Colorado Update: Boulder and Fort Collins

So I'm back in PA (finally), and I'm sure you're wondering how the rest of the Colorado trip went. Oh, I'll feed you, baby birds. Here we go.

After a long work day on Wednesday, I ended my day in Boulder to set myself up for the next morning. Even though I got into my hotel late, I was still able to check out Avery Brewing's tap room for a few samples. The Maharajah IIPA and the Hog Heaven Barleywine were the real highlights of the place, but the most enjoyable part of the evening was the conversation with Peter, Avery's Sales/Marketing/Events Coordinator and self-titled Beverage Facilitator who knew way to much about his product, for that matter, beer in general. He was a great host and it made for a fantastic start to the evening. I then headed down to Mountain Sun Brewpub on Pearl St. for a couple pints (their Colorado Kind Red Ale was passable, but the FYIPA was pretty much a spot on American Style Pale Ale) before heading to the local Old Chicago for some pizza and a pint.

Thursday was another work day between Boulder and Ft. Collins, before having to head back to Denver to return my rental car. While in Ft. Collins, I did get to meet up with Dave from Fermentedly Challenged, a Colorado-based-and-focused beer blog. Dave suggested that we meet up at Choice City Butcher and Deli, which makes a fantastic sandwich and has an incredible beer list, with the likes of Fantome, Jolly Pumpkin (in Ft. Collins!), a plethora of saisons and sours, oh, and St. Bernardus Abt. 12 on tap. . . . all at a Deli! I opted to try one of hometown brewery New Belgium's employee beers, Lips of Faith Jessica's Ale, which was spiced with Cinnamon. Unlike Muckney's own Dark and Mysterious Cinnamon Porter, this incarnation wasn't over spiced, with a gentle roast and caramel quality to it. Pretty well done. Oh, and the Corned Buffalo Reuben was insane.

After lunch, I popped in to New Belgium's brewery for, say, 3 minutes, to see if I could find NB's Flander's-style Brown ale, La Folie. They, were out, but I got a lead on some bottles at a local liquor store and was able to procure one, along with some Avery and a Fat Tire for good measure. I wish I had more time to spend in Ft. Collins, it seemed like a fun place to be for more than lunch, but that will have to wait for another trip.

Overall, CO was crazy. Lots of work, lots of brewery-hopping, great food, and even better people, you know, the kind that ACTUALLY have conversations with you when you make eye contact.

Cheers,

Dave