Colorado is considered the Mecca for craft beer in the United States and it’s no wonder why. Home to more than 100 breweries (2008 BA statistics) and Colorado produces more beer than any other state. The BA (Brewers Association) is also located in Colorado. The BA is a non-profit organization that controls and regulates the world of beer, from microbreweries to macrobreweries. The Great American Beer Fest (GABF) also takes place in Colorado; This is the largest beer festival in the United States and the second largest in the world. No wonder another beer festival is about to begin; the first annual Colorado Beer Week.
Colorado Beer Week begins April 8-16. This is supposed to be a week to celebrate all the amazing things about ales, lagers, and craft beer. Throughout the day and into the night for a week, you will have the opportunity to sample incredible Colorado microbreweries and their incredible beers in downtown Denver. From beer tastings, food pairings, cruise tours, rare launches, celebrity tappings, charity golf tournaments, and vertical tastings. There are many events this week and you should not miss any.
Opening ceremonies for the first annual Colorado Beer Week will begin at Blake St. Tavern. More than 13 local microbreweries will be unleashed here in Denver. VIP passes will be offered for those who don’t want to miss a single beer; You can drink 30 minutes before and spend some face-to-face time with the brewers themselves. This event is organized by New Belgium Brewery.
Oskar Blues, Ska Brewing and Fort Collins Brewery will grace the opening ceremonies, as will Great Divide Brewing. Great Divide (Denver’s most recognized brewery) will unleash Colette and her 17th anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA in Denver during the ceremonies as well.
The second day of Colorado Beer Week takes us to Euclid Hall, the number one beer bar in the country, with a food and beer pairing organized by Odell Brewing. Chef Jorel Pierce will take four appetizers and pair them with four from Odell’s single-shot 750ml series. Odell Brewing put itself on the map last year (2010) when beer advocates voted Saboteur their favorite beer of the year. For food pairing, Odell will provide Red, his seasonal red beer that is an upgraded version of most reds on the market. Avant Peche is their Imperial Porter made with Colorado peaches and barrel aged with peaches. Friek is Odell’s interpretation of a Belgian Lambic Kriek mixed with a Framboise. Krieks are cherry-style beers from Belgium and Framboise are raspberry-style Lambic. Lambics are tart beers that undergo spontaneous fermentation, and fruit-forward beers are made from fruits (such as cherries and raspberries). Friek is quite acidic, not bitter, with soft notes of raspberry and big notes of cherry. Lastly, Odell will produce Myrcenary. This is their double IPA (Indian Pale Ale) inspired by Myrcene; a component of the essential oils in the hop flower.
The third day of Colorado Beer Week has Ska Brewing the Denver microbrewery for the day. This event begins at Civic Center Park and is a cruise bar crawl. Everyone will show up on their bikes (cruisers) and then head to local Denver venues for a free Ska Brewing beer in the house. Ska Brewing is located in Durango, Co. and is known as the dumbest and craziest brewer in the nation. Paramount Cafe, Fresh Craft, Cheba Hut and Star Bar will be the bars that offer free Ska during the day. Expect downtown Denver on April 10 to be packed with people on cruise ships and drinking great craft beer.
The fourth day of Colorado Beer Week takes us to the Pradera Golf Course, one of the most exclusive courses in the nation. A charity golf game for NSCD (National Sports Center for the Disabled) will raise funds for disabled children and adults. Fort Collins Brewery will serve the craft beer and Denver Life Magazine will also sponsor this event.
Day 5 of Colorado Beer Week brings us to the Rackhouse Pub. Here, a host of Colorado microbreweries will display their wares to the public. Attendance at this event is free, but a portion of all proceeds will go to the Colorado Brewers Guild. This Brewers Guild is what keeps Colorado’s craft beer industry going. Here you can get an in-depth look at how the brewing industry works, talk to the brewers themselves, and sample some amazing local beer.
The sixth day of Colorado Beer Week takes place at Cheeky Monkey. Known as the city’s premier Belgian beer bar, with 15 beers on tap and another 15 a bottle, this is where Belgium’s traditional and truly unique beer is sipped. Rouge Brewing (Oregon) will present four of its best beers paired with oysters on the half shell. The first dozen are free as are the beers. Rouge Brewery is known for brewing beer out of the box; Expect some exceptional pairings with some of the best seafood in the world at one of the best Belgian beer bars in the state.
The seventh day of Colorado Beer Week will see a vertical tasting of Alaska Brewing (Alaska) Smoked Pork at Falling Rock Tap House. Falling Rock is a big goofy house, but it shows a ton of beer on and off its menu. Falling Rock is a great Denver beer bar. Alaskan Brewing will showcase its flagship beer, Alaskan Smoked Porter, through a vertical tasting. Vertical beer is an aged beer that varies in ages. With the 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009 vintages of your award-winning goalkeeper, this should be an incredible moment.
Day eight has to do with New Belgium. New Belgium is ranked third in 2009 among the top craft breweries in the United States. Located in Fort Collins, Co., they are producing excellent Belgian-style beers. Taking place in a few different beer bars and restaurants around the city, New Belgium will showcase its entire Lips of Faith series.
The Lips of Faith is an interesting series because the brewery gives anyone who works for them a chance to make their own beer. Employees receive a New Belgium beer each month that is a combination of two of their beers. The winner of this monthly contest must guess the recipe for this new beer. Whoever is closest will be given the ability to add a beer to the Lips of Faith series.
This is the first annual Colorado Beer Week and the reason behind it all is Scott Kerkmans. Kerkmans began his brewing career as the principal brewer for Kelly’s Brewpub in New Mexico. He moved to Alaska and worked with the Alaskan Brewing Company. In 2005, Kerkmans started a beer consulting company called Nazdar Beer Inc. Quickly promoted to beer director by Sheraton Hotels for Four Points. He was one of the first certified Cicerons in the world and is also a beer judge for the Great American Beer Festival held in Denver, Co. during September. Kerkman wanted to have a smaller festival but show only local microbreweries as much as possible and the beer bars where these craft beers are sold.
From April 8-16, Denver welcomes Colorado Beer Week. This is a time to enjoy ales and lagers and all of the craft beer in the state that produces the most craft beer in the nation. Find a friend and go outside and face the world of beer pint by pint.