11/6, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday - Belgium Bounty Old Ale, 11/6, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Beers of the Year @ Wynkoop Brewing Company, 11/7, 1:00pm - 5:00pm ($25 for unlimited samples, 25 different brews available)
3rd Annual All Colorado Beer Festival @ Mr. Biggs Event Center, 11/7, 12:30pm & 5:30pm ($25 in advance, $30 at the door) - Check out my write up here
Upslope Brewing 1st Anniversary Party, 11/7, 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Rackhouse Pub Opens Today

2009-10-31T10:49:00.003-06:00

There is a new beer bar in town as the Rackhouse Pub opens on South Kalamath Street today. This new pub is located in the old Heavenly Daze Brewery building now occupied by Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey and will offer a large variety of local products including Colorado beers, micro-distilled spirits, soda, meats, cheeses and produce. The food menu looks pretty good (can't wait to try the Colorado Whiskey Chili), but the show stopper is the 20+ craft beer taps. The twist here is that every tap is filled with a beer made in this state including such rarities as Odell's Bourbon Barrel Stout and New Belgium's Transatlantique Kriek. The Rackhouse Pub looks like a worthy addition to Denver's craft beer scene and I hope it's successful, so go check it out soon.

Rackhouse Pub Draft Beer List:

Blue Moon
New Belgium 1554
New Belgium Abbey
New Belgium Transatlantique Kriek
Flying Dog In-Heat Wheat
Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale
Breckenridge 471 IPA
Odell IPA
Odell Bourbon Barrel Stout
Great Divide Denver Pale Ale
Great Divide Hades
Avery Hog Heaven
Avery Old Jubilation
SKA Modus Hoperandi
Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout
Del Norte Orale Lager
Twisted Pine Reily’s Oak Whiskey Red
Steamworks Steam Engine
Dry Dock Paragon Apricot Blonde

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 10/25)

2009-10-30T09:19:00.005-06:00

A small new release list this week, but it features some very rare beers that surely won't be on shelves for long. I've already covered Goose Island's fantastic Bourbon County Stout here, but their Christmas Ale is also one you'll want to pick up. Additionally, one-off releases from Widmer Brothers and Redhook have arrived in Denver and a favorite winter seasonal from New Belgium should be available again.

If you're looking for a place to find all these great beers, check out Lukas Liquor in Lone Tree (about 15-20 minutes south of Denver) as they're also having a special beer tasting today from 4:00pm to 7:00pm featuring brews from Left Hand Brewing. This week they'll have Left Hand's Warrior IPA, Black Jack Porter, Sawtooth Ale, and amazing Milk Stout available for tasting. Plus a representative from the brewery will be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

New beers available in the Denver area:

Goose Island Bourbon County Stout (Seasonal)
Goose Island Christmas Ale (Seasonal)
Widmer Brothers Cherry Oak DoppelBock (Limited Release)
Redhook Treblehook Barleywine (Limited Release)
New Belgium Frambozen (Seasonal)

3rd Annual All Colorado Beer Festival

2009-10-29T12:56:00.001-06:00

It may be snowing in Denver, but festival season is not done yet as the 3rd Annual All Colorado Beer Festival kicks off in Colorado Springs next Saturday, November 7th. The event is being held at the Mr. Biggs Event Center and will feature more than 70 beers from over 30 local Colorado breweries, making it the perfect way to check out all the best offerings in the state at once. I know I'm looking forward to seeing what will last year's People's Choice winner, Trinity Brewing Company, brings out.

This year they will be doing things a bit differently with two 4.5 hour sessions, one at 12:00pm and one at 5:30pm. Tickets are available on their website and are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. They include a commemorative tasting glass and unlimited 2 ounce samples. All proceeds generated by the festival are donated to local nonprofit organizations.

Here's a list of the breweries that will be attending:

Upslope Munson Farms Pumpkin Ale Release Party

2009-10-28T09:08:00.000-06:00

Upslope Brewing will be releasing their latest creation at their tap room this week. Their Munson Farms Pumpkin Ale is a 100% Boulder product using spices from Savory Spice, and obviously pumpkins from Munson Farms. Around 125 pound of locally grown baby bear pumpkins were combined with a mix of Vietnamese cinnamon bark, nutmeg seeds, allspice berries, whole cloves, and shaved mace to create the pilot batch of this new seasonal. It will be unveiled this Friday, October 30th, at 4:00pm in their tap room, and it sounds like only a small amount was brewed so it probably won't last long.

2009 Bourbon County Stout arrives in Colorado

2009-10-27T09:46:00.000-06:00

The word is out that the 2009 batch of my favorite beer, Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout, has just arrived in Colorado. This highly acclaimed brew (100% rating on Rate Beer and an A over at Beer Advocate) is not like anything you've had before. Even other barrel aged stouts can't compare to it's complex chocolate, vanilla, oak, and bourbon flavor. In fact, it tastes as much like bourbon as a drink can get without being bourbon. It is also a beer designed for cellaring (up to 5 years), as age can significantly change the flavors. That has me really looking forward to doing a vertical tasting with one of my remaining bottles of the 2008 batch to see how it's changed. This year's version is available in both 12 oz and 22 oz bottles, but I've heard only 65 cases were sent to Colorado so grab it while you can.

From Goose Island:

Brewed in honor of the 1000th batch at our original Clybourn brewpub. A liquid as dark and dense as a black hole with thick foam the color of a bourbon barrel. The nose is an intense mix of charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel and smoke. One sip has more flavor than your average case of beer. A great cigar beer.

Recipe Information:
Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Alcohol by Volume: 13%
International Bitterness Units: 60
Color: Midnight
Hops: Willamette
Malt: 2-Row, Munich, Chocolate, Caramel, Roast Barley, Debittered Black

Serving Suggestions:
Preferred Glass: Snifter
Preferred Serving Temperature: 40º
Food Pairings: Flourless Chocolate Cake
Cheese Pairings: Capriole Bourbon Chocolate Torte
Cellaring Notes: Develops in the bottle for up to 5 years

Upcoming Events (Week of 10/25)

2009-10-26T10:05:00.003-06:00

This week is shaping up to be another great one for Denver beer drinkers with no less than 11 events in the area. Things start off with Great Divide's monthly beer & cheese pairing on Tuesday, continue with several great Halloween parties, and wrap up with a new fall seasonal release from the Wynkoop Brewing Company. Following this year's Denver Gorilla Run on Saturday, the Wynkoop will tap a cask of their new Riverside Pumpkin Ale (named for Denver's historic Riverside Cemetery). The twist is that the "cask" is actually a real pumpkin! The beer was brewed with 75 pounds of toasted pumpkin, 30 pounds of pumpkin puree, traditional pumpkin pie spices, and they threw in some flaked pumpkin during the secondary fermentation. Sounds perfect for a brisk late Fall day.

From Wynkoop:

The beer is a mahogany-colored ale of approx 6.5% ABV and sports a balanced blend of amber malt notes, layers of pumpkin flavors, and gentle spicing. It’ll be available through November while supplies last.

Beer events in the Denver area this week:

Great Divide Monthly Beer & Cheese Pairing, 10/27, 5:00pm - 8:00pm (RSVP with patrick@greatdivide.com)
Avery Society for the Pursuit of Hoppiness - Pearl St. Hop Tour, 10/27, 6:00pm
New Belgium & St. Arnold Beer Event @ Trinity Brewing, 10/28 (Lips of Faith beers, games, and raffles)
Dry Dock Firkin Friday, 10/30, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday - Spiced Old Chub, 10/30, 5:00pm
Great Divide Hoppy Halloween Party, 10/30, 6:00pm - 9:00pm ($15 per person) - Check out my write up here
Left Hand Brewing Halloween Party, 10/30, All Day ($3 dark beers, costume contest)
Wildnight for Wildlife @ Millennium Harvest House, 10/30, 5:30pm - 10:30pm ($65 per person, beer tasting from local breweries)
Smoked Stout Release Party @ Twisted Pine, 10/30, 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Black Fox "Samhain" Pumpkin Saison Release Party @ Bristol Brewing, 10/30, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Trinity Brewing Halloween Party, 10/31, All Day (Beer specials from 3:00pm - 7:00pm)
Real Gourd Beer @ Wynkoop Brewing Company, 10/31, 2:00pm (Riverside Pumpkin Ale release)

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 10/18)

2009-10-23T13:06:00.000-06:00

Compared to the last few weeks this is a relatively slow one for new beers in the Denver area, but still a few seasonal releases have arrived. One to look out for is Ska Brewing's new Hoperation Ivy fresh hopped ale. This once-a-year brew was one of my favorites at the Colorado Fresh Hop Celebration last weekend and is part of Ska's push to distribute their excellent Local Series further outside of Durango. Hoperation Ivy is a 100% Colorado beer made in state using Cascade hops that the brewery's employees hand-picked at San Juan Hop Farms in Montrose, CO. It's supposed to be a limited release, so don't wait to pick some up.

New Belgium 2° Below Winter Ale (Seasonal)
Port High Tide (Seasonal)
Ska Hoperation Ivy (New/Seasonal)
Golden City Evolution IPA
Rogue Maierfest Lager (Seasonal)
Fort Collins Double Chocolate Stout (Seasonal)

Avery Beer Tasting Today @ Lukas Liquor

2009-10-23T08:56:00.004-06:00

Lukas Liquor in Littleton offers one of the best beer selections in the Denver area including several rarities you cannot find anywhere else. That alone is usually enough to motivate me to make the 20 minute drive south, but there will be extra incentive today as they host representatives from Avery Brewing for a special beer tasting. The event will run from 4:00pm to 7:00pm and will feature four of Avery's best beers plus they'll have someone on hand to answer any questions you may have.

These great Avery beers will be available:

Avery Sixteen

A ’saison-esque’ brew with peaches, honey and jasmine, combining intense flavors with summertime quaffability. 65/35 pale two-row to pale wheat, lightly hopped to accentuate the fruit and spices.

Avery The Reverend

This beer is strong willed, assertive, and pure of heart, a heart of candy sugar. It contains as many authentic imported Belgian specialty malts as the brewers could cram into our mash tun, and lots of Belgian dark candy sugar stirred into the brew kettle. A divinely complex and beautifully layered beer with hints of dark cherries, currants, and molasses, complimented by an underlying spiciness.

Avery Old Jubilation Ale

Our winter strong ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts.

Avery IPA

Avery IPA demands to be poured into your favorite glass to truly appreciate the citrusy, floral bouquet and the rich, malty finish. Brewed by hopheads for hopheads!

Hoppy Halloween

2009-10-22T11:42:00.001-06:00

Halloween is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than to dress up in a costume and drink craft beer! You can do both next Friday, October 30th, as Great Divide hosts their first Halloween bash at their Arapahoe Street tap room. The party will feature snacks, candy, and all the Great Divide beer you can drink. Plus they're having a costume contest with awards going to the best beer related costume. It will run from 6:00pm to 9:00pm and admission is $15 each.

Great Divide isn't the only area brewery hosting a Halloween party this year though. Here are a couple of other options:

Left Hand Brewing is also throwing a party on Friday, October 30th at their Longmont tap room. They'll have a costume contest (1st, 2nd, & 3rd place get free beer!), candy, and $3 pints of any black beers (Milk Stout, Black Jack, & Imperial Stout).
Trinity Brewing Company in Colorado Springs is having an all day party on Saturday, October 31st. Things start off at 1:00pm with The Haunted Hunt, a scavenger hunt competition to benefit the local food bank. They'll also have a costume contest, beer specials from 3:00pm - 7:00pm, and live music at 8:30pm.

Visiting Trinty Brewing Company

2009-10-21T09:41:00.006-06:00

A few weeks back I drove down to Colorado Springs to see what their breweries offered and try some new beers. I hit three different brewpubs/breweries during my visit, but one stood out as my clear favorite. The Trinity Brewing Company is still relatively new, only opening about a year ago, but is already making excellent, innovative beer. I sampled six of their brews during my visit, and the Awaken Stout alone was good enough to make the hour drive worthwhile. Another highlight is their Farmhouse Saison, which is brewed with a different recipe each time depending on the ingredients that are available at the time. This is a great concept that allows them to experiment and push the envelope on what beer can taste like.

Trinity recently began bottling two of their beers, Old Growth Wild Ale and TPS Report (a sour ale that won gold at GABF this year), but they are still brewery only releases. I picked up both during my visit and neither disappointed. These excellent sours really show what the brewery is capable of and the innovative direction they're headed.

The brewpub also has a wonderful atmosphere and features a constantly changing, slow food menu that emphasizes locally grown ingredients. Plus they have almost 30 guest taps with rarities from a other Colorado brewers, so you're sure to find something you like. This Friday they will be releasing their new Slap Your Mammy Double IPA and it will be well worth your time to drive down and try it out.

Upcoming Events (Week of 10/18)

2009-10-19T09:41:00.003-06:00

This week is lining up to be another great one for beer events in the Denver area. The biggest of these is Dry Dock Brewing's 4th anniversary party this Saturday (which I've already covered here), but there are also several other tastings and new beer releases in town. One I'm definitely looking forward to is Avery's release party for the 2009 Czar Imperial Stout on Wednesday at their tap room in Boulder. In addition to this year's version, they'll also have the 2007 and 2008 Czars on tap for a vertical tasting! $15 will get you 5 tasters plus a slice of a cake prepared specifically for the event.

October Beer & Wine Class @ The Kitchen, 10/20, 5:30pm ($60 plus gratuity)
Homebrewers and Collectors Support Group @ Avery Tap Room, 10/21, 6:00pm - 8:00pm ($5 cover)
Czar Imperial Stout Release Party & Vertical Tasting ('07, '08, '09 vintages) @ Avery Tap Room, 10/21, 5:00pm - 8:00pm ($15 for 5 tasters)
Left Hand Beer Tasting @ Proto's in Broomfield, 10/22, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Pumpkin Smasher Tapping @ Rockbottom - Downtown, 10/22, All Day
Left Hand Beer Dinner @ California Café, 10/23, 6:00pm (Call 303-649-1111 for more information)
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday - Cask Conditioned Ten FIDY @ The Tasty Weasel, 10/23, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday, 10/23, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Cask Ale Night @ Bristol Brewing, 10/24, 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Mountain Sun "Funky Good Times" Benefit for KGNU Community Radio @ Boulder Theater, 10/24, 8:30pm - 1:30am ($25 at door or $22 at their 3 pub locations)
4th Anniversary Party @ Dry Dock Brewing, 10/24, 12:00pm - 11:00pm (See my write-up for more information)
Left Hand American Homebrewers Association Rally, 10/24, 1:00pm - 4:00pm (Free for AHA members, RSVP here)
The Rackhouse Pub is also set to open in Denver this week with 20 craft beer taps!

If you would like your event added e-mail me: denverbrew@gmail.com

2009 Colorado Fresh Hop Celebration Recap

2009-10-18T23:51:00.002-06:00

The 3rd Annual Colorado Fresh Hop Celebration was held this Saturday at Falling Rock Tap House. The bar teamed up with Deschutes Brewery to bring together 11 different fresh hopped beers from 10 different brewers (including a homebrewer). As described in an earlier post, a fresh hopped ale is one brewed the same day that the hops were harvested. That means all of these great beers are once-a-year treats.

All of the brews had fantastic aromas and were great examples of how fresh hops can enhance beer in a very different way than their dried counterparts. My two favorites were the Fresh Hopped Gordon from Oskar Blues (also the People's Choice winner this year) and Tommyknocker's Bitter Brewer IPA (a true CO beer with the hops coming from Montrose). Another highlight was homebrewer Gordon Pencis' Falling Over Hops Pale Ale. Deschutes was kind enough to overnight him the fresh Crystal hops he used and the end result was the equal of all the pros coming in second in the People's Choice voting.

As if all the great beer wasn't enough, Beer at Home (a homebrew supply store in Westminster) held a homebrewing demonstration at the event. They continued the theme of the celebration by brewing a beer using fresh hops harvested from vines at Falling Rock. It really smelled fantastic in the kettle and was the perfect addition to a great event.

Complete Beer List:

Deschutes Hop Trip
Full Sail Lupulin
Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale
Left Hand Warrior IPA
Oskar Blues Fresh Hopped Gordon (People's Choice)
Pizza Port High Tide IPA
Ska Hoperation Ivy
Sierra Nevada Harvest Ale
Sierra Nevada Estate-Brewers Harvest Ale
Tommyknocker Bitter Brewer
Gordon Pencis Falling Over Hops Pale Ale (People's Choice Runner Up)

Boycott Monster Energy

2009-10-16T15:02:00.005-06:00

As you may have heard, Hansen Beverage Company, a massive corporation and the owner of the Monster Energy drink brand, has recently delivered a cease & desist letter to Rock Art Brewery, a tiny craft brewer in Morrisville, VT, over their Vermonster beer. The letter states that Rock Art's brew will "undoubtedly create a likelihood of confusion" with the energy drink. I'm not going to get into the merits of their claims other than to say it seems ridiculous to me that someone would confuse a beer with an energy drink.

More importantly, Hansen's legal action has threatened the existence of Rock Art and could result in the brewery's closing. As a self-proclaimed honorary Vermonter (I'm a graduate of the University of Vermont) who has drank plenty of Rock Art beers in the past, I would hate to see this happen and as a result will be boycotting Monster along with my fellow craft beer bloggers and signing a petition to let Hansen know how I feel. Hopefully, this will be enough to get Hansen to back off from their lawsuit and allow Rock Art to continue to operate.

Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone collaboration arrives in Colorado

2009-10-16T11:08:00.007-06:00

I was able to confirm with a Stone Brewing representative that their new Kona Coffee Macadamia Coconut Porter collaboration with Maui Brewing and homebrewer Ken Schmidt is now available in Colorado. Ken won a homebrewing contest at Stone back in March with his Aloha Plenty Porter and the prize was to brew his recipe on a larger scale using Stone's facilities. Mitch Steele of Stone converted the recipe for production brewing and then they teamed with Garrett Marerro of Maui to tap his knowledge of brewing with coconuts. The end result features 1,000 lbs. of coconut, 300 lbs. of macadamia nuts, and 200 lbs. of 100% Kona Coffee, and is supposed to be fantastic. This beer was brewed on a very limited basis and with only a few cases shipped to Colorado it will be gone soon, so grab a few bottles if you see it.

Mitch Steele's Tasting Notes:

This is just an amazing beer to taste. The 3 special ingredients, Kona Coffee, toasted coconut, and macadamia nuts combine wonderfully, and come across at three distinct stages of tasting this beer. Just a wonderful beer to relax with and drink slowly, especially while thinking about the islands!

This beer should be available at these Denver area liquor stores:

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 10/11)

2009-10-16T08:29:00.001-06:00

After last weekend's frigid, snowy weather it looks like things will warm up in Denver just in time for this weekend's Fresh Hop Celebration at Falling Rock. However, the summery weather won't stop brewers from putting even more new seasonal beers on liquor store shelves. This week we're getting 7 new fall/winter brews including brand new releases from two Durango breweries. Thanks to a new facility and canning line, Ska Brewing's Euphoria Pale Ale is available here in cans for the first time and should please the hop heads this fall. Meanwhile, Durango Brewing's Colorfest is now available in Denver in 22 oz bottles. This fall seasonal just won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the American Style Amber Lager category, so it should be worth tracking down.

Other new releases this week:

Bridgeport Ebenezer Ale (Seasonal)
Deschutes Jubelale (Seasonal)
Durango Colorfest (New/Seasonal)
Flying Dog K-9 Cruiser (Seasonal)
Full Sail Wassail (Seasonal)
Sam Smith Winter Welcome (Seasonal)
Ska Euphoria Pale Ale (New/Seasonal)
Rumor has it a few area liquor stores have the Ken Schmidt/Maui/Stone Macadamia Coconut Porter in this week.

Dry Dock Brewing's 4th Anniversary Party

2009-10-15T11:57:00.001-06:00

Dry Dock Brewing in Aurora was one of the Denver area's best kept secrets until they hit the big time last month, winning Small Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival. Now that the word is out, they're ready to throw down in a big way to celebrate their 4th anniversary. Next Saturday, October 24th, they will be hosting an all-day party for the big occasion from 12:00pm to 11:00pm. Special kegs have been set aside just for this event, so expect some rarities. Additionally, they'll have a Randall the Enamel Animal on hand! Randall, an invention of the geniuses over at Dogfish Head, is a 3 foot long cylinder filter that is packed with whole-leaf hops and then affixed directly to the beer line leaving the keg. The beer absorbs oils from the hops as it passes through enhancing the aroma and creating a unique experience. As a twist, Dry Dock also plans to fill the Randall with fruit and run their award wining U-Boat Hefeweizen through it. You won't want to miss these rare offerings, so show up early and stay late next Saturday.

A few of the beers that will be tapped:

Topsail Trippel
Alexander Nevsky Russian Imperial Stout
Mouettes Joignastes Saison with Brett
Rahab Belgian Dark Strong
USS Enterprise IPA through a Randall full of hops
U-Boat Hefeweizen through a Randall of fruit

Breckenridge 20th Anniversary Homebrewing Competition

2009-10-14T08:58:00.002-06:00

Breckenridge Brewery's 20th anniversary is coming up next year and they've decided to brew up a special beer to celebrate the occasion. However, the twist is that the brew will not be one of their own recipes, but instead will be selected through a homebrewing competition! The brewery will be accepting your homebrews from November 15th through December 1st with judging taking place December 4th and 5th. The winning brewer will then get the chance to join the Breckenridge team in January to brew his or her recipe at their brewery. This is a great chance to have tons of people tasting your beer, as it will then be featured at all four of their locations and also be available in bottles at their Kalamath Street tasting room in Denver. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for any aspiring brewers!

The Rules:

Entries must be in the following categories: Belgian Pale Strong Ale, Traditional Scotch Ale, German Style Altbier, or French & Belgian Style Saison
Each homebrewer can only submit one beer per category, but can enter all 4 if they choose.
The Brewer's Association guidelines will be used by the Breckenridge Brew & Quality Control staff to choose a winner.
They recommend single infusion mash practices and no starting gravities over 20 degrees.
The winning recipe may be changed to allow for the commercial and seasonal availability of ingredients
All entries must be submitted in the form of either three 12 ounce bottles or two 22 ounce bottles.
All entries must be submitted with this entry form.

Let me know if you decide to enter the contest and good luck!

Upcoming Events (Week of 10/11)

2009-10-12T09:52:00.002-06:00

Not surprisingly, there are some great beer related events happening in and around Denver this week. Things start off on a high with today's public opening of Oskar Blues' Homemade Liquids & Solids in Longmont. The new place is right around the corner from their Tasty Weasel tap room and will feature 43 craft beer taps, Southern inspired BBQ, and live music. It's also equipped with a smoker called the Midnight Toker for true North Carolina style BBQ! Check out the menu here (smoked pulled pork sounds amazing right now). I plan to get up there soon to check it out, and hopefully, they will be pouring some of the barrel-aged rarities usually only featured in their tap room (Barrel Aged Ten FIDY, please!).

If you would like your event included please e-mail me at denverbrew@gmail.com.

Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids & Solids Restaurant Grand Opening, 10/12, 11:00am
Trinity/Ska Beer & Slow Food Dinner @ Trinity Brewpub, 10/14, 5:00pm
Monthly Great Divide Hop Disciples Meeting, 10/15, 6:00pm
Craft Beer Education with Scott Kerkmans (Chief Beer Officer for Four Points by Sheraton Hotels) @ Cook Street School of Fine Cooking, 10/15, 6:00pm-9:00pm ($59 per person)
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday - Cask Conditioned Pilsner @ The Tasty Weasel, 10/16, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday - PalateWrecker (Seven Seas Double IPA with Hatch chilis), 10/16, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Bristol Brewing Venetucci Pumpkin Ale Release, 10/16, 3:00pm-9:00pm, (22oz bottles on sale at 3:00pm (3 max), draft tapping at 5:00pm (2 growler max)) All profits go back to the Venetucci farm
Fresh Hop Celebration @ Falling Rock, 10/17, 12:00pm-5:00pm ($20 for commemorative glass and 4 tokens, each token is good for 1 beer) - check out my write up for more information.

Oak Aged Yeti Returns

2009-10-12T07:38:00.001-06:00

Over the weekend Great Divide finished bottling the 2009 version of their Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and has made this great seasonal available at the brewery before releasing it in liquor stores! You can currently try it on tap, or pick up a few bottles to bring home, at their Arapahoe Street tap room from 2:00pm-8:00pm Monday-Tuesday or 2:00pm-10:00pm Wednesday-Saturday.

From Great Divide:

Oak Aged Yeti is Yeti Imperial Stout’s sophisticated sibling. They may be from the same clan, but they have entirely different personalities. Oak aging gives a subtle vanilla character, rounding out Yeti’s intense roastiness and huge hoppy nature. Who says you can’t tame a Yeti? 9.5% ABV

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 10/4)

2009-10-09T08:22:00.001-06:00

This is a big new beer week in Denver with no less than 17 new or seasonal beers hitting area stores including the latest releases from Avery, Fort Collins, and Odell. Plus the return of fresh hopped beers from Great Divide and Left Hand, the introduction of Elysian into the Denver market, and Dogfish Head's innovative Pangaea arriving in town (brewed with ingredients from each continent). However, the real prize for me is the 2009 release of Oskar Blues Ten FIDY Imperial Stout. I've mentioned in the past that I was on hand for the brewing of this year's first batch, so it was kind of exciting to open my first can and taste the end product. Lucky for you, my presence didn't throw things off too badly and it tasted every bit as good as last year's version!

Look for these new releases at a beer store near you:

Avery duganA IPA (New)
Breckenridge Lucky U IPA (New)
Buffalo Bill's Blueberry Oatmeal Stout (New)
Dogfish Head Pangaea (Seasonal)
Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA (New)
Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale (New)
Elysian The Immortal IPA (New)
Elysian Loser Pale Ale (New)
Fort Collins Brewing Common Ground (New)
Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale (Seasonal)
Great Divide Hibernation Ale (Seasonal)
He'brew Jewbelation (Seasonal)
Left Hand Warrior IPA (Seasonal)
Odell India Barleywine (New)
Oskar Blues Ten FIDY (Seasonal)
Sam Adams Coastal Wheat (New)
The Bruery Autumn Maple (Seasonal)

3rd Annual Fresh Hop Celebration at Falling Rock

2009-10-08T09:29:00.004-06:00

Next Saturday, October 17th, Falling Rock Tap House hosts their third annual Fresh Hop Celebration featuring fresh hopped ales from at least 7 different breweries. A fresh hopped ale is one brewed the same day that the hops were harvested. They go almost directly from the vine into the brew, in some cases barely hours after being picked. This imparts a different flavor and aroma into the beer than traditional dried hops. It also requires using far more hops than usual, as drying them concentrates the bitterness and flavor. Great Divide describes the process of creating their Fresh Hop Ale as the brewery's "biggest annual spectacle" leaving it "shamefully messy" due to the massive amount of whole, fresh hops used. These are all seasonal beers brewed just once a year, as hops are only harvested in the fall, so this may be your only opportunity to try some of them.

The event will take place from 12:00pm to 5:00pm on Falling Rock's patio and in their parking lot and will feature live music, beer tastings, information on home brewing, People's Choice awards, and other activities. Tickets are $20 per person and include a commemorative glass and 4 tokens (each good for 1 beer). You can order tickets in advance through Paypal.

Here's the beer list for the event:

Deschutes Brewery - Hop Trip
Ska Brewing - Hoperation Ivy
Full Sail Brewing - Lupulin Fresh Hop
Sierra Nevada - Harvest Ale & Estate Brewers Harvest Ale
Left Hand Brewing - Warrior IPA
Oskar Blues (Not sure what beer they're bringing, but probably a Wet-Hopped version of Dale's Pale Ale)
Great Divide Brewing - Fresh Hop Pale Ale
And also possibly something from Pizza Port and a homebrewer

2009 Osktoberfest at Oskar Blues

2009-10-07T15:38:00.003-06:00

Oskar Blues is hosting their annual Osktoberfest party this Saturday, October 10th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. The event will be taking place at both the Oskar Blues brewpub in Lyons and their pub in Longmont, The Tasty Weasel. There will be plenty to do for the whole family including live music, bobbing for apples, and a giant pumpkin raffle. Additionally, they will be serving up brats, burgers, caramel apples, and a whole Burkshire pig roasted in their new smoker plus the great beer you expect from Oskar Blues.

As an added bonus, there will be a free shuttle running back and forth between the two venues all day!

Four beers to try this Autumn

2009-10-07T09:34:00.004-06:00

With snow on it's way to Denver this weekend and ski areas already opening, Fall is officially upon on us. Here are four great seasonal beers to help you stave off the cold and enjoy this autumn in style.

The Bruery Autumn Maple
This interesting beer from the much hyped upstart brewery in California is a different take on the pumpkin beer style so popular this time of year. The Bruery continues their trend of using innovative ingredients in their beer by packing this one 17 pounds of yams per barrel! Hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, vanilla, molasses, and especially maple syrup come out as the beer warms and it's every bit as tasty as it sounds. I'm definitely going to be making this part of my Thanksgiving dinner.

Elysian Night Owl Pumpkin Ale
These guys are the kings of pumpkin beer (they make 9 different kinds!), and have recently started distributing to Denver. Night Owl is the "regular" version of their big hit at the Great American Beer Festival this year, The Great Pumpkin, and is the closest a beer can come to tasting like fresh pumpkin pie.

From Elysian:

Ale brewed with pumpkin & pumpkin seeds & fermented with spices. Our original pumpkin ale is brewed with over 7 lbs. of pumpkin per barrel and spiced in conditioning with nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, ginger and allspice.

Deschutes Jubelale
2009 is the 21st anniversary for Deschutes' delicious winter warmer and they continue the trend of selecting a local artist to design the label. This year Tracy Leagjeld has come up with a beautiful image of a Central Oregon winter, a perfect compliment to the award winning beer inside. I don't think this one is available yet in Denver, but it's a October to December seasonal so it should be here soon.

From Deschutes:

Jubelale is classified as a "Strong Ale" or an "English Olde Ale," and has ties to the traditional Celebration Ales of England. Characterized by a very large malt body and pronounced bitterness, Jubelale contains five different varieties of hops and a healthy amount of caramel. The perfect ale for surviving the long, cold nights of winter.

Left Hand Warrior Fresh Hopped IPA
An IPA might not sound like your usual autumn seasonal, but Left Hand's latest release is unique in that it is uses fresh flower hops just picked during this year's harvest. The 2009 version is a true Colorado creation with 100% of the hops used coming from this state (either from Rising Sun Farms in Paonia, CO or the brewery's own hop farm). It was one of my favorite brews at last weekend's Colorado Craft Beer Expo, and should be considered a must try.

From Left Hand:

We use Warrior hops for bittering, and Goldings for dry hopping. True to our fundamental belief system, the strong hop character is balanced by a strong malt foundation, allowing for an approachable, drinkable IPA that finishes amazingly clean. The beer is full-bodied, bronze in color, and tips the scales at 6.6% alcohol by volume and 60 IBU's.

Upcoming Events (Week of 10/4)

2009-10-05T12:45:00.001-06:00

This week brings us two more fall/winter seasonals with both Twisted Pine in Boulder and Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs throwing release parties on Friday at their respective tap rooms. Twisted Pine will be unveiling their Mr. Brown Pumpkin Ale for the first time, while Bristol is bringing out this year's version of the Winter Warlock Oatmeal Stout. Both beers sound excellent and should be the perfect accompaniments to the brisk fall weather in Colorado.

If you would like your event included please e-mail me at denverbrew@gmail.com.

Boulder Beer Company Dinner @ Beatrice and Woodsley, 10/7 ($55 per person)
Beer Dinner of the Year @ Wynkoop Brewery, 10/8, 6:30pm ($35 per person)
Mr. Brown Pumpkin Ale Release Party @ Twisted Pine, 10/9, 3:00pm - 9:00pm
Winter Warlock Release Party @ Bristol Brewing, 10/9, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday @ The Tasty Weasel, 10/9, 5:00pm
Dry Dock Firkin Friday - Seven Seas Double IPA dry-hopped with Riwaka hops, 10/9, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Dry Dock @ Jack O' Launch Pumpkinfest at DeLaney Farms in Aurora, 10/10, 10:00am - 4:00pm, Free Admission
9th Annual Wines in the Woods - Beer In The Basement @ The Pines at Genesee in Evergreen, 10/10, 6:00pm - 9:00pm ($60 per person)

2009 Colorado Craft Beer Expo Recap

2009-10-05T08:26:00.003-06:00

This past Saturday the Colorado Brewers Guild brought together 21 local breweries at the Empire Restaurant in Louisville for the 2009 Colorado Craft Beer Expo. The event was the perfect place to catch up on any beers that you may have missed out at the Great American Beer Festival last weekend, and was also far more intimate than the big event in Denver. Obviously, there were far fewer people in attendance allowing you to sample everything with no lines, but the real bonus was that every booth was manned by actual employees from the breweries. In many cases, you were able to talk directly to the brewers about their beer as you drank it. A real treat!

Most of the breweries brought their standard fare, but a few rolled out rarities not often seen outside their tap rooms. These included Barrel Aged Gordon & Old Chub from Oskar Blues and Golden City Brewing's Barrel Aged Centurion Barleywine. Another highlight was the new duganA IPA from Avery Brewing. Just released this Friday, it was every bit has the "transcendental hop experience" advertised. Colorado Springs' Trinity Brewing was pouring their Café Blanc (probably the only beer I've seen brewed with white coffee) and Peche Noir, but unfortunately didn't bring their GABF Gold Medal winning TPS Report. They did mention that bottles are still available at the brewery though and from what I hear it'll be worth your time to drive down and get some.

All of this was great, but the biggest highlight for me was running into Tim from Oskar Blues who I had "helped" brew this year's first batch of their Ten FIDY Imperial Stout. That batch was just canned this Friday and they were actually pouring it at the event! I may be a bit biased, but I thought it tasted excellent and will be worth buying when it hits stores in the next few weeks.

Breweries at the Colorado Craft Beer Expo:

Oskar Blues Brewery
Gordon Biersch
Boulder Beer Company
Left Hand Brewing
Odell Brewing
Upslope Brewing
Avery Brewing
BJ's Brewpub
Bristol Brewing
Steamworks Brewing
Ska Brewing
Great Divide Brewing
Walnut Brewery
Rock Bottom Brewpub
Del Norte Brewing
Dry Dock Brewing
Breckenridge Brewery
Pump House Brewpub
Golden City Brewing
New Belgium Brewing
Trinity Brewing

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 9/27)

2009-10-02T11:51:00.003-06:00

In addition to the two great seasonals in my last post, several other craft beers have been released this week in Denver. The biggest name of the bunch is the 2008 version of Alaskan Brewing's Smoked Porter. It's obviously been out for awhile, but liquor stores in the area must have just gotten another shipment. If you haven't had this beer before, do yourself a favor and go get it now. It's the porter that started the smoked beer trend in America way back in 1988, and if you were at GABF last week you know just how popular smoked beers are now. Even with so many other options on the market now, Alaskan's is still the smokiest and tastiest I've had and well worth tracking down.

From Alaskan Brewing:

The dark, robust body and pronounced smoky flavor of this limited edition beer make it an adventuresome taste experience. Alaskan Smoked Porter is produced in limited "vintages" each year and unlike most beers, may be aged in the bottle much like fine wine.

Also be on the lookout for these new releases:

Alaskan Baltic Porter (Rate Beer)
Grand Teton Lost Continent (Rate Beer)
Deschutes Hop Trip (Rate Beer)
Four+ Brewing Punk'n (Beer Advocate)
New Belgium Hoptober (Rate Beer)

Seasonal Releases from Avery & Odell

2009-10-02T10:30:00.004-06:00

The temperatures have started to drop and the leaves are beginning to change color, signs that can only mean one thing...new seasonal beers! This week Avery and Odell's winter warmers have hit the shelves in Denver and they're both perfect for the early fall weather. Old Jubilation from Avery weighs in at a hefty 8% abv and will be available from September to December. Meanwhile, Odell's Isolation Ale will be on hand to keep you warm all winter long. So be on the lookout for these malty classics and other great fall/winter seasonal beers at your local liquor store.

Avery Brewing on Old Jubilation:

Our winter strong ale has a gorgeous mahogany hue, a hint of hazelnuts, and a finish reminiscent of mocha and toffee. No spices, just a perfect blend of five specialty malts. Cellarable for 2 years.

Odell Brewing on Isolation Ale:

The copper colored winter warmer is brewed with imported premium malts from England. Isolation has a rich and slightly sweet malt flavor that is complimented by a subtle spice hop finish, and pours a creamy head like frost on a pumpkin.

Second Chance for Avery's Sui Generis

2009-10-01T11:21:00.003-06:00

This past Wednesday, Avery Brewing released the second beer in their Barrel Aged Series, Sui Generis, as a brewery only release. Only 150 cases of the sour ale were produced and the combination of a rare beer from Avery and thousands of crazed beer nuts in the area for the GABF meant it sold out quickly. I wasn't able to get up there until Friday and there were barely any left by then. Luckily for those of you who missed out on the initial sale, Adam Avery has decided to pull a few extra cases out of his cellar and make them available this Friday!

The additional cases will go on sale at 4:00pm during the release party for their new duganA IPA for $8 per 12 oz bottle with a 6 bottle maximum per customer. Be sure to stick around and try the duganA IPA while you're there. It's the result of two years of experimentation and they're calling it a "transcendental hop experience".

Sui Generis Tasting Notes from Avery Brewing:

A complex ale, aged and artfully blended from several types of oak barrels, Sui Generis displays a delightful lactic sourness complimented by hints of brett, oak, and acetic. Intricate yet bold, Sui Generis was crafted in the tradition of perennial Tap Room favorites De Vogelbekdieren and Voltron, and drawn from a most unique group of oak barrels: it is a blend of ales from 39% Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, 35% Chardonnay barrels, 13% Port barrels and 13% Bourbon barrels.

GABF Leftovers at Falling Rock

2009-10-01T08:40:00.003-06:00

The Great American Beer Festival may be over, but all the special beers that were pouring last week aren't gone yet. Falling Rock Tap House on Blake Street still has several rarities available on tap including some of the best beers from the Festival. The beer list last night featured Elysian's The Great Pumpkin (tastes exactly like liquid pumpkin pie), Lost Abbey's Sinners Blend '09 (the beer pictured), Russian River's Temptation, and a whole slew of rarities from New Belgium (The Trip III, La Folie, Le Terroir, and Le Fleur Misseur) plus the usual stellar offerings you expect from Falling Rock.

I sampled several of these, and while they were all delicious, my clear favorite was the Sinners Blend '09. It is a combination of three different Lost Abbey beers blended together (Ten Commandments aged in Bourbon Barrels, Gift of the Magi aged in French Oak Barrels and Serpent’s Stout aged in Port Barrels). The end result is fantastic and manages to be slightly sour and chocolatey at the same time. Well worth the $8 they are charging for a half pint.

Remember these beers won't last long so get down to Falling Rock as soon as possible.

Brass, Brats and Beer at The Clarkson Mansion

2009-09-30T10:50:00.001-06:00

The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra will be teaming up with Flying Dog Brewery this Saturday, October 3rd from 12:00pm to 3:00pm to host a fundraiser supporting the organization. This is your chance drink great beer provided by the 2009 Mid-Sized Brewery of the Year and support local arts at the same time.

The event will include live music (show tunes, jazz, and light classical), grilled brats, homemade cookies, and brews from Flying Dog. It all goes down at the Clarkson Mansion (670-680 Clarkson St.) and tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for ages 12-20, and $5 for ages 6-11. They can be purchased in advance from the DPO's website or at the door the day of the event.

Upcoming Events (Week of 9/27)

2009-09-28T08:55:00.003-06:00

The 2009 Great American Beer Festival and Denver Beer Fest have both come to an end, but there will be plenty of ways to cure your post-GABF depression this week. The highlight looks to be the Colorado Craft Beer Expo at The Empire Restaurant in Lousiville, CO. With 21 Colorado breweries in attendance this will be your chance to make up for anything you missed at GABF. I know I'll be looking to try the offerings from Small Brewery of the Year Dry Dock Brewing and hoping that Trinity Brewing brings their gold medal winning experimental beer, TPS Report.

Monthly Wine & Cheese Pairing @ Great Divide, 9/29, 5:00pm - 8:00pm ($10, email Patrick@greatdivide.com to RSVP)
duganA IPA Release Party @ Avery Tap Room, 10/2, 4:00pm - 7:00pm ($15)
Fresh Hop & Hibernation Release Party @ Great Divide Tap Room, 10/2, 6:00pm - 9:00pm ($15)
Dry Dock Firkin Friday ,10/2, 3:00pm - 11:00pm
Oskar Blues Firkin Friday @ The Tasty Weasel ,10/2, 5:00pm
Colorado Craft Beer Expo @ The Empire Restaurant in Louisville, 10/3, 12:00pm - 4:00pm ($30 in advance, $35 at the door)
Summit Brew Fest, 10/2, 6:00pm - 10:00pm & 10/3, 2:00pm - 10:00pm ($25)

Great American Beer Festival 2009 Recap

2009-09-26T16:43:00.007-06:00

This year's Great American Beer Festival was my first and when I entered the hall I was completely overwhelmed, and with over 2,100 beers being served, who could blame me? Any plan I had went right out the window causing me to miss out on several breweries that I was targeting (Short's, Surly, and Firestone Walker being my biggest regrets). However, I was able to taste something like 40 different beers (completely made up that number, things were a bit hazy by the end of the session) and several favorites emerged.

Sour beers were the kings of the event and Cascade Brewery from Portland, OR ruled over them all with four amazing sours (Sang Royal, Kriek Ale, The Vine, and GABF silver medalist Vlad the Imp Aler. A few other sour beers that stood out were New Galrus' Old English Porter, New Belgium's Eric's Ale, Alagash's Interlude, and perhaps my favorite (and definitely the most sour) beer at the festival, Cambridge Brewing's Cerise Cassee. I only wish these beers were readily available in Denver.

The beer with the most hype at the event was The Bruery's Black Tuesday Imperial Stout, but I wasn't willing to wait in lines that ranged up to 40 minutes. Luckily, there were plenty of other options available to sate my appetite. My favorites were Full Sail's Black Gold Bourbon Barrel Stout, O'Fallon's Chocolate by the Barrel (a barrel aged version of their Cocoa Cream Stout), Central Waters' Bourbon Barrel Stout, and Brooklyn Brewing's Black Chocolate Stout. Out of these, only the Full Sail beer is available in town.

IPAs were probably the most plentiful style at the Festival with just about every brewery pouring their version. Even with so many options, one IPA was the clear leader of the pack for me; Three Floyd's Dreadnaught. 3F's Double IPA is in the running for best beer I had at the festival and was without a doubt one of the finest IPAs I've ever had. A few others that stood out were Maui Brewing's Smoked RiPA, New Holland's Oaked Mad Hatter IPA, and Hoppin' Frog's Mean Manalish DIPA. Once again none of these beers are distributed to Denver.

There were also several interesting brews at the Festival that used ingredients rarely seen in beer. The front-runners among these were DOG Brewing's Melon Dog (who would have thought watermelon could work so well in beer, very refreshing), Bootleggers' Plum Riot (the first beer I've ever seen made with plums), and Coopersmith's Sigda's Green Chili (the finest chili beer I've tasted, just the right amount of heat). I don't believe any of these are bottled, but you can try the Green Chili beer at Coopersmith's brewpub in Fort Collins.

Another highlight at this year's Festival was Collaboration Evil. Nine breweries from around the country took a common theme (Belgian Strong Ale this year) and put their own individual spin on it. I managed to track down 4 versions of the beer (Flossmoor Station, FiftyFifty Brewing, Lucky Bucket Brewing, & Valley Brewing) with FiftyFifty's rating as my favorite. Lucky Bucket and FiftyFifty also rolled out kicked up versions called Certified Evil and Concentrated Evil respectively. This was the second year of the project and it's a great idea that I hope continues in the future.

All in all, the 2009 Great American Beer Festival was an event to remember and I'm already looking forward to attending it in 2010.

Colorado GABF 2009 Winners

2009-09-26T15:16:00.013-06:00

The Great American Beer Festival announced the 2009 medal winners today and Colorado breweries performed very well, collecting no fewer than 39 medals. Dry Dock Brewing in Aurora led the way for craft brewers with 3 medals plus winning Small Brewing Company of the Year! If you haven't been to their new location yet I suggest going soon as it's a beautiful brewpub and they clearly make some of the best beers around. Another standout looks to be Trinity Brewing's Gold Medal winning TPS Report experimental beer, which I somehow missed while I was at the Festival. I've only heard great things about it and will be heading down to the Springs to get a taste shortly. I'd also like to point out that the newest brewery in Boulder, Upslope Brewing, managed to take home 2 medals despite just opening this year! Their beer only recently started getting distributed to Denver, so grab a can the next time you're in your local beer store. It's great to see our local breweries getting accolades they deserve.

Colorado GABF 2009 Medalists (Brewery, Style, Beer)

AC Golden Brewing - Bronze European Style Dunkel - Dunkel
Avery Brewing - Gold German Style Doppelbock or Eisbock - The Kaiser
Avery Brewing - Bronze Experimental Beer - Brabant
Backcountry Brewery - Silver Bock - May Bock
Bristol Brewing - Silver American Style Brown Ale - Cheyenne Cañon Ale
Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery - Silver Irish Style Red Ale - Colorado Boy Irish
Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery - Bronze Extra Special Bitter or Strong Bitter - Colorado Boy IPA
Colorado Brewing Company - Silver American Style Pale Ale - 44 Pale Ale
Coors Brewing - Gold American Style Specialty Lager - Keystone Ice
Coors Brewing - Gold American-Style Lager or Premium Lager - Coors Banquet
Coors Brewing - Silver American Style Light Lager - Keystone Light
Coors Brewing - Silver American Style Amber Lager - Killian's Red
Coors Brewing - Silver American Style Specialty Lager - Pre-Pro
Dry Dock Brewing - Gold German Style Altbier - Bismark Altbier
Dry Dock Brewing - Silver South German Style Hefeweizen - U-Boat Hefeweizen
Dry Dock Brewing - Silver German Style Märzen - Reines Marzen
Durango Brewing - Gold American Style Amber Lager - Durango Colorfest
Glenwood Canyon Brewing - Gold Other Strong Beer - Cardiff
Glenwood Canyon Brewing - Bronze German Style Doppelbock or Eisbock - Carbonator
Gordon Biersch Brewery - Silver Bohemian Style Pilsener - Gordon Biersch Pilsner
Gordon Biersch Brewery - Silver European Style Dunkel - Gordon Biersch Alt Bier
Gordon Biersch Brewery - Bronze Munich Style Helles - Gordon Biersch Golden Export
Great Divide Brewing - Silver Imperial Stout - Yeti Imperial Stout
Great Divide Brewing - Bronze Rye Beer - Hoss Rye Lager
Great Divide Brewing - Bronze Barley Wine Style Ale - Old Ruffian Barley Wine
Left Hand Brewing - Gold Smoked Beer - Smokejumper Porter
Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery - Bronze American-Belgo-Style Ale - Temperance
New Belgium Brewing - Silver German-Style Sour Ale - NBB Love
Rockyard Brewing - Bronze American-Style Wheat Beer - Double Eagle Ale
Ska Brewing - Silver English Style Brown Ale - Buster Nut Brown
Ska Brewing - Bronze English-Style Summer Ale - True Blonde Ale
Ska Brewing - Bronze Sweet Stout - Steel Toe Stout
The SandLot - Gold Dortmunder or German-Style Oktoberfest - Move Back
The SandLot - Silver Munich Style Helles - Where the Helles Bill?
The SandLot - Silver Dortmunder or German-Style Oktoberfest - Greenside Up
Trinity Brewing - Gold Experimental Beer - TPS Report
Upslope Brewing - Bronze Pro-Am Competition - Time of the Season
Upslope Brewing - Bronze German-Style Wheat Ale - Upslope Dunkel Weizen

Local Specialties

2009-09-25T11:05:00.008-06:00

With the Denver Beer Fest in full effect and the Great American Beer Festival starting yesterday there are plenty of options for great beer in town. However, you may be missing some excellent specialty beers that local Denver breweries are rolling out this week. For instance, the Bull & Bush brewpub in Glendale is featuring a crazy beer list right now with just about every style imaginable on tap including 3 different kinds of stouts. It's worth stopping by just to taste their two barrel aged beers, the Royal Oil Barley Wine and Legend of the Liquid Brain Imperial Stout (best name ever & the beer featured in the picture). Both of these beers are aged in 23 year old Pappy Van Winkle barrels and after tasting them last night I can say they're some of the best I've ever had.

More great local specialties are available this week over at the Great Divide Tap Room where they've been pouring the "Les" Claymore Sour Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale that I've mentioned in the past plus a brand new Berliner Weiss and a non-sour version of the Claymore Bourbon Barrel Scotch. They've even brought out this year's versions of the Hibernation Ale and Fresh Hop before their 10/2 release party! So while you're out there drinking all the amazing stuff from out-of-town, don't forget your local breweries.

Falling Rock GABF Kickoff Recap

2009-09-23T08:34:00.004-06:00

Falling Rock Tap House hosted their 13th annual Great American Beer Festival tapping party on Monday and it was a great way to start the week and try some new brews. As THE beer bar in Denver you just knew the event was going to be special. Especially because they set aside a few kegs specifically for this party each year! Around 10 or so beers were tapped throughout the night featuring some of the best from Avery, Odell, Full Sail, Lost Abbey, Dry Dock, Port, Moylan's, Left Hand, and Great Divide and everything I tasted was fantastic. The two highlights for me were Great Divide's "Les" Claymore Sour Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale (quite the name!) and Avery's The Beast from the Wood (at 15% abv this is no beer for lightweights). Odell also brought their fantastic new Bourbon Barrel Stout, which seems to be at every event I go to this week and tastes great every time. If you missed the event you can still get a taste of some of these beers at their respective breweries this week. Great Divide will have the Sour Bourbon Claymore available in their tap room and Avery lists both The Beast from the Wood '08 and The Beast From JW Lees’ Wood ’08 as beers they might appear up in Boulder this week.

A blurry picture of a great beer with a long name. Great Divide's "Les" Claymore Sour Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale

Denver Beer Fest Events: Part 3 (9/24 - 9/27)

2009-09-21T13:27:00.014-06:00

The Great American Beer Festival begins this Thursday and while it's THE big event in town, it's not the only one. So if you missed getting tickets this year, don't sweat it. The Denver Beer Fest continues this weekend and will provide you with all the beer drinking entertainment you need including a beer brunch at the Cheeky Monk on Saturday morning complete with beer mimosas! Plus the Falling Rock Tap House over on Blake Street will be serving up special brews throughout the weekend (I know I cannot wait to try New Belgium's La Folie on tap) and Flying Dog is hosting it's second annual free FBAG party on Friday just down the road in the warehouse that used to house their brewery. Cleary you don't need GABF tickets to have a good time this weekend, you'll just have more fun if you do!

Thursday, September 24th

Avery Tap Room - Voltron & Hot For Sammy, 11:00am
Great American Beer Festival, 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Koningshoeven Tasting @ Cheeky Monk, 7:00pm
Rhythm and Brews @ Paramount Cafe, 10:00pm - 2:00am
Collaborate Evil Tasting @ GABF, 6:30pm - 7:00pm

Collaborate Evil is an effort between 9 brewers to take a common theme and put their own individual spin on it. This year the theme is a Belgian Strong Pale and all 9 brewers will be presenting their versions at Thursday's GABF session. The participants include Valley Brewing, Sacramento Brewing, Fatheads Brewery and Grill, Flossmoor Station, Oakshire Brewing, Silver Peak Brewing, Lucky Bucket Brewing Co., FiftyFifty Brewing, and Speakeasy Brewing Co.

World Brewer's Forum @ Denver Marriot City Center, 8:00pm - 12:00am
Boulder Beer Meet the Brewer @ Crown Plaza, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Boulder Beer Tapping Party @ Falling Rock, 3:00pm
Ommegang Brewers @ Argonaut Liquor, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Stone Brewing Tapping @ Falling Rock Upstairs, 10:00pm
Shelton Brother's Tasting @ Falling Rock Downstairs, 10:00pm ($20 per person)
Jewbilation Bar-Mitzvah @ Falling Rock, 11:00pm

Friday, September 25th

Avery Tap Room - Sour Cherry Mephistopheles Stout & Moloch, 11:00am
Great American Beer Festival, 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Stone Brewing Meet & Greet @ City O' City, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Beer Advocate Social @ Great Divide Tap Room, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Denver Rare Beer Tasting @ Wynkoop Brewery, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Firkin Friday - Cask Conditioned Dale's Pale Ale @ Oskar Blues, 5:00pm
Oktoberfest @ Larimer Square, 5:00pm - 1:00am
Lay the Foundation Lunch @ TAG Restaurant, 12:30pm ($55 per person)
Achouffe Brewery Meet the Brewer @ Cheeky Monk, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Odell Meet the Brewer Lunch @ Govnr's Tavern, 11:00am - 1:00pm ($5 per person)
St. Feuillien Celebration @ Cheeky Monk, 7:00pm
Blues, Brews, & BBQ @ Paramount Cafe, 10:00pm - 2:00am
Three Course Beer Dinner @ WaterCourse Foods, All Day ($52.80 for two)
Flying Dog Brats & Gonzo (FBAG) Party @ Flying Dog Warehouse, 3:00pm - 6:00pm

The 2nd Annual FBAG party include free beer samples, free brats, and free live music. Did I mention it was free? Flying Dog will also be tapping their 20th anniversary beer for the first time for free!

Sierra Nevada Kill-A-Keg @ Falling Rock, 12:00pm
Sierra Nevada Estate Tapping @ Falling Rock, 12:30pm
Meet Chris Brouwaerts from La Chouffe @ Falling Rock, 1:0pm
Left Hand/Terrapin Depth Charge Espresso Milk Stout Cask Tapping @ Falling Rock, 2:00pm
Up Your Reinheitsgebot: An Evening of Impure & Illicit Beers @ Falling Rock, 10:00pm

Dogfish Head, Avery, Allagash, and New Belgium will be pouring exotic beers that plead the 5th on the German Purity Law of 1517.

Saturday, September 26th

Avery Tap Room - Straight Outta Hell, 11:00am
Great American Beer Festival - Early Session, 12:30pm - 4:30pm
Great American Beer Festival - Late Session, 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Oktoberfest @ Larimer Square, 11:00am - 1:00am
Flying Dog Beer Dinner @ Brauns Bar & Grill, 6:30pm ($35.95 per person)
GABF After-Party @ Govnr's Park, 10:00pm - 2:00am
Breakfast with The Bruery @ Cheeky Monk, 9:30am - 11:30am
Gastropub Tour of Denver, 1:00pm - 4:00pm ($99 per person)
Annual GABF Tasting with Dr. Bill @ Falling Rock, 9:00pm ($20 per person)

From Dr. Bill:

For those of you who haven't attended my previous events we ask for a $20 contribution to help pay for the beers we will order from Chris and to tip out the service staff. Also feel free to bring beers you may want to share. That being said I will be pouring over 100 rare and exotic offerings. A few teasers would be; LA Duck Duck Gooze, Santa's Little Helper aged in Bourbon barrels, Angel's Share, Cuvee de Tomme, RR Temptation, Consecration, Deviation, Bottleworks 10th Anniversary, The Bruery Papier, Alesmith BA Speedway, etc., etc., etc..

La Chouffe Brewers @ Argonaut Liquor, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Boulevard Smokestack Beers @ Falling Rock, 4:00pm
New Belgium Rarities @ Falling Rock, 10:00pm

Falling Rock will be pouring some of New Beglium's harder to find beers including Love, La Folie, Transatlantic Kriek, La Fleur Misseur & Le Terroir

Sunday, September 27th

Avery Tap Room - Holy Trinity Day, 11:00am

Avery has just the cure for your post-GABF blues. More beer! They'll have their entire line of Holy Trinity beers on tap (Hog Heaven, Salvation, The Reverend) plus oak barrel aged and Brettanomyces versions!

Oktoberfest @ Larimer Square, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Coors Brewmaster @ Bridgewater Grill
Beer Festival Exchange Fair @ Cheeky Monk

Week Long Beer Fest Events

2009-09-19T16:49:00.007-06:00

As if all the one-off events going on during the Denver Beer Fest were not enough, there are also several places running beer pairing menus and offering special deals all week. One of the highlights is Dixon's beer inspired menu. I can only imagine how good Guinness maple syrup tastes and, having already tried them at Great Divide's 15 anniversary party, I can assure you DPA brats are delicious. However, the most important "event" all week could be the free recovery coffee at the Corner Bakery. I know I'll be needing all the help I can get to fight off my week-long hangover.

Prohibition Style Beer @ Brown Palace

During Prohibition the hotel would mix up tea-colored alcohol disguised in teapots to serve to hotel guests and that’s how they’ll be serving beer all week.

GABF Preview @ West End Tavern

They’ll be pouring 6 specialty beers from Dogfish Head, Oskar Blues, Avery, Russian River, Victory and Stone.

A Bucket of Microbrews @ Racines

Each bucket includes a 12 oz. bottle of the following New Belgium beers: 1554, Hoptober, Transatlantique Kriek, Fat Tire, and Mothership Wheat. ($18 per bucket)

Beer Fest Menu @ Dixon's Downtown Grill

Dixon's is offering 3 beer inspired meals this week.

Breakfast – buttermilk pancakes served with Guinness maple syrup and Irish Cream Liqueur infused whipped cream.
Lunch - tender veal sausages slow cooked in Denver Pale Ale served with mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, old world cabbage, and sweet & spicy mustard sauce.
Dinner – a half chicken with Dixons 10 spice rub, slow roasted to perfection over a can of Mamas Little Yella Pils, served with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Breakfast, $6.99; Lunch, $9.99; Dinner, $13.99

Famous Faces - Beer Inspired Menu Items @ Brown Palace

Ship Tavern has created some special beer inspired menu items named after famous people who have frequented the restaurant. Items include Sunshine Wheat chicken wings, Chimay Grand Cru Beer cheese soup, panko crusted pacific cod with fried fingerling potatoes and Tavern Ale malt vinegar, and Lambic raspberry ice cream.

Blind Flight Irish Taste Test @ Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub

For $5 you can do a blindfold taste test of 3 different beers. Guess which one is from Ireland and win a free pint.

Colorado Beer Ice Cream Fest @ Sweet Action Ice Cream

6 Colorado beer ice cream flavors all week

Denver Beer Fest Five-Course Tasting Menu @ Panzano

Chef Elise Wiggins created a five-course tasting menu paired with local microbrews. ($60 per person)

Denver Beer Fest Menu @ Steuben's

They’ll be offering a beer-themed menu with items inspired by, and created with, Oskar Blues selections. Beer pairings will be available with the menu.

Denver Beer Fest Pairing Menu @ Rock Bottom – Downtown

Rock Bottom will be running a special menu pairing dishes with their handcrafted ales.

Three-course Colorado Beer Dinner @ The Oceanaire Seafood Room

All week long you’ll be able to get a special 3-course meal paired with 3 different 2008 GABF medal winners. ($38.10 per person)

Wide Open Adventure's Rocky Mountain Fly Fishing Sampler

Wide Open Adventure will pick you up in Denver then bring you to Clear Creek where you spend 3-4 hours on the river fly fishing. After fishing stop at Tommy Knockers Brewery for a sampler which is included in the trip. ($229 per person)

Denver Beer Week menu @ Altitude Restaurant

Altitude Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Denver will be offering a four-course beer pairing menu throughout Denver Beer Fest. ($50 per person)

Free Recovery Coffee with Breakfast Purchase @ Corner Bakery

Mention ‘Denver Beer Fest’ and get a free medium coffee to help you recover from that hangover.

Denver Beer Fest Events: Part 2 (9/21-9/23)

2009-09-17T19:07:00.008-06:00

The Denver Beer Fest kicks off tomorrow with several great events, but things really start heating up on Monday when Falling Rock throws their 13th Annual GABF Tapping Party. They actually save kegs specifically for this event and bring out stuff you cannot find anywhere else. It's definitely a "can't-miss" party and is sure to be packed, so get there early. If you happen to miss out though a quick look at the list below should tell you that you won't have any trouble finding things to do and new beers to drink in Denver, but also be sure to check out the happenings up in Boulder. Avery will be tapping extremely rare beers everyday at 11:00am and The Kitchen is hosting what looks to be the coolest beer dinner all week. Also don't forget to check our calendar often as I will be updating it with new info frequently.

Monday, September 21st

Society for the Pursuit of Hoppiness - GABF Preview @ Avery Tap Room, 6:00pm ($15 for lifetime membership)
Avery Brewing - Tasting & Tassels @ Lannie's Downtown Clocktower, 7:00pm ($22)
Avery Tap Room - Eagle Rare Reverend ‘08 Tapping, 11:00am
Appaloosa Grill & Great Divide Beer Dinner, 6:30pm (Contact events@appaloosagrill.com to reserve a spot)

Appaloosa Grill & Great Divide Brewery have teamed up for Denver Beer week to celebrate local beer and local food for who else? The Locals. Space is limited for this one of a kind event. The evening will start at Appaloosa with a three course dinner followed by dessert at the brewery and a tour. All guests will then be transported back to Appaloosa for an evening of live music. To reserve your spot please contact Mindy Lorens (events@appaloosagrill.com)

Belgian Pairing Special @ Cheeky Monk, All Day
Brew with the Brewer @ Rock Bottom - Park Meadows, 5:00pm (Call (303) 792-9090 to RSVP)
13th Annual GABF Kickoff Tapping Party @ Falling Rock, 5:00pm

They will be tapping 10-12 kegs at 5:00pm of harder to find specialty beers from breweries from all over, some sent in just for this event. Some of the breweries: Avery, Russian River, Lost Abbey, Port Brewing.

Free Great Divide Tasting @ WaterCourse Foods, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Four Course, Four Beer Dinner @ Vine St. Pub, 6:00pm ($55 per person)
Meet the Oskar Blues Brewers @ Duo, 5:00pm - 7:00pm ($12 per person)
Five Course Left Hand Beer Dinner @ Elways Downtown, 6:30pm ($70 per person)

Tuesday, September 22nd

Avery Dinner @ Jax Denver, 7:30pm ($50 per person)
Meet the Left Hand Brewers @ Duo, 5:00pm - 7:00pm ($12 per person)
Avery Tap Room - Bad Sally ‘08 Tapping, 11:00am
Best in Brews Tasting @ TAG Restaurant, 2:00pm - 5:00pm

Come enjoy some of the finest brews around without the crowds of the GABF. Meet the merry men who make it happen. Sample some tasty snacks to help "wash down" the suds. Featuring: Avery Brewing Co., Bull and Bush, Great Divide and Oskar Blues, to name a few.

Boulder Beer Meet the Brewer @ Rialto Cafe, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Great Divide Dinner @ Osteria Marco, 6:30pm ($40 per person)
Beer College @ Rock Bottom - Westminster, 5:00pm
Cheeky Monk Anniversary Party, 8:00pm
Battle of the Beers @ Paramount Cafe, vote for your favorites all day
Meet the Flying Dog Brewer @ Paramount Cafe, 8:00pm
Specialty Beer Showcase @ Rock Bottom - Downtown, All Day
Herman Joseph's Beer Dinner @ Parallel Seventeen, 6:30pm ($50 per person)
Odell Brewing Tasting @ Marlowe's, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Meet the Guys from Alaskan Brewing @ Govnr's Park, 7:00pm
Meet and Greet with John Harris From Full Sail Brewing @ Govnr's Park, 4:00pm
Skull 'n Bones Grand Cru Release Party @ Bristol Brewing, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Breckenridge Brewers @ Argonaut Liquor, 3:00pm - 7:00pm

Wednesday, September 23rd

Beer vs. Wine Dinner @ TAG Restaurant, 7:00pm ($75 per person)
Boulder Beer Pool Party @ Crown Plaza, 5:00pm
Sui Generis Release Party @ Avery Tap Room, 3:00pm - 8:00pm (Limited number of bottles per person)

Sui Generis is a complex ale, aged and artfully blended from several types of oak barrels, and displays a delightful lactic sourness complimented by hints of brett, oak, and acetic. Intricate yet bold, deeply complex yet surprisingly refreshing. It is not on tap due to extremely limited quantities, but they will have small amounts of tiny-batch sour beers made with their House Sour Blend.

Boulder Beer Meet the Brewer @ Old Chicago - Market Street, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Boulder County Brews Cruise, 8:00am - 4:00pm
Deschutes Beer Dinner @ Baker St. Pub - DTC, 6:00pm ($50 per person)
Free Avery Tasting @ WaterCourse Foods, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Beer and Cheese Pairing @ Paramount Cafe, All Day
Beer Pairing Dinner @ Bistro Vendome, ($60 per person, Call 303-825-3232 for reservations)
Automne Release Party @ Bristol Brewing, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Q & A with the Brewers from Gambrinus @ Govnr's Park, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Pints & Bites @ the Governor's Residence, 5:00pm - 7:30pm ($100 for 1, $150 for 2)
Third Annual Gold Medal Dinner @ The Kitchen Upstairs, 6:30pm ($140 per person)

The Kitchen [Upstairs] welcomes five of the nation's most progressive breweries and their brewmasters. Guests will enjoy a special five-course meal created by The Kitchen's head chefs and each course will be paired with two beers from our five featured breweries. Brewmasters will be on hand to pour and discuss their favorite beers. Featuring Allagash, Avery, Dogfish Head, Russian River, & The Lost Abbey

New Belgium Tasting @ Marlowe's, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Great Divide Meet the Brewer @ Duo, 5:00pm - 7:00pm ($12 per person)
New Belgium Beer Dinner @ Simms Steakhouse, 7:00pm ($60 per person)
Chef and Brewer's Dinner @ Rock Bottom - The Orchards, 7:30pm ($40 per person)
Tommyknocker Brewers @ Argonaut Liquor, 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Flying Dog 20th Anniversary Beer Tapping @ Falling Rock, 4:00pm
Pyramid Snowcap Unveiling @ Falling Rock, 5:00pm
Artisanal Imports Tasting @ Falling Rock, 9:00pm

GABF Ticket Giveaway at Total Beverage

2009-09-17T14:40:00.008-06:00

As you probably already know the Great American Beer Festival is sold out this year, but if you don't have tickets yet there is still hope. Budweiser is holding a drawing to win a pair of tickets at Total Beverage in Westminster tomorrow at 4:00pm. You must be in the store to win! If that's not enough to get you there, they will also be starting a tasting at the store at 4:00.

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 9/13)

2009-09-16T12:33:00.007-06:00

New week, new beers in Denver. The highlights this week are two brand new brews from Fort Collins Brewery. Tomorrow (9/17) they will be releasing an Oatmeal Raisin Stout both in stores and at the brewery. The only downside is it looks like this one will only be available at Wilbur’s Total Beverage in Fort Collins. However, their other new beer, a coffee infused Amber called Common Ground, will be available in Denver and also sounds great. So keep your eyes peeled and let me know if you like it!

From Fort Collins Brewery:

This style of stout, developed in honor of brewer & Colorado State University Alumnus Matt Wensman, is produced and bottled by The Fort Collins Brewery, and marketed by Wilbur’s Total Beverage. All proceeds from sales are being donated to the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, CSU, to be used in teaching the FTEC 460 Brewing Science and Technology course.

Also be on the look out for these new releases:

Sierra Nevada Chico Estate Harvest Ale (BeerAdvocate)
Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale (BeerAdvocate)
Ska Brewing Merlo Stout (BeerAdvocate)
Boulevard Seeyoulator Doppelbock (BeerAdvocate)
Blue Moon Harvest Moon (BeerAdvocate)
Fort Collins Brewery Common Ground (BeerAdvocate)
Jack's Pumpkin Spice (BeerAdvocate)

Denver Beer Fest Events: Part 1 (9/18 - 9/20)

2009-09-16T00:03:00.019-06:00

The Denver Beer Fest begins in just two days and with over 125 beer related events going on in town over the next week there will be a lot to do and plenty of beer to drink. With so many options it'll be difficult to decide where to go, but fear not! For the next few days I'll be running an ongoing series here attempting to cover all this week's events to help you decide where to spend your precious time! The series kicks off today with a look at this weekend's happenings (9/18 - 9/20). I've highlighted what I think are a few "can't-miss" events and I'll also be updating the Google Calendar to the right with new tastings, dinners, and meet & greets as I find out about them, so check back often!

Friday, September 18th:

Firkin Friday @ Oskar Blues - Old Bovinity milk Chub, 5:00pm
Firkin Friday @ Dry Dock Brewing - Hazelnut Southern English Brown, 3:00pm
Oktoberfest on Larimer Square, 5:00pm - 1:00am
Free Sample Friday @ Great Divide, 10:00am - 10:00pm

Great Divide is giving away up to 8 free samples all day long!

Edge City Oktoberfest Release Party @ Bristol Brewing, 5:00pm
Hoppy Friday @ Marlowe's Restaurant, All Day
Hoppy Hour @ Govnr's Park Tavern, 4:00pm ($12 to keep your glass)

Govnr's Park will be tapping 12 GABF beers for "Hoppy Hour" - some of which are exclusive to Gov's for the week. This will be the first time the Blue Moon Brewers have ever released their beer pre-GABF.

Hoppy Hour @ Paramount Cafe, 4:00pm
Blessing of the New Tap Handles @ Cheeky Monk, 7:00pm
Breckenridge at the Beach @ Renaissance Denver Hotel, 6:00pm - 11:00pm (Featuring the Breck Brew Crew girls!)
Beer, Cheese and Bread pairing dinner @ City O' City, 7:00pm
Avery Brewing Meet the Brewer @ Rialto Cafe, 4:00pm - 7:00pm ($12 for a flight of 4 beers)

Rialto will be featuring a flight of four different Avery beers for only $12 including Avery IPA, White Rascal, Ellie’s Brown Ale and Out of Bounds Stout. A complimentary appetizer buffet will also be provided.

Saturday, September 19th:

Oktoberfest on Larimer Square, 11:00am - 1:00am
Siempre Loco Cask Ale @ Bristol Brewing, 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Sam Adams Flights @ Marlowe's, All Day
Denver's Best Burgers & Beers @ Paramount Cafe, All Day

Paramount Café is offering special Colorado farm raised elk, bison, ostrich, Kobe, lamb and dry-aged beef burgers. Not exactly beer specifc, but I think it sounds pretty cool.

Festival Italiano @ Belmar, 10:00am - 7:00pm
Beer, Brats and Burlesque! with Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, 7:00pm ($25 per person)
Breckenridge Brewery Meet the Brewer @ Govnr's Park, 8:00pm - 9:00pm

Govnr's Park Tavern will host a meet and greet with the brewer from Breckenridge Brewery as well as launch a beer flight program

Cheeky Monk's Cheek to Cheek Trip, 9:00am - 3:00pm ($65 per person)

Sunday, September 20th:

Oktoberfest on Larimer Square, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Great Divide Dinner @ Vesta Dipping Grill, 6:00pm (Call 303-296-1970 for reservations)

Chef Matt Selby hosts this pairing of tasty food from Vesta Grill and beer pairings from Great Divide. Limited seating.

Festival Italiano @ Belmar, 10:00am - 7:00pm
Oskar Blues Brewers Brunch @ Steuben's, 11:00am ($30 per person)

Oskar Blues Brewery will be hosting a brunch at Steuben's in Uptown. Tickets include a four-course meal inspired by Oskar Blues selections, as well beverage pairings. Call 303-830-1001 for tickets. Hurry! Seating is limited to just 20 people!

How to Brew Your Own Beer Class @ Govnr's Park, 3:00pm
Rogue Brewery Meet the Brewer @ City O' City, 7:00pm

If you have an event you'd like me to add please contact me at DenverBrew@gmail.com.

Getting Ready for the GABF

2009-09-14T17:53:00.009-06:00

The Great American Beer Festival is coming up quick (9/24 - 9/26) and with 495 brewers in attendance this year now is the time to start planning your attack. Luckily, the fesitval map has already been released! The brewers are grouped by region, so be sure to find find your favorites and plot your course of action. I know my plan will be to target the few breweries that don't currently distribute to Denver.

In addition to the map, the great people behind the festival have made it even easier this year to get ready by creating a GABF specific social networking site. The site has pages for each brewer with many even list the beers they will be pouring! It also allows you to create and print a list of the ones you want to hit, which will definitely be helpful after a few beers. Additionally, you can connect with other attendees and check out all the events planned during the festival!

Out-of-Towner Resources:

If you're coming to Denver just for the GABF here are some other handy links to help you plan where to visit.

Denver/Boulder Beer Mapping - Find out where anything and everything beer related is located in the Denver area. From brewpubs to beer stores, this map has it all.
Denver Microbrew Tour - A guided tour of Denver's many microbreweries. Perfect for someone just visiting!

Upcoming Events

2009-09-14T08:57:00.005-06:00

The newly created Denver Beer Fest starts this Friday and I'm planning a post sometime mid-week to cover all the great events that will be going on, but until then there are still a few beer tastings and dinners to keep you busy and drinking.

Hoppingsworth IPA Tasting @ Southern Sun Brewery, 9/14, 6:00pm
He'Brew Tasting @ Lloyd & Maxwell Liquors - 9/15, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Boulder Beer & Food Pairing Dinner @ Boulder Beer Company - 9/15, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Avery Dinner at Elways Colorado Steakhouse - 9/16 (Call 303-312-310 for Reservations)
Homebrewers & Collectors Supporter Group @ Avery Tap Room - 9/16, 6:00pm - 8:00pm ($5 cover)
Boulder Beer Founder's Night & Homebrew Ralley @ Boulder Beer Company - 9/16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Avery Brewing - Colorado Harvest Dinner @ Jax with Hosea Rosenberg - 9/16, 6:30pm -9:30pm ($85 per person)
Avery Dinner @ Le Central - 9/17

Boulder Beer Heat Rave 2009 Recap

2009-09-13T08:08:00.014-06:00

As expected, the Boulder Beer Heat Rave was a great time. For just $25 I was able to sample several rare "tap-house" only beers from 25 different brewers all in one place while enjoying live music and meeting some great people.

Just about every beer was excellent, but there were a few that stood out a little more. These included the new Bourbon Barrel Stout from Odell Brewing (in stores now, so be on the look out for it), New Belgium's Tart Lychee (a sour beer aged in oak barrels with Brettanomyces yeast and blended with lychee and Ceylon cinnamon), and Blue Moon's Peanut Butter Ale (peanut butter in beer actually works!). The event's hosts, Boulder Beer Company, also pulled out all the stops and were offering up a Bourbon Berry Porter, Bourbon Mojo IPA, and 1998 Igloo Ale (that's right 11 years old!) plus their usual selections.

Barrel aged beers were definitely the hot trend of the day. In addition to the 4 already mentioned, there were 4 others available including Twisted Pine's delicious Reilly's Oak Whiskey Red (available in their tap room 9/18), year old Old Ruffian from Great Divide, oaked Mama Pilsner from Oskar Blues, and Avery's new Moloch Ale (I think on tap for the first time and every bit the 13.5% ABV). All in all, it was an excellent day and a great way to start off Boulder Beer Week!

Release Party at Upslope Brewing

2009-09-11T12:44:00.005-06:00

Upslope Brewing opened just a few months ago in Boulder and is rolling out new brews at a rapid pace. On the heels of last weekend's tapping party for GABF Pro-Am contender Brian Patterson's Belgian Pale Ale, they will release two new beers this Saturday. From 2:00pm to 6:00pm they'll be debuting a new Bitter Brown (also available at the Boulder Heat Rave) and Dunkelweizen at the brewery. The Belgian Pale Ale, Belgian Dubbel, IPA, and Pale Ale will also be available on tap!

New Beer Releases

2009-09-11T08:51:00.013-06:00

I was looking around Argonaut Liquors on Colfax yesterday and noticed a few new beers are now available in Denver. Two that immediately stood out to me were Odell Brewing's new Bourbon Barrel Stout and Stone Brewing's latest release in their Vertical Epic series.

The Odell Bourbon Barrel Stout is the latest barrel aged beer from the brewery and if the label's description is to be believed it will be fantastic. It is a little pricey at $15/bottle, but it will also be on tap at the Boulder Beer Heat Rave on Saturday if you'd like a taste.

This limited edition offering begins with a full-bodied imperial stout that has notes of sweet milk chocolate, smooth vanilla and roasted coffee beans. Then things get interesting. We transfer it to Kentucky bourbon barrels where it’s aged for four months to let traces of oaks and caramel come forward.

Stone's Vertical Epic 09-09-09 is the most recent addition to their ongoing series each released 1 year, 1 month, and 1 day from the last. The entire series is designed to be aged until 12-12-2012 and then enjoyed in a vertical tasting, so I'd suggest picking up a few bottles to see how the flavors change. You'll want to buy some soon though as it appeared to be selling fast at Argonaut.

From Stone Brewing:

During the brewing process we added dark candi sugar, vanilla bean, and tangerine peel to complement the flavors of the porter. The vanilla bean addition is fascinating, as it actually enhances the chocolate character from the roasted malts, and the candi sugar adds a nice hint of molasses flavor to the finish. The tangerine actually turned out to be quite subtle on the finish, and combines nicely with the chocolate malt character. We aged this beer on French oak chips, which contributes a smooth and subtle woody undertone and even more vanilla flavors.

New Tap Room Hours at Great Divide

2009-09-10T16:08:00.003-06:00

During the Great American Beer Fest (9/23-9/27) Great Divide Brewing will be opening their tap room a few hours earlier for your drinking pleasure. They'll be open from 10:00am to 10:00pm, which should give you plenty of time to try the special beers they plan on rolling out. Be on the look out for a whiskey barrel aged verision of their Claymore Scotch Ale, a new Berliner Weiss, and several cask conditioned beers!

Guest Post at Beertography

2009-09-09T14:32:00.003-06:00

I recently won the right to spend the day sitting in on a brewing of Oskar Blues Ten Fidy Imperial Stout and my friends over at Beertography allowed me to write about my experience on their excellent site. Check it out and be sure to keep going back as it's a great blog.

Boulder Heat Rave Beer Lineup Released

2009-09-09T14:14:00.008-06:00

The Boulder Beer Company has compiled a listing of the beers each brewery will be bringing for their Heat Rave party this Saturday and what a list it is. As promised each of the 25 brewers in attendance will be bringing a keg of a rare "tap-house" only beer! Some of these brews sound really tasty and I can't wait to sample them.

Tickets are $25 and are supposed to be limited, so get yours now at their web-store today. All proceeds will be donated to the Miracle on Walnut Street charity, so you get to taste great beer and help a good cause at the same time!

Avery Brewing - Moloch (13.5% ale)
BJs - Wet Hopped Pirahna Pale Ale
Breckenridge - Lucky U IPA
Bristol Brewing - Edge City Wit
Colorado Draft House - Kolsch
Coopersmith - Chai Stout
Coors - Blue Moon Peanut Butter Ale
Dillon Dam - Otto's Oktoberfest
Dillon Dam - Dam Dunkelweiss
Estes Park - 9 Hop Pale Ale
Gordon Biersch - Blond Bock
Great Divide - Year old Old Ruffian Barley Wine
Left Hand - St. Vrain Trippel
Mountain Sun - Super Kind
New Belgium - Tart Lychee
Odell Brewing - Bourbon Stout
Oskar Blues - To Be Determined
Pumphouse - Cherry Bomb Saison
Rock Bottom - SchwarzHacker
Sam Adams - Belgian Red
Sierra Nevada - Bigfoot Barley Wine
Trinity - Farmhouse Provisional
Twisted Pine - Reilly's Oak Whiskey Red
Upslope - Upslope Bitter Brown
Walnut - 1123 IPA
Wynkoop - Rocktoberfest Dark Marzen
Boulder Beer - Memsic's Trippel
Boulder Beer - Blueberry Wheat
Boulder Beer - Rye't-on Lager
Boulder Beer - Raspberry Porter
Boulder Beer - Flashback Anniversary Ale
Boulder Beer - Bourbon MoJo IPA
Boulder Beer - Nitro Flashback Anniversary Ale

Upcoming Events

2009-09-08T18:44:00.009-06:00

With the Great American Beer Fest, Oktoberfest, and the new Denver Beer Fest Week just around the corner things are about to start picking up in town. However, there are quite a few events and happenings going on soon to tide you over including Boulder Beer Week!

The festivities kick off on this Saturday with the Boulder Beer Heat Rave from 2pm - 6pm at the Boulder Beer Company. For just $25 you'll get unlimited tastings of small-batch and brewery only releases from more than 20 different Colorado brewers.

Other upcoming events in Boulder Beer Week and around the Denver area:

Fall Prix Fix @ The Empire Lounge in Louisville Presented by Avery Brewing - 9/10, 6:00pm - 10:00pm ($32)
Brew at the Zoo - 9/11, 7:00pm - 10:00pm ($55 in advance, $65 at the door)
Firkin Friday - Seven C's Double IPA @ Dry Dock Brewing - 9/11, 3:00pm
Firkin Firday - Pumpkin Spice Ale @ Oskar Blues - 9/11, 5:00pm
New Belgium Brewing's Tour de Fat @ City Park - 9/12, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Oktoberfest Tapping @ Dry Dock Brewing - 9/12, 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Working Stiff's Tours @ Boulder Beer Company - 9/14 - 9/17, 5:30pm
Beer & Food Pairing Dinner @ Boulder Beer Company - 9/15, 6:30pm ($35, limited seating)
Founder's Night & Homebrew Ralley @ Boulder Beer Company - 9/16, 7:00pm
Boulder Beer Company's 30th Anniversary Throwdown @ The Boulder Theater - 9/18, 7:30pm ($18)

Hello

2009-09-08T17:58:00.000-06:00

Welcome. Since moving to Denver I've struggled to find a "one-stop" site that has the latest news on beer related events in and around the Denver area, so I've decided to take a stab at creating one. Check back often for more updates and let me know if you have any ideas for the blog!