Retail Beer Releases (Week of 11/1)

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)

Retail Beer Releases (Week of 10/18)

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)

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

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.