While stumbling around the internets, I came across an article by Joel Stein writing for Time that coined Denver the best place for brewery-touring. In the article, he explores the growing craft beer phenomenon by touring a few larger breweries in the Denver-metro area. He argues that Denver is better than Portland, Oregon (which has more microbreweries) and San Diego, California (which he says is more innovative) because it is more tourist-friendly, has more restaurants that offer better beer vs. wine pairings, the GABF and the country’s first chief beer officer. Oh yeah, don’t forget the water and our dudes???
He goes on quite a beer tour over the three days he was here and gives some great insight, but it is too bad he couldn’t get up to Fort Collins or down south to see those breweries too. He didn’t seem too enamored with the breweries themselves, but it was more a lesson in tasting what real beer has to offer. It sounded to me that he got bored on the tours. Worth a read though.
Of course, coining anything the best has gotten several bloggers all up in arms because we’re all proud of the craft brew that comes from our home states. I don’t think he ever mentioned that Denver, or Colorado, has the best beer, though. I think we do. However, I’m biased. When it comes down to it, if another person is opened up to the world craft beer, what else could be better?
Any press is good press, right?
My beer poured a coppery-brown color. It was darker than a golden beer, but not dark brown. The beer was very hazy; not at all clear and the head was light colored and fluffy. I could not place the aroma after the initial pour. To me, it smelled fruity, like dried grapes…raisins perhaps. My first thoughts upon tasting was that it was surprisingly sweet, but ended with a very strong alcohol burn. I kept thinking that this beer is going to be hard to finish, but as it warmed up (or was it me that was warming up with the 8.72% alcohol content), it become increasingly smooth and easy to drink. I definitely liked it better when it was warmer. Overall, I would recommend letting this beer sit for about 10-15 minutes before drinking it. Good nonetheless.