Thirst Colorado Fall 2016

SERVING UP THE COLORADO LIFESTYLE

Vol. 2, No. 1 Fall 2016

STAND UP FOR FALL

LET’S SURF THE COLORADO SCENERY

BIERSTADT LAGERHAUS RINO BREWERY PUMPING OUT FLAGSHIP LAGERS

ROLLER DERBY GAINING SPEED WOMEN WHO WORK HARD & PLAY HARD

4

COCKTAILS GROWN IN COLORADO

&

LIBATIONS BEYOND

ADVISORY BOARD Jean Ditslear Owner, 300 Suns Brewing Bess Dougherty Head Brewer, Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe and Brewery Alan Laws Owner, Laws Whiskey House

Kimberly Naslund Owner, Dancing Pines Distillery Charlie Sturdavant Owner, Golden City Brewery Terri Viezbicke Owner, Boulder Distillery

In a blink of an eye

Publisher Paul Johnson paul@thirstcolorado.com

Time moves so quickly! It is hard to believe we are launching our second year of publishing Thirst Colorado. Much like the passing seasons bring change to our landscape, year two will bring transformation to Thirst Colorado.

During the last year we’ve met incredible people in the beer, spirits and food scene all over the state. We’ve also had the pleasure of discussing the craft world with those people who simply can’t get enough of the lifestyle Colorado has to offer. We’ve confirmed that our readers really enjoy locally produced products and that they would love to get connected to the scene more often.

We’ve heard your request and we are expanding! We have increased our frequency of the magazine from quarterly to bi-monthly. We will offer a subscription for those of you that requested getting the magazine at home. And we have grown our online presence with unique and timely articles and events.

We want to thank every one of you for the feedback and tips that have helped shape the magazine and website. We look forward to continuing to hear from all of you.

What hasn’t changed is that we will continue to bring you those unique and interesting stories that truly paint the crossroads of our active, engaged Colorado lifestyle and the craft experience.

That said, fall is my favorite time of the year in Colorado. I enjoy the cooler, crisper weather with the still-accessible landscape and Mother Nature’s brilliant fireworks of changing colors.

In this issue we explore jumping on stand up paddleboards on lakes across the state and drinking in the beauty of the surrounding scenery.

We get rough and tumbled with a team from the women’s Fort Collins roller derby league and discover why so many serious women athletes are lacing up their skates and dishing out blows. It’s highly competitive on the track and full of camaraderie off.

Whether you ramp up your outdoor activities during the fall or tend to engage in staycations, we have some tips for you.

Associate Publisher & Editor Joe Ross joe@thirstcolorado.com

As always, live your passion and Thirst responsibly!

Paul Johnson Publisher & Tasting Guru

facebook.com/thirstcolorado twitter.com/thirstcolorado @thirstcolorado

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Fall 2016

Vice President of Sales Tod Cavey Advertising Sales Peyton Price, Jason Van Houten Design & Layout Michele Garner, Stacey Krull, Sandy Birkey President & Founder Wilbur E. Flachman Marketing & Digital Coordinator Neill Pieper Editorial Assistant Dylan Hochstedler Contributors Elizabeth Buckingham, Jerrod Cotosman, Kim Fuller, Holly Gerard, Steve Graham, Lisa Grove, Torie Jochims, Paul Kelly, Kyle Kirves, Zach Mahone, Rich Mohr, Preston Morse, Brandon N. Sanchez, Amanda Waldron, Angie Wright For advertising and editorial information, please contact Joe Ross at 303.428.9529 Ext. 227 or email joe@thirstcolorado.com Proud member of Brewers Association and the Colorado Brewers Guild 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

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

Thirst Colorado is published four times a year by The Publishing House, 7380 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030. © The Publishing House, 2016. 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.

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THIRST COLORADO | Fall 2016

34

INTERSECTIONS

12 Art of Brewing 20 Prime Pairings

Digging into Left Hand’s world

Food and drink with a local spin

26 Elevated Liquid Warm up with these Colorado cocktails

24

28 Untapped

8

A fantastic list of fall and winter events

30

36 Brewery Spotlights

Check out these new breweries

40 Strange Brews

Licorice sweetens Red Fang

42 Brewers’ Favorites Brewers talk about their favorite beers

45 Tales from the Lying Log

48 Brewery, Cidery & Distillery Guide

47 Characters of the Craft

ADVENTURES

The run-a-way Palomino

Meet those behind the craft scene

Cover Photo: Fall boarding on Piney Lake, by Zach Mahone

We’ll help you find great drinks wherever you end up in Colorado

8 SUP

Jump on a stand up paddleboard this fall

16

Roller Derby

These competitors will rock your world

34 Seasonal Destinations

Fall, Halloween and holiday fun for all

38 Product Spotlight

Gift ideas and the perfect gear for the season

24 RiNo’s Bierstadt Lagerhaus 46 GABF Envy?

With German style, the brewers are serious about lagers

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Fall 2016

30 West Flanders

Something old, something new and a great brew

No tickets? No problem. We have backup plans for you

FALL FAVORITE

What’SUP at Piney River Ranch

By Kim Fuller

S

ome of autumn’s most magical moments can be found in the Colorado mountains, particularly in October, when every aspen grove turns gold.

If you’re looking for that extra special place for a memorable getaway, Piney Lake above Vail is stunningly beautiful, and it’s a great stand-up paddleboard (SUP) outing — whether you have your own board or need to borrow one or a few.

Although the area is in the middle of the wilderness, it attracts daily crowds in the summer and weekend crowds in the fall. Now that kids are back in school, visit during the week for a piece of true highcountry solitude.

Piney River Ranch property sits on the

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Fall 2016

edge of Piney Lake at about 9,350 feet in elevation. It’s right on the edge of pristine national forest land, in a picturesque valley beneath the mighty and rugged Gore Range peaks. The lake and ranch facilities are 40 minutes on dirt roads from Vail, and guests can visit for the day or stay overnight in one of the site’s lakefront cabins, yurts or glamping tents.

If you bring your own SUP, you can use the ranch’s launching area and brand-new boat dock for $10 a day. Or you can rent a SUP through the ranch for $30 an hour, or $90 for four hours — more than enough time to explore the lake, and maybe even spot a bald eagle or a moose. The ranch currently has six paddleboards for rent.

After your float, head into the lodge for

home-cooked meals, which are served between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Gore Range burger is a 1/3-pound angus patty on a toasted brioche bun, and the BBQ pulled pork is smoked out back, served on Texas toast with French fries on the side.

“There is nothing better than hitting the lake on a paddle board or spending a couple of hours fishing and then coming in to sit and relax with an ice-cold beverage and a delicious pork sandwich, smoked on site,” said Clay Short of Denver who frequently visits Piney River Ranch with his family.

To quench your thirst, the restaurant and bar has most everything you might crave, including beer from local spots like Bonfire Brewing Company, a

Huckleberry Huckleberry Lemonade Lemonade cocktail cocktail made made with with 360 360 Huckleberry Huckleberry Vodka, Vodka, and and aa Mountain Mountain Mule Mule made made with with Colorado’s Colorado’s own own 10th 10th Mountain Mountain Colorado Colorado Whiskey.

Whiskey.

There’s There’s plenty plenty of of straight straight lemonade, lemonade, too, too, so so you you can can certainly certainly bring bring the the kids. kids.

Short Short said said his his family family “loves “loves Piney,” Piney,” because because it’s it’s unlike unlike any any other other place place in in Colorado.

Colorado.

“I’ve “I’ve been been to to every every corner corner of of the the state state and and Piney Piney stands stands out out as as my my favorite favorite place place to to visit,” visit,” he he said. said.

Go Go to to pineyriverranch.com pineyriverranch.com for for more more information. information.

Kim Kim Fuller Fuller is is aa freelance freelance writer writer based based in in Vail.

Vail. Read Read more more of of her her work work at at KimFullerInk.com.

KimFullerInk.com.

Photos: Zach Mahone Piney Lake

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Just Show Up!

If fall feels like the perfect time to jump on a SUP, try one of the following destinations that should be able to set you up with the necessary gear.

Aurora Reservoir and Chatfield State Park have the Surf’SUP Colorado SUP Shop on site several days each week. Both locations feature coves and thumbs to find the perfect surf. Call 720-635-7873 to confirm rentals.

Dillon Reservoir offers great opportunities, especially on weekdays. Stand Up Paddle Colorado invites you to “paddle the stunning arms of Lake Dillon.”

Call 970-453-7873 for pricing.

Photo: Zach Mahone Dillon Reservoir 10 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

Grand Lake, believed to be the deepest natural lake in the state, is perfect for a morning of brisk boarding as the leaves fall and crackle along the shore. Call the Grand Lake Marina to reserve a board at 970-627-9273.

Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison will test the mettle of any SUPer, if you are crazy enough to cruise the 20 miles up one side of the lake and another 20 back. Call the Elk Creek Marina and Visitor Center to rent SUPs at 970-641-0707.

ART OF BREWING

INDEPENDENCE RUNS DEEP

Left Hand maintains autonomy, honors Naval crew with new brew labels

By Kyle Kirves

I

f, like me, the back window of your Colorado fun wagon is a veritable passport of stickers hyping bands, brands and brews, then it’s undoubtedly dotted with a few “stamps” from breweries near and far. One of those passport punches on mine is the left palm on a circle of white that, at one time, instantly signaled you’d made safe conduct through Longmont.

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Fall 2016

Yet with sightings worldwide, that iconic handprint sticker is less a symbol of where you’re from or where you’ve been, but rather that you love great beer produced in just one place: on the banks of the mighty St. Vrain. Thankfully, that red southpaw remains clearly visible on every bottle and can of Longmont’s original craft brewery.

Make no mistake: there’s only one Left Hand Brewing. And they plan to keep it that way.

“We are very vocal about being proudly independent. Proudly employee owned.

Proudly brewed right here,” says Britt Freeman, creative manager and marketer

at Left Hand Brewing. “And we wanted to send that message with a special beer and a label that clearly states our position on who we are and what we stand for.”

Enter a new offering, Rye on the Prize, an Imperial Red Rye ale created and packaged to reemphasize Left Hand’s 23-year commitment to creating beer that people will not just like, but love.

Moreover, it suggests the autonomous spirit in which Left Hand continues to operate philosophically.

The label blazes with the kind of fiery red eye you’d expect to be resistant to all forms of hypnotism. And you’ll find one of

Left Hand’s driving mottos, “Righteously Independent,” which circumscribes the reddened pupil on the bottle label.

While Rye on the Prize is certainly a message to consumers about Left Hand’s commitment to craft, is LHB also putting brewers on notice who have sold to Big Beer?

“Let’s just put it that the Left Hand Brewing you see today, the people working here, crafting world-class beer, the owners, everyone, will be the same people doing this 10, 20 years from now. We’re in this for the long haul,” said Freeman.

Long hauls seem to be something of a running theme for Left Hand, too. Pride Runs Deep, a sister beer of Rye on the Prize in LHB’s “Big Mo” series, was brewed to commemorate the commissioning and crew of the USS Colorado, an attack sub tasked with missions sometimes months in length -- what’s a longer haul than that?

“The sub will be fully commissioned in 2017,” Freeman says. “And we’ve been

doing events with the commission for quite some time now. We’ve even had some of the Naval Academy officers help us with the brewing process. We’re really proud of our connection and association with the USS Colorado Commission and what it’s meant for us and them.”

True to their mission of community service, Left Hand donates a portion of the proceeds from Pride Runs Deep to the crew and families of the Colorado.

Call it a salute, if you will, to the brave men and women who preserve our freedoms every day.

Freeman explains that the label design has evolved over time, with feedback from the commission and input from local brand experts Moxie Sozo. The namesake sub on the label is almost zeppelin-like, cradled in the hands of some cloud-like waves, while the signature twin peaks of Meeker and Longs loom in the background. Pine trees cleverly rendered like hop buds complete the picture. It’s creatively paradoxical, but works as a complete picture of the

complex IPA, brewed with Colorado pine tips, and the occasion for which this special brew rolled out. It’s worthy of both the state and the sub that bears its name.

Since 1993, LHB has remained committed to creating memorable, old-world beers in a variety of styles, flavors, and formulas, first and foremost for just one person: you.

With Rye on the Prize and Pride Runs Deep, LHB amplifies and augments that mission, loudly voicing their fiercely autonomous craft-focus, and dedication to community service. Regardless of what direction any brewing industry forecast might suggest, I can tell you that with beers like these, I’ll be turning Left.

Kyle Kirves is a solid dude who believes drinking beer should be a “five senses” experience.

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BrewingVictory Fort Collins Roller Derby turns 10, embraces town’s beer culture

By Steve Graham

W

hen your roller derby league turns 10, how do you celebrate?

With a beer — or, more to the point, with an embrace of the craft beer culture that has taken over your college town in the so-called Napa Valley of beer.

There is no mistaking that Fort Collins circa 2016 is all about beer and bikes. So it makes sense that FoCo Roller Derby is also beer-obsessed, even if these athletes roll on eight wheels instead of two.

The league motto is Brew Victory, and

Photo: Lisa Kovacs Photography

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Fall 2016

the new recruit program is called Fresh Hops. The secondary travel team is the Punchy Brewsters and the all-star travel team is the Micro-Bruisers. Pateros Creek Brewery in Fort Collins even crafted the Micro Bruisers Ale in their honor.

The league launched in 2006 as FoCo Girls Gone Derby, but the skaters got tired of being confused with a certain lurid video series, so they replaced the “Girls Gone” portion of the

name. League members complain there are already enough stereotypes about roller derby.

“We’re not just fishnets and beating each other up,” said Amy Moore, who skates as Dead Zeppelin. “You do take hits. It is a contact sport, but no one is out to hurt another skater. It’s just like another sport and we work hard and sometimes we look hot doing it.”

Five-member teams compete in hour-long derby bouts on a flat track.

Photo: Amanda Waldron

Each bout is divided into shorter jams.

One player, known as the jammer, tries to lap each of the other team’s skaters, who all try to block her while supporting and protecting their own jammer.

Tracy Bjick, who skates as 98 Pounds of Steel (or simply Pounder), is a mountain biker and motocross racer who appreciates the challenge of each bout.

“Derby requires athleticism, team work, resilience and tenacity,” she said.

“Those with violent tendencies never make it in derby. Those bad attitudes put them in the penalty box and make them bad teammates. This sport is all about community and working together towards a common goal.”

Jams can get aggressive and physical, but Colleen Elliott said she likes to drink with the opposing team after a bout.

“Definitely people will be competitive on the track, but as soon as the last whistle blows, you will go over and help someone up,” she said. “Everybody wants to win but they are not willing to be so competitive to forget that we are all human.”

Elliott is a non-skating official in the league, which means she keeps score, tracks penalties and maintains stats for the team. And she still gets a cool derby nickname — Danger A-Go-Go. She started skating in the derby league in 2013, but “my knees couldn’t hack it,” she said.

However, she said derby is a great sport for women.

“It’s a wonderful community of women who empower each other to try to do their best,” she said, adding that it is a global community that offers instant camaraderie. “I love the community and you can go anywhere in the world and you will find a derby league nearby.”

There are at least 1,250 global derby leagues, according to the Wall Street Journal, up from 50 when the Fort Collins league launched in 2006.

Derby girls mix it up during a scrimmage this summer in Fort Collins.

The league has 40 active members, and Colorado hosts at least 10 roller derby leagues, including the championshiplevel Denver Roller Derby and other leagues from Pueblo to Glenwood Springs.

The Fort Collins league has plenty of edgy women in tattoos, fishnets and dyed hair. But roller derby also attracts plenty

of other athletes, including runners and hockey players looking for another sport.

So next time you are touring Fort Collins breweries, don’t forget to stop to watch some roller derby on the way.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins writer who enjoys the outdoors and great beer.

Black and Blue Ball If you want to help Fort Collins Roller Derby celebrate its 10th anniversary, watch the teams compete in prom dresses and honor alumni during the Black and Blue Ball at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Qdoba Events Center, 218 Smokey St., Fort Collins.

For more details, visit focorollerderby.com.

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Who are these rockin’ and rollin’ derby athletes?

Dead Zeppelin (Dead for short) Civilian name: Amy Moore Age: 31 Occupation: Customer service sales representative Hobbies: Derby, movies, concerts, activities with my boyfriend and dog Years in derby: Four Why I love roller derby: I love derby because it’s an empowering sport to play. I had never been active At right, Amy Moore, better known as Dead Zeppelin, rocks an opponent during a bout. before so when I started derby it was really hard but it pushed me beyond Favorite way to unwind after a bout: what I thought my limits were and gave Beers with teammates and opponents me a sense of worth I never had before. alike.

All my teammates are an amazing support Favorite Colorado beer (or spirit): I love system and really care about each other. me a good 5 Barrel from Odell’s but have I also love that it’s for anyone, it doesn’t Civilian name: Tracey Bjick recently taken a new favorite — Stem Cider’s matter where you work, how many kids Age: 41 “Remedy” out of Denver. It’s amazing. you have, if you can even skate – you can Occupation: Technical project manager be a derby player.

Favorite way to unwind after a bout: Hobbies: I ride bikes, park skate, and have Going to the after-party and taking shots. a huge garden. I’ve raced motocross and Bonus: No one cares how you smell since trail ride dirt bikes. I spend as much time or more on my mountain bike, and ride they all smell just as bad. the street bike to work each day. I’m not Favorite Colorado beer (or spirit): I’m one to sit still. not much of a beer drinker but I will drink some whiskey. I like Breckenridge Years in derby: Five bourbon whiskey, but I can’t wait to try Old Why I love roller derby: It’s part of the Elk Distillery. The headquarters is in the work-life balance that can be so hard building I work in so I’m hoping for some to achieve. Derby fills a void like a silver bullet. Practicing and playing derby free samples. allows me to spend time with friends, get Tracey Bjick, better known exercise, relieve stress, and otherwise as Pounder. stay out of trouble.

98 Pounds of Steel, aka ‘Pounder’

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Prime Pairings California Burger Decadence meets comfort food when you cook up a natural, organic beef patty with all the fixings on a brioche bun. The ViewHouse bar and grill, which generously shared this great recipe, recommends Colorado grass-fed beef from Frontière Natural Meats and buns from Aspen Baking Co.

Ingredients For the burger: 4 7-oz beef patties 4 slices pepper jack cheese 2 oz lettuce 8 tomato slices 4 oz sliced red onions 2 oz alfalfa sprouts

Directions

8 cucumber slices

Harissa aioli

1 oz guacamole 2 oz harissa aioli (see below) 4 toasted brioche buns

For the harissa aioli This is a batch prep. You can use the leftovers as dipping sauces or sandwich spread.

9 egg yolks 12 oz canola oil 6 oz extra virgin olive oil 4 oz Champagne

Presentation Grill burger patties to desired temperature. Melt one slice of pepper jack cheese onto each patty. Place each patty onto a toasted bun.

Top each burger with half-ounce lettuce, two tomato slices, one ounce red onions, half-ounce alfalfa sprouts, two cucumber slices, half-ounce harissa aioli and a thin layer of guacamole. If desired, insert bamboo skewer to hold burger together. Enjoy!

Pair with

1 tbsp cayenne

Acres O’ Green Irish Red

1 tsp paprika

The ViewHouse has Lone Tree Brewing Company’s Acres O’ Green Irish Red on tap, and it’s a perfect companion to this hearty and flavorful burger. The beer has a hint of sweetness and just a touch of peppery spice from the yeast.

1 tsp pepper 1 tbsp salt 1 tbsp oregano 1 oz roasted garlic 2 tsp coriander Recipe and photo: ViewHouse

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Add all ingredients except oils into a food processor. Once mixed together well, slowly add in the oils, making sure there is no separation.

Mix for an additional minute after the last drop of oil has been added.

Fall 2016

Pan-Grilled Sausages with Apples and Onion Football, falling leaves, apples and crisp evenings can only mean one thing – autumn is upon us yet again. The change in weather is the ideal time to start making the switch from summer’s fresh produce to heartier meals ideal for cooler fall evenings, such as the delicious comfort food recipe below.

Choose an excellent fully-cooked local sausage, such as CharcutNuvo (formerly Continental Sausage) and add potatoes or cabbage if you’d like to make the meal more substantial, or serve over spaetzle or buttered egg noodles.

The recipe comes together so quickly that it can be enjoyed even on busy weekdays.

Pair with a green salad, roasted winter squash and toasted pumpkin seeds and a refreshing cider, such as Colorado Cider Co.’s flagship Glider Cider. This meal is perfect for our gorgeous fall weather.

Ingredients 3 tbsp butter 4 fully cooked sausages (preferably a local brand like CharcutNuvo) 1 medium red onion, sliced 1 medium-size tart apple, peeled, cored and sliced ½ cup apple cider

Directions Melt one tablespoon butter in skillet over medium heat. Add sausages and cook until beginning to brown, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add onion and apple to sausages; cook until onion and apple are tender and brown, stirring often, about 5 minutes.

Pair with Glider Cider There is no better time of the year for a crisp, light Glider Cider from Colorado Cider Co.

Add cider, broth and sage; increase heat to high and stir until liquid is slightly reduced, about two minutes.

Stir in lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Using slotted spoon, transfer onion and apple to two plates. Top with sausages. Whisk remaining two tablespoons butter into cider mixture. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle over sausages and serve.

½ cup chicken broth 2 tbsp chopped fresh sage 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

Recipe: Chef Elizabeth Buckingham Photo: Nick Nick Photography

Cherry Brie Dip The Thirst Colorado team enjoys this simple dip during staff lunches and other gatherings where a bottle of Peach Street brandy can be enjoyed in multiple ways.

Ingredients 8 oz Brie cheese ½ cup dried cherries ½ cup chopped walnuts ¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup Peach Street Distillers cherry brandy Favorite crackers or lightly toasted French baguette

Directions Preheat oven to 350°F. Place the cheese in a 9-inch pie plate.

Combine the cherries, walnuts, brown sugar and brandy. Spoon over cheese.

Bake 15-20 minutes until cheese is softened. Serve with crackers and bread.

Photo: Neill Pieper Fall 2016

ThirstColorado.com

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BIERSTADT LAGERHAUS Turns Hard Knocks into Helles

By Preston Morse

H

ow you react to adversity speaks volumes for your character. You can plop down on your pity pot and binge watch “NCIS” spinoffs until loved ones intervene. Or, you can pull yourself up, scrape together your last few bucks, grab a flight to Germany and rip the guts out of an 84-year-old brewhouse.

For most of us, hopping on a Europebound airliner and buying a WWII-era brewery isn’t a go-to funk remedy. Ashleigh Carter and Bill Eye said they had no other choice.

After a rocky breakup with their former bedfellows at Prost Brewing, Carter and Eye were left with limited options and dwindling resources.

“We couldn’t even pay our rent, we had no money,” said Carter. “But we knew we could do it. We had to go over there and find a brewhouse.”

In April 2014 the two set out on a weeklong campaign to Germany, determined to track down the piece that would become the cornerstone of Bierstadt Lagerhaus.

“It seems kind of stupid. We had no business going to Germany, but that’s the only way to do it. You gotta be all in,” said Carter. “It wasn’t an option. It’s what we wanted to do from the beginning.”

For Eye, the concept of owning a brewery was kindled two decades ago, after attending brewing trade school.

“From the moment I started, I knew

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Fall 2016

I wanted to own a brewery,” said Eye. “I found these old copper kettles and just fell in love with the aesthetic of them.”

After an exhaustive week traveling the German countryside, scouting breweries and sampling exquisite lagers, the two set their sights on a 1932 brewhouse in the quaint Bavarian village of Ammerndorf.

Local legend has it that a Nazi soldier took his own life in the brewery during the war. Tales of ghostly hauntings aside, Carter and Eye now faced the daunting logistical nightmare of moving the old-world equipment from one continent to another.

The brewery was disassembled, packed and shipped to the U.S. by freighter in a 40-foot container. Although Carter returned to Ammerndorf to document the layout there was no existing spec sheet to reference for reassembly.

“It wasn’t simple, it came in pieces.

There was no training,” said Carter. “I have a million pictures I took on the trip and we had to go from there.”

Now, after more than two years of creative engineering and back-breaking labor, the historic brewhouse, once nestled in the heart of a cozy German village, has become the centerpiece of Bierstadt Lagerhaus in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood.

Carter and Eye devote plenty of precision and detail to every aspect of the operation. From imported barley to the 35-barrel copper kettle, through the tip of

the shimmering tap-rail and into a lustrous hand-painted pilsner glass, no expense has been spared and no corner cut.

“We get a lot of flak because people say we have to have all this fancy stuff, but for me, there’s no other way,” said Carter.

“We spend a lot of time and effort on our beer and we want to follow through to the end. I mean, you wouldn’t serve a prime steak in a dog bowl, so why would you do that to a beer.”

This summer brought the release of their three flagship lagers: Dunkle, Helles and the standard-bearer Pils that shines as crisp and golden as the “Pulp Fiction” briefcase.

Fueled by hardship and grit, Carter and Eye have created something truly remarkable in Bierstadt Lagerhaus. The two radiate a warm charm when talking about their brewery that leaves their voices almost cracking.

“I look in that kettle and realize that 80 years of people have been brewing in it,” said Eye. “Nobody brews beer like this anymore, outside of Bavaria. I’m thrilled to death to have the opportunity to do it the way we wanted to.”

Bierstadt Lagerhaus shares a 21,000-square-foot facility with C Squared Ciders and the Rackhouse, which serves as a tasting room for both entities.

Preston Morse is a recovering flatlander whose appreciation for good beer and everything outdoors lit his path to Colorado.

Photos: Brandon N. Sanchez

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ELEVATED LIQUID

COLORADO CRAFTED COCKTAILS

Give these a shot during your fall gatherings - and be sure to use local spirits.

THAI BOXER MULE IN PARADISE 1 ½ oz Breckenridge Chili Chile Vodka 1 oz pineapple juice ¼ oz citrus cardamom syrup (or simple syrup) Ginger beer Quarter lime Pepper garnish Combine ingredients over ice. Garnish with peppers.

Courtesy of Breckenridge Distillery

Squeezed lime 3-4 basil leaves, muddled 4-6 blueberries 2 oz Montanya Platino Rum Ginger Ale Seltzer Angostura bitters Prepare directly into glass: Muddle blueberries. Combine ingredients. Fill with combo of ginger ale and seltzer (to taste).

Stir. Top with two drops Angostura bitters.

Courtesy of Montanya Rum

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GIN FIZZ Rosemary sprig Cranberry juice 1 ½ oz Peak Spirits CapRock Gin Rocky Mountain Soda Loveland Lemon-Limeade Pour CapRock Gin over ice and add equal parts Rocky Mountain Soda and cranberry juice. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.

Thirst Colorado Recipe

WESTERN SLOPE CAFE NOIR 4-6 blackberries 4 oz locally roasted iced coffee 1 oz cream 1 ½ oz Peach Street Bourbon Whipped cream Muddle 4 blackberries in bottom of glass. Add bourbon, iced coffee, ice, cream. Top with whipped cream and garnish with remaining blackberries.

Thirst Colorado Recipe

26 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

Photo: Neill Pieper

FALL COLORS

DEW TOUR

POWDER DAYS Summer may be over, but

THE FUN IS JUST BEGINNING

at Beaver Run Resort

EPIC VIEWS

BOOK ONLINE NOW & SAVE!

HOT TODDIES

WHISKEY FLIGHTS

ULLR FEST

APRÉS SKI

October 21-23, 2016

Visit us online at BeaverRun.com or call 855.517.8405 for more information about upcoming events and seasonal discounts!

UNTAP

KNOCK YOUR BOOTS OFF CHILI COOK-OFF & BEER TASTING OCTOBER 15 Golden

Taste the best chili around and calm your tongue with beer to match. Proceeds benefit the Golden Chamber of Commerce community projects and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. goldenchamber.org

STILL ON THE HILL OCTOBER 21-23 Breckenridge

Admission to this grand tasting event includes a complimentary tasting glass, delicious craft spirits tasting, craft cocktails, people’s choice voting and live music. breckenridgecraftspiritsfestival.com

NOVEMBER Photo: © Brewers Association

GABF OCTOBER 6-8 DENVER

With 800 breweries and 60,000 people in attendance, the Great American Beer Festival

SEPTEMBER DENVER BEER FEST SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 8 Denver

This nine-day event will feature more than 300 beer-related events at area breweries, restaurants and tap houses. denver.org/denver-beer-fest

CIDER DAYS OCTOBER 1-2 Lakewood

Celebrate Lakewood’s agricultural heritage with all kinds of activities, performances, tasty harvest treats and a beer garden that is complete with a hard-cider tasting. lakewood.org

GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL OCTOBER 6-8 Denver

Famous for selling out in about an hour, GABF is the largest collection of U.S. beer ever served in a public tasting event. greatamericanbeerfestival.com

Fall 2016

Head over to the Westin Hotel at DIA for this international wine and foods festival. denverwinefest.com

greatamericanbeerfestival.com

HAUNTED BREW FEST OCTOBER 8 Colorado Springs

This Halloween party gets bigger every year.

This time around, there will be more than 40 beverages available from breweries, distilleries and wineries. hauntedbrewfest.com

PUMPKINS & PILSNERS FESTIVAL OCTOBER 8 Estes Park

OCTOBER

28 ThirstColorado.com

will be the biggest and best yet. Backyard games, music and 3,800 beers are all part of the fun this year.

2016 DENVER INTERNATIONAL WINE FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 2-4 Denver

Bring the family to pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and sip on tasty brews from local Estes Park breweries to help benefit Families for Estes, a non-profit organization. visitestespark.com

DURANGO OKTOBERFEST OCTOBER 8-9 Durango

Durango’s best chef’s will cook up delicious food and six area breweries will put their best products on tap to the delight of party-goers who will enjoy live music. oktoberfestdurango.com

TURKEY TROT NOVEMBER 26 DENVER

The Mile High United Way Turkey Trot raises funds for childhood literacy and improved graduation

PPED ALL COLORADO BEER FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 5 Colorado Springs

To mark the 10th anniversary of the ACBF, organizers are going all out with more than 80 brewers expected. allcoloradobeerfestival.com

FALL BACK BEER FEST NOVEMBER 5 Estes Park

Come discover new favorites and chat with the brewers behind the beers from dozens of Colorado craft breweries. fallbackbeerfest.com

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BREW RUNS - HOLIDAILY BREWING NOVEMBER 5 Golden

Golden’s Holidaily Brewing will host this 5k run that benefits prostate cancer awareness.

A special prize goes to the group that can carry a full keg and finish the race in under 45 minutes. rockymountainbrewruns.com

Photo: David Foxhoven

BIG BEERS, BELGIANS & BARLEYWINES JANUARY 5-7 BRECKENRIDGE

After an incredible run in Vail, Big Beers has moved to the Beaver Run Resort & Conference

rates. Participants receive a commemorative race t-shirt, swag, vendor discounts and an end-of-race beer garden for participants, sponsored by Great Divide Brewing Co.

unitedwaydenver.org

BIG BEAR BREW FEST NOVEMBER 19 Pueblo

Enjoy more than 50 breweries at this indoor event located in downtown Pueblo. pueblobrewfest.com

CHEF & BREW FESTIVAL NOVEMBER 19 Denver

Enjoy a top-notch craft beer and food pairing competition where Denver’s most well-known chefs and brewers put on a one-of-a-kind event. chefandbrew.com

MILE HIGH UNITED WAY TURKEY TROT NOVEMBER 26 Denver

United Way helps build the community by increasing childhood literacy and improving graduation rates. At the end of the race there will be beer garden that is sponsored by Great Divide. unitedwaydenver.org

Center in Breckenridge. Most events will be held at Beaver Run during the 17th anniversary of the event. Discounts are available on ski and snowboard rentals, as well as lodging.

bigbeersfestival.com

DECEMBER VAIL SNOW DAZE DECEMBER 9-11 Vail

Enjoy fresh tracks on the slopes by day and free live concerts by night at Vail Snow Daze. vail.com

12 DAYS OF ASPEN DECEMBER 20-31 Aspen

With arts and crafts events during the day and happy hours with cocktail specials at night, this 12-day event in Aspen should be great fun. aspenchamber.org/events

WHITE ROSE GALA DECEMBER 31 Denver

Ring in the New Year at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Roaring ‘20s, Great Gatsby Gala! whiterosegala.com

JANUARY BIG BEERS, BELGIANS & BARLEYWINES JANUARY 5-7 Breckenridge

DIDN’T GET GABF TICKETS? Check out page 46 Photo: Turkey Trot Mile High United Way

- Compiled by Dylan Hochstedler

The world-class beer fest has moved to Breck!

Come meet brewers, try new food pairings and fall in love with new beers. bigbeersfestival.com Fall 2016

ThirstColorado.com

29

OLD WORLD, NEW FRONTIER West Flanders Brewing Company

By Lisa Grove

30 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

Photo: Neill Pieper

I

n the early days of craft beer in the U.S., having a pronounced hoppy flavor in a brew was basically the only definition of unique and experimental. As the craft of brewing has evolved, however, hops are no longer the sole name in the game, and breweries such as West Flanders Brewing Company on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder are going to the next level with flavorful experimentation and innovative, collaborative beers.

West Flanders opened in 2012.

Business partners and brothers Mark and Chris Heinritz and brewmaster Brian Lutz “put the band back together” to create a brewery and restaurant with a new, unique philosophy in Boulder’s epicenter. Lutz, whose career in Boulder County craft beer dates back to 1993, and the Heinritz brothers wanted to move away from what had been considered inventive in the past and push the craft beer frontier forward.

Drawing inspiration from the experimental brewing reputation of the Flanders region of Belgium, the West Flanders team strives to bring that tradition to Colorado.

“We love Belgian beer because of the country’s propensity for having a massive diversity of unique beers,” says Lutz. “We honor that tradition of experimentation and desire to make one-of-a-kind, often single-batch, off-the-wall beers that our customers will find provocative yet tasty.”

West Flanders experiments with a huge variety of ingredients, from different yeasts to unexpected splashes of flavor.

At West Flanders, the goal is to take industry standards and craft beer trends and push the envelope further to make them even more interesting.

This practice of creative innovation also manifests itself in consistent collaborations with local businesses.

West Flanders releases a recurring Saison Locale beer and, with each new iteration, partners with a local company to include a unique, unexpected ingredient to give the beer individuality.

“Saisons come from the farmhouse ale tradition where you used whatever you had on hand in the beer,” says head brewer Devon Allred. “Every time we make this saison we try to find something

Photo: Neill Pieper

new and local to use.”

With the most recent Saison Locale No. 13, West Flanders partnered with Colorado-based Savory Spice Shop, compiling a unique set of spices to create a one-of-a-kind beer. This fall, West Flanders will also bottle their first sour beer, which has been aging for more than two years in whiskey barrels from Spirit Hound Distillers in Lyons.

West Flanders likewise often collaborates with local homebrewers.

Each year, West Flanders holds a homebrew contest and brews the winning recipe on their system. This year, West Flanders also collaborated with Fort Collins homebrewer Rich Efird,

Photo: West Flanders Brewing Co.

brewing his award-winning Snowy Wit on a 15-barrel scale for the first time. Efird said he was honored to join a team effort to sample, tweak and perfect his recipe.

Committed to supporting and creatively collaborating with the local community, West Flanders Brewing Company brings the spirit of experimentation into the heart of Boulder. From their flavorful beer to their delicious food and all the unexpected, yet exquisitely delicious, experimentations in between, West Flanders continues to evolve, making it a brewery where opportunities are limitless.

From Massachusetts to New York to Reno to Boulder, Lisa Grove is a writer who has found her home on the Front Range.

Fall 2016

ThirstColorado.com

31

The only hot springs with its own brewery Southern Wyoming’s Premier Craft Beer Distributor

Visit our website for Packages & Specials 8-10 Craft Beers on Tap & Seasonal Brews

Mineral Hot Springs Pool & Teepee-Covered Hot Pools Western Rooms & Suites • Good Food • Signature Spa Treatments Guided & Self-guided Snowmobile Tours

Reservations: 800-594-0178 or 307-326-5261

Support local at two locations

Southwest Plaza Mall Littleton, CO off of Wadsworth & Bowles

Denver Pavilions Level 2 at 16th & Glenarm, downtown Denver

32 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

601 E. Pic Pike • Box 869 • Saratoga, Wyoming

www.saratogaresortandspa.com

COLORADO’S 1ST AND LARGEST LIVE ESCAPE GAME!

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BIRTHDAY PARTIES CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING COMMUNITY GET-TOGETHERS FAMILY FUN EVENTS AND REUNIONS

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theclueroom.com

clueroom.colorado@gmail.com • 303-955-1722

Seasonal destinations to keep your thirst quenched

By Rich Mohr

Once a bustling region for gold miners between Ouray and Silverton, the gold is now found in the form of aspen trees.

A

aaahhh. Breathe in the crisp air.

Pull out your hooded sweatshirt.

Fire up the grill for the football tailgate party. Experience the wonder of Colorado during this majestic time.

Many people say fall is their favorite season. Whether you agree or not, here’s a list of things to do over the next few months that captures the Colorado lifestyle and might point you toward some new high-altitude adventures.

34 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

Photo: Neill Pieper

Colorado at roughly 10,000 feet hosts the action for those seeking to experience the amazing fall foliage.

Colors start peaking in late September but can be seen well into October. Here are a few spots worth checking out.

Kebler Pass – Perhaps the most beautiful and secluded place to see the colors this fall is Kebler Pass, near Crested Butte.

If you want a brew while in the area, try the Aspen Brewing Company, Crazy Mountain Brewing in Edwards or Eddyline Brewery in Buena Vista. Fall is the perfect time for an Eddyline Pumpkin Patch Ale.

Trail Ridge Road – Expect beautiful colors, majestic views and wildlife, such as bugling elk. Experience Estes Park on the way back down, where you can check out Rock Cut Brewing or Estes Park Brewery. I like the Renegade IPA and recommend a Stinger Wild Honey at EPB. It’s a Colorado classic!

La Veta Pass – Southern Colorado doesn’t get enough credit for its incredible mountain vistas and spacious colorful valleys. Escape the Front Range and enjoy this area, as well as the San Luis Valley Brewing Company in nearby Alamosa. The Alamosa Amber hits the spot after a long day of hiking and nature

Get Up There

Let the Telluride Ski Resort light up your night, or experience the darkness of Central City’s haunted past.

viewing, and if the Sweet Cherri Blonde is on tap ... imbibe!

October means Halloween!

There are many haunted houses full of zombies, ghouls, witches and spirits to curdle your blood this season. Check out a few of our favorites.

The Asylum, 6100 E. 39th Ave, Denver – Voted Colorado’s favorite, it’s downright terrifying. If you need to calm the nerves after you change your pants, take a short walk to Station 26 Brewing. Feeling complex? Try a Flight of the Zythos IPA. Need something smooth? A Colorado Cream ale will soothe your soul.

Photos: Telluride Ski Resort

Ghouls Gulch, 3910 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs – The best haunted house in southern Colorado is celebrating its 13th year. Can you imagine a better time to check it out? There are many great breweries in the Springs, so try them all.

If you don’t have time for each one, don’t miss Bristol Brewing, Nano 108 Brewing or Red Leg Brewing.

Central City Masonic Cemetery and the town of Blackhawk – Want to avoid the crowds and just get freaked out? Look for the woman in black leaving flowers for her beloved or the ghosts in the many casinos, hotels and cemeteries in Central City and Black Hawk. Hungry for pizza and a craft brew? Stop by Dostal Alley in Central City and take the edge off with an 1874 Smoked Porter and an excellent pie known as The House.

Photos: Gilpin Historical Society

with friends and family by visiting one of these annual shindigs.

Holiday Lights

Lighting of Civic Center Park – The place to be at 6 p.m. Nov. 27 is downtown Denver. There’s really no better way to ring in the season. Warm up by stopping at any number of breweries or with some Fireside Whiskey or Elevate Vodka at Mile High Spirits after the show. The Punching Mule is a favorite Denver cocktail.

When temperatures start dropping, it means winter and the holidays are close behind. Colorado comes alive when snow starts falling and Jack Frost begins his annual nipping. Get the season rolling

Pueblo Parade of Lights – The Nov. 26 parade route travels past the Union Avenue shopping district, Pueblo City Hall and the Pueblo Riverwalk. If you’ve never experienced the city’s Riverwalk,

you need to take it in from the balcony at Brues Alehouse. The Leadhead IPA is one of the best I’ve ever tasted.

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade in Telluride – Arguably one of the most beautiful settings in the entire state, Telluride hosts a torchlight parade on the mountain Dec. 24. It doesn’t get much more idyllic, and with Telluride Brewing Company and Smugglers Brewpub in town, it’s sure to be a winter wonderland.

Rich Mohr is an Evergreen writer and marketing professional.

Fall 2016 © Alexander Potapov / Adobe Stock

ThirstColorado.com

35

BREWERY SPOTLIGHTS

Photo: Dylan Hochstedler

Founders: Ryan Evans and Charlie Gottenkieny Head Brewer: Charlie Gottenkieny bruzbeers.com | 303-650-2337 1675 W 67th Ave. #100, Denver, 80221

Another Round – on the Dubbel Looking for an authentic Belgian-style Dubbel? What about a Tripel or a Quadrupel?

Bruz Beers in Denver has you covered. Bruz is a new brewery dedicated to providing the freshest, highest-quality Belgian-style beers in Colorado.

Ryan Evans and Charlie Gottenkieny have both been to Belgium and other European countries, and their mutual passion for hand-crafted European beer styles keeps them going back. When Gottenkieny hosted a tasting event and met Evans, they decided to start a brewery together.

Gottenkieny won the Homebrewers Association homebrewer of the year award in 1997 and 1999, as well as several medals in the Denver International Beer Competition. He is the experienced veteran that makes the ingredients come to life.

Evans previously worked for Tender Belly Pork, and cannot be more excited to launch another company.

Bruz refuses to rush a beer, with some small batches taking as many as three years to fully mature. While he waits, Gottenkieny hosts regular brewing classes and trainings at Bruz.

Resolute to Turn Community into Family

Photo: Dylan Hochstedler

Owners: Matt Davis, Grayson Heller, Clifton Oertli and Derek Peters Head Brewer: Zac Rissmiller resolutebrewingco.com | 720-722-1238 7286 S Yosemite St #110, Centennial, 80112

Matt Davis, Grayson Heller, Clifton Oertli and Derek Peters are four long-time friends who graduated from Columbine High School in the early 2000s. Two of them went to college for engineering, while the other two decided to be businessmen.

Several years later, they have reunited to run Resolute Brewing, an up-and-coming brewery poised for success in Centennial.

Because of the diverse background of all four owners, they made sure to pay very close attention to every detail. They bought a German-style brewing system from River North Brewery, and added platinum pharmaceutical-grade hoses. They also put extra resources into hiring the best architects and contractors they could find, and they even splurged on premium glassware.

Because the owners attended Columbine High School during the horrific mass shooting tragedy, Resolute Brewing puts an “uncompromising sheer determination on building a community” in the area around them. They have teamed up with Phoenix 999, a non-profit organization that provides resources to mass shooting survivors, as well as several other non-profits, to ensure they strengthen that community.

Spotlights by Dylan Hochstedler

Thirst Magazine delivered to your door, tent or hammock...

6 Issues a year for $19.99 ThirstColorado.com/subscribe 36 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

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Be Hippy exemplifies a passion for music, outdoors, traveling, fashion and living life to the fullest. Be Hippy takes tremendous pride in producing unique, high-quality apparel that inspires others to voyage the road less traveled. Whether you aim to experience a beautiful sunrise over the mountains, seek solitude on a peaceful fishing trip or use a sick day for a day of fresh powder, Be Hippy encourages everyone to join their tribe and live the life you love. behippylifestyle.com

Crescent Moon offers snowshoes that allow people to explore areas far off the beaten path during winter. There are countless canyons, riverbeds, mountainsides, and forests to discover and this Boulderbased company offers a wide variety of snowshoes for every occasion. crescentmoonsnowshoes.com

Pelican Products Elite Cooler

Meier Native Limited Edition Skis

Since 1976, Pelican Products has been constructing expedition equipment that is meant for the harshest conditions.

Whether you are on a hunt of a lifetime, on a boat full of fresh catch or tailgating at the big game on Sundays, the Pelican Elite cooler is the one for you. For Pelican, “good enough” simply doesn’t cut it and as a result, they have put a lifetime warranty on their Elite Coolers. Bonus: each cooler comes pre-equipped with a bottle opener. pelican.com

Do you want to lay it over till you drag your shoulder? Want such a solid feel under your boots that you feel like you’re attached to iron rails? The Colorado Native skis by Meier are just for you. This ultra-lightweight ski is completely handcrafted using locally harvested High Alpine Aspen and Beetle Kill Pine – which make for the perfect combination of strength and flexion. meierskis.com

Voormi Access NXT Pullover

Scott Flex Fly Rod

This two-pocketed pullover is the ideal answer to the call of a cold aerobic day. Just enough to keep you warm as the car disappears from view, this thin and breathable garment is made of durable waterrepellent thermal wool. The highly air permeable side panels keep the heat and sweat from brewing up a frosty mess on the ridgeline. voormi.com

This beauty will give you tremendous flex and recovery due to the advanced reinforced carbon that is used in construction. The Scott Flex series effortlessly generates line speed and tight loops, which help with casting accurately and controlling your presentations.

The Flex series not only looks fashionable, but it works hard for you, allowing you to finetune your game. scottflyrod.com - Compiled by Dylan Hochstedler

Do you have products you can’t live without? Send suggestions to: joe@thirstcolorado.com

38 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

LOOKING FOR THESE CRAFT BEERS?

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Fall 2016

ThirstColorado.com

39

STRANGE BREWS

IT’S NOT FOR WEASELS ELK MOUNTAIN’S LICORICE WHEAT PACKS A PUNCH, IS A TAPROOM HIT

By Steve Graham

E

RED FANG

Style: Red licorice double double red licorice

red wheat Brewery: Elk Mountain Location: Parker IBU: 45 ABV: 7.2 percent

40 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

lk Mountain Brewing owner and founder Tom Bell has 25 years of brewing experience and notes his specialty is “German beers with a twist.”

This year, an unusually heavy and colorful wheat beer at his Parker taproom has a completely new type of twist — a red licorice twist.

Elk Mountain head brewer Shannon Madruga created Red Fang, possibly the world’s first red licorice double red wheat.

“I always like to push the envelope and try something new,” Madruga said. “You never know. You might stumble across something that’s absolutely fantastic.”

She said she wanted to make a heavy wheat beer — it ended up at 7.2 percent ABV, well above the typical wheat beer.

The addition of red licorice was her husband Mike’s idea.

The licorice was added in secondary fermentation for a noticeable but not overwhelming flavor.

“It had a little bit of the sweetness from the licorice, and the wheat balanced it out,” she said.

Red Fang is named for a weasel character in the “Redwall” books, a series of novels for young readers that takes place in a world populated by rodents.

Madruga said the announcement of the Red Fang release was a draw for some new customers, and others tried it out of curiosity, but most appreciated the flavor.

The beer earned a 3.6 out of 5, and

some good reviews from the loyal drinkers on the Untappd site. They were especially eager to post photos of the unusual dark red wheat beer.

“It went over really well,” Madruga said.

“We sold out of it really fast.”

Of course, Madruga helped polish off that first batch.

“I drank my fair share of it,” she said.

She said she started learning about brewing before she could drink, when she worked in a restaurant and brewpub during high school. Although she was a hostess and server in the restaurant, she became fascinated with brewing.

She has been home brewing for 12 years, and has worked in the industry for five years.

Madruga is partial to drinking Belgian beers, but likes brewing and trying all styles of beer, so Elk Mountain isn’t confined to a certain niche.

“We do a little bit of everything,” she said. “If you’re into Belgian beers and your friend is into German beers, you will both find something you like.”

Madruga may brew Red Fang again, but is focusing on other new creations in the meantime. Elk Mountain recently released a mint kolsch and a peanut butter brown ale. Every Wednesday, the brewery taps a new and unique firkin of something creative and tasty.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins writer who enjoys the outdoors and great beer.

Photo: Angie Wright

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Fall 2016

ThirstColorado.com

41

BREWERS’ FAVORITES

WHERE INSIDERS SHARE THEIR OPINIONS

1

Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout, 8.5% ABV, Odell Brewing Company

Odell Brewing is an underrated brewery that’s spent the last couple of decades making fantastic beer up in Fort Fun. But Lugene Milk Chocolate Stout really sticks out. Lugene is one of those beers that amazes me because I simply don’t know how to make it. You don’t end up with a beer this delicious and balanced by throwing in sugar and chocolate and hoping for glory. You can tell they put some serious work into this. It’s a microcosm of what Odell does so damn well — combining an excellent quality control program with the willingness to experiment. Tie those things together and you end up with liquid black gold.

2

Blind Sherpa Stout, 6.5% ABV, Alpine Dog Brewing Co.

As stouts go, the Blind Sherpa from Alpine Dog Brewing Company is above the curve. The beauty of this beer is in the balance. Flavors of sweet chocolate, roasted malt, and rich coffee interplay with a mild hop bitterness to create a wonderful experience for the palate.

The above-average carbonation level creates a smooth, creamy mouth-feel reminiscent of hot chocolate. At 6.5% ABV, the alcohol gives enough warmth for cold fall nights, yet is low enough to let you enjoy more than one. This beer has become one of my go-to favorites.

Max Filter, Head Brewer, Renegade Brewing Co.

4

5

I have been currently enjoying a seasonal ale from Avery Brewing, Pump[KY]n. It is a porter brewed with pumpkin and spices, and aged in bourbon barrels. I typically do not favor bourbon barrel-aged beers, but this one has a smooth sweet bourbon flavor that complements the pumpkin. The beer has a warming alcohol finish that you would expect with a 15% ABV beer. It is a great seasonal porter worth having on a cold night.

Paul Kemp, Head Brewer, South Park Brewing

42 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

Tropic King Barrel Aged Imperial Saison, 8.3% ABV, Funkwerks

Currently, one of my favorite beers to drink, when available, is Funkwerks’ Whisky King, a barrel-aged imperial saison. The beer has many of the recognizable traits of Funkwerks’ saison portfolio — a light palate of fruit and spice, subtle sweetness and creamy mouthfeel — but this one takes it a step further. The barrel-aging process adds a layer of caramel and vanilla that really rounds out the sweetness and makes the beer smooth. A very subtle oak character sneaks through in the finish to add a slight tannic acidity, which balances the sweetness and reminds you that it came from a really nice cask.

Brandon Capps, Founder/Brew Captain, New Image Brewing

Andy Parker, Chief Barrel Herder, Avery Brewing Co.

Pump[KY]n Bourbon Barrel-Aged Pumpkin Porter, 15% ABV, Avery Brewing

3

First Cast IPA, 6% ABV, Elevation Brewing Co.

I absolutely love this beer. In a day and age where each brewery is trying to out-bludgeon the next one with hop bombs (which I am also OK with) it is a refreshing discovery. It is very hop forward, but follows up with a beautifully smooth malt character. At 6% ABV and only 60 IBUs, it’s not trying to implode your face.

It is what I want in a “Session IPA”, which by my personal definition, is any IPA I want to drink for long sessions, regardless of alcohol content. Cheers to the Elevation Brew Crew.

They nailed it on this one.

Randy Schnose, Head Brewer/Hoperations Manager, Riff Raff Brewing Co.

6

Tangerine Cream, 5.2% ABV, Station 26 Brewing

This beer is great because it balances a simple and refreshing lighter style ale base with a bright, fruity, citrus overtone; then rounds out the combination with rich, savory vanilla bean decadence. I can put several back without being weighed down and still appreciate its inviting complexity. The best part of all, it tastes like orange creamsicle pops!

Shannon Madruga, Head Brewer, Elk Mountain Brewing - Compiled by Dylan Hochstedler

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Fall 2016

TRUE TALES FROM THE LYING LOG

By Bufford T. Clapsaddle

A

fter loading the pack horses, several hours in the saddle, and a fixed target approaching, the trail always generates a few anxious minutes.

Will there be a professional outfitter or a couple of hardy back packers who arrived first and occupied a favorite campsite?

Can we locate another nearby, but distanced so we don’t infringe on their wilderness adventure?

A prolific cutthroat saturated lake in the Flattops Wilderness miles from electronic devices of that era regularly beckoned to us in the 1970s and `80s.

As we rode up to “our camp” on this occasion, there were no humans present.

There were no high fives either, as the conditions became the genesis for this true tale to evolve.

It had been a couple of summers since those tenacious trout pursued our assortment of Rooster Tail lures through the shrimp permeated water.

And, now it looked like a Midwestern tornado had been the interloper to inhabit “our campsite.”

Once healthy Colorado Spruce bored to death by beetles in the 1930s often caused tent time nervousness. Now, a majority of them resided on the ground, atop each other, tangled and spaghettied, condemned to accelerated decay by a Mother Nature blowdown.

So, we dismounted and formulated a plan. Trading wind sprints on a two-person cross-cut saw, we could clear a path and partially resuscitate “our former campsite.”

The larger problem: Entangled logs would not permit adequate (and safe) grazing conditions for hobbled horses.

The solution: Make two trips and all hands lead an animal to a grassy meadow a half mile away.

Now, RR, a seasoned wrangler and horsepacker, elected to re-saddle his mount and lead another through the logstrewn route. Travel went just ok until RR had to persuade his green-broke, 4-yearold Palomino gelding across an oversized tree. The young cayuse bolted forward and the old hoss being led lunged backwards, leaving RR lying breathless on the ground and feeling mighty lucky some of his bones did not require duct tape.

The Palomino galloped away, didn’t get a ticket for leaving the scene of an accident. In fact, we never encountered that unstrung run-a-way again.

RR did!

After unceremoniously (and painfully) riding out of the wilderness astride a loaded packsaddle carried by ol’ Cinnamon, we were greeted by a U.S. Forest Ranger, and RR reported the A.W.O.L. equine.

Two weeks after returning to his home in Woodland Park, his phone rang. “The range rider boys at the Stump Park Cow Camp have your pony in their corral.”

RR left his trailer on Derby Mesa and crawled his 4-wheel drive nine miles over the rock-rough jeep road.

The truant Palomino was in a ramshackled corral, minus a rubbed-off bridle, its girth strap across its withers and tattered saddle upside down under the belly.

The Cow Camp proprietor and his two 20-something sons appeared and RR laments forever that he did not have with him a video camera to record the capturing of the young horse by the sons.

Now ranchers throughout the region contended the pair may be a few bales short of a haystack (and those in the stack likely have frayed twine).

The father-son trio stood back-toback looking skyward as RR offered to pay for their assistance. He submitted a second offer. The trio turned clockwise 90 degrees, noses in the air, gazing at the sky. The third tender by RR caused each to rotate counter clockwise still pointing chins at the clouds, emitting awkward silence.

“Reckon that little gelding would fetch at least $1,000 dollars at the sale barn in Junction, don’t you Butch?”

The negotiations culminated. RR reached into his Ford Bronco, placed a quart of Seagram’s 7 on a near-by stump, tied the would be hostage to the rear bumper rope and departed.

The recalcitrant animal lived on for years in Lying Log infamy, never again to enter the wilderness.

(RR is a highly respected, retired newspaper publisher who served as President of statewide Press Associations in both Colorado and Texas).

Bufford T. Clapsaddle (aka Wilbur Flachman) is a retired newspaper and magazine publisher who has guided hundreds of horse pack trips into the Rocky Mountains for family, friends and business associates during the past 45 years. Majority of his tales are revealed only at timberline.

Photo: Neill Pieper

Fall 2016

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T

SIX OPTIONS FOR GABF WEEK

By Jerrod Cotosman

he Great American Beer Festival is October 6-8 in Denver and is the must-do beer happening of the year.

But if you live in the metro area or have come to town prior to the big weekend, there are plenty of other related events you can attend. These range from special beer offerings and parties to the just plain weird. In order to give you some ideas, here are six things to do in Denver before the GABF. The Denver Beer Trail – Perhaps it isn’t as adventurous as the experiences of Daniel Boone or Lewis and Clark, but following the Denver Beer Trail can be just as rewarding.

The map will lead you to 20 local craft breweries within a three-mile radius of downtown. You can train for the GABF by getting a preview from those brewers planning to attend the big event. denver.org Beers Made by Walking – If highbrow cultural activity is your forte, check out this Oct. 4 event at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. For $35 you can sample beers inspired by plants observed while hiking along Colorado’s beautiful trails. Try out the flora of our great state used as craft beer ingredients.

Denver Rare Beer Tasting VIII – The craft beer aficionado should not miss the chance to sample some of the most sought after and exotic brews on Oct. 7. Although a bit pricey at $115 a head, this is a golden opportunity to scratch that elusive offering from your Beer Bucket List.

Geeks Who Drink Trivia – Nerd chic is sweeping the country so bring your horned-rimmed glasses and pocket protector to the Jagged Mountain Brewery on Oct. 6. Geeks Who Drink is a trivia quiz designed to cover the entire spectrum of pop culture. Be forewarned, however,

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Photo: Eric Lindberg and Visit Denver

Photo: Visit Denver

Photo: Steve Crecelius and Visit Denver

Photo: Evan Semon

unless you are Dr. Johnny Fever, too many drinks may adversely impact your score.

What the Funk Invitational – If barrel-aged beers are your thing, voyage to the What the Funk Invitational sponsored by the Crooked Stave Brewery. This is traditionally a tough ticket to get to a very popular event. Around 50 breweries are scheduled to attend Oct. 4, including rare international importers such as Belgian-based Cantillion.

Oktoberfest Denver – Finally there is the traditional Denver Oktoberfest on Larimer Street which takes place in the weeks before GABF. Events such as bratwurst eating contests, wiener

dog races and keg bowling help pass the time while you raise a stein of good German beer. Check the website for scheduled event times and live music. thedenveroktoberfest.com So as you start the countdown to the big day, don’t short yourself by forgetting about the other great beerrelated things going on in Denver.

Check out denver.org/denver-beerfest for other events like jogging and board gaming. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Denver in the weeks before the GABF. Jerrod Cotosman is a Denver-area accountant, author and beer drinker who spends an unwholesome amount of time watching televised sports.

CHARACTERS OF THE CRAFT

Katie Nierling Parry’s Pizza

Keith Marlow Marble Distilling Co.

Katie Nierling is among the increasingly rare Colorado natives.

She had various restaurant jobs in college, and pursued restaurant management upon graduation. She noticed a boom in the craft beer industry, and hopped on the train at the right time.

Nierling landed a sales job at Fort Collins Brewery, and worked up to sales manager. She took this opportunity to learn the ins and outs of beer distribution, and viewed every different market as a fun riddle to solve.

Her gig at FCB introduced her to David Parry, owner of Parry’s Pizzeria and Bar, a company she always admired for its strong craft beer concept. Neirling is now the “Purveyor of Hoppiness” for the Parry’s Pizzeria group in Colorado. Her quest: find enough kegs for the 364 taps in their six locations spread along the Front Range.

Need a finely appointed room in Carbondale? How about an excellent Crystal Cosmo? Keith Marlow will hook you up with both at Marble Distilling Co., Luxury Inn and Lounge. The whole package is wrapped into one location on Main Street. “This is the only inn in the world housed within a working distillery,” he points out.

Marlow, whose background includes 16 years as a sales director in Carbondale, was thrilled when his job change landed him at Marble, where he and his wife are two of five partners. He is the sales and marketing director and his wife, Michelle, provides public relations and special events services. “I get to spend more time with my wife and our kids. Their school is just down the street,” he said.

Marble specializes in vodka and liqueurs.

Kelissa Hieber Goldspot Brewing Company

Taryn Milletti The Fitz Bar & Restaurant, Manor Vail Lodge

Kelissa Hieber grew up in small-town Ohio, where she first pursued a professional brewing career. Next, she moved to Colorado. Hieber thought it would be easy to simply dive into professional brewing, but quickly learned that would not be the case. While working at Regis University, she heard about a new brewing program, and she was the first person to apply. Hieber completed her program in about a year and landed a job as assistant brewer at Goldspot Brewing, where she recently started doing most of the brewing.

Hieber loves her job, and says her life goals are to start her own environmentally friendly brewery and a sustainable farm. Hieber foresees a shortage in local hops and malt as Colorado brewing continues to boom, so she plans to grow an array of different hops at her farm.

Taryn Milletti’s list of college job titles includes nanny, bartender and production manager for a corporate audio-visual company.

But she always enjoyed crafting fun cocktails for friends and family at various parties, and after getting an abundance of positive feedback, she decided that was the career that would fulfill her the most.

After growing up in New York, Milletti fell in love with Colorado while travelling for work and selected the Centennial State as her new home. She currently holds the position of manager of The Fitz Bar and Restaurant located in the Manor Vail Lodge, where she is working her way toward her Level 1 Sommelier certification. Milletti describes her job as “a dream come true” and she believes she will continue to pursue the field indefinitely.

Characters of the craft by Dylan Hochstedler

Fall 2016

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COLORADO BR Front Range Brewing Co ● ● frontrangebrewingcompany.com

● – Serves Food ● – Food Truck

Gravity Brewing ● ● thegravitybrewing.com

● – Live Music

ARVADA Grand Lake Brewing Tavern ● ● grandlakebrewing.com New Image Brewing nibrewing.com

Industrial Revolution Brewing Co theirbc.com J Wells Brewery jwellsbrewery.com Kettle and Spoke Brewery facebook.com/KettleandSpoke

Odyssey Beerwerks ● ● odysseybeerwerks.com

Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co ● ● liquidmechanicsbrewing.com

Someplace Else Brewery someplaceelse.beer

Mountain Sun ● mountainsunpub.com

Yak and Yeti ● theyakandyeti.com

New Planet Beer newplanetbeer.com

AURORA

Odd 13 Brewing Inc ● ● odd13brewing.com

BJ’s ● bjsrestaurants.com

Oskar Blues ● ● oskarblues.com

Cheluna Brewing Company casitabrewing.com

The Post Brewing Co ● ● postbrewing.com

Dads and Dudes Breweria ● breweria.com

Powder Keg Brewing Co ● ● powderkegbrewingcompany.com

Dry Dock Brewing Co ● ● drydockbrewing.com

Sanitas Brewing Co ● ● sanitasbrewing.com

Launch Pad Brewery ● launchpadbrewery.com

Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place ● ● shineboulder.com

Mu Brewery brewbymu.com

Southern Sun ● mountainsunpub.com

Two22 Brew ● two22brew.com

Twisted Pine ● ● twistedpinebrewing.com

Ursula Brewing Co facebook.com/ursulabrewery

BAILEY Mad Jack’s Mountain Brewery madjacksmountainbrewery.com

Upslope Brewing Co ● ● upslopebrewing.com 303.396.1898 1898 S. Flatiron Ct., Boulder

BOULDER AREA

Very Nice Brewing ● verynicebrewing.com

12Degree Brewing ● 12degree.com

Vindication Brewing Co vindicationbrewing.com

Asher Brewing asherbrewing.com

Vision Quest Brewing Co visionquestbrewing.com

Avery ● averybrewing.com

Walnut Brewery ● walnutbrewery.com

BJ’s ● bjsrestaurants.com

West Flanders Brewing Co ● wfbrews.com

Black Sheep Brewery blacksheepbrewery.com

Wild Mountain ● ● wildmountainsb.com

Bootstrap Brewing ● ● bootstrapbrewing.com

Wild Woods Brewery wildwoodsbrewery.com

Boulder Beer ● ● boulderbeer.com

BRIGHTON/FREDERICK

BRU Handbuilt Ales ● bruboulder.com

Echo Brewing echobrewing.com

Crystal Springs Brewing Co crystalspringsbrewing.com

Floodstage Ale Works ● facebook.com/floodstagealeworks2013

Fate Brewing Co ● fatebrewingcompany.com

Something Brewery somethingbrewery.com

Finkel & Garf Brewing Co finkelandgarf.com

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BROOMFIELD/WESTMINSTER 4 Noses Brewing ● 4nosesbrewing.com Big Choice bigchoicebrewing.com BJ’s ● bjsrestaurants.com C.B. & Potts Broomfield ● cbpotts.com C.B. & Potts Westminster ● cbpotts.com Do Your Brew doyourbrew.com Gemini Beer Co geminibeer.com Gordon Biersch ● gordonbiersch.com Kokopelli Beer Co ● ● kokopellibeer.com Nighthawk Brewery ● nighthawkbrewery.com Rails End Beer Co. facebook.com/RailsEndBeerCompany Rock Bottom Orchard Town Center ● rockbottom.com Rock Bottom Westminster Promenade ● rockbottom.com Westminster Brewing Co ● ● westminsterbrewingco.com Wonderland Brewing ● ● wonderlandbrewing.com

CASTLE ROCK 105 West Brewing Co ● 105westbrewing.com Castle Rock Beer Company castlerockbeerco.com Rockyard Brewing Co ● rockyard.com

CENTENNIAL/LONE TREE/ HIGHLANDS RANCH 3 Freaks Brewery ● 3freaksbrewery.com Blue Spruce Brewing Co ● ● bluesprucebrewing.com C.B. & Potts Highlands Ranch ● cbpotts.com Grist Brewing Co ● gristbrewingcompany.com Halfpenny Brewing Co halfpennybrewing.com Lone Tree Brewing Co lonetreebrewingco.com Resolute Brewing Co. resolutebrewingco.com Rock Bottom Park Meadows ● rockbottom.com

COLORADO SPRINGS AREA BierWerks Brewery ● ● bierwerks.com

Fall 2016

Bristol Brewing ● bristolbrewing.com Cerberus Brewing Company cerberusbrewingco.com Classic Brewing Company classicbrewingco.com Cogstone Brewing Co ● cogstonebrewing.com Colorado Mountain Brewery ● cmbrew.com Fieldhouse Brewing Co ● facebook.com/fieldhousebrewingcompany Florence Brewing Co. florencebrewing.com Fossil Brewing Co ● fossilbrewing.com Gold Camp Brewing Co goldcampbrewing.com Great Storm Brewing ● greatstormbrewing.com Iron Bird Brewery ironbirdbrewing.com JAKs Brewing Co jaksbrewing.com Local Relic localrelic.com Lofty Brewing Co loftybrewingcompany.wordpress.com Manitou Brewing Co ● manitou-brewing.com Nano 108 nano108brewing.com The Occasional Brew theoccasionalbrew.com Paradox Beer Co paradoxbeercompany.com Phantom Canyon ● ● phantomcanyon.com Peaks N Pines Brewing Company peaksnpinesbrewery.com Pikes Peak Brewing Co ● ● pikespeakbrewing.com Red Leg Brewing redlegbrewing.com Rock Bottom Colorado Springs ● rockbottom.com Rocky Mountain Brewery therockymountainbrewery.com Royal Gorge Brewing Co royalgorgebrewpub.com Smiling Toad Brewery smilingtoadbrewery.com Storybook Brewing storybookbrewing.com Trinity Brewing ● trinitybrew.com Triple S Brewing Co ● triplesbrewing.com Ute Pass Brewing Co ● utepassbrewingcompany.com

EWERY LINEUP Lost Highway Brewing Co losthighwaybrewing.com

Whistle Pig Brewing Company whistlepigbrewing.com

Pints Pub ● pintspub.com

DENVER

BAKER/SOUTH BROADWAY

Queen Bee Brews queenbeebrews.com

Baere Brewing Co baerebrewing.com

Station 26 Brewing Co station26brewing.co

Black Project blackprojectbeer.com

Vine Street Pub & Brewery ● mountainsunpub.com

Grandma’s House grandmasbeer.co

FIVE POINTS

NORTHEAST DENVER Brewability Lab brewabilitylab.com Bruz Beers bruzbeers.com CAUTION: Brewing Co cautionbrewingco.com Creede Brewing Co ● creedebeer.com River North Brewing rivernorthbrewery.com

Lowdown Brewery + Kitchen ● lowdownbrewery.com

Spangalang Brewery spangalangbrewery.com

TRVE trvebrewing.com

LODO

Briar Common Brewery & Eatery briarcommon.com

CAPITOL HILL/E COLFAX/PARK HILL

Breckenridge Colorado Craft ● breckbrew.com

Call to Arms Brewing Co ● calltoarmsbrewing.com

Alpine Dog Brewery alpinedogbrewery.com

Denver Chophouse ● chophouse.com

De Steeg Brewing desteegbrewing.com

Banded Oak Brewing facebook.com/bandedoak

Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery ● jaggedmountainbrewery.com

Denver Beer Co ● ● denverbeerco.com

Cerebral Brewing cerebralbrewing.com

Rock Bottom Denver ● rockbottom.com

Diebolt Brewing Co ● ● dieboltbrewing.com

CO-Brew cobrewdenver.com

Sandlot Brewery bluemoonbrewingcompany.com

Factotum Brewhouse factotumbrewhouse.com

Deep Draft Brewery deepdraftbrewery.com

Wynkoop Brewing Co ● wynkoop.com

Goldspot Brewing Co ● ● goldspotbrewing.com

Fiction Beer Co ● fictionbeer.com

NORTHWEST DENVER

Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe + Brewery thegratefulgnome.com Hogshead Brewery ● hogsheadbrewery.com Little Machine Brew House ● littlemachinebeer.com Prost Brewing Co ● prostbrewing.com Seedstock Brewery seedstockbrewery.com Tivoli Brewing Co tivolibrewingco.com

RINO 10 Barrel 10barrel.com Beryl’s Beer Co ● ● berylsbeerco.com Black Shirt Brewing Co ● ● blackshirtbrewingco.com Bierstadt Lagerhaus bierstadtlager.com Blue Moon Brewing bluemoonbrewingcompany.com Crooked Stave crookedstave.com Epic Brewing Co ● epicbrewing.com

Climb on Board the Longmont Beverage Tour

Ticket info @ brewhoptrolley.com Fall 2016

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COLORADO BR FORT COLLINS AREA

Great Divide Brewing Co ● ● greatdivide.com

Landlocked Ales landlockedales.com

Mockery Brewing ● mockerybrewing.com

Westfax Brewing Company westfaxbrewingcompany.com

Our Mutual Friend omfbeer.com

DURANGO AREA

BJ’s ● bjsrestaurants.com

Animas Brewing Co ● animasbrewing.com

Black Bottle Brewery ● blackbottlebrewery.com

Bottom Shelf Brewery ● bottomshelfbrewery.com

C.B. & Potts ● cbpotts.com

SOUTHEAST DENVER

BREW Pub & Kitchen ● brewpubkitchen.com

Coopersmiths ● coopersmithspub.com

Bull and Bush ● ● bullandbush.com

Carver Brewing ● carverbrewing.com

Equinox Brewing ● equinoxbrewing.com

Comrade Brewing ● comradebrewing.com

Dolores River Brewery ● ● doloresriverbrewery.com

Fort Collins Brewery ● ● fortcollinsbrewery.com

Copper Kettle Brewing Co ● copperkettledenver.com

Durango Brewing Co ● durangobrewing.com

Funkwerks funkwerks.com

Fermaentra ● fermaentra.com

J. Fargos ● jfargos.com

Gilded Goat Brewing Co gildedgoatbrewing.com

SOUTHWEST DENVER

Main Street Brewery & Restaurant ● mainstreetbrewerycortez.com

High Hops Brewery ● ● highhopsbrewery.com

Black Sky Brewery ● ● blackskybrewing.com

Mancos Brewing Co ● mancosbrewingcompany.com

Horse & Dragon Brewing Co horseanddragonbrewing.com

Chain Reaction Brewing ● chainreactionbrewingco.com

Ska Brewing ● ● skabrewing.com

Intersect Brewing intersectbrewing.com

Crazy Mountain Brewing Co crazymountainbrewery.com

Steamworks Brewing Co ● steamworksbrewing.com

Jessup Farm Barrel House ● jessupfarmbarrelhouse.com

4 B’s Brewery ● ● 4bsbrewery.com

Declaration Brewing Co ● ● declarationbrewing.com

EAGLE COUNTY

Hardihood Brewing hardihoodbrewing.com

The Ale House alehousegj.com

Platt Park Brewing Co ● plattparkbrewing.com

7 Hermits Brewing Company ● 7hermitsbrewing.com

New Belgium newbelgium.com

Copper Club Brewing Co ● copperclubbrew.com

Renegade Brewing renegadebrewing.com

Bonfire Brewing ● bonfirebrewing.com

Odell Brewing Co ● ● odellbrewing.com

Sleeping Giant Brewing sleepinggiantbrewing.com

Crazy Mountain Brewing Company crazymountainbrewery.com

Old Colorado Brewing Co oldcoloradobrewing.com

Edgewater Brewery ● kannahcreekbrewingco.com/ edgewater-brewery

Strange Craft Brewing ● strangecraft.com

Gore Range Brewery ● gorerangebrewery.com

Pateros Creek Brewing Co ● ● pateroscreekbrewing.com

Wit’s End Brewing Co witsendbrewing.com

Vail Brewing Company ● ● vailbrewingco.com

Pitchers Brewery ● pitchersbrewery.com

ENGLEWOOD AREA

The Poudre Keg facebook.com/poudrekeg

WHEAT RIDGE/EDGEWATER/ LAKEWOOD Brewery Rickoli ● breweryrickoli.com

C.B. & Potts Denver Tech ● cbpotts.com

CAUTION: Brewing Co cautionbrewingco.com

Dead Hippie Brewing deadhippiebrewing.com

Colorado Plus Brewpub ● ● coloradoplus.net

ESTES PARK

Great Frontier Brewing Co greatfrontierbeer.com

Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co lumpyridgebrewing.com Rock Cut Brewing Co rockcutbrewing.com The Rock Inn ● ● rockinnestes.com

Joyride Brewing Co ● joyridebrewing.com 720.432.7560

FAIRPLAY

2501 Sheridan Blvd, Edgewater

South Park Brewing Co ● southparkbrewingcolorado.com Fall 2016

Snowbank Brewing snowbank.beer Soul Squared Brewing Co soulsquaredbrewing.com Three Four Beer Co ● threefourbeerco.com Zwei Brewing Co ● ● zweibrewing.com

GLENWOOD SPRINGS/ CARBONDALE/ASPEN Aspen Brewing Co ● aspenbrewingcompany.com Casey Brewing and Blending caseybrewing.com Carbondale Beer Works ● carbondalebeerworks.com

GOLDEN AC Golden Brewing Company acgolden.com Barrels and Bottles Brewery ● barrelsbottles.com Cannonball Creek Brewing Co cannonballcreekbrewing.com Coors Brewing Company millercoors.com Golden City Brewery ● gcbrewery.com Holidaily Brewing Co holidailybrewing.com Mountain Toad Brewing ● mountaintoadbrewing.com New Terrain Brewing newterrainbrewing.com

GRAND JUNCTION AREA

Kannah Creek Brewing Co ● kannahcreekbrewingco.com Palisade Brewing Co ● ● palisadebrewingcompany.com Revolution Brewing ● ● revolution-brewing.com Rockslide Brew Pub ● rockslidebrewpub.com Suds Brothers Brewery ● ● sudsbrothers2fruita.com

GREELEY Brix Taphouse and Brewery ● ● brixtaphouseandbrewery.com Broken Plow Brewery ● brokenplowbrewery.com Crabtree Brewing ● ● crabtreebrewing.com 970.356.0516 2961 W 29th St., Greeley

Grand Lake Brewing Tavern grandlakebrewing.com WeldWerks Brewing Co weldwerksbrewing.com Wiley Roots Brewing Co ● wileyrootsbrewing.com

RE

E BR

C

E ING

Ironworks Brewery & Pub ● ironworkspub.com

Estes Park Brewery ● epbrewery.com

Rally King Brewing rallykingbrewing.com

Roaring Fork Beer Co roaringforkbeerco.com

W

Green Mountain Beer Co facebook.com/ greenmountainbrewingcompany

50 ThirstColorado.com

The Brew on Broadway ● ● thebrewonbroadway.com

Ironbird Brewing ironbirdbrewing.com

T

Zephyr Brewing Co ● zephyrbrewingco.com

Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co ● glenwoodcanyonbrewpub.com

CRAB

Ratio Beerworks ● ● ratiobeerworks.com

1933 Brewing Co ● 1933brewing.com

OM

PA N

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EWERY LINEUP IDAHO SPRINGS/EVERGREEN/ CENTRAL CITY

St. Patricks Brewing Co saintpatricksbrewing.com

Big Beaver Brewing Co ● bigbeaverbrew.com

PAGOSA SPRINGS/DEL NORTE/ ALAMOSA

Dostal Alley Saloon & Gambling Emporium ● dostalalley.com

LONGMONT

Big Thompson Brewery lovelandbrewery.com

Pagosa Brewing Co ● pagosabrewing.com

Buckhorn Brewers facebook.com/buckhornbrewers

Riff Raff Brewing ● ● riffraffbrewing.com

335 1st Ave., Unit C, Longmont

City Star Brewing ● citystarbrewing.com

San Luis Valley Brewing ● slvbrewco.com

Grossen Bart Brewery ● ● grossenbart.com

Crow Hop Brewing crowhopbrewing.com

Three Barrel Brewing Co ● threebarrelbrew.com

Amalgam Brewing amalgambrewing.com

Grimm Brothers grimmbrosbrewhouse.com

Wolfe Brewing Co ● ● wolfebrewingco.com

Left Hand Brewing Co ● lefthandbrewing.com

Laughing Leprechaun Meadery facebook.com/laughingleprechaunmeadery

PARKER

Oskar Blues ● oskarblues.com

Loveland Aleworks lovelandaleworks.com

Barnett and Son Brewing Co ● ● barnettandsonbrewing.com

Pumphouse Brewery ● pumphousebrewery.com

Rock Bottom ● rockbottom.com

Elk Mountain Brewing Inc ● elkmountainbrewing.com

Shoes and Brews shoesbrews.com

Verboten Brewing Co. verbotenbrewing.com

Hall Brewing ● ● ● hallbrewingco.com

Skeye Brewing ● skeyebrewing.com

Veteran Brothers Brewing Company veteranbrosbrewing.com

PUEBLO AREA

Wibby Brewing wibbybrewing.com

NORTHGLENN

Brues Alehouse Brewing Co ● ● bruesalehouse.com

LOVELAND/BERTHOUD

Beer by Design Brewery ● beerbydesign.com

Shamrock Brewing ● shamrockbrewing.com

Berthoud Brewing Co berthoudbrewing.com

Mother Tucker Brewery mothertuckerbrewery.com

Walter’s Brewing Co waltersbeer.com

El Rancho Brewing Company ● elranchobrewing.com Lariat Lodge Brewing Co ● ● lariatlodgebrewing.com Revival Brewing revivalbrewing.com Tommy Knocker Brewery & Pub ● tommyknocker.com Westbound & Down Brewing Company ● westboundanddown.com

LITTLETON AREA 38 State Brewing ● ● 38statebrew.com Boggy Draw Brewery boggydrawbrewing.com Breckenridge Brewery ● breckbrew.com Living the Dream Brewing Co livingthedreambrewing.com Locavore Beer Works locavorebeerworks.com Resolute Brewing Company resolutebrewingco.com

300 Suns ● 300sunsbrewing.com 720.442.8292

Fall 2016

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COLORADO BREWERY LINEUP SALIDA/BUENA VISTA/GUNNISON/ CRESTED BUTTE/CRESTONE

Horsefly Brewing Company ● ● horseflybrewing.com

The Baker’s Brewery ● thebakersbrewery.com

CIDERIES

Amica’s ● amicassalida.com

Ouray Brewery ● ouraybrewery.com

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub ● breckbrew.com

Big B’s Hard Cider, Hotchkiss bigbjuices.com

Crestone Brewing Company crestonebrewingco.com

Ourayle House Brewery ouraylehouse.com

Broken Compass Brewing brokencompassbrewing.com

Blossomwood Cidery, Cedaredge blossomwoodcidery.com

Eddyline Brewing ● eddylinebrewing.com

Smuggler’s Brew Pub ● smugglersbrewpub.com

Dillon Dam Brewery ● ● dambrewery.com

Branch Out Cider, Fort Collins branchoutcider.com

Eldo Brewery ● ● eldobrewpub.com

Telluride Brewing Co telluridebrewingco.com

Pug Ryan’s ● pugryans.com

C Squared Ciders ● csquaredciders.com

Elevation Beer Co ● elevationbeerco.com

Two Rascals Brewing tworascalsbrewing.com

TRINIDAD

Climb Hard Cider Company, Loveland climbhardcider.com

High Alpine Brewing Co ● highalpinebrewingcompany.com

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

Dodgeton Creek Brewing Co dodgetoncreek.com

Colorado Cider Company, Denver coloradocider.com

Butcherknife Brewing Co butcherknifebrewing.com

WINTERPARK AREA

Compass Cider, Fort Collins compasscider.com

Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill ● mahoganyridgesteamboat.com

Hideaway Park Brewery hideawayparkbrewery.com

Old Mine Cidery & Brewpub, Erie theoldmine.com

SOUTHWEST COLORADO

Mountain Tap Brewery mountaintapbrewery.com

Moffat Station ● winterparkhotel.com/moffat-station

Scrumpy’s Hard Cider, Fort Collins scrumpys.net

Avalanche Brewing Company ● avalanchebrewing.com

Storm Peak Brewing Co. stormpeakbrewing.com

DISTRIBUTION ONLY

St. Vrain Cidery, Longmont stvraincidery.com

Colorado Boy Pizzeria ● coloradoboy.com/montrose

Yampa Valley Brewing Co ● yampavalleybrew.com

Colorado Boy Pub & Brewery ● coloradoboy.com/ridgeway

SUMMIT COUNTY

Hubbub Brewing hubbubbrewing.com Moonlight Pizza ● moonlightpizza.biz

Golden Block Brewery ● goldenblockbrewery.com

14er Brewing 14erbrewing.com

Stem Ciders, Denver ● ● stemciders.com

Good River Beer grbeerco.com

Talisman Farm Cidery, Hygiene talisman.com

Backcountry Brewery ● backcountrybrewery.com

Wild Cider, Firestone wildcider.com

NORTHWEST DENVER BREW TOUR N

2

1

Hwy 720.441.4735 www.factotumbrewhouse.com 3845 Lipan St, Denver

720.328.8258 www.calltoarmsbrewing.com 4526 Tennyson St, Denver

3

4

3

I-25

Fall 2016

25th Ave.

44th Ave.

38th Ave.

29th Ave. 20th Ave.

2 Pecos St.

52 ThirstColorado.com

303.495.3105 www.hogsheadbrewery.com 4460 West 29th Ave, Denver

46th Ave.

Federal Blvd.

303.477.7000 www.hopsandpie.com 3920 Tennyson St, Denver

6

5 Lowell Blvd.

4

Tennyson St.

6

Sheridan Blvd.

5

720.432.7560 www.joyridebrewing.com 2501 Sheridan Blvd, Edgewater

I-70

1 Wadsworth Blvd.

303.955.5657 www.goldspotbrewing.com 4970 Lowell Blvd, Denver

76

COLORADO DISTILLERY LINEUP DENVER/BOULDER

Leopold Bros - Northeast Denver leopoldbros.com

Anders’ Vodka - Parker andersvodka.com

Mad Rabbit Distillery - Westminster madrabbitdistillery.com

Altitude Spirits, Inc. - Boulder altitudespirits.com

Whistling Hare whistlinghare.com 720.335.6009

7655 W 108th Ave., Westminster

Mystic Mountain Distillery - Larkspur mmdistillery.com Sangre Distilleries - Westcliffe sangredistilleries.com

Mile High Spirits - Lodo milehighspiritsllc.com

NORTHERN COLORADO

The Ice Cave Cider House - Monument facebook.com/theicecaveciderhouse

Rado Distilling - Arvada radodistilling.com

Anvil Distillery - Longmont anvildistillery.com

Wood’s High Mountain Distillery - Salida woodsdistillery.com

Rising Sun Distillery - Southwest Denver risingsundistillery.com

Black Canyon Distilling - Longmont blackcanyondistillery.com

WESTERN SLOPE

Rocker Spirits - Littleton rockerspirits.com

Coppermuse Distillery - Fort Collins coppermuse.com

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit CO - Vail 10thwhiskey.com

Spirit Hound Distillers - Lyons spirithounds.com

Dancing Pines Distillery - Loveland dancingpinesdistillery.com

808 Distillery - Eagle 808distill.com

Colorado Sun ‘Shine - Englewood cosunshine.com

Squeal Rum - Aurora squealrum.com

Elevation 5003 Distillery - Fort Collins elevation5003.com

Devil’s Head Distillery - Englewood devilsheaddistillery.com/dhd.html

Breckenridge Distillery - Breckenridge breckenridgedistillery.com

State 38 Distilling - Golden State-38.com

Feisty Spirits - Fort Collins feistyspirits.com

Downslope Distilling - Englewood downslopedistilling.com

Colorado Gold - Cedaredge coloradogolddistillers.com

Stranahan’s - South Denver stranahans.com

Old Town Distilling - Fort Collins

Geek Spirits - Boulder geekspiritsdistillery.com

Durango Craft Spirits - Durango durangospirits.com

StrongWater Spirits & Botanicals - Denver sipstrongwater.com

Arta Tequila - Englewood artatequila.com Bear Creek Distillery - Denver bearcreekdistillery.com Blank & Booth Distilling - Central Denver blankandbooth.com Boulder Distillery and Clear Spirit Company, Inc. - Boulder 303vodka.com/boulderdistillery

Golden Moon Distillery - Golden goldenmoondistillery.com J & L Distilling Co - Boulder jldistilling.com

Vapor Distillery - Boulder vapordistillery.com

Still Cellars - Longmont stillcellars.com Spring 44 Distilling - Loveland spring44.com Syntax Spirits - Greeley syntaxspirits.com Tesouro Distillery - Longmont tesourodistillery.com

Laws Whiskey House - Denver lawswhiskeyhouse.com

SOUTHERN COLORADO

VOTED BEST NY-STYLE PIZZA by the Westword

3 Hundred Days of Shine - Monument 3hundreddays.com Axe and the Oak Distillery - Colo. Springs axeandtheoak.com Black Bear Distillery - Green Mountain Falls blackbeardistillery.com Boathouse Distillery - Salida boathousedistillery.com Cockpit Craft Distillery - Colo. Springs cockpitdistillery.com Colorado Common Cider - Colo. Springs coloradocommon.com Deerhammer Distilling Co - Buena Vista deerhammer.com Distillery 291 - Colo. Springs distillery291.com KJ Wood Distillers - Ouray kjwooddistillers.com Lee Spirits - Colo. Springs leespirits.com

Join us for football Sundays Great craft beer selections 2-for-1 10” pizzas 2915 W. 44th Ave., Denver every Sunday 303-955-5580 ErniesDenver.com

54 ThirstColorado.com

Fall 2016

Honey House Distillery - Durango honeyhousedistillery.com Mancos Valley Distillery - Mancos mancosvalleydistillery.com Marble Distilling Co - Carbondale marbledistilling.com Montanya Distillers - Crested Butte montanyarum.com Peachstreet Distillers - Palisade peachstreetdistillers.com Peak Spirits - Hotchkiss peakspirits.com Stoneyard Distillery - Dotsero stoneyarddistillery.com Snow Capped Cider - Cedaredge snowcappedcider.com Talbott’s Cider Company - Palisade talbottsciderco.com Telluride Distillery - Mountain Village telluridedistilling.com Woodshed Distilling - Pagosa Springs woodsheddistilling.com Woody Creek Distillers - Basalt woodycreekdistillers.com If your favorite distillery is not listed, please let us know. joe@thirstcolorado.com

10 Barrel Brewing Co. is hitting the road with Teton Gravity Research this fall on their ski and snowboard film premiere tour. Check us out in a city near you to party, compete in the rail jam for cash and new skis or boards, and Pray for Snow!

1 3 0 TA P S

OF THE BEST AMERICAN CRAFT AND IMPORT BEERS

100+

MENU ITEMS MADE F R O M S C R A T C H D A I LY

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LUN C H DI NNER L ATE N I G HT DI N I N G

LAKEWOOD

DENVER

LONE TREE

COLORADO MILLS

SHERATON DOWNTOWN

PARK MEADOWS

Y A R D H O U S E . C O M