Them Crazy Southerners Will Eat Almost Anything

This Sunday night, there is a beer dinner in Charleston, SC.

On the menu:
country ham, oysters, duck sausages, beef tenderloin and fried bologna and liver pudding.

Fried bologna and liver pudding??? Really? Oh yea, I forgot. Those crazy southerners eat parts of a cow that the rest of us throw away.

(laugh!)

Here are some great things to do this weekend here in Colorado.

Today (Friday, Nov. 13th)

It's Firkin Friday at Dry Dock and at Oskar Blues. Dry Dock is pouring a Bourbon Oaked Old Ale (www.drydockbrewing.com) while Oskar Blues is featuring Dales Pale Ale that's been dry hopped with a big dose of summit hops. (http://www.oskarblues.com/) Oskar Blues is also hosting a beer dinner tonight at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Denver. (http://www.delfriscos.com/)

Left Hand Brewing releases their newest brew Fade to Black at a release party this afternoon (http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/) and down in the four corners, Pagosa Brewing's Nipple Mountain Nip is back! (http://www.pagosabrewing.com/)

Tomorrow is Cask Ale Saturday with their IPA at Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs and Sunday morning, they host another session of Beer Yoga. BYOM (bring your own mat.) (http://www.bristolbrewing.com/)

It's Alive!!!!

What are you doing for lunch?

How does some Carolina BBQ and a great brew sound?

Cool! Because starting today we get both, from the fathers of the American craft beer in a can movement.

After months of wishing and waiting, Oskar Blues' newest creation is open today at 11am.

Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids & Solids is their brand new down home brew joint that has 43 craft brew taps, southern inspired BBQ and "soul saving live music."

Like their brews, I am not sure which I'll order first. Will it be their North Carolina style BBQ pork or the spare ribs? Maybe I'll get some beer-can chicken or an order of the salmon or turkey.

All I know is all this down home slow cooked goodness comes from their in-house smoker, called the Midnight Toker.

I hope they ain't bogarting because this Carolina boy want him some, too.

Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids & Solids
1555 South Hover Street
Longmont, CO 80501
303-485-9400
open 11am to close, all week long, starting today.

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.

Bumblings from the Boulder County Brew Cruise

The 4th annual Boulder County Brew Cruise is history. Once again, two big busloads of happy hop-sters spent the day sloshing across some of Colorado's most fertile beer landscape. Here are some interesting flecks of malt and mash I picked up along the way.

First stop was Boulder Beer where BB brewer, the mysterious D Zuckerman, told me they will have an amazing beer tapped next Tuesday in the Wilderness Pub at the brewery. It's a keg of Igloo Ale that has been cellared for over 10 years. Talk about a blast from the past!

Interesting beer trivia of the day. Dan Weitz, Boulder Beer's bubbly tour guide and most excellent marketing man let it slip that the brewer who created their Hazed and Infused was attempting to make a beer with the aroma of weed. Yup, no kidding.

Next, to Longmont and Left Hand Brewing. We charged into the tap room and found Depth Charge expresso milk stout on tap. DC is the newest collaboration brew between Left Hand Brewing and Terrapin Brewing in Athens, GA. The gang on the brew cruise almost rioted when the Left Hand gang announced they were going to treat us to an early release of two cases of this amazing brew. I snarked up two bombers and will post up a review here on One Good Brew next week. I can tell you that Depth Charge is one of the best expresso milk stouts I have had in a long time. It should show up in front range liquor stores very soon and grab it when you see it. This will be a very limited release. It won't be around long.

Bubba Love, Left Hand's singing tour guide (and, Boulder County sales guru by day) told me Left Hand's Warrior IPA is being packaged right this very minute and it should start showing up on shelves soon, too. This beer warrior loves himself the Warrior IPA.

Oskar Blues hosted lunch for our little band of bodacious brew hunters in the Tasty Weasel tap room. Boy how they have grown! Before Oskar Blues starting putting their craft beer in cans back in 2002, it made just 700 barrels of beer a year. Next year, they are planning to brew up a heady 36,000 barrels of their brew to keep up with demand. By the way, they had oak barrel aged Gordon on tap that was nothing short of OMG Outstanding! Definitely worth the trip, just to get yourself a pint. In the brewery, there were stacks of whiskey barrels from Stranahans' Colorado Whiskey of Denver. Each was filled with Ten Fidy. I can't wait for that to be tapped!!!

Finally it was on to Avery, just in time for the release of Sui Generis. Those smart enough to grab some got the chance to have their bottles hand signed by Adam Avery himself. Sui Generis is the second of Avery's new Barrel-Aged Series. Brewers aged Sui Generis in several different oak barrels and fermented it with brettanomyces, lactobacillus and pediococcus. Only about 150 cases of Sui Generis were brewed so this new Avery beer is sure to become the gem of your beer cellar if you can get your hands on some. The price? About 48-dollars a six pack.

Speaking of Avery, their newest brew…duganA IPA will be released October 2nd. No doubt, duganA IPA should be another amazing brew from the Avery Brewing bunch.

That's all I heard...or all I remember...from this year's Boulder County Brew Cruise. It is a most amazing way to start your GABF adventures. Thanks to Left Hand Brewing for putting this puppy on.

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/

Hang On To Summer With FCB's Big, Black Elephant

Are you ready for winter? Me neither. As I stared into the glass brew cages at the liquor store last night, I wasn't ready to surrender to the fall seasonals or the porters and stouts of winter.

I wanted summer to hang around a little longer. I wanted another nice IPA.

So, I reached for the big, black elephant.

Rocky Mountain IPA
Ft. Collins Brewery
Ft. Collins, CO
ABV: 6.20%
http://www.fortcollinsbrewery.com/

I have enjoyed this brew before, but haven't taken time to talk about it (shame on me.)

Ft. Collins Brewery's Rocky Mountain IPA is one of my favorite IPAs. It has a nice coppery-orange color with a tight cream colored head that really lasts.

Give it a sniff and you'll get a generous noseful of citrusy hops. Wait a minute. There is something else in here. Yes, its hoppy....but, there is a really nice bready malt aroma, too. That's what I really like about Rocky Mountain IPA. There is loads of hops...pure, wonderful hops. But, there is plenty of bready malt too. It's a great blend that you don't find in some other IPAs.

You taste the blend too. Lots of grassy and citrusy hops and some nice malts, too. The hoppy-ness really lingers after you swallow, giving you a chance to enjoy Rocky Mountain IPA's flavors just a little while after its gone.

This brew is so well done, you could drink it all day. So, you have another and another...and, another. Suddenly, here comes trouble. This brew is blended so well you haven't noticed it carries a 6.2% ABV. Look Out!!! A Big, Black, Elephant Buzz Is Rumbling Right Atcha!!! (maybe that is why they put that thing on the label...)

Overall, Rocky Mountain IPA is a great beer. It's the blend of hops and malts I really like. You will too, if you are lucky enough to live in one of the 19 or 20 states where Ft. Collins Brewery beers are sold.

Go grab yourself one last gulp of summer.

****ON TAP THIS WEEKEND****

All Weekend:
*It's the Telluride Blues and brews festival this weekend. The grand beer tasting is on Saturday. http://www.tellurideblues.com/

*Oktoberfest is Oompahhing in downtown Denver http://www.oktoberfestdenver.com/ and up in Breckenridge. http://www.breckenridgeoktoberfest.com/

Saturday, September 19th:
*Colorado Pork and Hops Challenge continues in Lincoln Park in Grand Junction, CO. http://www.porknhops.com/
*Wynkoop will roll out The Obamanator. This dry hopped Maibock lager was originally brewed for President Obama's historic visit to Denver during the DNC. 5pm. http://www.wynkoop.com/ *Denver's RooBar's Anniversary Party is tonight with Great Divide brews. http://www.greatdivide.com/

Live Music!
*It's Bluez House with Paul Soderman ($5) at Oksar Blues in Lyons.
*Crank up the tunes with Jon Cody on the patio at Left Hand Brewing in Longmont. 5pm. http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

Sunday, September 20th:
*The Zooma Women’s Race Series takes off at 7:30am from Central Park in the Stapleton neighborhood in Denver. After the running, Left Hand Brewing does the pampering. http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

*Vesta Dipping Grill Beer Dinner is tonight with beers from Great Divide Brewing in Denver. http://www.greatdivide.com/

Live Music!
*Scott Von on the patio of Left Hand Brewing in Longmont at 4:30pm http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/
*Felonius Smith acoustic blues band plays Oskar Blues Brewing in Lyons.

Missed the Boat at the Mountain Sun in Boulder at 10pm and Paper Stars plays the Vine Street Pub in Denver at 10pm http://www.mountainsunpub.com/

Ready, Set….BEER!

Here we go. Today begins an orgy of hops and malts. The Denver Beer Fest starts today, Boulder Beer celebrates 30 years of brewing tonight, Pre-GABF events kick into high gear and Oktoberfests start popping out all over.

Here is a list of some of the brew-things to choose from.

*****ON TAP TODAY*****
Tonight at 5pm, Oktoberfest in Downtown Denver begins. This might be the last one. The promoters are pulling out. www.oktoberfestdenver.com/

Tonight at 8pm. The Boulder Beer Throw Down at Boulder Theater on Pearl Street in Boulder. “Colorado’s First Microbrewery” celebrates 30 years of brewing with local music and $2.50 Boulder Beer pints all night long! Attendees will have a chance to win free beer for a year! Live music from Great American Taxi & Oakhurst. Get your tickets at http://www.bouldertheater.com/ or at the Boulder Theater Box Office.

Also at 8pm tonight. Nomis Fashion Show and Fall/Winter Line Release in The Tap Room of Avery Brewing in Boulder. A $15 get you in the door for the fashion show, three Avery brews, munchies from Illegal Pete's and more. http://www.averybrewing.com/

Beer Me!
Today is Free Sample Friday at Great Divide Brewing in Denver. Enjoy up to 8 free samples of Hercules. And Titan. And Hoss. And Yeti. And everything else. 'Nuff said. http://www.greatdivide.com/

Today at 3pm. Firkin Friday at Dry Dock Brewing in Aurora. Grab a pint of their Hazelnut Southern English Brown Ale, but don't be late. FF at Dry Dock is hugely popular and the beer doesn't last. http://www.drydockbrewing.com/

Tonight at 5pm. Firkin Friday at Oskar Blues in Lyons. Always great brews from the OB gang. Tonight, they tap 5 gallons of Ol' Bovinity Milk Chub. Now that sounds interesting. http://www.oskarblues.com/

Tonight at 5pm, Bristol Brewing in Colorado Springs Rolls Out a New Brew. Come enjoy their latest, Edge City Octoberfest, a light, toasty malt brew with a crisp finish and a head bonking 7% ABV. The release party includes great German food from the Edelweiss Restaurant. http://www.bristolbrewing.com/

Tonight at 5pm, Trinity Brewing in Boulder Releases Another Great Beer. This time, is their Oak Whiskey Red. http://www.twistedpinebrewing.com/

This Weekend:
It Telluride's Blues and Brews Festival. The Grand Tasting is tomorrow. http://www.tellurideblues.com/

Chilly Temps Put Me in a Nefarious State of Mind

Night time temperatures are dipping below 40 in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. That means my beer tastes go dark. Instead of the hoppys of summer, I find myself choosing a stout or porter instead.

One of my favorites comes from the Ska Brewing bunch in Durango, CO. Never mind what you will find inside, you could like their Nefarious Ten Pin Imperial Porter just for its packaging. Under its blue wax coated bottle top, its label is guarded by a really pissed off gold crowned skeleton brandishing a bowling pin and ball sceptre. Open it up and pour it into your pint glass and you will find yourself holding a dark, almost midnight black brew topped with a tight, khaki colored head. Nefarious is a rich, bold brew that is loaded with coffee, chocolate and sweet fruit flavors. I am thinking a couple bottles of Nefarious would go perfectly with a big bowl of stew, a thick, chunk of heavy German bread and a roaring fire on a snowy Colorado evening. And, with Nefarious Ten Pin Imperial Porter's powerful 8% ABV, if I drank a couple 22 oz. bombers of this brash brew, I am pretty sure I’d be nefariously off to bed as soon as the dishes were done.

*****On Tap Today*****

Looking for work? The "werk fer us" job fair continues for Oskar Blues' new brew bar and restaurant, The Homemade Liquids & Solids restaurant. 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm at The Tasty Weasel, 1800 Pike Rd. Longmont, CO. Get an application online at http://www.oskarblues.com/

Avery is teaming up with some of Boulder's best for the Cultiva, Growing Gardens dinner at the Harvest House, in Boulder, CO. 5pm tonight. http://www.averybrewing.com/

Left Hand Brewery hosts the The Indian Peaks Alers, Longmont’s homebrew club, in their tasting room tonight at 6pm. http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

Lonesome Traveler brings bluegrass to Oskar Blues in Lyons, CO. 8pm. http://www.oskarblues.com/

Glove Trucker plays at Odell Brewery, Ft. Collins tonight. http://www.odells.com/

And, speaking of Ft. Collins, the brew bunch at Ft. Collins Brewery are getting firked up. Today they add firkins to their Tap Club Series. First up, a tasty Cherry Cream Ale made with 3 pounds of cherries from Grant Farms CSA. Get it quick, a five gallon firkin is gone freakin' fast. http://www.fortcollinsbrewery.com/

Here's To You, Old No. 7

Yo Jackie D! Happy birthday, my whiskey brother. As they say, "Hells to the yeah, Jack Daniels, put on the birthday hat and party like a rock star!"

Jack Daniels...and, there really was a Jack Daniels...was born in September, but we don't know on which day. There was a fire in the courthouse that destroyed all the records and anybody that knew his birthday has passed on to that great distillery in the sky.

So, we celebrate his birthday all month long.

There is a funny story about Jack Daniels, not about how he was born, but how he died in 1911.

"As the story goes, Mr. Jack arrived at work early one morning and tried to open the safe in his office.
Thing is, he couldn’t recall the combination. In his frustration, he gave that safe a good, solid kick. The blow broke his toe and infection set in, leading to the blood poisoning that would take his life in 1911.
Because he never married or had children, he deeded the Distillery to his hard-working nephew, Lem Motlow. Some people say Jack Daniel not only left his Tennessee Whiskey behind, he left us all a valuable lesson as well: Don’t go to work early."

(from http://www.jackdaniels.com/)

So in the spirit of our dearly departed friend, who's birthday we celebrate each and every day of the month of September, let's all raise our right hand and take this solumn oath.

"I ____(your name here)_____ promise to love the ones around me, help others when I can and use my turn signal at all times.

I also promise that I will never get to work early and I will avoid kicking any thing harder than a football. Amen."

****On Tap****
Today, 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/
**Catch Hot Club Sandwich at the Mountain Sun Pub in Boulder. http://www.mountainsunpub.com/

**A Taste of Colorado Continues-downtown Denver. http://www.atasteofcolorado.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 coming out. New Belgium Brewery just announced that Hoptober Golden Ale, their new autumn brew is on the way. This puppy is described as “...a Hop Lover’s dream within the Belgian idiom.” http://www.newbelgium.com/
**A Taste of Colorado-downtown Denver-Last Day. http://www.atasteofcolorado.com/

New Belgium's Newest Seasonal....Hoptober

Watch for it! It is Hoptober Golden Ale. It's is New Belgium's newest seasonal.

Hoptober is brewed with 5 hops and 4 malts, which NBB says gives us a nice medium bodied ale with a creamy mouthfeel. They say they used Centennial, Cascade, Sterling, Willamette and Glacier hops and pale and wheat malt and mashed it with rye and oats.

This is suppose to be a "Hop Lover’s dream within the Belgian idiom, a bonfire of citrus notes, fruity cheers and a bold finale."

Whoa! Sounds very interesting!

Let me know how you like it!

*****In The News*****
Nice article from NPR on the success of canned craft beer. Oskar Blues Brewing in Lyons, CO was the first brewery in the country to put their craft brews in cans. That was 7 years ago. It's great to see the rest of the country getting in step. Pass me a Chubb, will ya?

*********On Tap Today******
Speaking of Oskar Blues, they have a pig roast going today, Noon to 6pm. Live music from The Dan Treanor Band starts at 9pm. http://www.oskarblues.com/

Left Hand Brewery's Summer Concert Series continues today at the tap room in Longmont. This afternoon, it's bluegrass with Backwoods Galaxy, starting at 5pm. Tickets are still available for their Boulder County Brew Cruise, Wednesday, 9/23. http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

The Boulder Beer Garden is a great hangout at the Boulder Hometown Fair which continues today. http://www.boulderbeer.com/

It's the Tour de Fat at the home of the Tour de Fat today. Ride your schwinn over to New Belgium Brewery in Ft. Collins. http://www.newbelgium.com/

Grab a Breckenridge brew today at the Four Corners Folk Festival--Reservoir Park--Pagosa Springs, CO. http://www.folkwest.com/

And if you must, A taste of Colorado rolls on in downtown Denver through Monday. http://www.atasteofcolorado.com/

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.

Redpoint Ale--Something From Avery That Is Not A Big, Bold Brew (and, that's ok.)

Redpoint Ale
American Amber Ale
ABV: 5.1%
Avery Brewing Co.
Boulder, Colorado

http://www.averybrewing.com/

Some people thing Avery's brewers are like mad beer scientists. They picture them huddled all night in a mountain top laboratory. While lightning flashes outside, these white coated beer geniuses spend their whole lives creating monster brews.

Maybe that is why some people thump Redpoint Ale. Maybe they can not get past the fact that this great brew from Avery does not share the boldness of its monster beer brothers.

Big mistake.

Redpoint Ale looks great with its deep, reddish color. Avery calls it an amber ale, but you will notice that this brew's color is darker than many of the other ambers out there. It's taste was all malt at first, but the Avery gang had a surprise in store. As this brew warmed a bit, I started tasting it's citrusy hops, too. It was a great blend of both worlds.

I am a big fan of Avery. They brew some amazingly complex brews. Redpoint Ale shows another side of this Boulder brewery. It is not as bold as many of its sisters and brothers, but it is a favorite of mine.

In fact, when somebody asks "what's a good beer to start exploring craft beer with?" I suggest two...Fat Tire, of course and Redpoint Ale from Avery.

On Tap This Week Around the Rocky Mountain West:

Today, September 1:
Salt Lake Brewing Co celebrates its 20th anniversary at its Squatters Pubs in Salt Lake City and Park City, UT. with a new brew, Hops Rising, a double IPA that weighs in at a whopping 9% ABV and a 20th anniversary special reserve Oktoberfest brew in a commemorative bottle. http://www.squatters.com/

Catch Kris Hansen live at Trinity Brewing in Colorado Springs, CO, starting at 7pm. http://www.trinitybrew.com/

Wednesday, September 2:
It's local band night at Oskar Blues in Lyons, CO with Steamboat Zephyr & Dave Gerard. 8pm. http://www.oskarblues.com/

Thursday, September 3:

Catch another Great Garden Escape Concert at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, Boise ID. The McCleary Band brings their unique country folk with a splash of rock and blues. Highlands Hollow Brewhouse brings the food and beer. 6pm-9pm http://www.highlandshollow.com/

Heidi and The Rhythm Rollers bring their bluesabilly to Oskar Blues in Lyons, CO. 8pm. http://www.oskarblues.com/

Catch Chris Daniels and The Kings tonight at the Boulder Beer Tent at Rhythm of the Rails in Nywot, CO. 6pm. On the patio at Boulder Beer, it's Train Back Home. 5pm. http://www.boulderbeer.com/

Johnny Shoes plays the TableRock Brewpub and Grill in Boise, ID 6pm-9pm. http://www.tablerockbrewpub.com/

Friday, September 4:

It's another Firkin Friday at Dry Dock Brewing in Aurora, CO. This Friday, they are rolling out an Engligh Toffee ESB! Don't wait to late. Firkin Friday brews almost always disappear before closing time. http://www.drydockbrewing.com/

It's equal parts folk, country, blues and bluegrass. The Kort McCumber Band performs at Oskar Blues in Lyons, CO. Show Starts at 9. $5 cover. http://www.oskarblues.com/

You might think of 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, CO. 8:30pm. http://www.carverbrewing.com/

Travis Ward, the "Original Idaho Fly Fishing Folk Singer” and his band Hillfolk Noir plays at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello, ID, starting at 8:30pm. http://www.portneufvalleybrewing.com/

Sawtooth Ale--A Bullseye Brew From Left Hand

Sawtooth Ale
American Style ESB
ABV:4.28%
Left Hand Brewery
Longmont, Colorado
http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

Longmont's Left Hand Brewing Company is not a little, hidden, Colorado brewery anymore. Today, you can find Left Hand brews in half the country and in much of Europe.

There is a reason its grown like that. Left Hand's beer is that good.

Take their Sawtooth Ale, for example. Sawtooth is an ESB, an extra special bitter. Don't worry. Sawtooth Ale and other really good ESBs, are about balance…not bitterness.

Simply put, Sawtooth Ale is amazing. From the first sight of its coppery color and tan colored head, to the last swallow from your pint glass, you will not be disappointed. The crew at Left Hand created a beer that has the perfect blend of malts and hops. It's not a heavy brew. It is light and airy, with just the right carbonation to tickle your mouth.

So, how does it go with food? Well, last night I cooked up an awesome boneless pork loin, stuffed with bacon, garlic and rosemary. Left Hand's Sawtooth Ale was the perfect beer.

I really like Left Hand's Sawtooth Ale. The only problem is that I wish I more.

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Speaking of Left Hand Brewing Company, tickets for their 2009 Boulder County Brew Cruise are almost gone. This is a great way to kick off the GABF a day early. Breakfast, lunch, t-shirt, tasting glass and discounts are included as you get the VIP treatment at 4 terrific Boulder County breweries (Boulder Beer, Left Hand, Oskar Blues and Avery.) Tix online at http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/

On Tap This Weekend:

This weekend, there is a boatload of brewy good things going on.
*The 2009 Fort Collins Cycling Festival kicks off in grand fashion tomorrow with activities sure to bring a smile to your face and maybe take an inch off your waist. This is truly a fun event! It runs all weekend and one of the sponsors is Oskar Blues, so you know they will be bringing the brews. www.fccyclingfest.com/cruser-rideconcert
*NedFest 2009 is this weekend, too. It's a three-day outdoor music and microbrew festival with camping located in Nederland, just 17 miles west of and 3,000 ft. above Boulder. ww.nedfest.com

Friday, 8/28
*Kick off the weekend with Firkin Friday at Drydock Brewing in Aurora. They will feature a Coffee Porter with 4 oz. of Organic, shade-grown, free trade, hard bean, hand-picked from happy trees, Guatemalan Coffee. http://www.drydockbrewing.com/
*At Crabtree Brewing in Greeley, Friday is Teacher's Friday. Starting tomorrow, teachers get pints for only $2.50 each on Friday. Bring your Teacher ID. http://www.crabtreebrewing.com/
*In Boulder, Twisted Pine Brewery shows off their latest creation with a Saison Rollout Party, 3pm to 9pm in thier Ale House. They just birthed a new blog at Twisted Pint, too.
www.twistedpinebrewing.wordpress.com/

Saturday, 8/29
*Saturday is the Colorado Springs Foam Fest. It's billed as "The Only Beer festival in Downtown Colorado Springs." http://www.oldchicagofoamfest.com/
*Saturday is also Trinity Brewing Company's first birthday. So, while you are in the Springs, put on your pointy birthday hat and stop on by. http://www.trinitybrew.com/

Sunday, 8/30
*Sunday is the San Juan Brewfest in Durango. 18 breweries, including all your four corner favorites, will be there. www.cookmanfood.com/brewfest