Denver Rare Beer Tasting IV

Was that Left Hand Stout Oak Aged Wake Up Dead or totally different Imperial Stout?

 

It was the 2009 brandy barrel version of their Imperial Stout, which was later renamed Wake Up Dead a few years ago. The oak aged version of Wake Up Dead is/was essentially the same beer, just not as old.

 

I was a first time attendee and, holy cow,, I must say this was the highlight of the trip out to GABF. We hit Crooked Stave Barrel Room before getting in line right at 1pm. The line was around the building but moved fast and efficiently. Favorite of the day for me was Firestone's Lil Opal (saison aged in viognier barrels for 5 years). Lost Abbey Track #8 was close second. Laurelwood Cardinal Sin was a big surprise and had me going back for a second and third sample. KtG was great to try, but I favored its table mate Ivan the Terrible from Big Sky. Lastly, Rogue and SHorts provided great hoppy palatte cleansers.

Great food, great beers, and great cause. My buddy took down one of the t-shirt silent auction packs, and I also ran into a fellow BA Os from NJ.

 

hey Bill... you were spot on about Lil Opal's and the Avery sours. Avance from Allagash was awesome and I really loved KTG and Ivan but might give it to KTG

 

My favorite beer of the event (and maybe the weekend) was Perennial Rye Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. That beer was phenomenal - tasted like Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. I was really excited for BA Fantastic Voyage, but I'm glad they made the switch. There were a lot of great beers just behind it like Track #8, Utopias, and Kate the Great. I really enjoyed this event - I just need to make sure to show up hungry next time.

 

This, lol.

 

Glad that everyone had a fantastic time! On behalf of All About Beer Magazine (I'll let Rick chime in for Pints for Prostates), we thought this was the best Denver Rare Beer Tasting yet.

Thanks so much for all of your feedback, and as we continue to make this event better each year, we'd love to hear more about what you thought. Email me at win AT allaboutbeer DOT com with your thoughts! Cheers!

 

Had a blast as well, Barrel of Funky Friends, Avance, Barrel 32, KtG and Ivan were some of the standouts.

Thanks for cab ride from Crooked Stave, Penguin3200. Great meeting you two. That Bourbon barrel Suitable for Cave Aging was fantastic so much different than the DRBT version.

 

Barrel of Funky Friends! Forgot, that one was awesome. Great meeting you as well. Shoot me a line if you get to Minnesota some time. Cheers again to all involved both hosting and attending. Was the trip highlight for sure.

 

Maybe next year ask the brewers ahead of time if they're bringing bottles, kegs or firkins? lol That was getting a bit dicey right before the end there LOL My first station didn't get a jockey box until about 10 minutes before opening

 

We had the correct number of jockey boxes required beforehand, but they arrived about two hours late. In the end, we had them set up on time, but we can understand your worrying!

 

it was a well run event. Great seeing Win and Rick out there. You both did a great job of getting all that great beer and brewers out there. I can't think of a better event I've ever attended.

 

I really enjoyed Troegs Splinter Black and Penguin3200's pants! haha

 

Thanks, Os!

 

Those are my favorite pair of pants, taken from Dangerfield in Caddyshack. Go perfect with the Surly Syx workshirt.

 

funny, after I talked to you I was talking to Todd and mentioned the story you said about him yelling out "nice shirt" and he totally remembered.

 

The Troegs people were great, too. Same with the Stoudt's guy and a few others I talked to who were new to the event. They were really overwhelmed at first, but very impressed and excited to be a part of the event. They were both surprised bringing a huge stout and a big sour were pretty much par for the course lol