Brews News 12-31

As the year comes to an end and a new one begins it is time to gear up for another great 12 months in craft beer around Colorado. But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves and instead just take it one week at a time. There is a lot going on this week to welcome in 2014 with from New Year’s parties, to new brewery openings, to new beer releases to look forward to.

New Brewery Openings:
-After much anticipation and waiting Kokopelli Beer Company will finally open their doors in Westminster on Friday, January 3. Some people have already gotten to try their beers through various tastings and a recent collaboration beer they did with Caution in Denver but now the tap lines will be flowing to the thirsty masses. The brewpub will offer food options to guests as well as a variety of hand crafted ales on tap. They are located on 8931 Harlan St. in Westminster.

Events:
With New Years Eve there are a lot of events all around Denver this year, here are a few worth going to.
-Big Choice Brewing in Broomfield will be hosting a New Years Eve party with a decade theme where the best dressed can win free beer for a year. $55 gets you a catered dinner, automatic entry to the giveaways throughout the evening, unlimited beer, and a champagne toasts to ring in the new year.
-If you are in the mountains celebrating the New Year swing by the Dam Brewery in Dillon. $12 at the door gets you party favors, a champagne toast, and a concert from Something Underground. Of course while waiting for the clock to hit midnight enjoy many of the great award winning beers made on site.

New Beer Releases:
-Friday, January 3 Uplsope Brewing in Boulder will be tapping a firkin voted on by the fans. The beer of choice is a milk stout with vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, and cinnamon. Tapping is at 2 pm at the Lee Hill location, you’re not going to want to miss this one.
-Saturday, January 4 in what has become a New Year’s tradition Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be tapping their 3^rd annual mystery beer. In years past we have seen a Black Belgian Quad, and a Juniper Berry Belgian Golden Strong, so what could this year’s be? Tapping is at noon, arrive early and do your best guesswork to figure out this year’s special batch.
-Saturday, January 4 at 1pm River North Brewery in Denver will be releasing another new barrel aged beer. J Marie their flagship and signature saison has spent time in a red wine barrel and is ready to be served to the masses. Anyone who knows River North knows that their barrel aged beers are worth trying and this one will be no exception.
-It’s January and that can only mean one thing, Great Divide will be releasing Orabelle again. This Belgian Tripel made its debut last year and will be hitting tap lines and store shelves soon. Also Great Divide will be releasing a new year round beer! Lasso a session IPA that comes in right around 5% ABV joins a great lineup of IPAs that features Titan, Hercules, and Rumble and is sure to be popular.

Other News:
Starting this year Saint Patrick’s Brewing Company will start opening on Saturdays. This small batch brewery in Englewood known for both classic and experimental lagers is slowly becoming one of the hidden gems of the Colorado beer scene, and his expanded hours will only help to solidify that. Saint Patrick’s is located on 4750 S Santa Fe Cir in Englewood, so make the trip, say hi and taste some great lagers.

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The Year Ahead

2013 was a great year for craft beer with an abundance of new breweries opening their doors all over the state. Denver, Boulder, and other established towns continued their expansions with great new breweries like Jagged Mountain, J Wells, and Sanitas. Also 2013 saw small suburbia towns getting their first microbreweries. Lafayette was home to two, Westminster opened one with another one in the works. As the year wraps up and 2014 is right around the corner the number of breweries slated to open up continue to grow, and here are some to look forward to in the year ahead.

38 State Brewing Company: With all the breweries in Colorado there are some towns that still don’t have an expansive craft beer scene, one of which is the small suburb of Littleton. That will change early in 2014 with the opening of 38 State Brewing Company. Founded by Colorado natives this urban rustic brewery with a patio will be located on 8071 S Broadway in Littleton. This small batch brewery will start on a 1 BBL system from Ruby Street, and once opened they will feature six flagship beers. Those beers include a Chocolate Bourbon Stout, Golden Lemon Honey Wheat, Two Buttes Double IPA, Great Plains Scottish Ale, ColorAmber Ale, and a brown ale which they are still working on a name for. If all goes as planned look for their doors to open in late January. With a Colorado name, Colorado inspired beers, and a great location this brewery will be a great addition and definitely one to look forward to opening in 2014.

Factotum Brewhouse: Factotum will be a very unique addition to the ever expanding craft beer scene in Denver when they open. Why? Because this brewery will embrace and pay homage to the home brewers who have dreams of opening up their own brewery. Brother and sister owners Chris and Laura Bruns will brew two of the seven beers available on their 7 BBL System. The other five taps will be run by home brewers who not only want to learn brewing on professional equipment, but also want honest feedback on their recipes. This will be on a waitlist system so that the same style of beer does not dominate their tap list. While their first location fell through they are currently in the process of finding a new location, and with a successful kickstarter fundraiser they are ready to go and get open. Despite the few setbacks they have faced this will be a very unique brewery that is sure to be popular for all the varieties of beers for craft beer drinkers and home brewers alike.

Kokopelli Beer Company: After months of anticipation one of the breweries we are most looking forward to will also be one of the first to open in 2014, and in a town still growing in craft beer. That will come on January 3 when Kokopelli Beer Company opens their doors on January 3. Not only will this brewpub offer artisan pizzas and sandwiches to compliment their beer but they will also offer six flagship ales. These include an American Pale Ale, an English Pale Extra Special, a Belgian Wit, American Amber, IPA, and sweet Milk Stout. The flagship beers will be more on the traditional side, while their rotational and seasonal ales will be more experimental. While this brewery has been in the process to open for a while they have been staying busy brewing beer and getting their name out, most recently doing a collaboration beer with Caution Brewing out of Denver. Once this brewery opens they will join Westminster Brewing Company as the second microbrewery in this small suburb, making it one of the most to look forward to next year.

Blue Spruce Brewing: In another brewery that was supposed to open in 2013 but will open their doors in early 2014 comes out of the town of Centennial, Blue Spruce Brewing. Located at the corner of County Line and Colorado this brewpub will feature 8-12 beers on tap from brewer Rick Kane and will feature Mazatlan style Mexican food that pairs with the beers along with other food options. The 7 BBL system will brew plenty of beer to serve to the thirsty masses and include diverse lineup that features a golden strong ale, pecan pie brown, and IIPA which will be poured at the annual Vail Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywine festival, plus many more great offerings. Look for this brewery to officially open their doors sometime in January, and expect it to be a great addition to a neighborhood still establishing its craft beer scene.

So what other breweries are there to look forward to next year? Aurora will expand with 2 new microbreweries in Demon Spawn and Mu. Denver will continue to expand at a rapid rate with other breweries like Fiction and Zephyr. Also expect more suburb breweries to open up and small town breweries including a new one in Breckenridge, Manitou Springs, and more. No matter how you look at it and no matter where in Colorado the number of breweries opening up will be enough to keep all of our pint glasses full, and all of our thirst’s quenched. Cheers to the year ahead and what 2014 will bring.

What breweries are you looking forward to next year? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews       

2013 Best Breweries

During this craft beer boom that has been occurring over the past couple years, it has been a great time to be a craft beer fan. New breweries are opening up on a regular basis.  The list of upcoming breweries continues to grow at an alarming rate and 2013 was no exception. An abundance of new breweries opened their doors and served their pints to the thirsty masses all across the state of Colorado. With so many memorable breweries that opened it was hard to narrow down to our most favorite. Here are our choices for the best new breweries from this past year.

Denver: In the ever expanding brewery scene in Denver, the best brewery from the past year did not have the best location, but was in a great neighborhood. Tucked away in an alley in the highlands neighborhood is Denver’s best new brewery of 2013, De Steeg, which translated means alley. From the small but comfortable tap room that is consistently being upgraded, to the always friendly service you receive, this is a great place to spend an afternoon in great company. Then, of course, there is the beer. When they first opened their doors there were three diverse beers on tap: a Pomegranate Acai Wheat, French Saison, and English Mild.  Now, just nine months later, the tap list has greatly expanded to regularly include Imperial Stouts, Barley Wines, Blondes, and even some Oak Aged offerings. So, when looking for a great brewery in Denver, swing by the Highlands neighborhood, look for the wooden sign with a goblet, and see for yourself why this was the best new brewery from 2013 in Denver.

Golden: In a town that features one of the largest most mainstream breweries in the country it is a welcome relief that craft beer would still be a welcome part of this town. In May of 2013, the craft beer expansion continued in Golden when some School of the Mines students opened up their own brewery, Mountain Toad. This great brewery starts with the building itself, right on the corner of 9^th and Washington, and it not only provides great mountain artwork from a local artist, but lots of windows and a great beer garden that provides great mountain views of this small town. As for the beer it is a diverse tap list of both traditional and unique beers. For traditional, there is their Mt. Zion IPA, and Amber Ale both traditional, and full flavored. For slightly unique there is the White Ranch Wit, a classic Belgian Wit with grapefruit and orange blossom honey, and the Ryrish Stout, a dry Irish stout with a nice spice note from rye. Then there is the tadpole series, small batch beers that have become a cult classic. Factor in a great, relaxing tap room with refreshing beer, and of course a friendly staff and this is not only one of the best breweries in this small town, but hands down one of the best to open their doors in 2013.

Boulder: In the town where craft beer started it has certainly not stopped there, and the expansion of microbreweries in this small town continues to occur. In 2013, that included multiple new breweries and one of the best lies in a warehouse right next to the train tracks that run through this town. Named after a nearby mountain this is Sanitas Brewing. The owners of this new brewery came from Boulder Beer and created a brewery with their own identity, and a tap room to match. The views on either side of the tap room are great whether you want to see the outdoors and train tracks that run by, or into the large brewery and production area. The patio is large, and also includes an official bocce ball court to past the time. As for the beers they are all very straightforward in style, but full in flavor. The two signature flagship beers are a Saison which is light, tart, and refreshing. The other is a Black IPA which has a nice balance between roasted malts, hops, and comes with a subtle pine flavor. Both of those beers are available in the tap room and are also canned, and then there are the small batch train beers. Small batch beers that constantly rotate and are even offered at a discount when the train rolls by the tap room. Although this brewery is slightly off the beaten path within Boulder it is a must visit, and one of the best from the past 12 months.

Small Town: While the craft beer scene is primarily in large, destination towns the expansion and boom has now ventured into small towns that most people used to drive through without hesitation. That was the case earlier this year just outside Boulder in the small town of Lafayette where a brewery opened specializing in Belgian beers and IPAs, Odd 13. Located right within a neighborhood this brewery embodies that same feel with a large, comfortable tap room and a very friendly staff. But what makes this brewery unique is the original beer list. From a Belgian IPA that contains hints of Brett to a Red IPA the diversity for hop lovers is in abundance, and then there are the Belgian beers. Ranging from session pale ales and saisons to Golden Strong ales the beers range for fans of all styles, and recently Odd 13 started a sour program to introduce a great style on the craft beer level. Combine the environment and unique beers it is no wonder that Odd 13 was one of the best breweries of 2013.

Those are just some of the best from 2013, but there were so many more great breweries and great beers. After such a great year it will be great to see what 2014 has in line.

What were some of your favorite breweries from the past year? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews

Brews News 12-17

The year and month are just flying by and before we know it will be the holidays. But for now as the shopping and madness continues there is always going to be time for a break and a pint. Thankfully in the week leading up to Christmas there is plenty going on in the craft beer community that is Colorado. Some potentially new openings, great events, and as always new beers hitting the tap lines await us in the week ahead.

New Brewery Openings:
-Although this brewery has been around for almost a year, their tap room is only a few days old. Hall Brewing has officially opened the doors to their Parker Tap Room right on Main Street and are serving their great Farmhouse Ales to the masses. All their great beers and seasonal offerings are available for taster, pint, some in bottle, and growlers to go. Hours are 12-8 Monday through Wednesday, 12-9 Thursday, 12-10 Friday and Saturday, and 11-6 Sunday so stop by and enjoy some great beers from a very comfortable tap room.
-While it is not totally official yet all signs point to Station 26 Brewing opening their doors this upcoming weekend. This one time firehouse turned brewery on 38^th and Quebec in Denver recently poured at the All Denver Beer Festivus and had a small setback that prevented him from opening last weekend. We have been waiting anxiously for this brewery to open to try great beers like his Belgian-American Pale Ale and Cherrywood-Smoked Pale Ale so let’s all hope the doors open for good, and keep tuned for official details and hours.

Events:
Saturday, December 21 is the Winter Solstice and Wild Woods Brewery in Boulder is celebrating the event with what they are calling a “Night in the Woods.” This night will feature special prices on their already popular dark beer blends, a great food truck, and they will also be releasing 4 new beers, all dark offerings in honor of the longest night of the year. The new beers released will be a Black Smoke Imperial Stout, the Constellation Black IPA made with Australian Galaxy Hops, the Nocturnal Porter (a coffee Baltic Porter, and the Czar Tater (a Russian Imperial Potato Stout). Event runs from 2-9 and will be a great chance to try some new beers, and enjoy some already popular ones from a great brewery that has combined their love of outdoors with craft beer.

New Beer Releases:
-Tuesday, December 17 Crooked Stave is continuing Tap is Tuesday at the Source, this week is Strawberry Surette.
-Wednesday, December 18 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be tapping the last beer in their candied beer series with a Chocolate Peanut Brittle Old Ale. These beers have been running out on the same day they are tapped so arrive early to ensure you try it, tapping is at 3.
-Wednesday, December 18 Grist Brewing will be releasing a Russian Imperial Stout. This rich, dark, beer will be perfect for the season and is available starting at 4 pm.
-Wednesday, December 18 Upslope will be rereleasing their Foreign Style Stout. This popular is back for another limited release, and will be available at 5.
-Thursday, December 19 Grist will continue their new firkins, this time with a Cranberry Kolsch, perfect for the season.
-Friday, December 20 Lone Tree Brewing Company will tap a great beer perfect for the winter/holiday season, a Gingerbread Old Ale. Beer will be available at 12.
-Saturday, December 21 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will release a new IPL (India Pale Lager). This hybrid between a pale lager and IPA will be a great refreshing beer with a nice hop note. Goes on tap at 12.

In other news Our Mutual Friend has announced that they will now be open 7 days a week, and already some of the first beer releases of 2014 have been announced and is is already shaping up to be another great year in craft beer.

Is there anything you want featured? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews

2013 Best of Dark Beers

Throughout 2013 there were not only a lot of new breweries that opened their doors, but also an abundance of new beers that hit tap lines all across Colorado. While the new beers came from new breweries, already established ones were just as active in releasing new beers to the point where craft beer drinkers were always having their thirst’s quenched with new and unique offerings. As the year comes to an end and the weather turns cold we look back at some of the best dark beers from 2013. From porters to stouts here are the best from the past 12 months.

Shake (Boulder Beer Co., Boulder, CO): In a year full of new nano breweries and highly experimental beers it is often overlooked that the original craft brewery in Colorado released some new beers throughout the year as well, like Shake Chocolate Porter from Boulder Beer Co. So what makes this one of the best of the year? It lives up to its name perfectly, starting as a rich dark brown beer with an off white head. This leads into a full bodied beer that is full of chocolate flavor balanced out by a prominent coffee flavor. The richness of the cocoa makes this a hearty beer, and the clean aftertaste makes it very easy to enjoy. Once all is said and done there is nothing fancy to the beer, it is a very straightforward chocolate porter, making it one of the best of the year.

Chocolate Milk Stout (J Wells Brewing, Boulder, CO): In a more industrial part of Boulder within a small warehouse lies a small microbrewery making bold flavored beers, the brewery of course is J Wells. When he opened his doors in 2013 his tap list was minimal, but one of the beers featured was a Chocolate Milk Stout that was full flavored and fit the name perfectly. This was a full bodied beer had a creamy mouth feel making it obvious it was a milk stout, and then there was the primary flavor. This beer had a rich flavor where chocolate was prominent, but the bitterness of coffee was still a subtle undertone. This was a very balanced and traditional version of a classic style stout that had all the great flavor profiles one would expect. Nothing experimental, just traditional making it one of the best stouts from the past 12 months.

Chocolate Cherry Stout (Lone Tree Brewing, Lone Tree, CO): When one thinks of a stout they often expect a dark, full bodied beer full of a roasted coffee flavor. When flavors are added it is typically chocolate, but what about fruit that not only enhances the flavor, but also adds brightness as well? That is what Lone Tree Brewing put on the tap lines earlier this year with their Chocolate Cherry Stout that was also barrel aged. This was a beer where the flavors all complimented each other, and also were visible on their own. The chocolate added richness and enhanced the body of this big beer, and the cherry added a brightness and subtle sweetness. The bourbon barrel aging added a very subtle hint of bourbon, oak, and vanilla creating a complex beer full of flavors. But unlike other complex beers all the flavors in this beer balanced each other out, were still visible, making this easy to drink and unique, also one of the best dark beers of 2013.

Social Club Coffee Milk Stout (The BoB, Englewood, CO): At a place that makes their own craft beer and also serves great coffee drinks it is only fitting that a beer would bring together both their crafts, and that is the case with the Social Club Coffee Milk Stout at The BoB. This beer has a surprisingly light body for a stout and it starts with a subtle sweetness and creamy mouth feel making it a great representation of a milk stout. In addition is all the coffee to compliment the roasted grains. The strong coffee flavor with subtle hints of chocolate make this full flavored with a balance of bitterness, sweetness, and roasted coffee. There are no extra flavors added, just additions that enhance what makes stouts great. Not only is this beer a great late day version of coffee with cream, but it is one of the best dark beers made from the past year.

While those were some of our favorite dark beers there were plenty of other great ones from throughout the year. Some include the Psycho Penguin Vanilla Porter from Odyssey Beerwerks in Arvada, The Ryrish Stout from Mountain Toad in Golden, and Niobrara Stout from Grist. With all the breweries that opened during the course of the year and all the new beers that hit the tap lines the selection was n abundance. For fans of the dark beers there were plenty of great beers to choose from, and with all the great ones from this past year is makes next year looking that much more exciting.

What were some of your favorite dark beers from the year? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews

Brews News 12-10

The frigid cold week that was is now over, and as the weather starts to warm up so does craft beer events around the state. As the year draws to a close we still have new beer releases, festivals, and news coming from breweries in planning. Here is a look at the week ahead in Colorado craft beer.

Festivals:
Saturday, December 14 will be the 2^nd Annual All Denver Beer Festivus at the McNichol’s Building in Civic Center Park. Last year the inaugural event sold out in 2 weeks and featured 19 breweries from Denver. This year the number of breweries has increased by 8 and now includes De Steeg, Diebolt, Epic, Factotum, Former Future, Jagged Mountain, and Station 26. And of course all the other great Colorado Breweries will be there as well. Tickets are sold out, but this is a great festival to look forward to on what is now becoming a great holiday tradition. Event runs from 2-6.

Events:
-It’s the 2^nd Thursday of the month and that can only mean one thing, and that is the monthly Beer and Cheese Pairing at Copper Kettle Brewing Company. $20 gets you 4 beers from Copper Kettle, 4 cheeses from the Truffle Cheese Shop and a couple hours of fun and learning. Tickets are still available for this great event.

New Beer Releases:
-Starting Monday, December 9 Stapleton Tap House in Denver started their 13 days till Winter Tapping. Every day they will be tapping a special holiday, winter, or barrel aged beer leading up to the first day of winter. Those who have been here know some of the unique beers offered, so stopping by one of these days is a must. First tapping is Don’t Pout Holiday Stout from Odyssey Beerwerks in Arvada.
-Tuesday, December 10 Wild Woods Brewery will be releasing their newest small batch beer. Cinnamon Roll Brown, a spiced brown with a thick icing head comes in at 8.5 percent ABV and is sure to warm you up.
-Tuesday, December 10 Crooked Stave will begin tapping a new limited beer starting at 5 at the Source. This week’s offering id Dark Origins, a barrel aged dark sour ale.
-Wednesday, December 11 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will continue their “Candied Beer” month with a firkin of Fudge Stout. Tapping will be at 3 and is sure to go fast.
-Wednesday, December 11 back at the Source Crooked Stave will be tapping a beer blended with kombucha from Happy Leaf. This week is Vieille blended with Citra dry hopped prickly pear kombucha. Tapping is at 5 and this beer sounds so interesting it has to be tried.
-Wednesday, December 11 River North is bringing back their original barrel aged beer for Wayward Wednesday with the Whiskey Barrel Aged J Marie, tapping is at 3.
-Thursday, December 12 Crooked Stave will be releasing their seasonal Vieille in bottles at the Source. This saison has been flavored with cranberry and holiday spices, there is a 1 case limit per customer.
-Thursday, December 12 Grist Brewing in Highlands Ranch will begin a weekly firkin, and what is the first one? Rob’s Sweet Cherry Kolsch. Tapping is at 4 pm and this is a great weekly addition to the first brewery in Highlands Ranch.
-Friday, December 13 Hall Brewing will be part of a tap takeover at World of Belmar, this will be a great chance to try some great beer from Parker, CO and support a great local, farmhouse brewery.

It is certainly shaping to be another great and busy week in craft beer, and as the year starts to wind down what better way to celebrate than with a pint in hand?

Is there a brewery you want featured, let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews

2013 Best of Barrel Aged

Over the course of the year there were dozens of new beers released from breweries all over the state. As in years past one of the common trends seen in the craft beer scene was beers get aged in various barrels. 2013 was a very good year for barrel aged beers, and drinkers got to sample beers from all types of barrels. There was the standard bourbon and wine released beers, but also this year breweries began to utilize tequila and gin barrels as well. With so many new barrel aged beers released over the course of the year these were some of the best we tried.

Wine Barrels: Throughout the course of the year there were several beers we tried that spent time in wine barrels, but the best one also came from the largest brewery on the list, Odell. The beer? Amuste, and imperial porter aged in wine barrels. From beginning to end this beer was balanced, complex, and none of the great flavors were lost in a beer that took two years to make. The roasted barley and coffee notes from the porter created a rich, full body that was heightened by all the wine additions. The juice from tempranillo grapes added a richness, and acidity to balance out the beer, and then of course there is the time Amuste spent in a wine barrel. The end result was a rich beer that brought out the best qualities in wine and beer and brought the two together in harmony. The richness of the porter was present, and the tannin profile and mouth feel of red wine was equally as present. This full bodied beer was truly balanced, and one of the best barrel aged beers we enjoyed during 2013.

Bourbon Barrels: Typically when bourbon barrels are mentioned regarding a beer it is reserved for something dark like a porter or a stout. But what about when it is a second use barrel, rinsed out so the oak flavor is prominent, and the beer is a sour? That is exactly what Elevation Beer Co. in Poncha Springs did earlier this year when they released their Engel Weisse. This light and traditional Berliner Weisse was given a modern upgrade, but stayed true to the traditional style that this beer is. The light color, light body, and strong tartness made it obvious that this beer was a sour, and the low, sessionable alcohol content made it true to the style. But through all the sour notes was a subtle hint of oak that gave this beer depth of flavor. The oak cut through the acidity of this beer, gave it more body, but this beer stayed very true to what a Berliner Weisse should be. With such a unique style turning into a layered beer it is no wonder that it was one of the best barrel aged beers of the past year.

Same Barrel, multiple uses: What happens when a barrel begins by holding cherry wine, then moves to a distillery for bourbon, and then back to a winery for port? The next step is to age a beer in it, and that is exactly what happened at Copper Kettle Brewing Company in Denver during their 2^nd Anniversary, and the beer aged in this barrel was a Belgian Dark Strong. To go along with a great body and complex flavor the barrel aging was so unique that all flavors were still present. The subtle hint of the cherry was present at the beginning, the bourbon flavor carried over with each sip, and the hearty port was present on the finish. All this was highlighted by a full bodied beer full of complexities due to its Belgian yeast strain. The finish to this beer was clean making it very easy to sip on, and based on the uniqueness of the barrel it had to make the list of best barrel aged beers of 2013.

Barrel Compilation: It’s one thing to enjoy one high quality barrel aged beer, but what about a combination of one breweries best barrel aged beers? That is exactly what River North Brewery in Denver did when they released their Barrel Reserve 2013, combining their favorite whiskey aged beers into one. The result is a dark full bodied ale, with a strong malt base and minimal hop bitterness. The barrel flavor was prominent, but not as strong as one would expect, and there was a brightness from the Belgian yeast strain this brewery is so well known for. This is all capped off clean finish that makes this a crisp, clean beer. What makes this such a great barrel aged beer is that it is so unique and no 2 years can ever be that same, making it not only one of the best of the year, but also one of the ones to most look forward to on a yearly basis.

While these are only a few of our favorite barrel aged beers from the past year there were several others that were all very good in style and barrel. 2013 saw tequila and gin barrels being utilized more than seen in years past, and more breweries are beginning to start active barrel programs on a regular basis. While 2013 was a great year for barrel aged beers this list already has us looking forward to what 2014 will bring.

What were some of your favorites from the past year? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews

Brews News 12-3

Can you believe that it is December already? Gone is Thanksgiving and now the Holiday season is in full swing. Lucky for us that the craft beer world is giving us gifts early in the month, as this is a very busy week in craft beer around Colorado with festivals, anniversaries, and new beer releases to keep us warm, and full of great beer all week.

Festivals:
This week prior to the annual Parade of Lights is the annual Parade of Darks at the Wynkoop in LoDo. This annual event will feature around 35 breweries and over 80 porters, stouts, barley wines, and all great dark beers from around the state and country. Tickets are $35 in advance and $42 at the door, and all proceeds go to benefit the Denver Metro Care Ring. This is a great event with some great beer perfect for the cold weather and the Holiday Season.

Anniversaries:
2 Breweries will be celebrating their anniversaries this week.
-The first is a 2 night event in Denver as Our Mutual Friend Malt and Brew turns 1. The first night of this event is Friday, December 6 as they will be bringing back their popular Winter Warmer. Day 2 December, 7 is the staff tap takeover. This features beers from all the OMF staff and the beers will include a Black IPA, All Galaxy Red Ale, Blood Orange Wheat, Belgian Dubbel, Hoppy Saison, Cream Ale, and a NY Maple Syrup Porter. All Beers will be available in tasters or full pours. Of Course it wouldn’t be an Our Mutual Friend event without some great music and there will be local musicians and great food trucks to help this brewery celebrate.
-Saturday, December 7 Lone Tree Brewing Company will be celebrating their 2^nd Anniversary. This day will be highlighted with great food trucks, live music, and of course beer… lots of small batches will be tapped throughout the day. These include a Gran Cru Wit, Triforce Tripel, Biere de Garde, Barrel Aged Baltic Porter, Tropical Stout, Snickerdoodle Red, Jalapeno Cheddar IPA, Barrel Aged Black IPA on nitro, Peppermint Mocha Stout, and a vertical pairing of the 2012 and 2013 Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout. This will be a great event with some unique and great beers so stop on by and raise a glass to another year for this small brewery.

New Beer Releases:
You can tell the weather is getting colder, new beer releases this week will embody the season and warm the body.
-Renegade Brewing in Denver has brought back Radiator just in time for the cold weather. This popular winter warmer is brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, orange peel, and brown sugar so head down to the Santa Fe art district and enjoy a pint.
-Wednesday, December 4 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will start a new month of firkins, and December is candied beer months. Starting off the month is a Caramel Bock Lager. Beer will be tapped at 3 and is sure to not last long.
-Thursday, December 5 in Colorado Springs Bristol Brewing will be releasing their annual Christmas Ale. This spiced ale full of cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and molasses is looked forward to every season and this year is no exception.
-Friday, December 6 Hall Brewing in Parker will be releasing another new seasonal ale, Deck the Hall is a Holiday Ale and will be available in the 22 ounce bombers we expect from this farmhouse brewery.
-Friday, December 6 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be tapping their Winter Spice Ale in their annual guess the spice contest. This English Style Old Ale is spiced to fit the season and if you can correctly guess 3 of the 4 spices you win a growler to take home.
-Saturday, December 7 River North Brewery will be Barrel Aged Avarice in bombers. Quantities are limited so arrive early.
-Saturday, December 7 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be releasing the first in a series of barrel aged bombers. The first is Snowed In, formerly known as High Country Breakfast Stout. Quantities are limited, and they go on sale at 12 so arrive early for this favorite beer.

Don’t let the cold weather keep you inside this week. Enjoy the season through Colorado craft beer and let the hearty ales warm you.

Is there a brewery you want featured in Brews News? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews

Brewery Tours

With Thanksgiving behind us, but the remainder of the weekend still ahead and guests still in town, deciding how to fill the next couple days can be difficult. Thankfully in Colorado there is more craft beer than we know what to do with, and the ability to visit multiple breweries in a single day is easier than ever. With several regions in the state all with great breweries all around, and several new breweries as well, these are some of our top brewery tours to do with friends and family during this holiday season.

Denver: When it comes to craft beer in Colorado one of the most populated areas is in Denver, and to visit multiple breweries is extremely easy. The hard part is deciding which breweries to visit, and due to the wide geography within the city the easiest place to visit is in LoDo. To start off, visit one of the newest breweries in Denver, Jagged Mountain. With their diverse tap list, and unique takes on beers it is a great way to start any brewery tour. Whether the flavor is for a variety of saisons, IPAs, or a small batch strong ales the unique beers they offer will awaken your taste buds, and intrigue you to the other breweries within the area. After departing Jagged Mountain it is a short 2 block walk to one of the most iconic breweries in not only Denver, but all of Colorado and that is Great Divide. Within the old building lies some great beer in a wide variety of styles. Whether you are sampling on $1 tasters or enjoying a pint of one of the many beers they produce, you can’t go wrong here. Whether it is a lager like Hoss, a seasonal like Hibernation, or the iconic Yeti this brewery is a must visit with beers for everyone. Just make sure to get there close to open, but stay around long enough for the tour of this great brewery. To end your day in Denver, it is another short 2 block walk to a brewery with refreshing Belgian style ales, and complex barrel aged beers. Of course this is River North. Again this brewery offers a wide variety of beers, but all with a Belgian twist making them very complex and refreshing. As this brewery has grown they have also increased the amount of barrel aged beers and there are some very unique offerings on a daily basis from this small brewery. With these three breweries you get a combination of the best Denver has to offer, something new, one of the iconic, and one of the most unique. When you combine it into one day you get a variety of fantastic beers in all different styles making this one of the best mini brewery tours to do within Denver.

Boulder: Doing a mini-brewery tour within Colorado would not be complete without including Boulder, after all that is where the craft beer scene all got started. However, this tour does not include Boulder Beer, instead three breweries that make very straight forward ales. During the holiday season no brewery visit in Boulder would be complete without a trip to Upslope Brewing Company in their newest location on Flatiron Ct. On top of their always delicious flagship beers they also have a great lineup of limited releases and seasonal, but this time of year is especially good with the Pumpkin Ale and Christmas Ale. After departing Upslope head right down the street to a brewery that combines the owner’s love of craft beer and the outdoors at Wild Woods Brewery. This brewery does not do anything fancy, the beers are very straightforward and are all inspired by the outdoors.  Whether it is the Wildflower Pale Ale, Campfire Red, or Smores Stout there is a beer that everybody will enjoy at this small husband and wife operation. Make sure to ask what seasonal beers are available as well. For your last stop in Boulder it is a little bit of a drive but the environment, and scenery makes it totally worth it. It also happens to be one of the newest breweries in this town, Sanitas. With a lineup of great ales that include a saison, Black IPA, and Imperial Brown the beers are all well balanced, but what makes this brewery worth visiting is the environment. With a spacious tap room, great scenery, and a bocce ball court this is a place where hours could be spent relaxing, enjoying beer, and watching the trains go by. With great scenery all around in Boulder, and an abundance of craft beer available it is another town where visiting multiple breweries is easy, and the above three are a great way to start exploring Boulder.

Now of course the brewery tours do not stop there and the recent expansion of craft breweries has led to the suburbs. The south suburbs of Denver are consistently expanding in small towns like Highlands Ranch, Englewood, and Littleton, as well as Aurora and the edges of Denver. Further west continues to grow in towns like Arvada, Golden, and Wheatridge making the possibilities for traveling and visiting multiple breweries endless. The only thing to decide is where you want to drive to and how many breweries you want to visit.

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Brews News Thanksgiving Week

Hard to believe that this is the last week of November, and Thanksgiving as well. Soon the Holiday season will be in full swing, but for now let’s enjoy the week ahead. As our families fly in to visit, and we want to perfect beverage for our turkey there is still a lot to do in the craft beer world this week in anticipation of the holiday, and in the days that follow.

Events:
-After the chaos of the holiday has settled down head over to Dry Dock Brewing on Saturday, November 30 for their in house brew contest, also known as the 5^th Annual Ho Ho Ho Slapdown. This annual event will feature 6 teams of 3 brewers and runs from 11-5. It is also ugly sweater day at the brewery so find the most ugly sweater you own and try to outdo the staff. This is a great, fun event every year and should not be missed.
-To treat yourself at the end of the weekend how about breakfast out? Sunday, December 1 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be hosting their 2^nd Annual Beer and Breakfast. There are 2 different times you can attend, and food will be cooked by El Toro the Tot along with 3 different beers. In addition to great food and great beer guests will be allowed to purchase bottles of Snowed In prior to anybody else! Tickets are only $30 per person, and this will be a great event.

Anniversaries:
The day after Thanksgiving is usually a day spent shopping, relaxing, and eating leftovers. But how about instead you enjoy the leftovers as a potluck, enjoy some great craft beer, and congratulate a brewery by celebrating their first anniversary with them? In Wheatridge Brewery Rickoli will be celebrating their first anniversary on Black Friday. In addition to the leftover potluck there will be special beer releases throughout the day. This is a great brewery, and will be a great event to congratulate him, and taste many of his delicious offerings.

New Beer Releases:
Both before and after the holiday breweries all across the state will be releasing new beers throughout the week.
-Wednesday, November 27 will be the last Wednesday of “Be Thankful” month at Copper Kettle Brewing Company, and they will finish off with a firkin of a Fresh Cranberry Witbier. Beer gets tapped at 3 and is sure to go quick.
-Wednesday, November 27 Wild Woods Brewery in Boulder is releasing 2 beers just in time for Thanksgiving. They will be rereleasing their Butternut Brown only this time a barrel aged version. In addition they will also be releasing a Pistachio Cream Ale. Both beers will be available starting at 4.
-Friday, November 29 Yak and Yeti in Arvada will be releasing Disgruntled Pumpkin Ale. This popular beer is looked forward to every year so should go quickly.
-Friday, November 29 Lone Tree Brewing Company will be releasing their 4^th beer this month, this time a Chili Beer. In addition starting at 1 they will be offering small tours and a Q & A session with their head brewer Jason. This will be a great chance to have a unique beer and talk to the head brewer, so arrive early this day.
-Saturday, November 30 River North Brewery will be releasing their Whiskey Aged Quandary, one of their many great barrel aged beers.

Additionally on Thanksgiving Day Grist Brewing in Highlands Ranch will be open for pints, and for last minute growler fills.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and be safe during this holiday season. Cheers!

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Tis the Season 2013

Each year as the seasons shift from fall to winter the beer scene changes as well. Pumpkin beers and marzens are gone for another year and in its place a new batch of seasonal offerings hit the shelf. Winter beers, those strong beers full of bold flavor, unique spice, and most importantly the ales that warm the body for those coldest of nights. Each year we sample these seasonal offerings from all over Colorado and come up with our favorites. In the spirit of the season this has become a tradition, and here are the best winter seasonal beers for 2013.

Accumulation (New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO): Often winter ales are dark, heavy, and spiced, but that is not at all the case with Accumulation, the newest addition to New Belgium’s great lineup of seasonal offerings. This White IPA is an homage to the snowfall in the Colorado winters and is nothing like any other seasonal you will have this year. The pale straw color appearance does not reflect the flavor profile of this beer. The citrus hop aroma from Mosaic and Amarillo hops carry through to the flavor creating a nice citrus forward beer. This is complimented by a dry mouth feel, and is balanced out by a strong bitterness. With a slightly lingering aftertaste, this is a beer that has several layers of flavor, and makes it very unique for the season.

Hibernation Ale (Great Divide Brewing, Denver, CO): Each year people wait in anticipation for Hibernation Ale to hit the shelves and tap lines, and with good reason. It’s not because it has a delicious spice blend, but instead because it is a hearty ale that warms the body on the coldest of nights. This English style Old Ale has a rich, full body and that matches the flavor perfectly with the richness of the malts. Through all the richness are subtle flavors of raisins, dates, and figs that add another level of flavor. The balance of this beer cannot be beat, and it is no wonder that this award winning beer continues to be one of the most popular every year, and one of the most warming beers of this winter season.

Christmas Ale (Upslope Brewing, Boulder, CO): When it comes to holiday beers one flavor profile comes to mind and that is the classic spiced ale. Upslope Brewing embodies that with their annual Christmas Ale, a Belgian Dubbel that has a light, effervescent body, but layers of flavor. Through the rich ruby color there is a fruit flavor and subtle spice note from the Abbey Yeast strain. But through that there is another level of spice notes that compliment the yeast, and while it is not revealed what spices are in it they are very warming. Hints of cinnamon and ginger give this beer that extra warmth, depth of flavor, and compliment the fruit flavor already in the beer. Again this is a balanced beer, and one of the most complex of the season.

Cocoa Porter (Tommyknocker Brewing, Idaho Springs, CO): When we were young there was nothing better than drinking a cup of hot chocolate on cold winter days. As adults this Idaho Springs brewery gives us that same flavor profile in their annual winter seasonal, the Cocoa Porter. This full bodied porter has a rich chocolate flavor that is balanced out with the addition of honey. The end result? A rich beer that is slightly sweet, but full of rich, chocolate flavor. Who would of thought that a cold beer could warm a person up so much. But with Cocoa Porter the childhood classic winter drink is brought to life in an adult version, minus the marshmallows and whipped cream. Regardless it is one of the best seasonal beers of 2013.  

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Brews News 11-19

Can you believe that we are already in the second half of November? With each passing week the weather is getting colder, the days shorter, but one thing that keeps us busy is the craft beer scene in Colorado. As we head into another week we look at another full calendar of great events, new beer releases, and even a festival to keep our pint glasses full and our thirsts quenched.

Festivals:
Even after the chaos of the GABF there are still festivals going on, and on Friday, November 22 the first annual Holiday Beer Bash will be going down at Mile High Station. This event sponsored by American Craft Beer Radio costs $35 from 6-9 for general admission and access to beers from over 30 breweries, and food samples from six local chefs. There are several great Colorado breweries participating including Dry Dock, Copper Kettle, Ska, Elevation, Crooked Stave, plus more from around the country. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and are still available for both VIP and General Admission.

Events:
Some great events going on this week pairing food and beer in both savory and sweet forms.
-Wednesday, November 20 in Parker, Colorado Lil’ Riccis will be hosting Pizza and Pints partnering with Parker brewery Hall. Event runs from 4-7 and is a great chance to not only try some great beers in Hall but also meet brewer Aubrey Hall himself, and enjoy some New York style pizza in the process.
-Thursday, November 21 Denver Beer Co. is allowing guests to not only indulge in their sweet tooth, but also prepare for Thanksgiving in the process by hosting Pies and Beer. Starting at 6:00 $12 will get you 3 samples of pie from Maple Street Pie Company along with 3 samples of Denver Beer Co. beer, and you can pick your favorite pairing, and pre-order it for the upcoming holiday.

New Beer Releases:
Not a lot of new beer releases this week, but always something new and exciting around the state.
-Wednesday, November 20 Bristol Brewing will tap their newest community ale, the Give! Black Lager. This light sessionable lager has a subtle roasted flavor, and 100% of the profits will be donated to the Give! 2013 campaign and the 59 nonprofit organizations that are a part of this years class.
-Wednesday, November 20 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be continuing their month long firkins of “Be Thankful.” This week we move in a dessert direction with the tapping of their Bourbon Pecan Brown. Beer will be available starting at 3, and sounds delicious.
-Thursday, November 21 Saint Patrick’s Brewing will be releasing El Draque Lager, inspired by spiced rum. This beer has 9 different herbs and spices and has been aged on French Oak. This will be available in tasters, and bombers to go.
-Friday, November 22 Lone Tree Brewing has not 1 but 2 new beers being tapped for the weekend. For the hop heads out there they will have a Triple IPA available, and for fans of the dark beers they will be tapping a Coffee Stout. Both beers will be available at noon.
-Saturday, November 23 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be releasing a new lager perfect for the cooler weather. Their Bock Lager will be hitting the tap lines to join a lineup of great malty beers perfect for the season, beer will be available at noon.
-Sunday, November 24 TRVE in Denver will be releasing their second bottled beer. Starting at 1:30 Eastern Candle will be available for purchase. This pale wheat ale made with Brett has been aged in white wine barrels and certainly sounds interesting and refreshing. Quantities are limited with less than 40 cases available so arrive early to get your hands on this exclusive bottle release.

Other News:
-Hall Brewing began work on their tap room so it is only a matter of time before there is a second microbrewery in Parker we can visit.
-One of Denver’s newest breweries in the works Fermaentra signed a lease and officially have an address. They will be in the DU area at 1715 E. Evans Ave in Denver. This will be a great addition to this neighborhood and hopefully they will be pouring before we know it.

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Jagged Mountain

When it comes to breweries in Denver, Colorado there is one part of town that is the most sought after, and that is the LoDo neighborhood. With a mixture of both iconic and new breweries this small region of Denver brings out not only great beers, but also some very unique offerings. So when three friends from Michigan moved out to Colorado and opened a microbrewery of their own they settled in LoDo to make their diverse selection of ales that also include some of the strongest, big flavored beers you will find anywhere in the state. In November of 2013 they opened their doors and the public got to taste firsthand the beers of Jagged Mountain Brewing.

Located inside the building that formerly housed the carriages for the 16^th Street Mall the transformation has made the tasting room very nice, spacious, and inviting. The large L shaped bar allows guests ample room for seating and leads to the half wall allowing all the brewing equipment to be seen. Away from the bar are large communal tables that can accommodate large groups or allow guests to interact easily with one another. As for the rest of the tap room itself it is surrounded with large windows that allow not only great natural light in, but also allows great scenery to enjoyed including Coors Field. The walls are all brick and are adorned with both nature and skiing photography. This is a comfortable tap room where hours could be spent enjoying beers, and there are a lot to choose from as well.

For fans of the big hoppy IPAs there are two very unique offerings at Jagged Mountain, the forst being the Imlay, a standard American IPA. By appearance this beer looks more like a hefeweizen than an IPA with a cloudy, straw color but the aroma and flavor soon make you realize it is a hop forward beer. The aroma is very strong in both citrus and hops which carries through perfectly to the flavor. There was a good balance between hops and citrus in the taste, but the bitterness did not last long. A clean aftertaste made this a very refreshing and easy to drink IPA. For something just as hoppy but more complex there is the Barking Marmot, a Blego-American Black IPA. This dark brown ale had a citrus, hop aroma, but the flavor was more unique. The dry hoppy flavor was still prominent but it was balanced out by a subtle coffee flavor from the roasted malts, and the citrus flavor from both the hops and Belgian yeast strain. There was great balance between all the flavors, and through it all the hops were still prominent so you knew you were drinking an IPA. Combine that with a clean finish and this was a complex, easy to drink beer.

For fans of Belgian style beers there are also two different versions of a saison offered, the first being a session beer called Zero Gravity. This beer has very subtle flavors to compliment its light and effervescent body. Very easy to drink and very refreshing. For a more bold flavored version of this Belgian classic there is the Spearhead. More cloudy in appearance this beer has more bold flavors including tropical fruits, a slight spice note, and a bright tartness. All the flavors work together to create balance and a very refreshing, light beer. Also available is a malty Scotch ale known as the Acute Malted Scottish, but the one thing Jagged Mountain is known for is big, bold beers. When they first opened their doors Jagged Mountain offered two different Old Ales known as First Descent that came in at a strong 13 and 14 percent ABV, and the small experimental batches are going to continue and make the trip to this brewery worthwhile.

Not only does this brewery feature a diverse tap list from light to dark, session ales to strong, and styles in a wide range, but it also has so much more to offer. A very comfortable and inviting tap room that makes its guests feel welcome, and known that it is a place they can relax and enjoy some of that great beer. A friendly staff that is knowledgeable and passionate about craft beer. In an ever expanding craft beer scene Jagged Mountain is a great addition not only to Denver, but all of the Colorado breweries and one that is a must visit when in the historic LoDo area.

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Brews News 11-12

Can you believe we are already heading into the middle of November? The year has just flown by and every week there is still something new in craft beer. This upcoming week will be no exception, and even though the events are slowing down each week there are exciting new beer releases, and great relaxing events to entice all of us. Here is what is going on this upcoming week.

Events:
This week features three great events that combine great craft beer and food pairings to go along with them.
-Tuesday, November 12 at Denver Beer Co. they will be hosting a Surf and Suds Dinner with food provided by Jax Fish House in Denver. $70 gets you 5 courses of seafood and Denver Beer CO. beer to go along with it. Event starts at 7:00 and sounds delicious and worth going to.
-Thursday, November 14 is the second Thursday of the month and that can only mean one thing, the monthly Beer and Cheese pairing at Copper Kettle Brewing Company. This monthly event along with the Truffle Cheese Shop in Denver brings together four artisan cheeses, 4 of Copper Kettle’s beers along with bread, and fruit. Tickets are only $20 and if this is an event you haven’t done yet you should reconsider because it is a great time.
-Thursday, November 14 at the Expo Center in Denver the Chef and Brew Event will be happening. This event brings together 15 local craft breweries along with 15 regional top chefs. Tickets are $49 in advance and $59 at the door and are still available for this great event.

New Beer Releases:
This week features some new great beer releases and re-releases, but it is something to keep our pint glasses full every night.
-Tuesday, November 12 Boulder Beer Company in Boulder will be hosting a vertical tasting of their Barley Wine Killer Penguin. This features the Killer Penguin from 2010 to 2013 and will be hosted at the tap room from 5-10 pm. Supplies of certain years are limited so arrive early and taste some great barley wine.
-Wednesday, November 13 Lone Tree Brewing Company will be re-releasing their Black IPA. This was very popular when they released it earlier this year so there is sure to be high demand for it again.
-Wednesday, November 13 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will continue their firkin them for the month of “Be Thankful.” The new release this week? Yamalama- a candied yam red ale with brown sugar and marshmallow. Sounds interesting and will go fast!
-Thursday, November 14 Our Mutual Friend will be tapping their Cottonwood Rauchbier. This smoky beer is a collaboration brew with Colorado Malting Group and is a perfect fall beer.
-Saturday, November 16 Boulder Beer Company will be doing another barley win event, only this time it will be a limited bottle release of The Dude’s Bane. This will be Colorado’s first microbrewery doing their first barrel aged beer in a very limited quantity. This is sure to sell out so arrive early to secure your place in line.
-Saturday, November 16 River North Brewery in Denver will be bringing a classic back to the tap room. Whiskey Barrel Aged J Marie will be returning. This popular barrel aged saison won’t last long and it is another great barrel aged beer from this brewery.
-Yak and Yeti Brewpub recently tapped this week Dragon’s Wort. This is a Belgian Style Ale spiced with Tarragon and comes in at 8.2% ABV.
-No release date but sometime during this week in Lafayette Odd 13 will be tapping their first big batch sour beer. This Abbey style Dubbel with sour cherries will hit the tap lines and is sure to make our mouths pucker and water.

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Grist

With so many breweries in Colorado it is sometimes hard to believe that parts of the state are still without a microbrewery to call their own. This is true in the case of some small suburbs south of Denver, especially in the small suburb of Highlands Ranch where the only option for craft beer was from a chain brewery. But that all changed in November of 2013 when a group of four friends who loved craft beer opened the doors to their own microbrewery in this small suburb. With high quality true to style ales this is Grist Brewing Company in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Everything about this brewery is big from the 20 bbl brew house to the spacious size of the tasting room that has a very industrial feel to it. A lounge area with chairs and board games greet guests as soon as they walk in for a more relaxing environment and lining all the windows are group tables, but the highlight of this tasting room is the bar top. Centered in the building the u-shaped bar is spacious and allows guests to see the brewery from any area they are sitting at. The production area is as close as you can get at any brewery being separated only by some rope and barrels. This is a very inviting tap room to enjoy some very straight forward ales, but which one to try first?

With a wide variety to choose from and it being best to start on the lighter side at Grist that has to include the German inspired beers they offer. The Transition State Kolsch is a light golden colored beer that has subtle, yet complex flavors. There are very subtle fruity flavors in both the aroma and flavor of this beer with none of the bitterness from the hops. Combine that with a clean finish and this is an extremely refreshing, complex beer anybody would enjoy. For something still light, but more bold flavored there is the Window Tour Hefeweizen. This traditional unfiltered wheat has a light body and great balance between wheat and banana flavor. This particular beer is fermented at a lower temperature so the banana does not overpower the beer. The end result is a very balanced beer between wheat, banana, and clove that finishes clean and is very refreshing.

For something with a little more body, but much more bold flavor there is the Touch Line Brown, a traditional English style Brown Ale. This beer has a medium body and is full of complex flavors. The hops in this beer are very minimal but still provide a necessary bitterness, but this is a beer for fans of strong malt flavors. The malts are the primary flavor in this beer from aroma to taste but are unique and provide subtle hints of caramel and sweetness. Again the aftertaste is fairly clean, and at a sessionable 4.3% this is a very easy beer to enjoy. For fans of dark, full bodied beers there is the Niobrara Stout which also happens to be served on nitro. With a creamy mouth feel this is a very traditional stout full of strong coffee and chocolate flavors from beginning to end. Full bodied and rich this is a great stout perfect for cold weather months, but also whenever a hearty beer is craved. Also available is a traditional copper colored, dry, and bitter Staple IPA.

With both traditional ales and lagers available and beers in a wide array of styles Grist Brewing Company is a place where there is truly something for beer drinkers of all types. Whether it be a traditional German lager, a light wheat, hoppy IPA, or full bodied stout beer drinkers of all kinds will enjoy what this new brewery has to offer. Combine that with a spacious, inviting tap room and a very friendly staff who are passionate about high quality craft beer and the end result is a very enjoyable experience from beginning to end. Traditional ales done in a very straight forward style that allows the guest to enjoy the simplicity of beer and relax at the same time. So when south of Denver in the small suburb of Highlands Ranch stop by the first true microbrewery in this small town and enjoy the vast selection of beers for yourself.

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Brews News 11-5

October is officially behind us and we now enter the month of November. The days are getting shorter and colder but the craft beer industry is still as busy as ever. All over the state again this week there are events going on all week to keep our thirst quenched and pint glasses full.

New Brewery Openings:
A few days late as this brewery actually opened on November 2 but Jagged Mountain Brewing is officially open for business. The newest brewery in the great LoDo neighborhood is at the intersection of 20^th and Lawrence and offers a great selection of both strong and session ales. This place is a must try.

Festivals:
There are two smaller festivals going on this weekend.
-The 3^rd Annual Rocky Mountain Brewfest is this weekend November 8^th and 9^th and it is at the annual Colorado Ski and Snowboard Expo. Tickets are $35 at the door and include samples from great breweries like Big Choice, Odyssey, Upslope, WYnkoop, Left Hand and many more.
-Also November 9 in Boulder Avery Brewing will be hosting the 2^nd Annual Boulder IPA Fest. This is a celebration of all beers IPA and will feature this great beer in all of its forms from double, imperial, and fresh. This event is also for a great cause and all proceeds will benefit the Foothills Flood Relief Fund as Boulder and its surrounding communities continue to rebuild from the floods in September. Tickets are $45 and this is sure to be a great event that is also for a great cause.

Anniversaries:
It is hard to believe that the first microbrewery in Aurora, Colorado is already turning 8 years old! On Saturday, November 9 Dry Dock Brewing will be opening the doors to their 8^th Anniversary Party at the tap room off Hampden and Chambers. Details are still not officially released but expect a special beer release for the event to go along with all their other great, award winning beers. Some of the beers that will be tapped throughout the day include Imperial Pumpkin, Coffee Milk Stout, Cracked Saison, Belgian Dark Strong, Biere de Garde, Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Irish Red, Ambassador Sour, Topsail Tripel, Winter Solstice Saison, Big Ass Old Ale, Swabby (Sour Belgian Quad), and the 2012 Bligh's Barleywine at 4:00 pm.

New Beer Releases:
Not a lot of new beer releases this week but still some new and unique beers to try.
-Tuesday, November 5 Wiley Roots Brewing in Greeley will be hosting an end to Prohibition Party and to go along with it will be tapping a limited release India Brown Ale.
-Wednesday, November 6 Lone Tree Brewing Company will be releasing their Bock Lager. This will be their first new beer release of four in the month so an exciting month ahead for this small brewery.
-Copper Kettle Brewing Company is starting a new month of Firkins and for November they are brewing beers to “Be Thankful” for. The month starts on Wednesday, November 6 with a Pumpernickle Sage Rye Porter. Only 1 cask so arrive early for this unique beer.
-November 7 Saint Patrick’s Brewing in Englewood will be releasing their newest lager, this one is the Strawberry Chili. For those of you who have not gotten to try this small brewery swing by the tasting room for a sample and bomber, especially of this new limited release.
-Saturday, November 9 Copper Kettle will be re-releasing their Pecan Wood Smoked Brown Ale. This was one of the many delicious beers they offered during their second anniversary party in April and is back as a perfect beer for the cooler weather.

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Backcountry

Within the Rocky Mountains of Colorado there are small towns that are nestled within the mountains. Some are very well known and sought after destinations while others are driven through on the way to another town. One of these small towns is Frisco which is located near the popular ski towns of Keystone and Breckenridge, and within this small town lies a small restaurant that not only provides guests with great views, and food, but they are also crafting their own beer on site. Serving pints to thirsty skiers and guests since 1996 this is the Backcountry Brewery.

Located right on Main Street this second story brewpub provides guests with a true mountain environment. Walking in you instantly feel as if you are in a mountain lodge from the wooden walls to the amazing views of the Rocky Mountains from the comforts of inside or on the spacious outdoor patio. In addition to the great scenery outside there are also clear and visible views into the brewery aspect of this brewpub which allows guests to see how their favorite beers here are made. With such a spacious and relaxing environment Backcountry is a place easy to enjoy craft beer at, and with a great selection of both year round and seasonal offerings the selection is plentiful.

When starting with a light beer it is best to also start with one of the award winning beers, and at Backcountry that happens to be the Pilsner. This beer can be described in one word and that is traditional from beginning to end. It starts with a very nice hop aroma that follows through to a balanced flavor of malts and hops. The hop flavor is prominent but does not overpower this beer, combine that with a clean finish and this is a very balanced, light beer. For a beer with a bolder flavor, and also one that has a gold medal to its name there is the Pale Ale. This beer has a traditional copper color and a nice malt forward but the highlight of this beer is the hops. With a distinct bitterness and brightness from Pacific Northwest hops this is a very unique beer. This is a very hop forward beer and a great representation for a pale ale. The finish does linger but it is very easy to enjoy. Also available for year round offerings are a wheat, amber, and a porter.

With a great lineup of flagship beers to choose from the seasonal offerings at Backcountry are both unique and a must try, and it starts with a Berliner Weisse. This light colored ale fits the profile perfectly for this sour beer and it starts with the light colored appearance which is a pale straw color. The aroma is a give away to how tart this beer is with a bright, and acidic aroma but the most important part of this style is the taste. The taste lives up to the style and this beer is sour without a doubt, and very sessionable to go along with it. While there is nothing fancy about this beer it is a very traditional sour and unique to see at a smaller brewery but once all is said and done it is a must try. For fans of something darker another signature seasonal offering at Backcountry is their trademark Breakfast Stout. This coffee milk stout brings together the best of various styles of stouts into one beer. The strong coffee flavor is prominent while the milk aspect adds a very creamy mouth feel. The beer is very well balanced, surprisingly light bodied, and finishes clean making it very easy to enjoy, and very warming in the cool mountain air. Also available in the seasonal lineup are an Oktoberfest, and Weizenbock.

Despite winning multiple awards and serving high quality beer Backcountry Brewery is still a very small brewery that not only produces high quality ales but also has some great views and a very friendly staff to go along with it. It also happens to be one of the easiest to drive by and not realize that you just missed it. With an abundance of various styles of traditional beers and a great selection of seasonal offerings that are both unique and traditional this brewery offers something that every beer fan will enjoy, and new beer drinkers will find something new that they like as well. So when driving along I-70 don’t rush to whatever final destination you have in mind, take a break in the small town in Frisco and enjoy Backcountry Brewery, the scenery they offer, and some of their award winning offerings.

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Brews News 10-29

We are in the last week of October and into the beginning part of November and of course we have Halloween this week. As the months get colder the craft beer scene in Colorado is just as hot as ever with new brewery openings, anniversaries, and new beers flowing all week here is what is going on this week.

New Brewery Openings:
-After much anticipation the suburb of Highlands Ranch will welcome the opening of Grist Brewing Company on Saturday, November 2. Doors will open at noon and there will be six beers on tap. These include a Kolsch, Hefeweizen, Brown, IPA, Stout, and a Belgian Strong. There will be pints, tasters, and growlers available. This opening has been long awaited and is a must visit for any fan of craft beer in this great state.
-Earlier this week the craft beer scene in Boulder also expanded with the opening of Crystal Springs Brewing Company. This is a great new addition to an already diverse and great craft beer scene and their beers can be found in select locations throughout the area.

Anniversaries:
2 Breweries are celebrating anniversaries this week.
-In Loveland Big Beaver is turning 3 and the festivities began on Sunday, October 27 but they continue all week with new beer releases. Still to come this week includes the release of Cocoa Mate Scottish Ale, Juniper Pale Ale, Apricot Belgian Ale, and an Espresso Bourbon Stout. All of these beers will be available the one day only and in very limited quantities, the only beer available all week will be their Oktoberfest which was tapped on the 27^th.
-In Boulder Upslope Brewing Company is turning 5 with their 5 Years of Beer Celebration. This 2 day event starts on Friday, November 1 at the Lee Hill Location with live music and special beer tappings. Saturday, November 2 the festivities continue at the Flatirons Park location with special beers plus the 5^th Anniversary Ale.

Festivals:
Even though the Great American Beer Festival is behind us there are still a few festivals to keep us full of great beer and on Saturday, November 2 in Colorado Springs there is the 7^th Annual All Colorado Beer Festival. This event features 40 breweries from all over the state, and tickets range from $30-50. For a complete list of participating brewers visit http://www.allcoloradobeerfestival.com/2012-acbf-brewers/.

New Beer Releases:
With Halloween ending the week and November starting there are new beer releases from all over to enjoy.
-Wednesday, October 30 for Wayward Wednesday River North Brewery will be tapping Unified Theory with pomegranate.
-Wednesday, October 30 Odyssey Beerwerks will be tapping a Mayan Chili Belgian Black as their most recent discovery series.
-On Wednesday, October 30 Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be concluding their month of Dead Styles this month with a firkin of Adambier. This German Smoked Barley Wine is sure to go fast so arrive early and enjoy a great pour.
-Thursday, October 3 the cask beers continue and Copper Kettle Brewing Company will be re-releasing their Imperial Pumpkin Porter but with a twist. They have 5 casks that have been aging in Rum Barrels. They will also be hosting a costume contests for the holiday.
-Down in Colorado Springs on October 31 Bristol Brewing will be bringing back a favorite seasonal Winter Warlock. This popular Oatmeal Stout is looked forward to every year so enjoy it early and often.
-Saturday, November 2 Caution Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado will be releasing their first bottled beer. Toaster Black Bat Porter has been aging in barrels and will be available in very limited quantities. 200 cases only with a 2bottle limit. Each bottle was hand autographed by owners Danny and Betty Wang and will be $25 each.

Coming Soon:
-Hall Brewing Company the great Farmhouse brewery in Parker, Colorado announced their plans to open a tap room. Look for details to come soon and the location is being planned near Parker and Main Street.
-Renegade Brewing will be adding a new beer to their lineup of cans. Their medal winning Hammer and Sickle imperial stout will soon be debuting and available in liquor stores.

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Dillon Dam

Of the many things that make Colorado great two in particular are the Rocky Mountains, and craft beer. So when driving west along I-70 the scenery is great in all directions and when needing a break from the road to enjoy the scenery the places to stop for a pint are in abundance. This includes the small town of Dillon where most people drive by on their way to a larger resort town, but within this small town lies one of the nation’s largest brewpubs. Serving not only delicious food and award winning beer to go along with the great scenery since 1997 this is the Dillon Dam Brewery.

Located right off the highway in a two story building this small brewery has a great environment both on the outside and inside. Walking inside you are greeted with a spacious bar top lined with tap handles, to the left is an open window into all the brewing equipment, and to the right is a patio. Walk to the second floor of this building and guests get a bird eye view into the production facility where all the kettles and fermenters are located, and in the upstairs dining room guests are surrounded by windows that show the mountains from every direction. Throughout the restaurant are all the awards this brewery has won including a coveted gold in both World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival. With so many awards and so many beers to choose this is a brewery with a diverse, refreshing selection.

With so many beers available it is best to start on the light end of the spectrum and there is no better way to start than with the Wildernest Wheat. Brewed with lager yeast, Czech Saaz hops, and German Hallertau hops this is a very light bodied and clean beer. Served with a lemon slice this is a very refreshing beer and a great way to start a flight. Also available on the lighter side of beers is the Paradise Pilsner. A well balanced beer that has the hoppy forward one would expect, but unlike other pilsners this beer finishes with a nice malty flavor. Still on the lighter side, but with a more medium body is the Dam Straight Lager. A Vienna Style lager with great caramel notes from the malts but a mild hop finish this is a very balanced beer that is both crisp and refreshing.

For beers that are more full bodied and bold flavored there is the Sweet George’s Brown, winner of multiple awards and a great English Style Ale. This ale is brewed with a variety of both brown and caramel malts which create a richness, sweetness, and depth of flavor. The hop profile is very minimal, and there is very little bitterness. The end result is a rich, slightly sweet beer that has great body, and a clean finish making it easy to enjoy any season. For something darker there is the McLuhr’s Irish Stout. Winner of multiple awards and brewed with a variety of malts this beer has a rich sweet flavor full of coffee, chocolate, and even hints of caramel. Served with nitrogen it has a creamy mouth feel and a great Irish stout. Also available are a rotating variety of seasonal ales that include an IPA with seven different hops, an Oktoberfest, and an unique style known as a Bier de Garde in additional to several others throughout the year.

With a wide variety of beers that fans of all styles will enjoy it is no wonder that Dillon Dam Brewery has been serving high quality, award winning ales for so many years. A true destination in terms of breweries in Colorado this one is slightly off the beaten path within the mountains but one that is truly worth visiting. Good food, great beer, friendly service, and a small but comfortable tap room with some of the best scenery in Colorado. So when driving through the Rocky Mountains take a little extra time to make a visit to Dillon and visit the Dillon Dam Brewery where as they say they have some “Dam Good Beer,” and see for yourself one of the largest brewpubs in the nation.

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Brews News 10-22

October is coming to an end and as we get ready to head into the colder months of the year craft beer is still at the tops of our list in Colorado. With the festival season all but behind us there is a lot going on at tap rooms again all throughout the week.

Anniversaries:
Arvada Beer Company continues their weeklong celebration of their 2^nd Anniversary. As part of the celebration there will be a new beer release everyday this week. Starting on Tuesday they will release their first sour beer, and this particular one is a Cherry Sour. Wednesday will be a Barrel Aged Doppelbock. Thursday will be back to sours with both a Nitro sour as well as a Sour Red. Friday will be back to barrels with a Barrel Aged Maibock. Saturday the festivities end with a Barrel Aged Wheat Wine and a live broadcast of the Colorado Craft Beer Show. A great event with a lot of limited release beers, all worth checking out.

New Beer Releases:
Some new beer releases this week and some classic beers from some of our favorite breweries coming back this week.
-Wednesday, October 23 the Dead Styles Month continues at Copper Kettle Brewing Company in Denver. This week they will be tapping a Kentucky Common. This Dark Cream Ale will go fast so arrive early.
-Friday, October 25 Dry Dock Brewing Company in Aurora has a great Firkin. They will be releasing their Peanut Butter Cup Porter.
-Friday, October 25 in Boulder at J Wells Brewery they will be releasing the New Hop Haze. This event will come with tasters, and of course the pints of this IPA will be flowing.
-Saturday, October 26 Lone Tree Brewing will be getting in the Halloween spirit a little early with the re-release of Hop Apocalypse. This popular Red IPA will be available in a limited number of bottles and pint glasses. Tap Room opens at 11 so arrive early.

Events:
Lots of events all around the state this weekend, and something to do everyday.
-Thursday, October 24 the pre Halloween festivities will begin at the Stapleton Tap House with the beginning of Oktumpkin Fest. 11 of their 30 tap lines will be filled with hard to find pumpkin ales and Oktoberfest beers from around the state.
-Friday, October 25 Caution Brewing Company in Denver will be hosting their Hallowbeer bash. This event starts at 4 and includes a costume contest, snacks, music, food truck, and most importantly beer including the rerelease of Toaster Black Bat porter.
-Friday, October 25 Tiny Ass Brewery in Broomfield will be hosting a kickstarter party. The event runs from 7-10 and includes bratwurst, cheese, and 6 tasters of beer. This will be a great event to help support one of the area’s newest breweries as well as sample some great beer. Event must be RSVP to attend so they can ensure there is enough tasters to cover all in attendance.
-Saturday, October 26 Denver Beer Company has teamed up with local animal rescue foundations and will be hosting the Howl-Oween Dog Adoption Event. Dogs available for adoption will be in their barrel room, and the tasting room will be available for beer and to drop off any donations including leashes, toys, and dog food. Event runs from 1-5 and will support a lot of great causes around the state.
-Sunday, October 27 Big Choice Brewing in Broomfield will be hosting Beer and Brushstrokes. Event is at 3:30 pm and tickets are $40 and available in the tasting room. A great chance to drink some great beer and paint a great picture.

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Epic

With Colorado tabbed as the Napa Valley of craft beer it is no wonder that the list of breweries in this state continues to grow. In 2013, that list now also includes out of state breweries expanding into Colorado. Such as when a Salt Lake City brewery opens up a new location in the heart of Denver where they can not only increase their distribution, but also have the tasting room they were not allowed to have in Utah. The location is in the thriving and trendy River North area, and the brewery is none other than Epic Brewing Company.

Located inside a 14,000 square foot warehouse this tasting room is not only spacious, but also comfortable and inviting. The large amount of windows allow natural light to keep this area warm, and that is complimented by the light fixtures made out of the base of fermenter tanks. Along the bright green brick wall sits a floor to ceiling fireplace with couches around it. To the left of the bar, lies the production area lines with rows of barrels and fermenter tanks. The tall ceilings and various sizes of tables make this a great tap room for large groups, or for one person wanting to enjoy some great beer. Epic Brewing has over 30 beers to choose from so deciding which one to have first can be slightly overwhelming.

For a brewery that originated in Salt Lake City and then moved to Denver, Epic decided to brew some select beer exclusive to the Denver brewery, and it starts with the Blueski Lager. This pale golden color lager is very light, refreshing, and a great beer to start with to wake your palate up. This lager has a great balance of malt and hops, with a crisp flavor and a clean aftertaste. It is very balanced, and it will lead itself into a more bold flavored beer that is the RiNo Pale Ale. The RiNo Pale Ale is light amber in color with a medium body, and a subtle malt flavor in the background.  The hop flavor creates a prominent bitter flavor that works well with the dry mouth feel. A clean aftertaste makes this beer refreshing, balanced, and easy to enjoy. The last of the Colorado exclusive beers is the Escape to Colorado IPA, which was one of the first beers Epic made in Colorado. This golden colored ale comes with a lighter body, but delivers a strong hop flavor from beginning to end. This beer has a very dry mouth feel along with layers of hop flavor with notes of pine, and citrus. The aftertaste lingers, but does not over power making this a very enjoyable IPA.

Of course all of the other great beers from Epic are available at the tasting room. These include the great barrel aged brainless fruit series available in peach, raspberry, and cherry. The seasonal ales are widely available, and the other great flagship beers in all styles ranging from the variety of saison, the stouts, and unique beers Epic is known for like the Utah Sage. All beers are available in sample sizes, full pours, growlers to go, and a wide variety of bombers available for purchase from the tap room.

With so many beers to choose from, an inviting tap room, and a friendly staff Epic pulled out all the stops and went all out when it came to constructing their new Denver home. With bold flavored, experimental, and unique ales and lagers flowing in abundance this is one brewery where there is a beer that anybody will find enjoyable and like. So when in the new hot spot of Denver in the River North area swing by Epic Brewing and enjoy the best of Salt Lake City in Denver, and enjoy some locally exclusive ales in the process from the confines of a comfortable, relaxing tap room.

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Brews News 10-15

Great American Beer Fest is officially behind us for another year, and as the festival season winds down we look forward to enjoying the best of Colorado craft beer from the tap room, and at local bars throughout the great state. Even though there are not any festivals this week there is still a lot going on in craft beer.

New Beer Releases
This week brings a great mix of new beer releases, and seasonal beers that we often look forward to and it starts on
-Wednesday, October 16 at Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs. It is that time when Venetucci Pumpkin Ale makes its return to the tap room. This family farm provided pumpkins to kids for over 6 decades and now Bristol returns all the profits from this beer to keep the farm running. A great beer for a great cause.
-Also on Wednesday the Dead Styles month continues at Copper Kettle Brewing Company with the tapping of a Gratzer. This is a German Smoked Wheat and will be available on cask, so arrive early and try this unique beer,
-Slightly north in Lafayette on Wednesday Odd 13 will be releasing a small batch beer they are calling Hoppy Stout. There will be 2 varietals so a vertical pairing is in the works to sample both these brews.
-Friday, October 18 Boulder Beer Company will be releasing one of their classical seasonal beers. Never Summer is making its return for the season and will be available at the tap room.

Events
Even though the festival season is winding down there are still great beer related events going on all week.
-Wednesday, October 16 at Casselman’s Bar and Venue there will be the Save the Ales event. $30 will get you unlimited tastings and money will go to Colorado Air Protection to help preserve the necessary ingredients to brew beer. Event is on 2620 Walnut in Denver.
-For the Fresh Hop fan on Saturday there is a Fresh Hop Celebration that will be held at the Providence Tavern in Edgewater. Tickets can be purchased for $20 ahead of time at freshhopcelebration.com or $25 at the door and include a tasting glass and unlimited samples.
-Saturday, October 19 there is a second Fresh Hop Festival, this one in Denver at the Falling Rock Tap House. Tickets are $25 ahead of time and can be purchased at http://events.imbibedenver.com/products/fresh-hop-festival or are $30 at the door and include unlimited tastings from breweries such as Dry Dock, Great Divide, Crooked Stave, and many more.

Anniversaries
One anniversary, and the beginning of a weeklong anniversary celebration all begin on Sunday, October 20.
-The first anniversary this week is not a brewery but instead the Colorado Cider Company. Tehir tasting room is turning 1 and on Sunday join them from 1-5 to raise a glass and enjoy some of the best cider you will find anywhere.
-Also on Sunday Arvada Beer Company will begin the week long festivity celebrating their 2^nd Anniversary. All the beers served this week are going to be big and barrel aged, and as a tease they will be releasing 3 new beers on Friday for guests to try. They include the return of the popular Poolhall Porter, and Pumpkin Ale, plus the release of their new Vanilla Porter. As the beers are announced for the anniversary they will be made available.

Even as the year comes to an end breweries are still going above and beyond, and this week is no exception with an abundance of great beer to try to get us through the week and into the weekend. Cheers!

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GABF Winners

Colorado had a great year in the Great American Festival, and here are the winners from our great state.

Dry Dock Brewing: Aurora, Colorado
                Gold: SS Minnow Mild
                Gold: Wee Heavy
                Silver: HMS Victory Amber Ale, Extra Pale Summer Ale
                Bronze: Enterprise IPA

Wiley Roots Brewing: Greeley, Colorado
                Bronze: Super 77 Wheat

Great Divide Brewing Company: Denver, Colorado
                Gold: Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti

Odell Brewing: Fort Collins, Colorado
                Gold: 5 Barrel Pale Ale

Cannonball Creek Brewing: Golden, Colorado
                Silver: Featherweight Pale Ale
                Silver: Battlecat Stout

Lefthand Brewing: Longmont, Colorado
                Gold: Sawtooth Ale
                Gold: Fade to Black
                Gold: Milk Stout

Rockyard Brewing: Castle Rock, Colorado
                Bronze: Redhawk

Colorado Boy Brewery: Ridgeway, Colorado
                Silver: Colorado Boy Irish Red

City Star Brewing: Berthoud, Colorado
                Gold: Bandit Brown
                Bronze: Mulekick

Echo Brewing: Frederick, Colorado
                Bronze: Echo Amber

Colorado Steamworks: Durango, Colorado
                Gold: Slam Dunkel

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project: Denver, Colorado
                Bronze: Hop Savant 

Renegade Brewing Company: Denver, Colorado
                Bronze: Hammer and Sickle

Bull and Bush: Denver, CO
                Bronze: Release the Hounds

Grim Brothers Brewhouse: Loveland, Colorado
                Bronze: Fearless Youth

Yak and Yeti: Arvada, Colorado
                Silver: Chai Milk Stout

Carver Brewing Company: Durango, Colorado
                Gold: Munich Dunkel
Blue Moon Brewing: Golden, Colorado
                Gold: Golden Knot-Chardonnay
Pagosa Brewing: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
                Gold: Peachy Peach
Trinity Brewing: Colorado Springs, Colorado
                Gold: Elektrik Cukumbahh
Prost Brewing: Denver, Colorado
                Gold: Keller Pils
Ska Brewing: Durango, Colorado
                Gold: True Blonde
Gordon Biersch Brewing: Broomfield, Colorado
                Silver: Czech Pilsner
Glenwood Canyon Brewpub: Glenwood Springs, Colorado
                Silver: Hanging Lake
New Belgium Brewing: Fort, Collins, Colorado
                Silver: Charlie's Brown (Pro-Am Competition)
Avery Brewing: Boulder, Colorado
                Bronze: Lilikoi Kepolo
Twisted Pine Brewing: Boulder, Colorado
                Bronze: West Bound Braggot
New Planet Brewing: Boulder, Colorado
                Bronze: Gluten Free Brown
SandLot Brewing: Denver, Colorado
                Gold: Second Hand Smoke
                Gold: Move Back
                Bronze: Goat Runner
                Large Brewery of the Year

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