Oskar Blues Liquid and Solids Restaurant

Happy Holidays! Christmas Eve at Oskar Blues in Longmont. Drinking nitro Winter Warlock and Strange Brewing Farmhouse Ale, all is good. Crab and corn fritters on the side. Oskar's has a great lineup with Jewbelation 15 and Genesis 15:15 by Hebrew brewing.

Bottle Sharing of Belgian and American Beers

The best way to get beer lovers together is through a bottle share. This is where we go down into our beer cellars and grab bottles that are rare, aged beer, or just to clean out the cellar.

A few of my friends have met up at various locations to share some Belgian and American ales. Larry and I started with a few male friends and it's ended up being almost a couples event. We sometimes forget that women are beer enthusiast as their counterparts.  One of the couples significant other likes wine so she brings her own bottle which sometimes gets shared by a few who for whatever reason don't want to drink beer. This is a social get together as much a beer share.

We used to share at a local brewery but it felt odd drinking beers not from them and I was told it's basically illegal to do it. I'm not sure if that's true but it made us uneasy so we decided that the best place for our bottle share is at one of our homes. Each one of us have had a bottle share in our homes. I like to eat while drinking beer so we potluck snacks to share as way to help to absorb some of the alcohol.

This bottle share was at a local brewery.

One of our friends, Max travels to Belgium every year and brings back beers that are really good and hard to find here in the states. He also goes back east to Detroit and has brought back beers from Michigan such breweries as Founders and Kuhnhenn. Another friend, Mitch has traveled back East and we have enjoyed the ales he has brought back. We haven't been traveling as far as our friends been but we do find some rarities locally, either at the brewery or at a liquor store.

We once bought a couple of bottles of Double Rainbow, a double Saison from Trinity Brewing in Colorado Springs and at Liquor Max Warehouse in Loveland, we found a bottle of Winter Warmer, a barley wine from Equinox Brewing in Ft Collins.  I realize that most people share what's in their cellars but you can find beers that your friends might not have had before from a local liquor store.

I took photos of our empty bottles as a memorial of the great beers we shared.

Kuhnhenn's Barleywine and Bourbon barrel-aged Mead,
Dragonmead Brewing's Crown Jewels IPA, and
Pappy Legba, an Imperial Saison from Trinity Brewing.

Ommegang Choc. Indulgence, New Glarus Serendipity, O'so Brewing Lupulin Maxim,
Perennial Artisan Ales Abraxas, New Glarus Strawberry Rhubarb,
Great Divide Barrel-aged Old Ruffian, Crooked Stave Nightmare on Brett,
Harviestoun Ola Dubh, Three Floyds Brewing Alpha King, and
Brooklyn Brewing Local 2.

These were fun in sharing beers but also sharing great times with friends.

Belgian beer

Prearis Quadrupal, Vicaris Generaal, Panneport Reserva 2009 all from Belgium. The Quad was big and rich while the other two were sour. Beer and friends, a great afternoon!

Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel Taproom

A quite afternoon at the Tasty Weasel Taproom in Longmont. Many good beer to drink, Cherry wood Mama's Little Yells Pils, sour ten-fidy, and on firkin a Smiddy Saison. Come on down any day of the week for a different brew.

Oskar Blues Homemade Liquid and Solids

Stopped for a brew in Longmont's favorite restaurant and tap house, Oskar Blues Homemade Liquid and Solids. I ordered a few tasters to get started, Pumpkinhead by Shipyard, didn't like it there is too much spice on the frontend, Grand Cherry Saison from Grand Teton had the same problem, the cheery aroma is over the top but no complexity, and the last beer is Left Hand Brewing Peaotch, it was the winner in complexity, great peach flavor and over the top aroma with a touch of sourness.

Upslope Brewery 3rd Anniversary Party

Saturday November 5 is Upslope Brewing's 3rd Anniversary Party.  It is being held at the Brewery in the taproom and in the back of the facilities.  They will be pulling out some rare brews that you haven't drank in months and some new brews like their award winning Pumpkin Ale.  Festivities starts at 2pm and ends around 8pm. See you there!

Upslope Brewing

Cabernet IPA, ABV 7.2% and Bourbon Brown, ABV 6.7% on tap at Upslope Brewing in Boulder.

Backcountry Pizza and Tap House

Pizza and Pliny the Elder while watching the Ohio State game at Backcountry Pizza and Tap House in Boulder.

Falling Rock Tap House

Here we are on a Friday at the Falling Rock, drinking Elysian Great Pumpkin and Anderson Valley Imperial IPA. Guess who's drinking what? LOL

Backcountry Pizza and Tap House

Aphrodite from Ommegang Brewery on tap, sweet and sour with hints of raspberry and pears, it has champagne bubbles. At 8.9% it goes down smooth and is so good.

Start of the GABF at Falling Rock Tap House

I'm drinking Deschutes XXIII, so good and smooth. Ashley's drinking Crooked Stave Surrette, Belgian sour.

Falling Rock Tap House

I know all of you have your prejudice about certain breweries but here is a wonderful wheat ale from Blue Moon, Vintage Blond it is blended with California Chardonnay, it's 8.8% alcohol. It's very smooth with a crisp summer ale feel.

Falling Rock Tap House, new logo tee.

David, owner of Epic Apparel, also bartends at Falling Rock Tap House. He designed the tee he's wearing. Stop at the Rock and buy a pint with a new logo t-shirt.

Upslope Brewing Co

Pumpkin Ale with honey on the beer engine. Sam had the master mind to add the honey, going for a pumpkin pie taste. Front end sweet pumpkin taste, sweetness in the middle, and end.

Upslope Brewing Co.

Andy Forman and Chad Pieper at Upslope Brewing. Having a pumpkin ale at 7.2%, not sweet with very subtle spice taste with a clean finish.

Oskar Blues Liquid and Solids Restaurant

This is Nate Levi, bar room manager at Liquid and Solids! Stop on by and he'll take good care of you :)

Oskar Blues Liquid and Solids Restaurant

Here's two beers that I haven't had before, Sethvleteren, the pro-am entry from Ska and Seth Townsend. It's sweet and malty at 8%. The pint is Night Owl Pumpkin Ale from Elysian. It's 5.9% and it's like drinking a pumpkin pie, very tasty! I have a bomber of the pumpkin ale so now I can drink it with the knowledge how good it taste :)

Falling Rock Tap House in Denver

The Clutch from New Belgium Brewery on tap at the Falling Rock. It's a Belgian-style ale that is a collaboration with the Maryland rock band, Clutch. It's dark chocolate, coffee notes with a hint of sour, and is 9% alcohol. It is so good!

Upslope Brewing Co

Upslope Brewing Co has 2 new beers on tap right now, Kolsch at 5.3% and Black IPA at 6.7%. I like the Kolsch, a light Summer ale. The Black IPA is a dark colored IPA, way too hoppy for me :(

Wilbur's Wines, Spirits, and Liquor Store in Fort Collins

Don't be put off by the name of this liquor store, they do carry a great variety of beers from all over.  Their website doesn't do them justice either.  There is a cooler unit that houses cold beers from all over Colorado and the other parts of the US. You have your pick of cold six-packs and bombers. There is also a wide variety of bombers and 12-ounce beers on the aisle.  I was very impressed and we went over board with purchasing more then we should have but you can't help it with such a great selection.

We bought a bomber of Black Butte XXIII anniversary porter that is 11% alcohol and is very tasty.  I had a 10-ounce pour at Freshcraft tap house in Denver.
Full Sail's Black Gold Bourbon Imperial Stout is another bomber we had to buy, it's 11% alcohol and was barrel-aged in bourbon barrels for a full year, can't wait to try this one.
We also bought a new release from Stone Brewing, a cherry chocolate stout that was a winner of Stone's March Madness Homebrew Competition.  The winning recipe was submitted by a homebrewing duo, Jason Fields and Kevin Sheppard, an additional brewer was added to the collaboration, John Trogner, who is headbrewer at Pennsylvania's Troeg's Brewery. 
La Trappes has oak aged quad that looks interesting. Larry is going to share this Belgium rarity with Mix and Match, Mitch Smith and Max Wolsky. It is 10% alcohol and received an A from Beer Advocate!
When you ever visit Fort Collins drop on by at Wilbur's for some outstanding selection of beers!

The Mayor of Old Town

Last week Larry and I were in Fort Collins for lunch.  We stopped at the new tap house in town, The Mayor of Old Town.  They have 100 beers on tap.  We were skeptical of the beer line up, how many were crap on tap? We were astonished and overjoyed that most, at least 95% were quality beers but that doesn't mean you can't order lower end beers like PBR, Budweiser, and Stella Artois. 

Michelle Peth, taproom manager at Mayor

The taproom manager is Michelle Peth, who we have met many times at other beer venues.  She has been the major force in getting for the Mayor's tap selection and helping architect the bar area which was very spiffy.  The restaurant/bar is modern with a curvy bar that seats a good twenty patrons, there are many tables also and behind the bar they on  video board.  I liked the feel of the place very much and the beers on tap are quite good.
I had the New Belgium's Kick a new ale from the Lips of Faith series, which was a collaboration between Kim Jordan from New Belgium and Dick Cantwell from Elysian Brewing. It is a slightly sour ale made with cranberry and pumpkin. It is 8.5% alcohol but doesn't taste that big. Larry went with an old favorite, Dead Guy Ale from Rogue. 
The Red Table Cafe has it's second location at the Mayor but I can't recommend the food since we didn't eat there, maybe next time.

Glycol system.

100 kegs in one storage unit.

 I definitely would recommend the Mayor to anyone who loves drinking quality micro crafted beers.

Left Hand Brewery and Jake East

We're at Left Hand Brewery drinking a pint of Blackjack porter with Mt. Hood hops and a cask beer of Sawtooth. We met Jake East from Wisconsin. He's in Colorado touring breweries and tap houses, checking out new beers for the pub, The Horse and Plow, in Wisconsin.
He used to hang out at the Spot Tavern in Jump River, Wis! The Spot used to be owned by my sister, Dana and her husband, Jon, what a small world.

Left Hand Brewing in Longmont

Haystack wheat ale now being poured at the taproom.

Choice City Butcher and Deli, Fort Collins

Having lunch at Choice City, a Alpine Burger with some really good beer. My choice is the New Belgium's Kick a collaboration with Elysian Brewing, it's a sour pumpkin, cranberry ale at 8.5%. Get a pint while it's available! Larry's pick is a Belgium triple.
Tonight is a beer and dinner pairing at Choice City with Equinox Brewing.

West End Tavern Grand Teton Satellite Taproom

At the West End Tavern indulging in the Grand Teton Brewery Satellite taproom beer list. I'm drinking the Who's Brett Sour Brown, at 10%, it is velvety, slight sour aroma and delicious flavor. Larry is drinking the bourbon barrel aged Double Vision, a dopplebock on nitro and is 8%.  I suspect these two beers should still be on tap for the next couple of days since they aren't the standard beers for Grand Teton.

West End Tavern's Satellite taproom

At the West End Tavern a day after the satellite taproom with Grand Teton Brewery. Great beers on tap, I'm drinking the 2009 Howling Wolf Weizenbock so smooth at 8%, and Larry is having the Brandy Barrel Coming Home, the Belgian Style quad at 10%, really good.

Freshcraft Tap House

Eating small plate appetizers with a Black Butte Porter xxiii, anniversary from Duschutes. It's their porter recipe with orange zest, cocoa nibs, chili then aged in bourbon barrels for one year.

Big Beaver Brewery

Good day for a Big Beaver beer! Bust-a Nut Brown Ale and The Big Woody Double IPA, our choice of beer today :)

Firestone Walker Brewery distributed in Colorado

Firestone Walker Brewery is located in Paso Robles in California and is now being distributed to Colorado. There were many release parties in Denver, Boulder, and in Longmont to introduce this brewery to the locals. Last week the beers were featured at the Falling Rock Tap House and Freshcraft in Denver.
I tasted the beers at the West End Tavern in Boulder on Sunday after the release on Saturday.  We drank 6 tasters of Firestone Walker from the summer Solace wheat ale to their Imperial Stout, Parabola. I enjoyed the Solace, a unfiltered ale with the banana esters flavor along with spice notes very reminiscent of Left Hands Brewery's wheat.  Larry enjoyed the double IPA, even though his favorite is Avery's Maharaja this one had a different flavor but was good.
Thursday of this week, Oskar Blues restaurant Liquid and Solids had a release party with a special food pairing menu that suggest what beer goes with the entree.
Try asking your local liquor store to stock these beers from Firestone Walker Brewery.

Bierwerks Brewery

At Bierwerks Brewery in Woodland Park, drinking Weissbier a 5% alcohol wheat beer. They have a nice taproom. Other beer on tap today us Helles, a 5.5% Bavarian blonde lager, Double Red, a 8.5% California style IPA, and Dunkel, a 5.5% Bavarian style dark lager.

Avery Brewing Co

At Avery Brewing drinking Ellie's brown under the sun. Avery Brewing Co in Boulder has become very popular with locals and tourist so with the added patio there is more room for everyone.

British Bulldog in Denver

Watching the Women's World Cup and drinking Boddington's on nitro. It was weird with only a handful of patrons at the British Bulldog watching the first round of the world cup. Later with the advent of the US women winning the bar became the place to watch the games.

Grimm Brothers Brewery in Loveland

Eating a Daily Dawg in the brewing area. Dunkleweiss and bock are very good German style beer.

Big Beaver Brewing in Loveland

Big Beaver Brewing in Loveland is only 9 months old and is a favorite with the locals.
They have a tasty double IPA on tap along with a hard cider. It's refreshing to talk to owner, brewer, and all around good humor logo guy. Have you seen their logo? Suggestive to the least!

Sent from my iPhone

Great Divide Brewing

Finally got to sit at the bar! It's slowly thinning out. They have 16 of their beers on tap and now they charge for tasters, a $1.00 each.

Great Divide Brewing in Denver

Having a taster set at Great Divide Brewing. I'm enjoying the Claymore Scotch Ale and the Chocolate Yeti. It's very busy for a Rockies baseball game day!

Avery Brewing Co barrel-aged series

Here we are drinking our only Margarete from Avery. Chocolate, caramel with slight sour finish, oh soooo good!

Strange Brewing Co

Emma Bush drinking Cherry Bomb Stout at Strange Brewing. Half pints of Cherry Bomb and unfiltered Farmhouse Ale. Cherry Bomb wheat stout started out as a mistake, putting the wrong malts into a batch of Belgian Wheat then add tart cherries, the end result is a wonderful tart, sweet, stout.
Strange Brewing now has wi-fi, so cruise the internet while drinking a pint of Cherry Bomb Wheat Stout!

Strange Brewing Co

Freshcraft in Denver

Having lunch at Freshcraft, crispy pork schnitzel, bowl of ale cheese soup, and of course a pint! From Backcountry Brewing, Maibock, just 6.4% with a sweet malt flavor, very good :)
Freshcraft has many taps dedicated to Colorado microbrewery beers but you can find some gems from out of state, like "black and blue" from Dogfish Head which was on tap recently.  Check out Freshcraft in your in Denver.
Freshcraft

Taproom at Sourfest hosted by Avery Brewery

Taproom full of sour ale lovers!

2nd Annual Boulder Sourfest

Larry Smith, Andy Parker (brewer at Avery), and Mitch Smith, not related to Larry, enjoying their sour ales :)

2nd Annual Boulder Sourfest hosted by Avery Brewing

Storage room of Avery Brewing, was one of the rooms where sour ales were being poured.  It is full of sour ale enthusiasts :)

Upslope Brewing

Andy at Upslope pouring from beer engine, English Mild at 4.3%! Good tasting mild beer:)

Upslope Brewing Release party

Magnolia Rue playing bluegrass :)

Upslope Brewing release of 4th canned beer

Get a free can of Craft Lager from canning line! It was really cool drinking the canned beer from the line. Craft Lager taste pretty good especially on a hot summer's day.  It is light but has nice flavor.