Sunday, August 28, 2011

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!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

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 :(

Monday, August 15, 2011

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.



Wednesday, August 10, 2011

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.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

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.

Friday, August 5, 2011

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.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

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.