Went to Denver Beer Festivus this last weekend and was surprised at the turnaround I'd noticed in breweries I had essentially written off. Several smaller breweries that aren't close to me that I hadn't visited in years had elevated their stuff from glorified homebrew to actually solid styles. Places that stood out: Jagged Mountain Grandmas House Next Stop (former Intrepid Sojurn Beer Project. What a name upgrade) Diebolt Does anyone else have any breweries they've upgraded from 'skip it'?
My earliest experiences with Our Mutual Friend were pretty bad, but I think they're putting out some really good beers at the moment. Black Project's bottles were mostly misses for me, but the stuff on tap in their tasting room is all good IMO. The early Launch Pad beers were 1/2 diacetyl bombs, but I haven't had anything bad from them in forever. I think this relates to a brewer change.
The Rockyard is a weird one because they made a total 180. I actually liked their old stuff, but time wasn't very kind to those beers. They were kinda like Estes Park Brewing, but with better food/service. Other than the BA stout, you'd swear you were at a 90's brewpub. Their current line-up isn't too zany, but it's completely different and modern. I think they might have retained the old amber, but not much else. The old Rockyard head brewer is now at 105 West and their line-up is even more different. Makes me wonder who was calling the shots and what changed their direction.
105w does everything well. I have never had a bad beer (meaning having faults like diacetyl or acetaldehyde) there. it seems their more English styled beers are the best. I had heard that, after beginning to distribute their offerings, said head brewer became bored and left for the more flexible waters of 105w. there were years between his departure and the new rockyard revamp. I am assuming the conversation with the new brewer went something like "man, this place is like a 90's brewpub, we should do something about that". either way I think both breweries are better for the changes. for what its worth, rockyard kept their silverback pale ale, which is pretty tasty. Burly brewing is pushing things a little farther with their beers. I have had their hazy boys which are great, and their eisbock and porter were worth seeking out as well.
I feel like New Image has been on fire lately. I wasn't impressed with the first things I tried from them. Loveland Ale Works seems to be continuously improving as well. Great brewery now.
Yeah, I think both are definitely better off now. Never had anything from Burly (I'm rarely south of Centennial) but people seem to really like their stuff, too. While I can't specifically say anything good or bad, Downhill seems to finally be its own thing after years of being a weird hybrid of Elk Mountain and what they actually wanted. Never had anything from them since, but Doug knows his stuff and Elk Mountain was losing people left and right. Could be another situation where everyone benefited.
I have not revisited Elk Mountain since it became Downhill. I used to pick up growler fills on my way home and was less than impressed. When they changed owners I went in and saw all of the same beers on tap. I just turned and headed out. I guess I will give them a go next time I am out there.
