To The Boats, Mate. There Is A Floatilla Of New Brews On The Horizon

Woo-Hoo!!! It's another Friday Afternoon Colorado Brew Cruise.

Today, we start at Colorado's oldest microbrewery. Boulder Beer is tapping the first keg of their Obovoid Oak-Aged Stout at 3pm. This is a perfect brew to dance with on a cold, Colorado afternoon.

Then, we will scoot across Boulder to the Twisted Pine. They are celebrating fall with a tapping party for their Mr. Brown Pumpkin Ale at 3pm. Mr. Brown comes complete with a little whipped cream on top. Whoa.

Ok, now it's time to chart a course out to Aurora. It's Firkin Friday at Dry Dock Brewing, the GABF's 2009 Small Brewery of the Year. Today, they are serving up Seven Seas Double IPA that's been dry-hopped with Riwaka hops. That starts at 3pm, too.

Speaking of the Great American Beer Festival, Downtown Denver's Falling Rock Tap House is the unofficial HQ during the GABF. Of course, they always have bodatious brews flowing from their wall of taps. Avery Brewing's gonna tap a keg of their brand new brew at 5pm, so here's your chance to grab a pint of dugan IPA.

Back in the boat and let's head south. Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs is rolling out one of my winter favorites today. It's Winter Warlock time. Today at 5pm, they tap the first kegs of this amazing Imperial Stout.

Finally, we head back up north to drop anchor at Oskar Blues Brewing in Longmont. It's another Firkin Friday at The Tasty Weasel and they are pouring a wet hopped Dale's Pale Ale in OB's brewery pub. They tossed an extra heaping helping of Cascade Hops in this sucka. The grassy hops will be enough to make us wish for summer again.

So, leave a message for the boss, grab an oar and lets row over to the bar. There are some great new brews waiting for you and I today.

Cruise On, Mighty Beer Bus

Today, I am off on the Boulder County Brew Cruise, organized by those right brain thinkers at Left Hand Brewing. Look at this photo from 2007. See, nobody has a good time on these things.

Truthfully, it is incredibly hard work spending the day touring and drinking and eating and drinking and touring through Avery Brewing, Boulder Beer, Left Hand Brewing and Oskar Blues.

I only do this to pursue my craft. Nobody would ever volunteer for this rough, almost inhuman duty.

I don't really know how I will survive.

So, while the cat is away, here are some beer-dashiously things going on.

Play on mices. Play on.

Be part of history as Avery Brewing releases its Sui Generis today. Less than 150 cases of this amazing brew were created, so it will not be on tap. Don't worry. Avery will have some interesting creations for you to try. 3pm-8pm (303) 440-4324 http://www.averybrewing.com/

Left Hand Brewing's classic keg tapping today is the 2008 Terra-Rye’zd Black Rye Lager. 10a-10pm (303) 772-0258 http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

There is a GABF Beer Tapping Party at Trinity Brewing in Colorado Springs. Trinity will tap special kegs of brews from all across Colorado at their Brewery in Colorado Springs. 11am to 10pm (719) 624-0029 http://www.trinitybrew.com/

One of Colorado's newest breweries, Black Fox releases their newest brew today. "Automne" is a refreshing amber saison and is the fifth offering from Black Fox Brewing. The release party is at Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs at 5pm. (719) 633-2555 http://www.bristolbrewing.com/

Falling Rock Tap House is ground zero for a bunch of special keg tappings today. Check this out. At 4pm, they tap a keg of Flying Dog's 20th Anniversary Beer. At 5pm, they unveil Pyramid's Snowcap. At 9pm, Artisanal Imports brings some of their offerings including a new, limited offering, Koenigshoeven (La Trappe) Isid'or 125th Anniversary Beer. Live music with Marty Jones & the Great Unknowns with special guests the Rolling Boil Blues Band. (303)293-8338 http://www.fallingrocktaphouse.com/

Boulder Beer is all over the place today. They host a Brewer's Meet-n-Greet at the Crown Plaxa Hotel in Denver. 12n-2pm. They tap a keg of special whiskey barrel aged Mojo IPA at the Falling Rock Tap house at 3pm and, they host a Boulder Beer Pool Party up on the 6th floor of the Crown Plaza Hotel, in Denver at 5pm. Then Boulder Beer's Brewmaster David Zuckerman shows up at Old Chicago on Market Street for a "Meet and Greet the Brewer" from 5pm-6:30pm. (303) 444-8448 http://www.boulderbeer.com/

Tonight, it's "pass the muchies, Gov!" It's Pints and Bites at the Governor's House in Denver, an evening of Colorado craft beer and food pairing hosted by the Governor's Residence Preservation Fund, the Colorado Brewers Guild and the Culinary School of the Rockies. All proceeds benefit the preservation of the Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion. 5-7:30pm (303) 722-3623 http://www.coloradoshome.org/

It's also the night for the 3rd Annual Gold Medal Beer Dinner at The Kitchen in Boulder. Eat, drink and be merry while five of the world's best brewers go head to head to see who will cry first. Come eat and drink with Adam Avery (Avery), Vinnie Cilurzo (Russian River), Rob Todd (Allagash), Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), and Tomme Arthur (The Lost Abby.) A meet and greet starts at 6:30 with dinner starting at 7pm. $140 (303) 544-5973 http://www.thekitchencafe.com/

Great Divide Brewing is in Duo Restaurant's "Meet the Brewer Happy Hour" tonight. 5pm-7pm.. They are also hosting a really nice beer dinner at Eagles' Nest at Green Valley Ranch.(303) 296-9460 http://www.greatdivide.com/

Deschutes Brewery is hosting a beer dinner at Baker St. Pub and Grill in the Denver Tech Center. $50 6p-10pm (303) 557-2790 http://www.sherlockspubco.com/

Left Hand Brewing holds beer tasting tonight at City, O City. For two hours, celebrate the beers that made this brewery famous at City, O City. 7-9pm (303) 831-6443 http://www.cityocitydenver.com/

New Belgium Brewing hosts a beer tasting at Marlowe's, on the 16th Street mall in downtown Denver from 5pm-7pm. They are bringing Fat Tire, Hoptober, Sunshine and other special release beers. Buy a beer and keep the glass, along with Chocolate-beer pairings. (888) NBB-4044 http://www.newbelgium.com/

Which is better...beer or wine? Find out the answer at the Beer vs Wine Dinner at TAG Restaurant in Denver. Avery Brewing and the Bull and Bush are gonna tag team Master Sommelier Doug Krenig from Southern Wines and Spirits and show him why beer pairs with food better than wine. 7:30pm – 8:30pm (303) 440-4324 http://www.averybrewing.com/

Falling Rock Tap House Gets The GABF Week Going

Who has the biggest wall of beer taps in the Mile Hi City? The Falling Rock Tap House, hands down. This place is the holy shrine of suds in downtown Denver. When the Great American Beer Festival comes to town, Falling Rock kicks it up even more with a bunch of special beer releases, beer events and keg tappings each day.

Circle it in red. You gotta visit this Denver brew palace.

Last night, Falling Rock got the week rolling by tapping some wickedly crazy brews from Avery, Odell, Full Sail, Moylan's, Port, Russian River, Lost Abbey, Dry Dock, Great Divide, and Left Hand. The crowd's most popular seemed to be Great Divide's "Les" Claymore Sour Bourbon Barrel Scotch, Lost Abbey's Ten Commandments, Full Sail's Lupulin, Port Brewing's Older Viscosity and Odell Brewings Bourbon Barrel Stout.

Believe me. Each was an amazing brew. The low grade throbbing in my head tells me I must have done my dead level best to down at least a pint of each one.

And, the GABF hasn't officially even started, yet.

---Beer-vents Today---

Left Hand Brewing is tapping 2 year old Widdershins Barley Wine in the tap room of their Longmont Brewery, starting at 10am.

Avery Brewing in Boulder has another special tapping today. There are only two little 5-gallon kegs of Bad Sally '08 left in the world. This is Avery's Salvation Belgian Golden Ale that was aged in a Bookcliff Cabernet Sauvignon barrel and graced with a secondary Brettanomyces fermentation. Today, Avery will tap them both at a special tapping at 11am sharp in the tap room at the brewery.

Enjoy brews from Boulder Beer and other craft brewers at an "Underground" beer tasting at Denver's TAG Restaurant, 1441 Larimer Sreet in downtown Denver, beginning at 2pm.

Boulder Beer's head brewer, Steve Trese, hosts a "Meet the Brewer" Night with a special food menu designed around several Boulder Beers at The Rialto Café on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver, starting at 4pm

It's taken Bristol Brewing five years to create their newest Belgium Sour Ale, Skull N' Bones. Grab a pint at the release Party at the brewery in Colorado Springs. The tapping party is at 5pm.

Odell Brewing is hosting a beer tasting at Marlowe's Restaurant on the 16th Street Mall in Downtown Denver, beginning at 5pm.

You can do a "meet-n-greet" with Left Hand's brewers in Denver tonight at Duo Restaurant, 32nd and Zuni. $12 per person. 5-7pm

Wynkoop Brewing taps the first keg of Ba-dunkle-donk tonight. Cody Christman, the 2009 Beer Drinker of the Year, helped to put this puppy together. It's a Munich-style dark lager called a dunkles: rich and malty, served at cooler temperature.

Hungry AND Thirsty?

Avery Brewing is at Jax Fish House in downtown Denver tonight, hosting amazing evening at one of the top ten best restaurants in Denver (5280 magazine) $50.

Great Divide Brewing is at Osteria Marco in Denver, pairing their incredible beers with the delicious Italian creations of Chef-proprietor Frank Bonanno. The reception starts at 6:30pm. Dinner starts at 7pm. $40

Oskar Blues Brewing and The Corner Office, 14th and Curtis in downtown Denver are teaming up for a Beer Pairing Dinner tonight. $40. 6-8pm

Denver Beer Fest Goes High Gear Today

The big beer week in Denver has arrived. From now through Sunday, Colorado is awash with great brews and the GABF ain't even started yet.

Here is the official "One Good Brew" beer tour for today.

We start our special beer tour in Boulder at Avery Brewing at 11am. Today, they will tap the final barrel of Reverend, their Belgian Quadrupel aged in an Eagle Rare Whiskey barrel. A little whiskey, a little sour, a lot of love. The special tapping is at 11am sharp in the tap room at the brewery.

Then, we're are back in Denver at Wynkoop Brewing. Saturday, Wynkoop brought back The Obamanator, the beer that made last summer's DNC famous. This afternoon, they roll out another special brew. All Star Ale is a moderately hoppy ale brewed arm in arm with the Brewers Supply Group. Get a free pint between 4 and 5pm.

Ok, let's waddle over to the Falling Rock Tap House, the unofficial HQ during the GABF/Denver Beer Fest. Tonight starting at 5pm, they will tap 10 to 12 keys of some hard to find brews from Avery, Russian River, Lost Abbey, Port Brewing, Left Hand, Odell and more.

It's meet the brewer night at Duo Restaurant in Denver, so we gotta slide by there. Besides the guys who started this "Can A Craft Beer" apocalypse, Oskar Blues will be there. $12 per person. 5-7pm.

It's Durango night at City, O' City in Denver. Ska Brewing is bringing their beers and Peach St. Distillery has the whiskey. 7-9pm.

Now we are hungry, right? Lucky for us there are several really nice beer pairing dinners tonight as some of Denver's finest establishments.

Vine Street Pub's Chef Rob Green and Head Brewer Brian Hutchinson are hosting a 4-course beer pairing dinner tonight at Harry's Space, just east of the pub. 6pm. Get tickets at the Vine Street Pub.

Great Divide Brewing is teaming up with Appaloosa Grill for a three course dinner, followed by a GD brewery tour and live music. It starts at 6:30pm. RSVP events@appaloosagrill.com.

Left Hand Brewing is pairing their great beers with the amazing food of Elway’s at the Ritz in the heart of Denver. For more information, visit their website or call 303-312-3107.

Now that dinner is over, how about something just a little bit naughty? Tonight is Beer and Burlesque! Avery Brewing is going to be bringing their brews to Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret. Twirl it baby! 7pm – 8pm

You are probably asking yourself..."Self? How does he know about all this stuff?" It's simple really. I spend hours and hours toiling over an ever expanding list of beer events happening across the Rocky Mountain West. Then, I stuff it into an email and send it out every couple weeks. "Hop Tips" is from your beer buddies at the Rocky Mountain Brewing News. Get on the list and get your "Hop Tips," FREE! Just Click Here

What A Weekend For Us Beer Lovers.

Ah, Labor Day....one of the biggest weekends of the year for bodacious brew stuff to enjoy. So, let's get to it.

Tonight, (Friday Night, Sept. 4th), you can kick off the weekend with equal parts folk, country, blues and bluegrass. The Kort McCumber Band performs at Oskar Blues in Lyons. The show starts aboout 9 and it'll cost ya 5-bucks to get in. http://www.oskarblues.com/

Close your eyes and you might think you are hearing Joni Mitchell and the Counting Crows, but Jill Cohn has a sound all her own. Catch her free concert tonight on the Patio at Carver Brewing in Durango. It starts at 8:30pm. http://www.carverbrewing.com/

Speaking of the Four Corners, this is the weekend for the The Four Corners Folk Festival. Grab yourself some great Breckenridge brew and enjoy the live tunes. It happens all weekend at Reservoir Hill Park in Pagosa Springs, CO http://www.folkwest.com/

The Boulder Hometown Fair is this weekend, too. You might wanna chill out in the Boulder Beer beer garden with a Cold Hop or Mojo. http://www.boulderbeer.com/

It's the Taste of Colorado in downtown Denver this weekend. Go people watch, then head over to Great Divide, or Breckenridge, or Wynkoop, or the Falling Rock Tap House and wash that turkey leg taste out of your mouth with a good brew. http://www.atasteofcolorado.com/

Saturday, (Sept. 5th)
It's Fat Tire Time! Head to the New Belgium Brewery in Ft. Collins for the Tour de Fat. I just wish I'd kept my old Schwinn Rocket. http://www.newbelgium.com/

Oskar Blues in Lyons pigs out! They have a pig roast going Saturday and Sunday. And, after you've porked yourself on Saturday, hang around for The Dan Treanor Bandis free concert starting at 9pm. http://www.oskarblues.com/

Sunday (Sept. 6th)
Beer and Yoga? Sure, why not! Robyn, The Bristol Beer Ninja, leads a yoga session at Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs on Sunday. Don't sweat it...it is guy friendly, too. $10 gets you the session, bottled water and a post yoga beer. BYOM (bring your own mat) http://www.bristolbrewing.com/

Didn't make it yesterday? That's ok, the Oskar Blues pig roast in Lyons, CO continues today, 2-6pm. Then, enjoy country AND western when Halden Wofford & The Hi-Beams brings their honky tonk out starting at 6pm. http://www.oskarblues.com/

DVS 3 plays at The Vine Street Pub in Denver. 10pm. Catch Hot Club Sandwich at the Mountain Sun Pub in Boulder. http://www.mountainsunpub.com/

Monday, Sept. 7th (Labor Day)
Come celebrate the labors of Doug and the Odell Brewing when they roll out their Bourbon Barrel Stout. The keg tapping and tasting starts at 1pm in at Odell Brewing in Ft. Collins. http://www.odells.com/

Another new brew is out. New Belgium Brewery just announced that Hoptober Golden Ale, their new autumn brew is coming out. This puppy is described as “...a Hop Lover’s dream within the Belgian idiom.” http://www.newbelgium.com/

Whoa.