The Presidential Brew Is "Barrracckkkk!"

The guy who started Denver's Wynkoop Brewing is John Hickenlooper. He is a Democrat. These days, John Hickenlooper doesn't run the Wynkoop. He runs Denver.

He is the Mayor.

When the Democrats desended on Denver last summer for their National Convention, the brew-sters at Wynkoop knew they should create a special beer. They set out to build a beer special enough to carry the future President's name.

Guess what?

The Obamanator back on tap again, just in time for Denver's other big party, The Great American Beer Festival. The Obamanator is a Maibock, a style that is lighter in color and more heavily hopped than other bocks or German beers. We Americans pronouce it "My Bock." This type of beer is usually brewed in the spring. Maibock means May Bock in German. It can also be called a Helles Bock, Heller Bock, or a Frühlingsstarkier (spring strong beer), but I'm getting in way too deep here.

Let's get back to The Obamanator.

At the re-rolling out party, the Wynkoop brew crew grabbed onto the special, one of a kind, "Look Ma, Obama is on a beer tap" handle. Out came a light, yellow colored lager with an almost snow white head. For a second, I thought I was getting Coors by mistake. The difference is the hops. You really get it in The Obamanator. Hops dominates the aroma and is the biggest player in the flavor, too.

That's the beauty of a Maibock.

Look, I know that you are gonna be awash in cool brews when you come to town for the GABF, but do yourself a favor. Save room for The Obamanator from Wynkoop Brewing in Downtown Denver.

This ain't no cash for clunkers deal. It's a really good brew and you know something, Republicans will like it too. They just won't admit it.

Politics is funny that way.

Boulder County Brew Cruise Tickets Still Available? Really?

Is it the bad economy? I dunno.

One of the most fun things to do during the Great American Beer Festival is the Boulder County Brew Cruise. A big bus takes you to 4 different breweries. You get behind the scenes guided tours of Boulder Beer, Avery Brewing, Left Hand Brewing and Oskar Blues. There is plenty of brews along the way, plus breakfast and lunch, plus a cool t-shirt and tasting glass to prove you were there. The right brain thinking gang at Left Hand Brewing organizes it and this year's BCBC is Wednesday, September 23rd. Tickets are $55 and you can get them at http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/. Just click on "shop."

I'll see you on bus #1.

The BCBC is just one of over 100 brew things coming up in the next three weeks.

That's more than 5 a day!

I just wrapped up the latest "Hop Tips" for the Rocky Mountain Brewing News and was amazed to see so many beer-y things.

There are:
52 different craft beer events and festivals
44 beer samplings and release parties
15 beer dinners

All in just the next three weeks.

I am sure the Great American Beer Festival had a lot to do with it. So did all the fun surrounding Boulder Beer's 30th Anniversary. But still, I can't believe there is so much going on, in just the next three weeks.

Watch your email for the details. The next "Hop Tips" should go out in the next day or two. You aren't getting "Hop Tips" every two weeks? If you live anywhere in the Rocky Mountain west, you need "Hop Tips" so you don't miss anything. Click here to sign up.

*****ON TAP*****
Tomorrow, Sept. 11: Tomorrow night is Brew At The Zoo in Denver. There will be more than 40 breweries hanging around so you can sip their best brews while starring at the wildebeest. The zoo uses this event ot help raise cash for their Red Apple Fund for Life-Long Learning. The event goes from 7-10pm. http://www.denverzoo.org/

How Best Do You Know Beer?

Thousands of people are heading to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival. If you are one of them, I have a question for you.

Can we call you Beerdrinker of the Year ?

Denver's Wynkoop Brewery hosts the competition. The winner get free beer for life.

C'mon, what are you waiting for? Email your resume to beerdrinker@wynkoop.com.

Speaking of the Great American Beer Festival, my favorite night to go is Thursday night. None of the brews have run out and nobody has been beat to death by the more than 45-thousand people that come to Denver each year.

Guess what?

As luck would have it, the only session the GABF says tickets are still available for is Thursday night! Ticketmaster has some and there is a page on the GABF site that lists retailers who might still have tickets for other sessions. Call first.

*****IN THE NEWS*****

The Governor's Office, 1200 Square Feet Surrounded Entirely By Reality.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter is turning up the heat on "the heat is on," the state's high profile DUI enforcement program. He wants to cut back on the number of DUI checkpoints across the state.

Is it because people are not driving drunk anymore?

Noooo!

Governor Bill thinks pulling 1.3 million dollars from DUI enforcement will help fill the 230-million dollar pothole the state's budget has fallen into.

I am all for balancing the budget, but c'mon Gov. You need to get a grip. I firmly believe "the heat is on" program is working. The threat of getting busted keeps a lot of people from driving after drinking. Many of those who choose to swill and swerve are getting busted at the checkpoints.

Go find something else to cut. Leave "the heat is on" alone.
Read the news story for yourself.

Call In The Clydesdales
How do you move dozens of zoo animals to safety when the California wildfire closes in?

Three words.

Bud-weis-er.
The full story is here.

How Much Can You Thigh Lift??

A Louisana woman swiped a case of beer by clenching it between her thighs and waddling out of a store. Yup, 20-pounds of brew wedged tightly between her drumsticks and out the door she goes. A big, old, flowery moo-moo was involved.
Here's the story.