Thirst Colorado -- November-December 2021

SERVING UP THE COLORADO EXPERIENCE

HOLIDAY REPAST

TREAT GUESTS TO THE BEST LOCAL FARE

VINTAGE RIDES

COLORADO’S COOLEST CLASSIC CARS

WINTER AWAITS

BIKE, BUMP AND KART THIS SEASON

Vol. 7, No. 1 November-December 2021

Exquisite

Epicurean

Feel the energy of our newest flavors.

Escape into 4 all-new dining experiences.

Starting with Monarch Chophouse, a modern take on a classic steakhouse. The all-new Buffet where your favorites meet new worlds. Enjoy breakfast, burgers,

brews, asian fusion and more around the clock at Twenty-Four 7. Coming soon,

Bistro Mariposa. An electrifying blend of southwest cuisine, high-end tequilas and Black Hawk’s best happy hour. Welcome to every foodie's paradise.

monarchblackhawk.com

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Hazel’s for the Holidays Give the gift that never gets returned.

®

&

LIBATIONS BEYOND

Here’s your free pass for holiday overindulgence If we have to behave all year, is it not fair that we get to toss the rules and regs aside during the holidays and overindulge just a bit? Please.

Let’s enjoy the season guilt-free, starting with mouthwatering food.

It’s easy to find food in Colorado that will elevate meals to new heights, and we have three features inside that should whet most appetites and send one’s olfactory receptors into high gear.

Publisher Paul Johnson paul@thirstcolorado.com Associate Publisher & Editor Joe Ross joe@thirstcolorado.com Sales Tod Cavey Rebel Hunter Christine Werner Design & Layout Sandy Birkey President & Founder Emeritus Wilbur E. Flachman Digital & Marketing Manager Steve Graham Contributors Kristian DePue, Kyle Kirves, Natasha Lovato, Jay McKinney, Kristin Owens Editorial Interm Olivia Venuta

If the goal is to please guests with tantalizing tastes, try elevating the foundation. Most gatherings will include a non-veggie choice, such as a roast, turkey or ham. There are local businesses that produce wonderful main-course meats that will truly impress the foodies.

For advertising and editorial information, please contact Joe Ross at 303.428.9529 Ext. 227 or email joe@thirstcolorado.com

And why not get sauced this season? The always-expanding world of small-batch preserves and sauces opens the floodgates to flavors. From hors d’oeuvres to dessert, there are endless ways to use inexpensive Colorado products to amplify the fare.

Proud member of the Colorado Brewers Guild

If pies, cakes and cookies are just too much after a hearty feast, try some chocolates that might help what ails you. An Evergreen company has combined our favorite food group – chocolate – with healthy ingredients to help resolve a variety of common problems.

And as always, we’ve included a few stories that will help increase your libations IQ and provide new ideas for any celebration.

Thirst Colorado is produced by The Publishing House, a division of Colorado Word Works, Inc. The Publishing House also produces Colorado’s Performing Arts Publications, serving arts venues along the Front Range.

7380 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, Colorado 80030 303.428.9529

So, let’s decree that we have some fun this holiday season with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, strangers, and maybe those who are less fortunate.

Here’s to joy and merriment as we head toward a new, and hopefully wonderful, year.

Joe Ross Associate Publisher and Editor

Drink up life in large amounts, but restrict your alcohol consumption. We do not endorse or support excessive drinking.

Thirst Colorado is published six times a year by The Publishing House, 7380 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030. © The Publishing House, 2021. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Except where noted, the content of Thirst Colorado is the property of the magazine and should only be reprinted with permission. Thirst Colorado is not responsible for false or misleading claims made in advertising or editorial materials published herein. Thirst Colorado Magazine is distributed in part by DJM Distribution, Inc., and Community Racks Distribution, LLC.

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November-December 2021

AN ALL-NEW GAYLORD HOTELS® ORIGINAL EXPERIENCE

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Follow Buddy the Elf on his journey to muster enough Christmas cheer to power Santa’s sleigh and save the holiday by completing challenges inspired by the iconic film in this all-new, multisensory experience.

NOV. 19 - JAN. 2 | WELCOME TO MORE ChristmasAtGaylordRockies.com ELF and all related characters and elements © & ™ New Line Productions, Inc. (s21)

THIRST COLORADO | November-December 2021

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INTERSECTIONS

16 Imported Tastes

Jade Mountain enjoys opening the minds of beer drinkers

22 Chilled to perfection

Up in the coldest part of the Lower 48, you’ll find a family-run distillery pumping out quality spirits

24 Untapped

Festivals, food and the frenetic holiday season: Find events near you

8

26 Mannequin the Band

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This group covers the hits, driving folks out of their seats to boogie

29 Prime Pairing

This spicy cranberry dip will get the party started this winter

30 Gift Guide

We’ve got you covered with ideas to please the most finicky recipients

On the cover: Treat guests to the best this year during the holidays. See pages 12 and 18 for ideas.

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Cover Photo: © Alexander Raths / Adobe Stock

38

44 Brewery, Distillery, Winery, Cidery and Meadery Guide Find great craft beverages wherever you end up in Colorado

ADVENTURES

8 Winter Breaks

It’s not only about skiing and boarding.

There’s alternative snow and ice action for everyone

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34 Car Guides

These are not your grandfather’s museums; rev it up and go

12

Holiday Repast

38 Winning Silver

18

Saucy

42 A Chocolate a Day

Colorado producers will provide the tastiest holiday meats this season

Small businesses are spicing up our state with amazing small-batch sauces and spreads

Get in the flow with locally crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry

Evergreen firm pumps out our favorite treat with some health benefits

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Photo: Courtesy of Town of Breckenridge Recreation

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Ride, kart and bump into the winter bliss

T

here’s nothing shameful about ascending into the Rocky Mountains during the winter and not strapping boards to your feet.

Exciting choices abound at most of the high-country destinations, yes, even for those who aren’t into skiing or boarding.

Coloradans have long used the freezing weather for recreation, and it’s always wise to keep in mind that recreating at 10,000 feet above sea level can present challenges. It might be cheek-numbing cold, head-burning sunny, or skin-soaking sloppy, depending on temps and precipitation.

So, grab some winter layers and let’s get on with the excitement because one can only relax in a hot tub for so long before wrinkling up and getting bored.

The following options should help get folks started.

FAT-TIRE BIKING

Fat-biking enthusiasts who first experienced the ride in the summer will love the snow-track adventure. Annette Kubek, marketing & administration coordinator for the Town of Breckenridge Recreation, said the intensity of riding in the snow can vary. “It can be harder than it looks, particularly if the snow is soft (fresh snow),” she said.

Riders can connect with the the Gold Run Nordic Center in Breck or just set out on their own and share the local trails with others. The Blue River Recreation path that connects Frisco and Breck is a great way to test skills and adjust to the 4-plus-inch-wide tires.

Kubek said that the bikes are built mainly for adults and a rental through the Nordic Center includes a helmet and tips on where to ride. She also added that Nordic Center guests are generally happy to be riding groomed trails, without skiers.

“Gold Run is really known for a variety of trails and wide-open views,” she said. “Usually customers will cross-country ski or snowshoe, then take a bike out for a little while to try it out.”

Rentals are available at several Summit Country ski shops, and of course, people tote their own bikes up the hill to bomb around town.

Gobreck.com November-December 2021

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Photo: Courtesy of Aspen Ice Karting

ICE KARTING

Photo: Courtesy of IBC International

Ice karting can be found at a few locations around the state for those who are into exhilaration by acceleration. Wearing ski pants and warm boots is encouraged at Aspen Ice Karting, where gunning your engine on ice is encouraged. Spiked tires and lots of luck will help keep riders on the tricky course. But, participants are encouraged to bring tip money for the

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attendants who sometimes have to bail out confident drivers who end up in the weeds.

Helmets, gloves and goggles are provided.

The course is built on Kodiak Ski Lake, between El Jebel and Basalt (roughly 10 miles north of Aspen). Reservations are required to get on the track, so plan ahead.

There are nearby restaurants, shops and a spa in case the track is too much for you.

Aspenicekarting.com

ICE BUMPER CARS

What about revisiting your youth by jumping into bumper cars and knocking your friends and family around while sliding around on ice? Remember the thrill of delivering a neck-snapping jolt to a complete stranger?

That always elicited fantastic looks of surprise.

The Howelsen Ice Complex in Steamboat Springs is a great place to bump around. The 20-minute sessions should be enough to cause a family kerfuffle that will carry over into dinnertime arguments.

The folks at the Ice Complex suggest you make reservations well in advance because the family-friendly glide around the ice arena is super popular as the holidays heat up. Like any ice arena, it’s cold inside so layer up, grab your gloves and beanie and wear some warm boots, preferably with some traction so you can get on and off the ice without landing on your backside. Bonus thought: Schedule some ice skating before or after the bumper cars.

Steamboatsprings.net

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November-December 2021

ThirstColorado.com 11

© gkrphoto / Adobe Stock

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HEATING UP HOLIDAY MENUS WITH TASTY LOCAL MEATS

By Kristin Owens

T

he holidays are for over-indulging, over-imbibing and over-eating, which will propel you into January’s new-year, new-you nonsense. But for now, let’s enjoy ourselves, shall we? It’s been a year.

If you’re a meat-eater, treat yourself and guests to the best available. Colorado family farms raise delicious lamb, beef, turkey, chicken, and pork, all (surprisingly) within a grocerystore price range. Bring on the meat sweats!

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GOOD DECISIONS

MaryKay Buckner of Longmont’s Buckner Family Farm says when purchasing local meats, customers should ask how the animals were raised, treated and fed. Really, “the animals should have only one bad day,” she says.

And don’t be fooled by labels — corporate feedlots can still be considered organic, so do some research and beware of taglines. Buckner’s lamb and beef is 100 percent grass-fed because Colorado varieties like alfalfa, brome and other native grasses produce less fatty lamb. Plus, the beef has a deeper flavor profile.

Adrienne Larrew of Corner Post Meats in Colorado Springs says, “What makes Colorado so awesome is the outdoors, adventures and appreciation of nature ... the way you nourish yourself should be the same.” For example, her 250 pigs forage in the forest because the animals get more exercise. The active lifestyle gives them a great marbling and fat cover compared to others.

where their meat comes from and a trust level is achieved.

That’s why Friendly Nick’s Butcher in Fort Collins is designed with a large open processing space. Patrons can witness the skill that goes into preparing roasts, chops and filets. Nick Chase buys the whole animal and breaks it down over two days.

By purchasing the entire cow, he provides customers with unusual cuts typically not offered in a grocery store.

Specialties like Denver steak and bistro tender make up 30-plus different cuts.

“It’s labor intensive,” he says, but larger packing houses won’t do it because it’s not profitable.

PRE-PLANNING

During the holidays, when families and friends gather for a big meal, meat is often the centerpiece. Kristin Ramsey of Long Shadow Farm in Berthoud says leg of lamb, whole turkey, prime rib, ham and loin roast are the most popular. “It’s all about presentation,” she says. She processes

AN HONEST DEAL

Some argue it’s simple economics: Consumers expect meat to be cheaper when they buy larger amounts. Instead, Buckner suggests consumers should eat a little bit less, but focus on better quality.

“We need to look out for our own needs because large grocery stores only look at their bottom line,” she says. Basically, you get what you pay for.

Larrew agrees: “Cheap food cuts corners,” and raising healthy animals isn’t cheap. Plus, the labor involved with small-scale production commands higher expenses. But in the end, customers know

The Buckner Family

Photo: Courtesy of MaryKay Buckner

Corner Post Meats

Photo: Courtesy of Corner Post Meats

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Friendly Nick’s

Photo: Kristin Owens

about 200 turkeys and they all sell out in advance.

Chase also recommends ordering at least a month out, especially his brined turkeys and hams, because they sell out within two weeks. Ramsey advises, “Plan on one pound of meat per guest, which will include leftovers.”

Generally, grass fed beef can be a little unforgiving on the grill. Buckner says “most people tend to overcook it. It should be rare or medium rare for it to stay tender.”

If farm-direct isn’t an option, Chase recommends purchasing meat from a butcher so you can ask questions about the cut and how to cook it. Basically, a butcher can “find a cut that brings value,” she says.

And at the end of the meal, both the hosts and guests should be more than satisfied.

Contributor Kristin Owens passed the Court of Master Sommeliers’ Introductory Examination and travels the world looking for a good $10 bottle of wine. She’s a full-time writer based in Fort Collins.

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FROM SOUTH OF CHINA TO SOUTH OF DENVER Jade Mountain is changing the beer culture

By Natasha Lovato

S

elf-established Colorado craft beer connoisseurs are always on the lookout for the next mind-blowing thing in the world of brews. Jade Mountain Brewing is way ahead of you, with concepts brewed up on the other side of the world in China.

At first glance, the space feels like a tea house, with paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling and a giant wall mural depicting painted mountainscapes and Chinese calligraphy.

Actually, Jade Mountain really is a tea house with a number of aromatic teas such as jasmine, mandarin, oolong and others.

On top of that, Jade Mountain serves exceptional brews covering the most unexpected flavor profiles, such as their rice cake guava sour, or the Sichuan stout, which includes a flavor profile of Sichuan peppercorns, chili and lactose.

The brewers didn’t stop there though; Jade Mountain kicked it up another notch with hard teas. A Jade Mountain specialty, the hard teas make hard seltzers look like old news, with flavors such as blueberry oolong or calamansi green tea. There truly is something for everyone in this neighborhood hang-out that is east of Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora.

“Yes, we are a brewery but we are trying to create an experience,” said Sean Guerrero, owner and head brewer. “I mean, our bar is built like a temple. It’s a different vibe and it’s not just about beers, although they’re super cool, we want to make a spot where everyone feels welcome.”

You might have tried Jade Mountain during beer festivals in the past, but this is the first year they’ve had a space to claim as their own. After getting their start in China in 2015, Guerrero and his wife moved back to Colorado and began tweaking recipes.

Following a stint of brewing at Comrade Brewing Co. he said establishing a permanent brewhouse last spring was an exciting accomplishment. They opened in the former location of Pilot Brewing Co., at 4233 S. Buckley Road.

“It all worked out perfectly because the infrastructure was in place. We got the keys in March and opened in May,” Guerrero said.

Now that Jade Mountain is rocking and rolling in its new space, they brew up to four times a week. They constantly look forward to giving their guests something new, which means you can expect a few collaboration brews as well. Look for a rice mochi hazy IPA collab with Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery, and a Czech Chinese pilsner collab with Seedstock Brewery.

“I like to collab with breweries doing the vetted, good, normal stuff and we come in and do all the weird sh*t,” Guerro laughed.

Swing by for the Jade Mountain experience and enjoy something hot, cold or just straight up different, like a bon bon and beer pairing.

Natasha Lovato is a Colorado native with a love for her cats, writing and a cold Holidaily Blonde Ale.

Photos: Courtesy of Jade Mountain Brewing Company

November-December 2021

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SPICING UP OUR LIVES ONE SHAKE AT A TIME Local small businesses offer big flavors

By Jay McKinney

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C

olorado’s craft economy includes a handful of small businesses that package products in small bottles.

Welcome to the world of big flavors.

Whether it’s sprinkled on top or used to influence the entire dish, combinations of spices are at the heart of many meals.

We’ve tracked down a few local chefs who are spicing up our lives with tasty cooking options.

SAUCE LEOPARD

After the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many people found themselves scrambling for work to make ends meet. But for Shaun Goodwin and his homegrown company Sauce Leopard, it was a blessing in disguise, giving him a reason to go all in on his passion for making hot sauce.

Goodwin had been making homemade sauces for nearly seven years, bottling the smaller batches in bottles he purchased off Amazon, and hand-drawing the logo for each individual one on blank return address labels. Among friends, family and local bands, the sauces were a hit.

When demand increased, the batches began to get bigger and bigger. By the end

of 2019, Goodwin had launched an online store for selling the sauces. While the online store showed promise, Goodwin still made the sauces in his home kitchen and relied on a bartending job as his main source of income. But once the pandemic was in full swing and restaurants and bars across the nation were forced to close, Goodwin found himself at a crossroads.

He had gained some confidence with the help of brisk online sales. Goodwin was laid off from his day job, began collecting unemployment and received a stimulus check. Most importantly, he had extra time to do research and apply for the required licensing to take his business mainstream.

“Everything just seemed to fall in place, kind of right place, right time,” Goodwin says.

“Honestly, if it weren’t for COVID, I don’t think I would have done it.”

More than a year later, Sauce Leopard can be found in nearly 60 stores across Colorado, and Goodwin is happily surprised with the success the company has achieved thus far. He credits connections he’s made over the years and some clever branding for giving him a customer base that would serve as the foundation for Sauce Leopard

and help ease his nerves as he took a leap of faith on the new endeavor.

“Even when I first launched it, I was really scared about making it full time, so I was keeping a bartending shift or two, but then they let me go because I didn’t want to be full-time and they wanted full-time people,” Goodwin says. “It wasn’t really until that moment when I got that call and it’s like, this is my job now and now is my chance to make this full time. I’m not going to go get another job, I’m going to put everything I have into this, and I think that was really the best thing that happened to me.”

As for the future, Sauce Leopard will be releasing a cranberry habanero sauce called Bird Blood, inspired by Thanksgiving flavors and crafted to pair well with poultry dishes. Goodwin also plans on expanding the company by producing other products besides hot sauce and getting into stores outside of the state. Another goal that Goodwin would eventually like to achieve is getting his sauce on Hot Ones, a YouTube web series in which celebrities are interviewed as they indulge in spicy chicken wings.

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WILD GREEN HOT SAUCE

Pick green or red and spice up a dish with Wild Green’s jalapeno sauces. The flavor-packing jalapeno green contains garlic powder, salt, onion powder and vinegar to balance out the heat from the jalapeno and habanero peppers. What really sets it apart from other sauces is the whiskey barrel-smoked black pepper that adds a layer of aged-wood taste.

The jalapeno red offers the same ingredients except it uses red jalapenos instead of green. This minor tweak creates a totally different taste that is silkier and smoother than its green counterpart. Some people might be illuded by the calm spice, but the red jalapeno’s heat will build slowly.

MERFS CONDIMENTS

Since she was 8 years old, Kelly Schexnaildre has had a passion for cooking.

However, it wasn’t until the summer of 2012, when a friend gifted her a half-bushel of peaches, that she discovered her true calling: making condiments that will enhance any dish. She used the fruit to make a peach habanero hot sauce that became instantly popular among friends and family. Now Merfs Condiments is here to stay.

The original peach and habanero hot sauce that started it all has now been reborn under the name Peaches & Scream, and lives up to its name with a 10/10 heat rating. But for those who don’t wish to set their tongues on fire, Merfs Condiments has a variety of other flavors that will spice up a meal without requiring a sprint to the sink to distinguish the flame. One of Merfs’ newest products is Wildfire Whiskey, a collaboration sauce with Branch and Barrel Distillery, which can be purchased at the distillery’s taproom in Centennial or through Merfs online store.

GOLDEN TOAD

With barbeque sauces, rubs and hot sauces, Golden Toad has been helping people add flavor to their favorite meals for quite some time. Since 2004, the familyowned business has been committed to using the freshest ingredients and has been recognized as an award-winning professional-competition BBQ team as a

result. Golden Toad’s rubs include Cajun/ Creole, Competition BBQ Rub and the Prime Steak Rub. As for the hot sauce and BBQ sauce, there’s no wrong choice, just different flavors for different dishes.

REDCAMPER’S DELICIOUSNESS PRESERVES

Planning a picnic in the park or having friends over for a cheeseboard happy hour?

Make sure to purchase one of the small batch preserves that RedCamper produces through its food line called Deliciousness.

With flavors like Campfire Apple Rum, Strawberry Limoncello, Desert Blueberry Gin and others, the name Deliciousness is well deserved. Also offered is the Cherry Fig Mostarda, as well as cocktail cherries.

The company is proud to collaborate with local producers for its boozy ingredients and has built relationships with local farmers, most notably First Fruits on the Western Slope, which provides Deliciousness with organic fruit for its peach, apple and pear flavors.

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.

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CHILLY HIGH-ALTITUDE SPIRITS It’s all part of the process at Fraser Valley Distillery

By Jay McKinney

Photos: Courtesy of Fraser Valley Distillery

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T

he process of distilling is as much of an art as it is a science. It requires a meticulous knack for chemistry and an expansive imagination for creating a product that will stand out from others. Thankfully, the minds behind family-run Fraser Valley Distillery have both, and they’ve built a reputation for producing high-quality spirits at a high altitude.

So how did a single family get into the distilling business and settle in Fraser? Credit can be given to Jenna Young. She graduated from Michigan State University with a doctorate in microbiology but decided the lab life wasn’t for her. With a heap of knowledge in different types of fermentation, Jenna contacted her parents and asked if they’d be willing to help her start a distillery as an alternative career path that would still put her education to good use.

After finishing careers in Georgia, her parents, Barry and Debbie Young, had retired to Fraser in 2012. But they were willing to come out of retirement to help their daughter launch her business venture with the opening of Fraser Valley Distillery in 2018.

Jenna moved to the area from Georgia, and thought Fraser would be a good location for the distillery because of the frequent flow of tourists that visit the area adjacent to Winter Park.

The next step was to recruit Jenna’s siblings, Michael and Rebecca, as the group set out to start a family-run business in an industry they knew very little about.

Despite the lack of experience, the family was determined to learn, and assigned different areas of expertise to different family members as they constructed their business. Jenna had her advanced degree in microbiology but decided to enhance her knowledge in mixology when she took a job as a bartender at a restaurant in Georgia.

She now manages Fraser Valley Distillery, and the experience she gained helped her in creating the bar program and gin recipes.

Michael has a culinary background and accepted the role of managing the kitchen and restaurant side of the distillery. He now helps out with the distilling side of operations, too. Rebecca handles administrative duties and runs the marketing and social media.

Barry and Debbie took on the daunting task of learning how to distill spirits.

“We were fortunate enough to befriend distillers both in Georgia and in Colorado

that would let us spend a lot of time at their operation, and they taught us. In addition to that, we went to a number of one-week distillery schools,” Barry says. “It’s not uncommon for small distilleries to mentor upcoming distilleries, we view each other as friends, not competitors.”

While it was fortunate to have the mentorship from established distilleries, bringing that process to a high, frigid altitude can be a whole different game. Even though the altitude affects the boiling temperature of water, Barry says the most noticeable impact that their location has on the distilling process comes in the fermentation and aging because the temperature never gets very warm in Fraser.

“The biggest issue is in the aging because it never gets hot here,” Barry says. “If I were to make one barrel of whiskey and age one up here in Fraser, one in Denver and one in Kentucky, they would all taste very different.”

The temperature drops below freezing about 300 days each year and Fraser lays claim to being the coldest town in the lower 48 states.

There is less expansion and contraction of the spirit in and out of the surface of the barrel and it creates a softer spirit with less bite than those aged in warmer climates such as Kentucky. The lack of bite allows the underlying grain flavors to be more prominent as a result.

Another benefit of distilling in the Fraser Valley lies nearly 200 feet underground in an aquifer that provides mineral-rich water.

It may be a nuisance for faucets and shower grout, but Barry worships the water quality as a distiller, and says it gives spirits a stunning character.

“We have customers who drink our vodka neat and it’s just beautiful,” Barry says. “I joke with them (that) the beauty of our product is 95 percent the water and only 5 percent the distiller.” While the high-mineral water affects every spirit they make, Barry says it is most noticeable with the vodka.

“Being a very small distiller, we try to come up with spirits that are outside the box,” Barry says. “For example, we have a citrus vodka. Most citrus vodkas you see in the store are distilled either with lemon or lime or orange or grapefruit, we actually distill our citrus vodka with all four.”

As for Fraser Valley’s whiskeys, a higher barley content gives them a maltier finish.

Small distilleries with big visions are the reason Colorado is making a name for itself in the world of spirits. Fraser Valley Distillery has found a way to utilize environmental factors to enhance the final product, and is a prime example of what a craft distillery can be.

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.

It’s all in the family at Fraser Valley Distillery.

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BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT NOV 19 - JAN 8 Denver

The family-friendly Denver Botanic Gardens tradition features hot drinks, warm food and thousands of lights to illuminate the holiday season. botanicgardens.org

LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS NOV 21 - DEC 18 Boulder

With hundreds of thousands of LED lights illuminating the city, Boulder will be a magical place to visit this winter. Keep your eyes peeled for special events during this holiday season. boulderdowntown.com

CHRISTMAS STROLL NOV 27 Old Colorado City Photo: Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION

NOVEMBER 6 DENVER

Honor the Day of the Dead at the Denver Botanic Gardens with a mercado for local artists to

NOVEMBER

DENVER FILM FESTIVAL NOV 3-14 Denver

Celebrating 44 years, this 12-day event showcases more than 250 films by more than 175 directors around the world. Grab some popcorn and join the watch party. denver.org

DENVER ARTS WEEK NOV 5-13 Denver

showcase their work. Look for a variety of food and beverages, and Noches Iluminadas in the evening. botanicgardens.org

BIGHORN SHEEP FESTIVAL NOV 13 Georgetown

Grab your friends, grab your family, grab your binoculars. There will be art vendors, live music, food, children’s activities, train rides and bighorn sheep, hopefully. visitclearcreek.com

ONESIE BREW RUN NOVEMBER 21 CENTENNIAL

Grab your footie pajamas and join Halfpenny Brewing Company for a morning filled with beer games, delicious

TURKEY TROT 10K NOV 13 Longmont

Explore Denver’s lively art districts all week long.

Experience the Mile High City through museum exhibitions, film and literary events, performing arts and more. denver.org

Whether you’re running the 10k or the 2-miler, you can’t miss these spectacular views of the Front Range. Sign up now and get some exercise before the holiday season, while the weather still cooperates. longmontcolorado.gov

POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE NOV 11 - DEC 23 Golden

CHRISTKINDL MARKET NOV 19 - DEC 23 Denver

Through singing, dancing and a whole lot of magic, this train ride will turn you into a believer again. Tickets typically sell quickly, so make sure to grab your seat before the hot cocoa and cookies run out. coloradorailroadmuseum.org

From 5 to 7 p.m., peruse the Colorado Avenue shops offering holiday treats and presenting Christmas specials. Listen to The Colorado Dickens Carolers while you stroll — the best way to get into the holiday spirit. shopoldcoloradocity.com

The holiday season already? It’s never too early, or late, to buy your gifts at the Christkindl monthlong market. Munch on delicious European cuisine while searching for the best artisan goods. christkindlmarketdenver.com

Photo: Courtesy of Rocky Mountain Brew Runs

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DECEMBER

VAIL SNOW DAYS DEC 2-5 Vail

Expect two nights of concerts, a pub crawl and all of the food, drink, music and snow that one can handle. vailsnowdays.com

TELLURIDE FIRE FESTIVAL DEC 3-5 Telluride

This festival was inspired by Burning Man, the annual celebration of community, art and fire, that draws 70,000 people to the Nevada desert every Labor Day weekend. The goal was to bring the Burning Man ethos to Telluride, and to bring larger-than-life fire art to the region to support artists and help more people see, interact with, and create this visual magic. telluridefirefestival.org/

PARADE OF LIGHTS DEC 4 Grand Junction

Grab your folding chair, dress in layers and bring some hot cocoa. Join the people of Grand Junction for the parade, as more than 100 lighted vehicles drive down Main Street. downtowngj.org

food, and apparel, all while supporting a good cause.

Ten percent of ticket revenue will go directly to the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue. rockymountainbrewruns.com

Photo: Courtesy of gobreck.com

LIGHTING OF BRECKENRIDGE AND RACE OF THE SANTAS DECEMBER 4 BRECKENRIDGE

more than 250,000 LED lights strung throughout downtown. Who knew Santa could run? gobreck.com

Attendees can look forward to beards, bellies, and

BARREL AGED BEER & WHISKEY FESTIVAL DEC 4 Denver

Promoters promise the largest sampling of any festival of its kind. Attendees can discover caskaged libations that even the most seasoned aficionado will geek out about. Sample beer aged in whiskey barrels, whiskey aged in beer barrels, and small batch blends in between.

Elevate your palate further with barrel aged wine, coffee, gin and more. barrelagedbeerandwhiskey.com/

BRICK FEST LIVE DEC 4-5 Colorado Springs DEC 11-12 Denver

The Brick Fest Live Lego fan experience is filled with hands-on attractions and activities engineered to inspire, educate and entertain.

Lego lovers of all sizes and ages can roll up their sleeves and dive into more than a million bricks.

Brickfestlive.com

ZOO LIGHTS DEC 4 - JAN 9 Denver

Gather your friends and family for an illuminated evening at the Denver Zoo. You will see up to 3,000 amazing animals under the sparkling lights. denverzoo.org - Compiled by Olivia Venuta

BRECKENRIDGE ULLR FEST DEC 8-17 Breckenridge

The 10-day festival celebrates the winter season with tasty food, beverages and entertainment.

This Norwegian tradition dates all the way back to 1963. gobreck.com

POWABUNGA DEC 9-12 Vail

Close to the slopes and even closer to the stage, this alpine festival allows guests to have an immersive mountain experience while jamming out to their favorite artists. powabungafestival.com

NEW YEAR’S EVE BAR CRAWL DEC 31 Denver

From DJs and dance parties to live bands and New Year’s kisses, Downtown Denver is a popular place to start the new year. eventbrite.com

Because of possible COVID-19 restrictions, please check websites and social media to make sure events are going to be held.

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BOOGIE WONDERLAND Mannequin the Band brings bliss back to the music scene

By Natasha Lovato

I

f the world could agree on one thing, it’s that a year without live music was a year too long. Concertgoers and musicians alike felt the heartache of an entire year of musicless solitude. For members of Mannequin The Band, they can safely say the live music experience is one they will never take for granted again.

Mannequin the Band has dominated the dance floor and the area wedding industry consistently for the past five years with killer choreography and a talent-stacked group of musicians who cover fan favorites from Michael Buble to Bruno Mars. Mannequin’s sequin-studded costumes and colorful lighting cues help fuel their highenergy performances throughout the region. So, when the pandemic hit and musicians were relegated to virtual shows, Mannequin’s musical essence was put on a major pause.

Dana Wield, co-owner, creative director and lead singer, confirmed that being a part of the wedding and music industry sent the band into a pandemic nosedive.

She explained how seeing both industries plummet was devastating. “We are a cover band, so this idea of doing virtual concerts really was not going to work because we weren’t bringing new songs to people and it felt really inauthentic,” Wield said. Although cover bands offer quality music, it’s not their own. “I want to treat our audience like they know good music. You don’t pull up a cover of Bruno Mars on Facebook Live, you pull up Bruno Mars,” she said.

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Photo: Courtesy of Mannequin the Band November-December 2021

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Regardless, cover tunes are “a massive part of Mannequin’s show. And to not bring that to people for a year was really hard.”

Eventually, when events slowly started getting scheduled again, it took time to ramp up. Because the band had booked many dates throughout the period COVID-19 had everything shut down, refunding money, resetting dates and trying to accommodate everyone’s needs became a big job in itself.

Most of Mannequin’s clients remained understanding and compassionate, and both parties were able to meet in the middle given the pandemic circumstances.

Meanwhile, getting the band back together was long anticipated and exciting.

“It’s great to go on tour again and to see people again,” said Mannequin’s saxophone player Daniel Gomby. “As a musician, if you aren’t performing you’re stuck in a studio or you’re stuck in a practice room. So it’s nice to have that opportunity back. It gives you a reason to practice.”

Gomby also acknowledged how tough it was during the pandemic for those who had to put their marriage plans on pause. “Being back gave everybody the finality they were looking for. We were all stuck in limbo.”

Every month or so, Mannequin has performed at public events, such as pop-ups and festivals. In September, the group played at RARE, The Denver Steak Championship, which was held at the Denver Performing Arts Complex and Sculpture Park.

Photo: Gillespie Photography

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Another addition to the 2020 craziness for Wield and co-owner Alan Currens was the introduction of their new band, Rockslide. Like Mannequin, Rockslide is a high-energy cover band playing anything from Motown to classic rock. It seemed like bad timing for a band to debut, but it ended up working out well for the 2021 season.

“Looking back, it was the perfect time to get a new band because Mannequin is so booked now because of postponed dates,” Wield said. “Rockslide has the same music experience and configuration so now when Mannequin is booked, we have another great experience for our guests.”

The past summer was rocking and rolling for both bands, between local music festivals and private events. However, getting back to the stage was an emotional experience all around.

“At our first event back, I had to keep my composure when I saw multiple people crying. We all missed this so much,” Wield said. “Right now, we don’t take the audience for granted anymore. There’s a reason musicians make this their life career.”

Step into Mannequin’s boogie wonderland and stay tuned for upcoming events at mannequintheband.com.

Natasha Lovato is a Colorado native with a love for her cats, writing and a cold Holidaily Blonde Ale.

Graphic image rendered from original photo by Rachel Havel Photography

Prime Pairings Spicy White Cheddar Cranberry Dip

Photo: Jay McKinney

Spicing up a holiday meal is easily accomplished with a little creativity. Just because Aunt Margaret believes cranberry sauce should be the wildest thing on the table doesn’t mean the rest of the crowd can’t go a little crazy.

Speaking of cranberries, here’s a recipe the folks at Sauce Leopard (see page 18) came up with that will liven up Thanksgiving afternoon hors d’oeuvres. And if beer is your pleasure, try pairing the dip with a Lone Tree IPA.

Ingredients 2 cups extra sharp white cheddar cheese

¼ cup Sauce Leopard Bird Blood cranberry habanero hot sauce

8 oz block cream cheese (room temperature)

½ cup fresh cranberries

Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit. Lightly coat a 1 to1½ quart oven-safe baking dish with non-stick spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the white cheddar and cream cheese. Fold in the Bird Blood hot sauce and fresh cranberries.

Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 18-23 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

Sprinkle the reserved 2 tablespoons of cheddar cheese on top and place under a broiler for a few minutes or until the cheese is melted. Keep an eye on it as the cheese will burn easily.

Best served immediately with crostini, pita crisps or grainy crackers. Drizzle extra Bird Blood on top if you want it extra spicy! © Valentina R. / Adobe Stock

All natural • Colorado proud Now available at

WILDGREENSAUCE.COM November-December 2021

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holiday gift guide Your Go-To Guide for No-Fail Holiday Gifts

By Kristin Owens

S

truggling with pesky gift-giving decisions? Whether starting or adding to a collection, here’s a list of essential must-haves for the impassioned craft connoisseur. For generic beer-themed items we offer up suggestions, but for particular crafts or favorite breweries, try an outing to the tap room (or website) for their best selection. If beer is not your thing, we’ve included a few bonus ideas as well.

TIN SIGN, AKA, ‘TACKER’

The workshop, basement bar, or garage can always use some extra cred. A tin sign is more than a mere sticker, it’s made out of metal and nearly indestructible. It exists FOREVER. Double check that they love a particular brewery or beer because it’s a big obligation for sacred wall space. For Colorado craft brewery options including Diebolt, Odell and Left Hand, visit www.tintackers.com.

Photo: Jay McKinney

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DOG STUFF

Collapsible drinking bowl?

Bandana? Also, what color coordinates well with fur? So many options for Fido. Cats … not so much.

If going with a specific brewery, choose the owner’s favorite, because more than likely it’s his too.

If committing to a collar and coordinating leash, look for adjustability and a smooth interior to prevent chafing and premature hair loss.

Photo: Courtesy of Weldwerks

TAP HANDLE

You’re so incredibly thoughtful. For the serious craft lover who owns a keezer/kegerator and orders up sixtels on a regular basis, you just knocked it out of the park. Why identify beers with a post-it-note when you can gift an authentic tap handle from the actual brewery?

And for homebrewers? Plug your ears for their screams of delight with a custom handle.

Photo: Jay McKinney

BABY ITEM

Get ready for awwws. That precious baby looks cute already, but throw on a beerthemed onesie over their diapered behind and prepare for over-the-top adulation. People will demand photos. Select a neutral color for families who like to hand down. It’s going to get a lot of mileage. Also, the funnier the better, because babies like attention. In fact, they’re really needy.

Photo: Courtesy Onesie for Onesie on Etsy

BIKE JERSEY

A larger financial commitment, but any Colorado cyclist brave enough to wear bike shorts in public deserves one. Priced around $100, they’re not out of line with ho-hum cycling jerseys that cost the same.

Plus, it’s personal. And totally cool.

Generally, go one size larger (at least) and look for a silicone waist grip so it doesn’t ride up over the beer belly.

STYLE-APPROPRIATE GLASSWARE

Need to impress? We gotcha covered. Sure, one has pub glasses, probably dozens. But what about a Hefeweizen vase or Sour stemmedtulip? Pretty sure they don’t own an authentic Kölsch stange either. A proper glass for a particular beer screams I’M NOT AN AMATEUR. Purchase a pair because the recipient is bound to get so excited, they’ll break one.

Photo: Joe Ross

Photo: Kristin Owens

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BOURBON

Breckenridge Distillery’s awardwinning Breckenridge Bourbon soaks up the charm of their own aged Colorado Rum casks, creating an unstoppable wave of flavor in their Rum Cask Finish. Notes of candied apple and cinnamon enfold, as dark chocolate and cacao follow.

Lingering allspice captivates the senses, gratifying in just one sip, but mysterious enough to leave you wanting another. Shop local.

45% ABV, 90 Proof Photo: Courtesy of Breckenridge Distillery

HAT

Do they have a head? A big one? Go for trucker. Or else stay with the classic ball cap. In either case, make sure it’s adjustable. Want stylish? Try a beanie or knitted hat with a pompom. For the life of the party? A large-brimmed sun hat is appropriate because they most likely forgot to apply SPF. Photo: Kristin Owens

WRIST WATCH

For over 15 years, connoisseurs of beautiful engineering at Frederique Constant have honored the union of automobiles and watchmaking with the limited Vintage Rally series, created in tribute to the legendary Austin – Healey. Authenticated by the original “Healey” logo marked on the dial, the new Vintage Rally Healey Automatic Small Seconds features an all-grey color palette.

It features a 38-hour power reserve, stainless steel 40mm case, convex sapphire crystal, grey calf leather strap, and is water resistant up to 5 ATM. Each Vintage Rally Healey watch will be presented in a special case with a collector mini Healey car. Limited Edition to 888 pieces.

Available at Right Time Watches, Highlands Ranch, 303-862-3900, or RightTime.com Photo: Courtesy of Right Time Watches

T-SHIRT

Yes, they have one already. But they need MORE. One can never have too many t-shirts touting beer. Also, it may be time to refresh the closet due to chicken wing stains, discolored armpits, and/or a burn hole from that ill-advised project requiring a blow torch. We recommend sizing up, because, you know … beer. When confronted with choices, go for the classic logo.

Photo: Kristin Owens

VODKA

It was voted Best Craft Vodka in America by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and was awarded the “Best in Vodka” at the 2021 Judging of Craft Spirits. Wood’s San Luis Valley Potato Vodka delivers everything you want in a potato vodka - great mouthfeel and body, mild sweetness, vanilla, and a clean finish.

Local potatoes sourced from Colorado’s San Luis Valley combined with distillation at over 7,000 feet make this an outstanding spirit.

Photo: Courtesy of Woods High Mountain Distillery

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UNBEATABLE SELECTION AT AFFORDABLE PRICES Quality edibles, vapes, tinctures and more for you to cozy up with.

Guess what our favorite tree is? Yours.

Contact us to have an arborist come out to give you a consultation on your trees (and other plant life).

• Pest/disease diagnosis and treatment • Organic treatment for emerald ash borer (EAB) • Tree and shrub pruning • Tree removal • Stump grinding

Order ahead at LivWell.com @livwellcannabis_ ©2021 LivWell Enlightened Health. All Rights Reserved. Colorado only.

taddikentree.com • hello@taddikentree.com • 303.554.7035 We’re hiring climbers!

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ROAD TRIP TO THE PAST Car museums throughout Colorado that will turn your crank

A

fter dodging automobiles in traffic all day in the metro area, why would one want to go see a car museum in Denver? History, and the impressive use of steel propelled by engines that reflect the nation’s technological advancements. Plus, they look cool.

It’s been a minute since Henry Ford’s company rolled out the Model A in 1903, launching a product that impacted the world.

Ford’s wasn’t the first, but it was the most accessible auto that the masses could aspire to own.

With impressive advancements in technology, the electric vehicle will soon send more combustion engines to the museum floor. We’ve compiled a list of auto museums to help people understand a bit of the history and excitement.

GATEWAY AUTO MUSEUM Gateway

By Jay McKinney

Located in the Gateway Canyons Resort, this car museum is great for guests visiting the resort or those passing through the remote stretch of Mesa County. American businessman Discovery Inc. founder John

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Photo: Courtesy of Shelby American Collection Museum

The Shelby American Collection Museum in Boulder features some of America’s greatest automotive legends.

Hendrick’s private collection makes up the exhibit that celebrates the history, design and social impact that the automobile had on American life. Rare models of Cadillac, Packard, Pierce-Arrow and others can all be seen in this historic collection with some valued at millions of dollars. One of the museum’s highlights is a 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 concept car that Hendrick purchased at an auction for $3.25 million in 2005.

SHELBY AMERICAN COLLECTION Boulder

Established in 1996, the Shelby American Collection Museum in Boulder is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Carroll Shelby and the American Shelby Team, with its extensive collection. Shelby is an icon in automotive history, and the cars he designed turn heads every time they drive by. Car enthusiasts will be thrilled to view cars like the 289 and 427 Cobras, the rare Daytona and Willment Coupes and the Ford GT40.

Also housed in the museum is an extensive collection of memorabilia, art, race records and photographs that pay tribute to Shelby

and other iconic figures of 1960s auto racing.

PENROSE HERITAGE MUSEUM Colorado Springs

The Penrose Heritage Museum honors numerous parts of Colorado Springs’ history and the impact that entrepreneur Spencer Penrose had on the region. Those who have driven to the top of Pikes Peak can thank Penrose for not only helping to construct the road in 1916 but also initiating the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Within the museum are 15 race cars that competed in the annual race to the summit of Pikes Peak, with the most notable one being 100 years old and belonging to Penrose himself. The car museum in Colorado Springs is free to the public, and educates guests on the rich history of the Pikes Peak region in addition to wowing them with the amazing displays of race cars and other artifacts.

RAMBLER RANCH Elizabeth

While it may only be open three days a week, and available to visit by appointment

only, the Rambler Ranch is well worth the money and the drive to its location in Elizabeth. The museum is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Nash Ramblers and other AMC automobiles, and it is highly regarded among car enthusiasts.

In addition to the extensive collection of cars, the museum features a number of other attractions that will make visitors feel as if they are stepping back in time. A 1920s Sinclair gas station replica that houses the Rambler Ranch ice cream and gift shop, a 1960s model home replica and a Kelvinator model kitchen provide a glimpse of nostalgia and are just as enticing as the cars.

FORNEY MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION Denver

This museum highlights cars and essentially any other method of transportation that gets one from point A to point B. It began with the private collection of J.D. Forney, who lived in Fort Collins and had an unwavering interest in transportation from an early age.

Presently, the museum has collected more than 600 artifacts including motorcycles, November-December 2021

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steam locomotives, aircraft, carriages, sleighs and other modes of transportation that have artistic, historical or technological significance. Among the highlights at the car museum in Denver are Amelia Earhart’s 1923 Kissel Gold Bug, a 1913-1953 Indian Motorcycle collection, a Union Pacific Big Boy steam locomotive and other displays both big and small.

RANGELY AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM Rangely

Located in the town of Rangely in Northwest Colorado, this museum was founded by Bud Striegel, who has been collecting cars since he was just 12 years old. Back when Striegel began his automotive journey, he would purchase cars for extremely cheap prices, often using the earnings he made selling pop bottles to a local bar. As he got older, his love for cars eventually evolved into a desire to fix them, and Striegel has now restored over 70 cars. The collection at the Rangely Automotive Museum is a nod to his passion for automotive history and includes an impressive display of cars and motorcycles that had a profound impact on design and production in the industry.

Photo: Courtesy of The Vehicle Vault

VEHICLE VAULT Parker

The Vehicle Vault in Parker is much more than just a car museum, as it offers garage space for collectors. However, the Gallery at Vehicle Vault showcases rare and exotic cars that the general public can view. The interactive and rotating exhibit aims to educate, inspire and enhance the appreciation for automotive history that is so ingrained in the American way of life. Dozens of local and regional car shows also make their way to the Vehicle Vault each year and are popular for car enthusiasts and anyone who can appreciate the beauty of rare and vintage cars.

Photo: Courtesy of The Penrose Heritage Museum

Jay McKinney is a Colorado native who recently graduated from Metro State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. He loves spending time outdoors, playing golf and hiking.

From top, the Vehicle Vault, the Penrose Heritage Museum, and the Rambler Ranch are represented.

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Photo: Courtesy of The Rambler Ranch

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GO WITH THE FLOW

By Kyle Kirves

I

magine the challenge of capturing something organic – the flow of water, the contours of a mountain, the bursting of a seedpod – and mirroring it in silver.

Perhaps ornamenting it with semi-precious stones or etching it in a way that invests it with movement and brings it alive. And doing it all knowing that, once complete, there will never be another like it. While similar perhaps in tone or execution, the work fundamentally has a life and history all its own.

If you can put that mental movie together, you might have an idea of how Boulder County-based silversmith Rachel Mitchell attends to her work. The artist/owner of MaraLuna jewelry creates many of her pieces with elemental qualities that, though rendered in metal, have a remarkable fluidity

to them and convey a sense of motion … something in progress, growing, or coming forth.

“Nature and emotional response feed into the design, but the metal in many ways tells me what it wants to do and I just go with that,” Mitchell says. “It’s a little like having children. You have to sometimes just let go and let the art go its own way and just learn from that.”

It’s not surprising that her work emerges from unregimented methods. Mitchell eschews most traditional artist prep. “I don’t keep a notebook. I’d tried that in school but it just didn’t connect for me,” she says. “It didn’t help me tie what I was seeing mentally to what I needed my hands to do. I do a lot of modeling out of less precious materials – or November-December 2021

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clay or whatever. Generally, I start something from the beginning and it starts in my head and it just evolves. Sometimes it takes me to a place that’s surprising. But I don’t start out with a set plan.”

Mitchell, who has been working in silver for over 20 years, holds a degree in metalsmithing from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, but came to it via another medium. “I started at the Art Institute in photography and what I found myself doing was constructing objects out of photographs,” she says. “So I became kind of fascinated with sculpture and manipulation.

But living in a tiny house in Philadelphia, I couldn’t do welding at my house, so I found myself miniaturizing a lot of my work. Which in turn led me to jewelry creation as a way to generate revenue.”

Her studio looks like the office of a professor of natural history. Yes, the tools of her trade are there, along with raw materials.

But there are also bleached cow skulls and pelts and other artifacts from the natural world that she uses to striking effect in the photos of her work that comprise her online catalog. She

is a collector of oddities, and those oddities inform her artistic choices. Oftentimes, she will take an already assembled piece found in an antique store or estate sale and deconstruct it just to reclaim a stone that appeals to or speaks to her.

“Every single piece is very personal to me,” Mitchell says. “Every piece is something I would wear. That’s meaningful to me. If I am putting it out there for someone to buy, it is because it is special to me and I hope it will be special to you, too.”

That philosophy manifests itself in Mitchell’s work: pieces that are both classically natural and majestically modern at the same time. Some pieces appear to shine with an internal light, while on others, oxidation creates a shadowy depth, dimension and darkness. Mitchell enjoys creating work that is truly one of a kind – when you buy one of her pieces of jewelry you have the satisfaction of knowing that while there may be some similarities to other works in her catalog, this one is truly “yours.”

When asked if there is a particular piece that combines her inspirations, Mitchell cites

something special she created recently from her line of what she calls journey bracelets.

“I created a bracelet as a memorial to a friend of mine, Chris Lawrence,” Mitchell says. Lawrence, a fitness expert and martial artist who Mitchell trained with, passed away after a long battle with cancer in 2020. “It holds meaning to me and is a strong reminder of him and the person that he was.”

Another singular creation, a silver bee she rendered for her father, a lifelong beekeeper, is another favorite from her catalog.

Like most artists, Mitchell suggests that no piece is ever really “done,” but there is a point where she just convinces herself to stop. “I think it just feels right – emotionally, textually. It just feels like it’s enough. The material just gets to have its own journey,” she adds.

Here’s hoping that part of that journey leads to you.

Kyle Kirves drinks beer, plays guitar, runs trails, and manages projects – all with varying degrees of success. While not a craftsman himself, he is quite content writing about the Colorado artisans who create such wonderful things and memorable experiences.

Rachel Mitchell’s MaraLuna Jewelry can be found at maralunajewelry.com.

The web site showcases her catalog of substantial and thematically cohesive work, where you’ll find beautiful bracelets, earrings, rings, and necklaces at prices that will (pleasantly) surprise you. The jewelry photos, which Mitchell takes herself, are works of art in and of themselves -- the images leap off the page -- but to see the work in person is even more impressive. Follow MaraLuna on social media to learn more about festival appearances and art and holiday show appearances.

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LONE TREE BREWING COMPANY PEACH PALE ALE - 5.8% ABV

An original Lone Tree recipe took a bronze medal at 2021 Great American Beer Festival in the American Fruit Beer category. This pale ale with subtle fruit flavor complements the hop profile nicely. Just enough peach for a refreshing take on a tried and true style.

lonetreebrewingco.com

GREAT DIVIDE BREWING COMPANY WILD RASPBERRY ALE - 5.6% ABV

Wild Raspberry Ale was a staple in the Great Divide portfolio until its retirement in 2012 but it has roared back with a GABF silver medal in the American Fruit Beer category. Slightly sweet, slightly tart, this flavorful ale will please old and new fans alike.

greatdivide.com

STRANGE CRAFT BEER COMPANY

SKA BREWING

SILVERBACK NORWEGIAN FARMHOUSE - 5.8% ABV

TRUE BLOND ALE - 5% ABV

This silver-medal winner features 25 percent wheat, juniper berries, Simcoe hops and Kveik yeast. Strange Craft owner Tim Myers brewed the beer for friend Steve Skalski to serve at the Silverbrick Restaurant next door To Guanella Pass Brewing Co. in Georgetown. Skalski owns the restaurant and brewery.

strangecraft.com

This 2021 silver-medal winner is a crisp blonde ale with a golden hue that’s brewed with the help and the honey of Durango’s Honeyville bees. It’s light enough to enjoy with salad greens, and tastes great with fish and spicy foods.

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A CHOCOLATE A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAY Health-minded company tackles your concerns

Photo: Courtesy of Functional Chocolate Company

By Natasha Lovato

Y

ou can have your chocolate and eat it too when it’s crafted to be both delicious and health conscious. It’s not a bad time to treat yourself or a loved one to tasty treats containing ingredients specially crafted to help remedy health concerns.

The Functional Chocolate Company began when founder Chris Peruzzi created the PMS bar for his teenage daughter.

Soon after, he decided to branch out to broader needs for everyday concerns like sleep, focus, anxiety, libedo and more.

Peruzzi created new formulations, roped in a team and formally launched Functional Chocolate this past year.

“The big thing we talk a lot about is the focus on inclusivity,” says Graham Sorkin, chief of staff and co-founder. “We are trying to make them available to as many people as possible, being gluten free, vegan, etc.”

So, how do the chocolates help combat something like PMS? Sorkin explained that while each base to the various bars are the same, the difference is the nutraceuticals added to target a specific need.

“A lot of the same things you’d get from a PMS supplement, for example, you will find in the PMS bar,” Sorkin said. “It’s like using ginger to help with nausea or primrose oil to help with bloating. We take those featured ingredients and build the flavor around that. For instance, the PMS bar is a ginger snap chocolate bar.”

According to a study by The Mayo Clinic, the same ingredients within the PMS bar have been proven to help ease PMS symptoms. Similarly, ingredients like valerian root, chamomile and lavender found within the Sleepy Chocolate bar are shown to help ease sleeplessness.

So, whether it’s the need to promote productivity, relaxation, or anything in between, each chocolate bar has a particular flavor profile to help tackle the specific condition.

With Fair Trade practices that support farmers from South America and other parts of the world, the company uses high-quality ingredients. “We are committed to supply chain transparency and accountability,” according to the Functional Chocolate website.

While there is not a physical storefront, the headquarters are located in Evergreen and the products are sold in over 200 stores nationwide, in addition to the Functional Chocolate online shop: funcho.co.

Natasha Lovato is a Colorado native with a love for her cats, writing and a cold Holidaily Blonde Ale.

42 ThirstColorado.com

November-December 2021

© Artem Shadrin / Adobe Stock

November-December 2021

ThirstColorado.com 43

COLORADO CRA ● – Serves Food ● – Food Truck ● – Live Music

Crazy Mountain Brewing Co ● ●

Colorado Plus Brew Pub ● ●

Raices Brewing Co

Renegade Brewing Co

Green Mountain Beer Co

Seedstock Brewery ● ●

Wah Gwaan Brewing Co. _____________________________

Joyride Brewing Co ●

DENVER SUBURBS

ENGLEWOOD AREA

MainStage Brewing - Lyons ●

Brewability Lab ● ●

Fritz Family Brewers - Niwot Howlin Wind Brewing and Blending - Rollinsville

Strange Craft Beer Co ● ●

BREWERIES DENVER

Tivoli Brewing ●

ARVADA

Dead Hippie Brewing ●

NORTHEAST DENVER

Denver Beer Co

Peak View Brewing Co

BAKER/SOUTH BROADWAY

Blue Tile Brewing

Elevated Seltzer ● ●

Baere Brewing Co

J. Moe’s Brew Pub ●

LUKI Brewery

Banded Oak Brewing Co

Zuni St. Brewing Co ●

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew - Lyons

Mountain Cowboy Brewing Co

Very Nice Brewing - Nederland ●

Resolute Brewing Tap & Cellar ●

GOLDEN

BOULDER

Someplace Else Brewery

Barrels and Bottles Brewery ●

Asher Brewing Co

Cannonball Creek Brewing Co ●

Avery Brewing ●

Coda Brewing

Beyond the Mountain Brewing Co

Coors Brewing Co

BJ’s ●

Golden City Brewery ●

Finkel & Garf Brewing Co

Bruz Beers ●

Dos Luces

Call to Arms Brewing Co ●

Grandma’s House

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

AURORA

Lowdown Brewery + Kitchen ●

De Steeg Brewing

Bent Barley Brewing Co

Novel Strand Brewing Co

Diebolt Brewing Co ● ●

BJ’s ●

Platt Park Brewing Co ●

The Empourium Brewing Co

Cheluna Brewing Co

So Many Roads Brewery

Factotum Brewhouse

Dry Dock Brewing Co North Dock ●

The Post Chicken and Beer ●

FlyteCo Brewing

Dry Dock Brewing Co South Dock ●

TRVE Brewing Co

Goldspot Brewing Co ● ●

Jade Mountain Brewing Co

Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe + Brewery ●

Launch Pad Brewery

Hogshead Brewery ●

Alpine Dog Brewing Co

Oasis Brewing Co ● ●

Bruz Off Fax

Prost Brewing Co ●

Cerebral Brewing ● ● Counter Culture Brewery & Grille ● Fiction Beer Co ●

10 Barrel Brewing Co ● ● 10barrel.com 720.573.8992

Lady Justice Brewing Long Table Brewhouse ●

2620 Walnut St Denver

Pints Pub ● Reverence Brewing Co Station 26 Brewing Co ● Vine Street Pub & Brewery ●

Two22 Brew ●

New Terrain Brewing ● ●

Ursula Brewing Co

Ohm Brewing

Unnamed Beer Co Uhl’s Brewing Co

Landlocked Ales

Upslope Brewing Co ● ●

Old 121 Brewhouse

Vision Quest Brewing Co

Westfax Brewing Co

West Flanders Brewing Co ● ●

LITTLETON AREA

Wild Provisions Beer Project

Blue Spruce Brewing Co

LAFAYETTE

Breckenridge Brewery ●

Cellar West Artisan Ales ●

Coal Mine Ave. Brewing Co

Front Range Brewing ● ●

Comet Brews ●

Liquid Mechanics ● ●

Jackass Hill Brewery ●

Odd 13 Brewing Inc ● ●

Lariat Lodge Brewing

The Post Brewing Co ● ●

Wonderland Brewing Co ● ●

Cohesion Brewing Co ● Epic Brewing Co ●

Burly Brewing ● ●

FIVE POINTS

Great Divide Brewing Co ● ●

The Elizabeth Brewing Co

Cohesion Brewing Co

Mockery Brewing ●

Great Divide Brewing & Roadhouse

Spangalang Brewery

New Belgium - The Woods at the Source

Iron Mule Brewery

Odell Brewing Co

Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co ●

Rockyard Brewing Co ●

Ratio Beerworks ● ●

CENTENNIAL/GREENWOOD VILLAGE/HIGHLANDS RANCH

River North Brewery

3 Freaks Brewery ●

Denver Chophouse & Brewery ●

SOUTHEAST DENVER

Blue Spruce Brewing Co ● ●

Great Divide Brewing Co ● ●

Bull and Bush Brewery ● ●

Grist Brewing Co ●

Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery ● Rock Bottom Denver ● Sandlot Brewery

7677 E Iliff Ave Denver

Smash Face Brewing ● Wynkoop Brewing Co ●

Copper Kettle Brewing Co ●

MILE HI/AURARIA

SOUTHWEST DENVER

Briar Common Brewery + Eatery ●

Black Sky Brewery ●

Burns Family Artisan Ales

Chain Reaction Brewing Co ●

Little Machine Beer ●

44 ThirstColorado.com

Halfpenny Brewing Co ● ●

Comrade Brewing ● comradebrewing.com 720.748.0700

Holidaily Brewing Taproom

®

Living the Dream Brewing Co Locavore Beer Works

LONGMONT 300 Suns Brewing ●

NORTHGLENN/THORNTON

Bootstrap Brewing ● ●

Mother Tucker Brewery ● ●

Collision Brewing Co ●

Satire Brewing Co ● ●

Grossen Bart Brewery ● ●

PARKER

Knuckle Puck Brewing

Barnett and Son Brewing Co ● ● Downhill Brewing Co ●

Left Hand Brewing Co ● Oskar Blues Brewing ● Outworld Brewing

Lone Tree Brewing Co

Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant y Cerveceria ●

Resolute Brewing Co

Welcome Home Brewery

The Post Chicken and Beer

WESTMINSTER

Pumphouse Brewery ●

BJ’s ●

Shoes and Brews

Frolic Brewing Co ●

Wibby Brewing ● ●

Rock Bottom Centennial ● Rock Bottom Highlands Ranch ● Spice Trade Brewing Co

EDGEWATER/WHEAT RIDGE

Kokopelli Beer Co ● ●

Barquentine Brewing Co

Westminster Brewing Co

Brewery Rickoli ●

November-December 2021

Stein Brewing Co

Green Mountain Beer Co

105 West Brewing Co ●

Denver Beer Co

Southern Sun ●

Twisted Pine Brewing ● ●

CASTLE ROCK

Cervecería Colorado

Ska Street Brewstillery

Great Frontier Brewing Co

Blue Moon Brewing Co ● ●

AC Golden Brewing Co

Sanitas Brewing Co ● ●

Something Brewery

Rails End Beer Co ● ●

Our Mutual Friend

Oskar Blues Taproom ● ●

The Post Chicken and Beer

Sweetwater Brewing Co ●

LODO

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery ●

6 and 40 Brewery

Black Shirt Brewing Co ● ●

Woods Boss Brewing

Mossdeep Brewing Co

Flood Stage Ale Works ●

DENVER INT’L AIRPORT Tom’s Urban Diner and Tivoli Brewing ●

Kettle and Spoke Brewery

LAKEWOOD

Gordon Biersch ●

Bierstadt Lagerhaus ●

Over Yonder Brewing

Gunbarrel Brewing Co

Big Choice Brewing

4 Noses Brewing Co ●

Altitude Brewing & Supply

801 Brickyard Cir., Golden

Mountain Toad Brewing ●

BROOMFIELD

14er Brewing

Holidaily Brewing Co Holidailybrewing.com 303.278.BEER

Six Capital Brewing & BBQ ●

BRIGHTON

RINO

Industrial Revolution Brewing - Erie Knotted Root Brewing Co - Nederland

Denver Beer Co ●

CAPITOL HILL/E COLFAX/ PARK HILL

Echo Brewing Co - Erie ●

Mirror Image Brewing Co

Odyssey Beerwerks ● ●

Amalgam Brewing

Busey Brews - Nederland

FREDERICK

New Image Brewing ●

NORTHWEST DENVER

Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales

BOULDER COUNTY

Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake ●

Primitive Beer

AFT LIBATIONS LOUISVILLE

ESTES PARK

Eddyline Brewery - Buena Vista ●

PAONIA

Guanella Pass Brewing - Georgetown

12Degree Brewing ●

Avant Garde Aleworks

Elevation Beer Co - Poncha Springs ●

Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beer

Crystal Springs Brewing Co

Estes Park Brewery ●

Mad Jack’s Mtn Brewery - Bailey ● ●

Paonia United Brewing Co

Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub Idaho Springs ●

Gravity Brewing ● ●

Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co

South Park Brewing Co - Fairplay ●

Redgarden Restaurant & Brewery ● _____________________________

Rock Cut Brewing Co

Two Mile Brewing Co - Leadville ●

NORTHEAST

S. FRONT RANGE

FORT COLLINS

SALIDA

Parts & Labor Brewing Co - Sterling

Anheuser-Busch

Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub ●

BJ’s ●

Soulcraft Brewing

Tumbleweed Brewing & Wine - Yuma _____________________________

Black Bottle Brewery ●

Tres Litros Beer Co _____________________________

Florence Brewing - Florence World’s End Brewing Co - Cañon City BierWerks Brewery - Woodland Park ● ●

Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing ●

Westbound & Down Brewing Co - Idaho Springs ●

EVERGREEN El Rancho Brewing Co ● Evergreen Brewery ●

NORTHWEST

Lariat Lodge Brewing ● ●

Camber Brewing Co - Fraser

SUMMIT COUNTY Angry James Brewing - Silverthorne

Crafty Canary Brewery - Walsenburg

Crooked Stave Brewing

SOUTHWEST

Fraser River Beer Co - Fraser

DC Oakes Brewhouse & Eatery ●

Avalanche Brewing Co - Silverton ●

Grand Adventure Brewing - Kremmling

The Baker’s Brewery - Silverthorne ●

Funky Town Brewing - Florissant

Envy Brewing

Bottom Shelf Brewery - Bayfield ●

Never Summer Brewing Co - Granby

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub ●

Manitou Brewing - Manitou Springs ●

Equinox Brewing ●

Colorado Boy Brewery - Montrose, Ridgway ●

Yampa Valley Taproom - Craig

Broken Compass Brewing - Breck.

Paradox Beer Co - Divide ● Paradox Beer Co., Trinidad Outpost

Funkwerks

Dolores River Brewery - Dolores ● ●

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

Gilded Goat Brewing Co

Golden Block Brewery - Silverton ●

Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill ●

Horse & Dragon Brewing Co

Horsefly Brewing Co - Montrose ● ●

Mountain Tap Brewery ●

Intersect Brewing

Lake City Brewing - Lake City

Storm Peak Brewing Co

Jessup Farm Barrel House ●

Mancos Brewing Co - Mancos ●

Yampa Valley Brewing Co

Steep Brewing & Coffee - Keystone ● _____________________________

The Marmot Fort Collins

San Juan Brews - Montrose

Maxline Brewing

WINTER PARK

DISTRIBUTION ONLY

Smuggler’s Brewpub - Telluride ●

McClellan’s Brewing Co ● ●

Big Trout Brewing Co

1623 Brewing

Square Peg Brewerks - Creede

New Belgium Brewing Co ● ●

Hideaway Park Brewery

Beer by Design

Stoik Beer Co - Delta

Odell Brewing Co ● ●

Boulder Beer Co

Stronghouse Brew Pub - Telluride

The Peak Bistro & Brewery ● _____________________________

Pitchers Brewery ●

Telluride Brewing Co - Telluride

Prost Brewing Co

I-70 CORRIDOR

Three Barrel Brewing Co - Del Norte ●

Purpose Brewing

Two Rascals Brewing Co - Montrose

COLORADO SPRINGS Atrevida Beer Co ● Battle Mountain Brewing ● Black Forest Brewing Co ● Brass Brewing Co ● Bristol Brewing ● Cerberus Brewing Co ● Cogstone Brewing Co ● ● Colorado Mountain Brewery ● Dueces Wild Brewery ● FH Beerworks ● Fossil Craft Beer Co ●

Rally King Brewing

EAGLE COUNTY 7 Hermits Brewing Co - Vail ●

Dillon Dam Brewery - Dillon ● ● HighSide Brewing - Frisco ● ● Outer Range Brewing Co - Frisco ● Pug Ryan’s Brewery - Dillon ●

Centennial Beer Co Ceria Brewing Dive Bar Brewing Co Donovan Brewing Co Gemini Beer Co

CORTEZ

Bonfire Brewing - Eagle ●

Red Truck Beer ●

J. Fargo’s Family Dining & Micro Brewery ●

Gore Range Brewery - Edwards ●

Snowbank Brewing

Main Street Brewery & Restaurant ●

Vail Brewing Co - Vail ● ●

Stodgy Brewing Co ●

WildEdge Brewing Collective

Zwei Brewing Co ● ●

DURANGO

ASPEN/CARBONDALE/ GLENWOOD SPRINGS

Nano 108 ●

GREELEY

Anarchy Brewing

Aspen Brewing Co ●

OCC Brewing

Brix Taphouse and Brewery ● ●

Animas Brewing Co ●

Ball Brewing

Peaks N Pines Brewing Co ●

Crabtree Brewing ● ●

Carver Brewing Co ●

Capitol Creek Brewery ●

Phantom Canyon ● ●

Green Earth Brewing

Durango Beer and Ice Co

Carbondale Beer Works ●

Pikes Peak Brewing Co ● ●

Lonesome Buck Brewing Co ●

Ska Brewing Co ● ●

Casey Brewing and Blending

Red Leg Brewing ●

Peculier Ales - Windsor ● ●

Steamworks Brewing Co ●

Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub ●

Red Swing Brewhouse

Rule 105 Brewing Co ●

GUNNISON/CRESTED BUTTE

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery ●

WeldWerks Brewing Co

The Eldo Brewpub & Venue ● ●

Rocky Mountain Brewery ●

Wiley Roots Brewing Co ●

High Alpine Brewing Co ●

GRAND JUNCTION

DENVER/BOULDER

Smiling Toad Brewery ●

LOVELAND/BERTHOUD

Irwin Brewing Co

Edgewater Brewery ●

52Eighty Distilling - Littleton

Berthoud Brewing Co

OURAY

Kannah Creek Brewing Co ●

Anders’ Vodka - Parker

Big Beaver Brewing Co ●

Colorado Boy Brewery ●

Monumental Beer Works

Archetype Distillery - Denver

Big Thompson Brewery

Ouray Brewery ●

Ramblebine Brewing Co ●

Arta Tequila - Englewood

PUEBLO

City Star Brewing ●

Ourayle House Brewery

The Rockslide Restaurant and Brewery ●

Art of the Spirits Colorado Whiskey - Denver

Brues Alehouse Brewing Co ● ●

Crow Hop Brewing

Red Mountain Brewing ●

Reservoir Brewing Co

Drätz Brewing Co

Shamrock Brewing ●

Grimm Brothers Brewhouse

Walter Brewery & Taproom _____________________________

Loveland Aleworks

N. FRONT RANGE

Rock Coast Brewery

G5 Brew Pub - Severance ●

Goat Patch Brewing Co ● JAKs Brewing Co ● Local Relic ● Lost Friend Brewing ● Mash Mechanix Brewing Metric Brewing ●

Storybook Brewing ● Trinity Brewing ● Whistle Pig Brewing Co ● ●

Sheaf & Kettle Brewery - Eaton Timnath Beerwerks - Timnath

Ramskeller Brewery ●

Palisade Brewing Co ● ● Roaring Fork Beer Co ●

GRAND MESA AREA

Idylwilde Brewing The Larimer Beer Co New Planet Beer Open Door Brewing Co Rustica Sleeping Giant Brewing Social Order Brewing Swole Beer Syndicate Brewing Co Uhl’s Brewing Co Woba Beer

DISTILLERIES

atöst Lounge - Golden Ballmer Peak Distillery - Lakewood

PAGOSA SPRINGS

Copper Club Brewing Co - Fruita ●

The Break Room Brewing Co

Dented Face Brewing Co - Delta

Pagosa Brewing Co ●

Mad Russian Brewing Co - Olathe

Riff Raff Brewing ● ●

Suds Brothers Brewery - Fruita ● ●

Verboten Brewing Co _____________________________

ALAMOSA

CENTRAL CITY/GEORGETOWN/ IDAHO SPRINGS

Broken Arrow Spirits - Centennial

CENTRAL COLORADO

San Luis Valley Brewing ●

Cabin Creek Brewing - Georgetown ●

Deviant Spirits - Boulder

Browns Canyon Brewing - Buena Vista

Square Peg Brewerks

Dostal Alley Saloon & Gambling Emporium - Central City ●

Deviation Distilling - Denver

Rock Bottom ●

The Colorado Farm Brewery

Bear Creek Distillery - Denver The Block Distilling Co - Denver Boulder Spirits by Vapor Distillery - Boulder Denver Distillery - Denver

November-December 2021

ThirstColorado.com 45

Downslope Distilling - Englewood The Family Jones Spirit House Denver ●

Cockpit Craft Distillery - Colo.

Springs Colorado Gold Distillery - Colorado Springs

Gold Dirt Distillery - Rollinsville Golden Moon Distillery - Golden

Deerhammer Distilling Co - Buena Vista

Hogback Distillery - Wheat Ridge

Distillery 291 - Colo. Springs

J & L Distilling Co - Boulder

Lee Spirits - Colo. Springs

Ironton Distillery - Denver Laws Whiskey House - Denver

Gubbini Winery - Palisade

Aspen Peak Cellars - Bailey

FOUR CORNERS

Hermosa Vineyards - Palisade

Balistreri Vineyards - Denver

Flying T Wine - Cortez

Maison la Belle Vie Winery & Amy’s Courtyard - Palisade

Bigsby’s Folly - Denver

Four Leaves Winery - Durango

Black Arts Cellars - Littleton

Fox Fire Farms - Ignacio

Blanchard Family Wines - Denver

Guy Drew Vineyards - Cortez

Bonacquisti Wine Company - Denver

Pleasant View Vineyards - Pleasant View

Mesa Park Vineyards - Palisade Peachfork Orchards and Vineyards - Palisade Plum Creek Cellars - Palisade

Carboy Winery - Littleton

Meridiem Spirits - Elizabeth

Ptarmigan Vineyards - Grand Junction

Colorado Sake Co. - Denver

Mystic Mountain Distillery - Larkspur

Creekside Cellars - Evergreen

Leopold Bros - Northeast Denver

Ram’s Point Winery - Grand Junction

Sand Creek Distillery - Hugo

Red Fox Cellars - Palisade

Deep Roots Winery & Bistro - Denver

Local Distilling - Golden

Sangre Distilleries - Westcliffe

Restoration Vineyards - Palisade

Gaijin 24886 Sake - Denver

Mad Rabbit Distillery - Westminster

Spirits of the Rockies - Pueblo

Apple Valley Cider Co

Shiras Winery - Grand Junction

Golden City Winery - Golden

Artisan Craft Cellars - Westminster

St. Kathryn Cellars Winery & Gift Shop - Palisade

Golden Valley Winery - Denver

Big B’s Juices and Hard Cider Hotchkiss

Mile High Spirits - Lodo

Woods High Mountain Distillery woodsdistillery.com 719.207.4315

Mythology Distillery - Denver ● On Point Distillery - Lafayette Rising Sun Distillery - Denver

144 W 1st Salida

Rocker Spirits - Littleton

Summit Cellars - Palisade Talon Winery - Palisade Two Rivers Winery - Grand Junction Two Swedes Glögg - Grand Junction

Santa Fe Spirits - Littleton Spirit Hound Distillers - Lyons

WESTERN SLOPE

State 38 Distilling - Golden

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co - Vail

Stranahan’s - South Denver

39 North Spirits - Eagle

Strongwater Spirits & Botanicals - Denver

808 Distillery - Eagle

Talnua Distillery - Arvada Tighe Brothers Distillery - Denver Tingala - Denver

Breckenridge Distillery ● breckenridgedistillery.com 970.547.9759 1925 Airport Rd Breckenridge

Weaver’s Spirits - Parker Whistling Hare DistilleryWestminster ●

Coal Creek Distillery - Crested Butte Durango Craft Spirits - Durango

NORTHERN COLORADO

Fraser Valley Distilling fraservalleydistilling.com 970.363.7792

Big Fat Pastor - Loveland Bouck Brothers Whiskey - Idaho Springs Coyote Gold Margaritas - Fort Collins

410 Zerex St Fraser

Varaison Vineyards and Winery Palisade

Ladrón Cellars - Englewood Leap of Faith Winery - Wheat Ridge

CENTRAL WEST AREA

Silver Vines Winery - Arvada

5680' Vineyard - Paonia

Spero Winery - Denver

Alfred Eames Cellars at Puesta del Sol Vineyards - Paonia

Vino Passarelli - Lakewood

Azura Cellars - Paonia Black Bridge Winery - Paonia

Purgatory Cellars Winery - Parker

Water 2 Wine - Centennial Waters Edge Winery - Centennial

Yellow Car Country Wines - Cortez

CIDERIES

Boco Cider - Boulder Boxing Brothers Cider - Colorado Springs Branch Out Cider - Fort Collins C Squared Ciders - Penrose ● Clear Fork Cider - Denver Climb Hard Cider Co - Loveland Colorado Cider Co - Denver Colorado +49 Cidery & Pub- Golden Fenceline Cider - Mancos Golden City Winery - Golden Haykin Family Cider - Aurora

Wild Women Winery - Denver

The Ice Cave Cider House Monument

The Wine Barrel - Parker

Locust Cider & Brewing Co- Boulder

Jack Rabbit Hill - Hotchkiss

NORTHERN FRONT RANGE

Old Mine Cidery & Brewpub - Erie

Leroux Creek Vineyards - Hotchkiss

Augustina’s Winery - Nederland

Scrumpy’s Hard Cider - Fort Collins

Mesa Winds Farm and Winery Hotchkiss

Bad Bitch Cellars - Eaton

Snow Capped Cider - Cedaredge St. Vrain Cidery - Longmont

Qutori Wines - Paonia

Blendings at the Preserve - Fort Collins

Stone Cottage Cellars - Paonia

Blue Mountain Vineyards - Berthoud

Endless Endeavor Winery - Paonia Evening Grace Vineyards - Hotchkiss

Dry Land Distillers - Longmont

Honey House Distillery - Durango

DELTA & MONTROSE COUNTIES

Elevation 5003 Distillery - Fort Collins

Idlewild Spirits Distillery- Winter Park

Chill Switch Wines - Cedaredge

Elkins Distilling Co - Estes Park

KJ Wood Distillers - Ouray

Feisty Spirits - Fort Collins

Marble Distilling Co - Carbondale ●

Cottonwood Cellars/The Olathe Winery - Olathe

The Heart Distillery - Windsor

Montanya Distillers - Crested Butte

Longtucky Spirits - Longmont

Peach Street Distillers - Palisade

Mobb Mountain Distillers - Fort Collins

Peak Spirits - Hotchkiss

NOCO Distillery - Fort Collins

Storm King Distilling - Montrose

Old Elk Distillery - Fort Collins

Telluride Distilling Co - Telluride

Old Town Distilling - Fort Collins

Woody Creek Distillers - Basalt

WINERIES

Kingman Estates Winery - Denver

Point Blank Winery - Centennial

Highlands Distillery - Grand Junction

Still Cellars - Longmont

InVINtions, A Creative Winery Greenwood Village

Whitewater Hill Vineyards - Grand Junction

Coppermuse Distillery - Fort Collins

Stoneyard Distillery - Dotsero

The Infinite Monkey Theorem Denver

Sutcliffe Vineyards - Cortez

BookCliff Vineyards - Boulder Decadent Saint - Boulder River Garden Winery - Fort Lupton Settembre Cellars - Boulder

Garrett Estates Cellars - Olathe

Snowy Peaks Winery - Estes Park

Mountain View Winery - Olathe

Stonebridge Farm Winery - Longmont

Stoney Mesa Winery - Cedaredge

Sweet Heart Winery - Loveland

Winery at Cedars Farm - Cedaredge

Ten Bears Winery - Laporte

SOUTH FRONT RANGE Byers Cellars - Cripple Creek D’Vine Wine - Manitou Springs

Stem Ciders - Denver ● ● Stem Ciders Acreage- Lafayette ● ● Summit Hard Cider - Fort Collins Talbott’s Cider Co - Palisade Teal Cider - Dolores Waldschänke Ciders - Denver Wild Cider - Firestone Zanamiel - Centennial

MEADERIES

Turquoise Mesa Winery - Broomfield

Annapurna Mead - Colorado Springs

Viewpoint Wines - Boulder

Black Forest Meadery - Colorado Springs

Vinnie Fera - Boulder

Evergood Elixirs - Palmer Lake

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN

Colorado Honey Wine - Distribution Only

Legatum Cellars - Canon City

Buckel Family Wine - Crested Butte

Dragon Meadery - Aurora

GRAND JUNCTION AREA

Mountain Spirit Winery, Ltd. - Salida Sette Dolori - Black Forest

Continental Divide Winery Breckenridge

Golden City Winery - Golden

Avant Vineyards - Palisade

Syntax Spirits - Greeley

Carlson Vineyards - Palisade

Songbird Cellars - Beulah

Tower 56 Distilling - Greeley

Colorado Cellars Winery - Palisade

SOUTHERN COLORADO

Colterris Winery - Palisade

The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey Canon City

3 Hundred Days of Shine - Monument

DeBeque Canyon Winery - Palisade

1350 Distilling - Colo. Springs

Desert Sun Vineyards - Grand Junction

Axe and the Oak - Colo. Springs

Garfield Estates Vineyard & Winery - Palisade

Spring 44 Distilling - Loveland Steamboat Whiskey Co - Steamboat Spring ●

Black Bear Distillery - Green Mountain Falls Blackhat Distillery - Colo. Springs

46 ThirstColorado.com

The Winery at Pikes Peak - Cascade Vino Colorado Winery - Colorado Springs Vino Salida Wine Cellars - Poncha Springs

Grande River Vineyards - Palisade

CENTRAL FRONT RANGE

Graystone Winery - Clifton

Allis Ranch Winery - Sedalia

November-December 2021

Monkshood Cellars - Minturn

Honnibrook Meadery Castle Rock ● ●

Vines at Vail Winery - Wolcott

Hunters Moon Meadery - Severance

Winter Park Winery - Fraser

Meadery of the Rockies - Palisade

Steamboat Winery - Steamboat Springs

Mechalore Meadworks - Loveland

PLAINS

Miracle Stag Meadery - Loveland

Claremont Inn & Winery - Stratton

Queen Bee Brews - Denver

Mummy Hill Winery - Holyoke

Waddle Buzz Meadery - Golden

Reds Wine Boutique - Sterling

Redstone Meadery - Boulder

Medovina - Niwot

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We are all in this together.

Stay healthy and support local!

Argonaut Has It! It! Argonaut Has

Best Store On Colfax Avenue Best Liquor Store - Selection Best Liquor Store - Price

WE DELIVER! Support local.

We are all in this together.

Stay healthy and support local!

Winners of 2020 Best of Denver Readers’ Choice Award for:

Best Store On Colfax Avenue Best Liquor Store - Selection Best Liquor Store - Price

Winner Of Best Of Denver 2021 Readers Choice Award

2020 Best of Denver hoice Award for:

Mon-Sat 8am-11pm Sunday 8am-10pm

Over 15,000 item Over 15,000 items to chose from SHOP ONLINE AT WWW. 40,000 sq.

40,000 sq. feet of fun ARGONAUTLIQUOR.COM

On Colfax Avenue or Store - Selection Over 15,000 items to chose from or Store - Price 40,000 sq. feet of fun

We Deliver!

760 EAST COLFAX 303-831-7788

We Deliver!

760 EAST COLFAX • 303-831-7788

Plenty of Free Parking 760 EAST • 303-831-7788 Mon-Thur7 WeCOLFAX Deliver!

Mon-Thur 8am-11pm • Fri & Sat 8am-11:45pm • Sunday 8am-10pm Follow Us

Mon-Thur 8am-11pm • Fri & Sat 8am-11:45pm • Sunday 8am-10pm Follow Us

SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.ARGONAUTLIQUOR.COM

SHOP ONLINE AT WWW.ARGONAUTLIQUOR.COM November-December 2021

SHOP ONLINE AT WW

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