A Night to Remember

In the early morning of July 20, 2012, tragedy struck the town of Aurora, Colorado in what has become infamously known as the Aurora Theatre Shooting. In the days that followed, we saw a community come together to support the victims and their families, and that was no more evident than at Copper Kettle Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado. After the names of the victims were released, it was discovered that one of their “Mug Club” members and friends Alex Teves was one of the lives lost that night. As a result, owners Jeremy Gobien and Kristen Kozik created the “Night to Remember” event not only to celebrate the life of Alex Teves, but to raise money to benefit the victims of this tragedy.

So, on a Thursday night in 2012, just a few short weeks after the shootings, the community gathered at this small brewery to pay respects, and raise money for the victims. With beer pouring from multiple areas, food trucks donating their proceeds, areas set up for donations, and a silent auction this small brewery was able to raise and donate over $17,000. Now a year later, this event is coming back at Copper Kettle Brewing Company, but in a much larger fashion. Much like the community gathered together in the days following this event, this year will be no different. Except this year, the craft beer community will be joining as well with eleven breweries from across the state and the Denver area making the trip down to the Copper Kettle tap room to pour in a mini festival.

So what breweries are making the trip? From outside of the Denver area, Grimm Brothers out of Loveland and City Star Brewing from Berthoud will both be pouring their offerings to the crowd. In addition, nine Denver based breweries will be in attendance as well. Those include Caution, Crooked Stave, Great Divide, Elk Mountain from Parker, Hogshead, Prost, Renegade, River North, and Wit’s End plus of course Copper Kettle. In addition to all the breweries to choose from and sample, there will also be four food trucks, two bands, and a silent auction going on in the private event room next door to the tasting room.

So what makes this different then the multiple other festivals going on this summer? One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction will be donated to two great charities: The ACT Foundation which provides funding for students with academic, social or emotional needs by providing them with skills to become more confident and productive individuals and Phoenix 999 which was started after the Columbine High School Shooting with the goal to provide not only financial but educational resources to both the victims and families of tragedies.

With so many festivals to choose from on a yearly basis, and more starting up every year, it can be a difficult decision on which ones to attend. But when it comes to choosing a festival in July, that decision should be an easy one and the “Night to Remember” should be at the top of the list for the sole reason that it is so much more than a festival. It is remembering those lives lost a year prior and supporting two great causes all while getting to enjoy the environment of a festival. At $40 a ticket for unlimited tastings, with the option to donate more, this is one of the most important festivals going on this summer. Not only is it a chance to sample craft beer, but this event allows guests to support a great cause, and raise their glass to remember those from that tragic night in July and celebrate their lives.

Is there a brewery you want us to try? Let us know at https://www.facebook.com/MileHighBrews