Saturday, July 2nd
Predictably, I did not really feel like posting after the big event yesterday. After I had trouble connecting to the motel wi-fi, I gave it up quickly. We are waiting for our flight and will likely not finish before boarding.
Having one of these beer events at a 9000+ feet altitude taught me two things.Predictably, I did not really feel like posting after the big event yesterday. After I had trouble connecting to the motel wi-fi, I gave it up quickly. We are waiting for our flight and will likely not finish before boarding.
1. Six hours at Brewgrass = 4 hours here
2. Sunscreen needs more frequent application at this elevation. SPF 50 did not protect my neck and my calves actually got some burn.There is no way I can comment on all the beers sampled so I am taking the easy way out and simply listing them. In this context, sampling means anywhere from a sip to a half pint (we were given pint glasses which may have foretold Marlowe's doom had he attended such an event). We got off the train at 11:45 a.m. and headed for the first booth.
Eske's Brewery (Taos NM)--Hula Hoop Ale and 10,000 Foot Stout
All the rest are CO breweries--
Amica's (Salida)--Headwaters IPA 7% and Saison Salida 6%--a Belgian style farmhouse ale (good). The small town of Salida will host an event with 52 breweries next weekend!
Rockyard Brewing (Castle Rock)--Redhawk Ale ESB and Hopyard IPA
Crazy Mountain Brewing (Vail Valley)--Lava Lake Wit (good)
Caution Brewing (Denver--relatively new, using Odell's old 5-barrel system)--interesting brews--Lao Wang Lager 5.1%--wild rice blended with Asian spices and Honey Matrimony 5.9%--we liked them both.
Odell's (also had some in Ft. Collins) Cutthroat Porter and St Lupulin Extra Pale Ale--we liked them both
Pagosa Brewing (Pagosa Springs)--Kayaker Cream Ale and Poor Richards Ale (good--included molasses)
AC Golden (Golden)--Colorado Native Ale--OK--this is the one I was going to skip due to the obvious tie to Coors. The gal working the booth took the time to assure me that Coors is leaving them alone to do their thing. Besides, my conservative/libertarian friend Pooh laid a guilt trip on me by reminding me that he tasted Wynkoop (started by the liberal Hickenlooper family).
Rocky Mountain Brewing (Colo. Springs)--IPA
Palisade Brewing (Grand Junction) --Dirty Hippie Dark Wheat (had to take a picture of their poster) and High Desert Red.
At this point, another participant came up to talk to me because he saw my Great Northern Brewing t-shirt from Whitefish MT--turned out to be his home town.
Carver Brewing (Durango) ESB
Horsefly Brewing (Montrose) Paso Fino Porter (good--even to me) and American Pale Ale
Avery (Boulder) White Rascal Belgian White
Left Hand 400 lb. Monkey IPA
Ska (Durango) ESB
San Luis Valley Brewing (Alamosa) Valle Caliente (no--after smelling, I did not try this one)
On the one hand, I was probably not too smart in ending my session with one of the strongest brews available but it was reaaaalllly good--Amica's Nigel's Large Ale--English Style 9%.
We boarded the train for the return trip to Alamosa. We had seats in the dome car--got some snacks but the bonus was that the folks who entertained at the event (4 guitars and another singer) were there and jammed almost the whole way back--mostly what I would call Americana/folk.
After checking into the motel, we headed for San Luis Valley Brewing for supper. Had some good food and all had their Kiwi Ale--which we all agreed was a good light refreshing way to end our imbibing.
25 beers sampled...I know a couple of them are familiar to all of us but it was cool having a chance to sample all the small breweries' wares.
One more post coming to close things out--hopefully tomorrow.
Rockyard Brewing (Castle Rock)--Redhawk Ale ESB and Hopyard IPA
Crazy Mountain Brewing (Vail Valley)--Lava Lake Wit (good)
Caution Brewing (Denver--relatively new, using Odell's old 5-barrel system)--interesting brews--Lao Wang Lager 5.1%--wild rice blended with Asian spices and Honey Matrimony 5.9%--we liked them both.
Odell's (also had some in Ft. Collins) Cutthroat Porter and St Lupulin Extra Pale Ale--we liked them both
Pagosa Brewing (Pagosa Springs)--Kayaker Cream Ale and Poor Richards Ale (good--included molasses)
AC Golden (Golden)--Colorado Native Ale--OK--this is the one I was going to skip due to the obvious tie to Coors. The gal working the booth took the time to assure me that Coors is leaving them alone to do their thing. Besides, my conservative/libertarian friend Pooh laid a guilt trip on me by reminding me that he tasted Wynkoop (started by the liberal Hickenlooper family).
Rocky Mountain Brewing (Colo. Springs)--IPA
Palisade Brewing (Grand Junction) --Dirty Hippie Dark Wheat (had to take a picture of their poster) and High Desert Red.
At this point, another participant came up to talk to me because he saw my Great Northern Brewing t-shirt from Whitefish MT--turned out to be his home town.
Carver Brewing (Durango) ESB
Horsefly Brewing (Montrose) Paso Fino Porter (good--even to me) and American Pale Ale
Avery (Boulder) White Rascal Belgian White
Left Hand 400 lb. Monkey IPA
Ska (Durango) ESB
San Luis Valley Brewing (Alamosa) Valle Caliente (no--after smelling, I did not try this one)
On the one hand, I was probably not too smart in ending my session with one of the strongest brews available but it was reaaaalllly good--Amica's Nigel's Large Ale--English Style 9%.
We boarded the train for the return trip to Alamosa. We had seats in the dome car--got some snacks but the bonus was that the folks who entertained at the event (4 guitars and another singer) were there and jammed almost the whole way back--mostly what I would call Americana/folk.
After checking into the motel, we headed for San Luis Valley Brewing for supper. Had some good food and all had their Kiwi Ale--which we all agreed was a good light refreshing way to end our imbibing.
25 beers sampled...I know a couple of them are familiar to all of us but it was cool having a chance to sample all the small breweries' wares.
One more post coming to close things out--hopefully tomorrow.
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