Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/15)

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)

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/8)

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)

Upcoming Events (Week of 10/4)

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)

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Events

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

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!

Boulder Heat Rave Beer Lineup Released

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

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)