Beer Me: November 17, 2015 – November 23, 2015
You may have been too busy quaffing your fancy pumpkin peach ale to catch the acquisition by Denver-based Molson Coors Brewing Company of the remaining 58% of MillerCoors that it didn’t own already. The cost? Roughly 9.6 billion pounders of Miller High Life. Or, in non-hobo terms, $12 billion.
If those figures are somewhat staggering, consider the reason behind the purchase…
That same day across the pond, AB InBev (makers of Budweiser and a slew of other brands) finalized a deal to purchase – stay with me – SABMiller (parent company to MillerCoors) for 71 billion pounds (about $107 billion or, in broke college kid terms, around 191.1 billion Natty Lights). To ease apprehension that this pairing could create a monopoly in the United States, SABMiller divested itself of that aforementioned 58% stake in MillerCoors.
Their diabolical plan? TO DROWN THE WORLD IN FIZZY YELLOW BEER. MWAHAHAHAH! Not really. Well…kinda. The combined portfolios of AB InBev and SABMiller would command close to a third of the 198-billion liter global beer market, including 18 of the globe’s 40 most popular beers by volume and around $55 billion in sales.
What will this mean for craft beer drinkers here in Colorado? Probably not much. All of this shuffling is geared towards dominating the emerging Asian and African beer markets. In the United States, craft beer production continues to grow while macro beer sales continue to decline. In contrast to several breweries that have recently agreed to buy-outs at the hands of AB InBev, the heavy-hitters in Colorado are embracing the employee-ownership route, including Odell, Left Hand, and New Belgium. This should ensure the longevity and quality of these iconic brands.
Now, brace yourselves, events are coming…
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 @ 6 – 8pm: Dumb Friends League Yappy Hour at Ratio Beerworks
The dog-friendly Ratio Beerworks is donating $1 of every beer sold to the Dumb Friends League to help homeless pets during this dog-friendly happy hour. 21+ for humans, 3+ for dogs. JK. They don’t card dogs…yet. Don’t blow it, puppies. Snag a Hoppy Holidays pint glass for $10 and view future yappy hours here.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 @ 6pm: Beer School – Thanksgiving Edition at Epic Brewing Co.
Epic has a point, no one really looks forward to the turkey on Thanksgiving. It’s all about them sides. This FREE class will help you find the perfect pairings for cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and other Turkey Day favorites. The class runs about an hour and all beers involved will be available to take home in bottles for 10% off.
Thursday, November 19, 2015 @ 6:30pm: Pizza and Beer Pairing at Joyride Brewing Co.
Food and beer pairings have gotten fancy; let’s take it back to the beginning. Rolling Dough food truck will be serving up four different small slices of pie paired with four different half pints for $15. Seats are limited, so register in advance to secure your spot.
Friday, November 20, 2015 @ noon – 10pm: Table Beer Release at Spangalang Brewery
Back in September, Spangalang’s Table Beer won gold at the Great American Beer Festival in the Other Belgian-Style Ale category, but it hasn’t been back on tap since. But Spangalang ain’t no one-trick pony. They will also be releasing an American Stout, a Belgian Tripel, and an old English Ale to add to the celebration. The Mike Schwartz Band will be playing at 5:30pm and ZIVIX Five Points will be serving up food.
Saturday, November 21, 2015 @ noon – 4pm: Day of Darks at Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Thirty breweries will bring their “stache” of dark beers to Wynkoop to support the Movember Project, which advocates for men’s health. A ticket gets you unlimited samples, a commemorative tasting glass, and chocolate accompaniments. Tickets are $30.
Sunday, November 22, 2015: Chili Cook-offs at Chain Reaction Brewing Co. and Beryl’s Beer Co.
Sign-up is over for Chain Reaction’s second annual chili cook-off, but the tastings are free in the red, green, and vegetarian categories. Bring your best green, meat, or vegetarian chili to Beryl’s or just show up to eat chili and drink beer. Those who bring a box of unopened, healthy cereal to Beryl’s will receive a bowl of chili and $5 dollars worth of beer for free, while supporting Project Angel Heart.
Monday, November 23, 2015 @ 4 – 9pm: Opportunity Ale Release Party at Denver Beer Co. Canworks
Each bomber and pint of Opportunity Ale – a cranberry brown ale, with notes of caramel – sold raises funds for the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMFI), a non-profit organization that provides the tools necessary to grow community entrepreneurs. (They also collaborated in the brewing of the ale). Enjoy free tours of the Canworks facility and food from an RMFI graduate, O My Goodness.
Still thirsty? Use this handy map of Colorado breweries and other drinking establishments to plan your next adventure. Cheers.
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Matt Sandy, a self-proclaimed “Beer Gadabout,” has been enjoying beer since he was of legal drinking age. Having been born across the pond where “legal drinking age” is a relative term, let’s just say he washed down a shandy or two while still in short pants. He moved to Denver in 2007 and immediately took up residency at the Great Divide taproom. Since then, he’s enjoyed exploring all of the craft corners of this great town and in this column will highlight weekly beer-related events that you should consider drinking in.