Can’t Miss Beers to Try at This Weekend’s 2023 Collaboration Fest

Throughout the years, the Colorado Brewers Guild’s Collaboration Fest has not only represented the incredible spirit of camaraderie and togetherness that has driven the craft beer industry for the last three decades, but it has also served as a platform for experimentation and innovation.

By participating in a festival focused on the creation of one-off, one-of-a-kind releases, breweries have often seized the opportunity to broaden their scope to test out innovative new techniques and also play with bizarre ingredients.

While this year’s fest won’t feature as many non-traditional ingredients like years past, there are still plenty of head-turning beers, innovative approaches, and dream collaborating pairings to get excited about, so we’ve rounded up some of our can’t miss beers ahead of Saturday’s festival.

Read More

Casey Brewing | BA Never Say Never Barleywine

Some breweries become known for a certain style of beer and then struggle to expand beyond that, trapped in the successes of their past. While it is never a bad thing to have notoriety for a particular style, it can leave a brewery in a difficult spot as they seek to diversify their lineup and adapt to the everchanging beer landscape. Casey Brewing is known for their incredible sour beer program, churning out highly sought-after Saisons and Wild Ales since 2013. Finding themselves with some extra tanks and a desire to open a new taproom, Casey made the decision to venture into non-sour beer, doing something brewery founder Troy Casey said would never happen. A prophetic cliché that morphed into an incredible barrel aged Barleywine, Casey BA Never Say Never Barleywine exemplifies the non-sour quality of the brewery’s side dabbles. 

Read More

Breakside Barrel Aged Stouts

If you operated a regional brewery and suddenly found yourself with extra tank capacity, what would you do? Would you pump out more of the beer you’ve been making seeking to increase your market presence? Would you offer contract brewing to smaller or gypsy brewers? Or would you completely revamp your barrel aging philosophy, taking a fresh perspective on how you create barrel aged Stouts? When presented with this exact scenario in 2020, Breakside Brewery out of Portland, Oregon chose this last option and created a blended Stout program.

Read More

River North Brewery | Anniversary 11 Quadruple Barrel Aged Stout

River North Brewery has gained a reputation for pushing the envelope when it comes to ABV, and for their 11th anniversary they have turned the dial all the way to 11. Or perhaps that is all the way to 23, matching the monstrous alcohol percentage of Anniversary 11, a quadruple barrel aged Stout that pushes ABV boundaries. River North is ringing in Year 11 with an emphatic statement of a beer that deserves to be talked about.

Read More

New Image Brewing | Estufa (Barleywine)

In a hypercompetitive craft beer market that is ever trending towards (but not quite reaching) that mythical saturation point, breweries can find it difficult to differentiate themselves. Whether it be a new style (that’s probably a rebranded old style), new hop varieties, clever marketing or some combination of these and other “innovative” elements, breweries have to try to rise above the pack and distinguish their product from what the upstart down the street is doing. New Image Brewing is no stranger to innovation with their lineup of various Barrel Aged Beers, their heavy use of Phantasm powder and the impending opening of their own meadery brand Post Future. Estufa is perhaps their most ambitious project yet. Estufa is the first release and the genesis of New Image’s forthcoming macro-oxidized solera Barleywine program. That is a lot of beer related words not often (if ever) stringed together, so follow along as we explore what New Image is currently doing and where they are looking to take this program.

Read More

2022 Colorado New Year’s Eve Brewery Events

2022 is almost in the books, meaning it’s time to celebrate the year that was and look forward to what 2023 will bring us. While some may be content to spend New Year’s Eve huddled amongst freezing masses for hours on end or in a crowded club struggling to reach the bar, the discerning Coloradan will wisely seek out a local brewery for a more relaxed and enjoyable vibe. Many breweries throughout the state have events planned in the hours leading up to New Year’s, so we have assembled a list of those here. Whether you want to catch some live music, eat a multiple course beer dinner or try some special beers, there is something here for every beer lover. As always, be safe and responsible in your New Year’s Eve drinking activities – let’s end this year and start the next in a great way!

If we missed any Colorado NYE Brewery events be sure to shoot us a message and we would love to add your event to our round-up.

Read More

2022 Colorado Black Friday Craft Beer Releases

The holiday season is officially upon us, and that means the thrill of shopping for others in crowded spaces has begun. Instead of fighting the ravenous hordes at a tortuous big box store, why not enjoy some tasty beer? Black Friday marks a big day in the craft beer community as many breweries release special and limited edition beers, many of them made big and boozy for a warming liquid cold weather blanket. We have rounded up a list of 2022 Colorado Black Friday craft beer releases for your perusal and enjoyment. Convince the family to stop by one of these establishments while you’re out and about fighting off the crowds and that turkey hangover. Beer also makes for a great present for that special friend or family member!

Read More

Our Mutual Friend | Boundary Beyond Imperial Coffee Stout

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, a warming brew is often needed to stave off the crushing chill of both arctic gales and seasonal affective disorder. Why not combine two types of brew in a single, satisfying beverage to perk up the soul and power through the winter months? Beer and coffee are obvious companions for this invigorating task, and Our Mutual Friend Brewing (OMF) and Color Drop Coffee are the obvious collaborators to make a coffee beer in the Denver scene. Combining their beer and coffee brewing knowledge, OMF has released Boundary Beyond, a 13.5% Imperial Coffee Stout using Color Drop’s coffee.

Read More

Event Recap | Welcome: A Farmhouse & Lager Festival

Eschewing the typical Barrel-Aged Stout and Hazy IPA hype beers of most festivals these days, Welcome – A Farmhouse & Lager Festival takes a gentler approach in beer styles, highlighting some of Colorado’s best Farmhouse Ales and Lagers being produced. Subtlety and nuance are the defining characteristics of these styles, and it takes a discerning brewer to properly craft them and make something greater than the sum of its often simplistic parts.

Read More

Event Preview | Denver Rare Beer Tasting Announces Full Pour List

This year on the Friday of GABF week, Denver Rare Beer Tasting will celebrate its 13th anniversary with 60 breweries pouring some of their rarest and most sought-after beers. The event taking place, Friday, October 7 from 12-4pm once again benefits Pints for Prostates, a grassroots organization with the aim to raise awareness among men about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection in fighting the disease. This event “gives us the opportunity to reach men through the universal language of beer with an important health message,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. As always free men’s health screenings will be offered at the event, and all proceeds will be used to provide screenings for thousands of men, giving them important health data and early warnings about potential prostate cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other common male health issues. 

Read More

Sierra Nevada | Cold Torpedo Cold IPA

Cold IPA is one of the coolest styles of the summer, and Sierra Nevada Cold Torpedo Cold IPA is looking to legitimize the IPA varietal with national distribution in a mixed sampler pack. Building on the tradition of Torpedo Extra IPA, Cold Torpedo is a new interpretation of the storied West Coast IPA.

Read More

First Look | FlyteCo Tower Lifts Off at Iconic Aviation Landmark

Today is National Aviation Day, and let us honor the spirit of Orville Wright by checking out the newly opened FlyteCo Tower, a brewery and location that both pay homage to aviation’s history. Located inside the former air traffic control tower of the shuttered Stapleton International Airport, FlyteCo Tower is a sprawling 25,000 sq ft facility consisting of a taproom with multiple bars and full liquor service, a 2.5 bbl pilot brewery, a full kitchen, 6 bowling lanes, an 18 hole mini golf course, a full arcade, and space to host rotating exhibits from the local Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. 

Read More

After 28 Years Tommyknocker Brewery Undergoes Complete Overhaul

After 28 years as a pioneer in the Colorado craft beer scene, Tommyknocker Brewery located in the mountain town of Idaho Springs, CO, is undergoing an extensive overhaul. With the introduction of a branding refresh, new core beer offerings and a $100,000 remodel of their brewpub, Tommyknocker is looking to reinvent itself in today’s competitive craft beer market. 

Read More

Wild Blue Yonder | Cellar Reserve: Tropical Storm

When is a Pastry Stout not a Pastry Stout? At what point does a barrel-aged 11.2% beer become refreshing to drink? These were questions I pondered while drinking Wild Blue Yonder Cellar Reserve – Tropical Storm, a rum barrel aged Imperial Stout with bananas, toasted coconut and macadamia nut. Expectations were exceeded and stereotypes were broken with this unique concoction brewed in Castle Rock, Colorado.

Read More

Event Recap | Vail Craft Beer Classic 2022

A beer fest set in the middle of the Rocky Mountains is bound to be beautiful, and the Vail Craft Beer Classic did not disappoint in that regard. Along with the wondrous mountain scenery is a laid back mountain vibe enjoyed by patrons and vendors alike. No long lines, no crowded bottlenecks, and plenty of time and space to casually have a conversation with a brewery worker or a random attendee, the Vail Craft Beer Classic is ideally set up for enjoying a couple hours worth of various brews.

Read More

Wah Gwaan 1 Year Anniversary and Juneteenth Celebration

How does a simple party become a full blown shindig? Make it an all weekend party celebrating two huge occasions! Wah Gwaan Brewing is turning one this weekend, an anniversary that coincidentally coincides with Juneteenth. Being a Black-owned brewery, Juneteenth is a perfect time for Wah Gwaan to celebrate, and celebrate they will.

Read More

Westbound & Down | Chicago Peaks Kolsch

As the weather has transitioned to long, warm, pleasant days, one’s choice in beer necessarily becomes something that can be drunk for longer periods of time. No longer just getting it in while you can, this is the season for drinking sessions that extend for the duration of several beers, necessitating a beverage that is both refreshing and of moderate ABV so as to leave you in decent shape. This is the season for a beer like Westbound & Down Chicago Peaks Kolsch. Light and drinkable yet still packing serious flavor, this beer was made for warm weather get-togethers.

Read More

Ultimate 6er | Denver-Area Cinco de Mayo Beers

Cinco de Mayo is nearly upon us, and to commemorate this day of celebration for Mexican-American culture, many Denver area breweries have brewed special recipes honoring Mexican tradition. A holiday that generates beer sales that rival that of the Super Bowl, Cinco de Mayo has become synonymous in America with parties that celebrate all aspects of Mexican-American culture from history to traditions to food and of course alcohol. While you celebrate with friends and family on May 5, look for the below brews to properly ring in the occasion.

Read More

Wah Gwaan Brewing | Blacker the Cherry

Working together and collaborating is a core tenet of the craft beer industry, and Wah Gwaan Brewing Blacker the Cherry is a great example of what can happen when like minds devise a new beer recipe. Brewed in honor of Black History Month, Blacker the Cherry is a Black IPA brewed with cherries and vanilla created by Wah Gwaan, The Pint Exchange and Crafty Brothas. 

Read More

Cerebral Brewing | Elegant Solution: Foeder Cold IPA

Cold IPAs and clean foeder-aged beers are two styles that have recently grown in popularity. The former offering a cleaner crisper take on American IPAs and the latter imparting a slightly woody and light vanilla characteristic to Lagers, these are exciting takes on well established styles. While no natural overlap between these is apparent, Cerebral Brewing thought otherwise and created a new style, Foeder Cold IPA, an innovation first expressed by Elegant Solution.

Read More