New Colorado Breweries

Not saying this is decision right or wrong, but to be fair, a beer (especially an extra hoppy one) exposed to UV can be skunked in under a minute of exposure. Clear growlers kill me.

 

First rule in business: don't believe everything the customer tells you I once had a customer tell me that she liked pinot noirs because they didn't have grape juice in them.

 

Luckily not many places still use clear glass. I think I only own one and it's an Odell one from their old trailer-sized brewery.
Not counting "premium" growlers like Miirs and Hydroflasks, I'm a big fan of the swing-top variety. Tommyknocker has been using those as long as I can remember. I have one from 2005 that's still going strong 10 years later.

 

Do the Mountain Sun breweries still use mason jars?

 

Good question. I dunno - I forgot all about those.

 

Yes. At least Vine St. does

 

Not that new anymore, but I returned to Mockery last weekend and they seem to be hitting their stride. I enjoyed the Farmhouse Ale (with Roibos Tea) and the Smoked Lager. That Farmhouse could be a repeat spring quaff for me and I don't really like Roiboos that much.

Also something about clear growlers reminds me of Corona and skunk.

 

Interesting - would you consider it to be similar to Shlenkerla and the like? There aren't very many of those and I'm always on the lookout. Comrade's is probably the best one I've had anywhere near here.

 

These are my impressions almost exactly. I wanted to like them as they are really close to where I live now and the interior is really nice, but every time I go I am disappointed. I think I'm just going to stop trying and stick to 4 noses/odd13.

 

I thought the Smoked Lager was very well done at Mockery as well (and I'm not into those beers). Also - they did a sour collaboration with Baere that's pretty tasty too.

 

Been a while since I have had a proper Shlenkerla, so I can't truly compare, but I thought the Mockery version was very decent...really nice smoked flavor without too much of that liquid smoke salty flavor that some smoked beers pick up.

 

Mockery and Ratio are definitely on my list of places to hit soon. Will probably try and get 'em both in one weekend.

Not necessarily a new brewery (in fact the exact opposite) but I was recently very surprised by the Estes Park Brewery. While their service is a little shaky and the atmosphere is nothing to write home about...the beers are quite good. They're also like stepping into a time machine into the late 90's and early 00's. Honey and fruited wheats, an old school IPA with caramel malts, an old school porter, and even a Bigfoot-like barleywine. I guess they won all sorts of awards in the past, but most of those beers aren't exactly en vogue these days. I've seen their stuff in stores for years and mostly ignored it, but I think I might start buying some of their beers whenever I feel nostalgic or just want something simple. Just figured I'd toss that out there as some of the places that have been around forever get forgotten.

 

Was just at Alpine Dog last night on a whim, and I was impressed, especially, since they haven't gotten much mention here. The IPA was very solid, blond rye was nice and drinkable, and they had a very good coffee stout as well. The space is nice too.

On a side note is there anything else goin on for Commrade's anniv party aside from special tappings? Not that that's not enough a reason to stop by, just curious if there's any time I should shoot for. Hope to see some of ya'll down there.

 

On Twitter and etc I've seen "the party starts at 11am" but I have no idea if everything is tapped at 11 or randomly throughout the day. Since Comrade prides themselves on having lots of beer available I'd shoot for the former. Putting out the bat signal for @dauss ! EDIT: good to know about Alpine Dog too, I'm doing a brewery bike tour on Sunday with @Powell014 and others and we're starting there. Cheers!

 

20 beers on tap at 11am.

 

Me and K-dizzle are planning on heading over at 11 and staying as long as our fortitude and/or the law will allow.

 

I'mma be there early, get a little drunk, go home and sleep, come back and get a little drunk again, go to dinner and then go see Alkaline Trio downtown. See you fools there!

 

Everything is pouring at 11 am. No staggered tappings or multiple day anniversary.

Some beers, there will only be a sixtel of. Other beers like the Bourbon Barrel Aged Quit Stalin and Whiskey Barrel Aged Man Oar-Board we've got several kegs of each. As usual, growler fills of all our beers.

 

I'll be helping out there starting at 5! I only accept $20s for tips

 

Nice, I'm looking forward to that BA Stalin