Beer Me: December 29, 2015 – January 4, 2016

Denver! It’s a relatively slow week for beer events. Everyone is recovering from the holiday gluttony and bracing for New Year’s Eve and then headed straight back to recovery town.

Looking back at 2015, 11 breweries opened with Denver addresses: Declaration Brewing Co., Factotum Brewhouse, Goldspot Brewing Co., Ratio Beerworks, Spangalang Brewery, CO-Brew, Deep Draft Brewing Co., Call to Arms Brewing Co., Little Machine Beer, Cerebral Brewing, and Dead Hippie Brewing. Tivoli Brewing welcomed tipplers into its own taphouse. TRVE Brewing opened the sour-centric Acid House. Sleeping Giant Brewing Co. brought Denver its first contract-only brewing facility. Great Divide Brewing Co. cut the ribbon on a (much) larger production facility, as did Renegade Brewing. Former Future Brewing Co. spun off Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales (and won a GABF medal). Breckenridge Brewery moved to Littleton and was acquired by AB InBev. And, Crazy Mountain Brewing Co. took over Breckenridge’s vacated location on Kalamath.

There are at least ten breweries slated to launch in Denver in 2016, all in various states of readiness. One to keep an eye out for is Bierstadt Lagerhaus, which will begin brewing soon in the Bindery on Blake, a facility that also houses C Squared Ciders and the new Rackhouse Pub. Brewing operations will be run by Bill Eye and Ashleigh Carter, formerly of Prost Brewing, on a brewing system acquired in Germany.

Auld Lang Syne! Now, events to get you into 2016…

Wednesday, December 30, 2015 @ 5pm: One Keg Wednesday at Black Shirt Brewing Co.

This week’s One Keg Wednesday features a collaborative effort between BSB and Huckleberry Roasters. Its name? Zelelu Coffee Saison…on Nitro! Each year, Huckleberry Roasters gets their hands on a large portion of the entire harvest of Zelelu coffee beans from Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia. This particular coffee yields bright citrus characters, beautiful floral tones, and a honey-like sweetness. BSB has carefully blended this coffee with their delicious and complex American Red Saison for a beer unlike any other. Don’t miss out!

Thursday, December 31, 2015: Happy New Year!

There are multiple options for those looking to ring in the Brew Year with some quality craft beer: Live bluegrass with Burn It Blue + special tappings at Fiction Beer Co.; a 1950s-themed party at Declaration Brewing; the Depravity Imperial Peanut Butter Cup Stout release party at Renegade Brewing Co.; music and tappings at Odyssey Beerworks; a masquerade party at Beryl’s Beer Co.; music at the Brew on Broadway; an 80’s karaoke party at Caution: Brewing Co.; Magic Cyclops and tappings at Ratio Beerworks; music and games at Boggy Draw Brewery; and a free pour of Cherry Cross-Eyed Lefty at Denver Beer Co. #Y2K

Friday, January 1, 2016 @ 11am: New Year’s Day Holiday Hangover Party at Epic Brewing Co.

Ease your hangover by slipping back into besottedness at Epic. They’ll be showing the bowl games and serving up bloody-beers and beer-mosas. Wear your pajamas for 10% off beers. Roaming Bull will be offering a brunch menu.

Saturday, January 2, 2016 @ noon: Firkin Saturday at Dry Dock Brewing Co. – North Dock

Dry Dock welcomes 2016 with the release of their first firkin of the year, a Mexican Mocha Stout brewed with cinnamon, hot chocolate, and coffee. (And if you live closer to the South Dock location, they’ll be tapping an Earl Grey Tea-infused L’Escaut Saison.)

Sunday, January 3, 2016 @ 10am – 1pm: Pancakes! at Beryl’s Beer Co.

Beryl’s Beer Co. is hosting a pancake brunch to usher in the New Year. Morgan Handmade Rations will be making amazing pancakes and latkes for $12 all-you-can-eat and $5 for kids. Yum yum gimme some.

Sunday, January 3, 2016 @ 5 – 7pm: Mini Cornhole Tournament at Declaration Brewing

Come play some wee cornhole! Teams of 2; sign up at the bar; winners will get a prize! It’s that simple.

Still thirsty? Use this handy map of Colorado breweries and other drinking establishments to plan your next adventure. Cheers.

—

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.