Beer Me: April 5, 2016 – April 11, 2016

I love baseball. I will admit though, as a lifelong New York Mets fan, last season was particularly defeating. To go 162 regular season games plus the postseason, only to come up short in the World Series was emotionally draining. But, as a fervent Rockies observer, I know my experience was one any hardcore Colorado baseball fan would happily trade their rooftop party deck for. Averaging more than 92 losses over the last 5 seasons is similarly deflating I am sure…  

BUT, it’s a new season and hope springs eternal for every baseball fan, diehard or casual. Trevor Story blasted two homers in his MLB debut and the Rockies are 1-0! It could be the last time they’re above .500 this year but the home opener is not a time for negativity – it’s a time to dust off your purple, take a half-day, and go carousing with the rest of Denver. Who cares that the home team is predicted to lose another 90+ games or that the starting pitcher, Jordan Lyles, had a Cactus League ERA of 7.11, which is almost twice the BAC of the typical LoDo punter? It’s time to play ball!

If you’re headed to the home opener or any game for that matter, here’s a brief beer itinerary to get you through to the mid-7th inning beer cutoff:

1. Enter the game through the entrance on the corner of 22nd & Blake, which will dump you right into Blue Moon’s Sandlot outpost. Order a GABF award-winning Second Hand Smoke (Rauchbier), Goat Rancher (Bock), and/or Move Back (Dortmunder).
2. Once you’ve found your seats, it’s time for some Banquet Beer – 24-ounce cans of course (don’t forget a koozie). To really impress the vendors, do your best Sam Elliot “Coo-wers” impersonation when ordering.
3. There’s no easier place to ignore what’s happening on the field than in the pseudo-Las Vegas pool atmosphere of the Rooftop at Coors Field (aka the Party Deck) replete with cabanas and TVs showing other sporting events. Steer clear of the private bars and head to CHUBurger for a Dale’s Pale Ale.

For the majority of folks participating in home opener revelry but not going to the actual game, check out the listings below for other imbibing options…

Tuesday, April 5, 2016 @ 7pm: Bingo Night at Grandma’s House

Just like granny used to play, only swap out the bingo hall for a brewery and prune juice for craft beer. Each beer purchased gets you a bingo card and prizes include pints, howlers, growlers, and other swag. No cover.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016 @ 8pm: Comedy: Battle Royale at Ratio Beerworks

Andrew Bueno and Ian Douglas Terry host a winner-takes-all comedy throwdown. Twelve comedians go head-to-head, with the audience deciding who survives and moves onto the next round. Performers include Nathan Lund, Christie Buchele, Xander Kreed, Corey Rhoads, Megan Shaha, Byron Graham, Eric Henderson, Shelby Wardlaw, Jason Wesoky, Kira MagCalen, Daniel Reskin, and Walter Booth. FREE.

Thursday, April 7, 2016 @ 6:30pm: Denver vs. North Dakota at Declaration Brewing

While everyone has been reveling in the Broncos’ Super Bowl victory and prepping for the Rockies’ Opening Day, the University of Denver men’s hockey team has been on a historic run, going 18-2-4 since January 1st and reaching the Frozen Four for the first time since 2005 (also the last time they won the championship). The penultimate hurdle comes on Thursday in the form of the North Dakota FIghting Hawks née Sioux. Watch the semifinal game at Declaration and wear your DU gear or show a student ID to get 25% off your tab.

Friday, April 8, 2016 @ noon: Opening Day Celebrations at various locations

Ratio is opening at 10am, serving beer and breakfast tacos from Smokestack 70. Present your Rockies’ ticket before the game at Factotum for a BOGO deal and then join other beer/baseball enthusiasts as they bike to the game around 1:30pm. It’s only 7 miles to the stadium! Wear your Rockies gear to Zephyr for $1 off drafts all day long; they’ll open at 11am and be grilling on the patio #GoRockies

Saturday, April 9, 2016 @ noon – 4pm: 2nd Annual Rye Fest at Black Sky Brewery

Eleven local breweries, including Chain Reaction, The Brew on Broadway, Strange Craft, and Black Sky, will offer rye-based beers at this 2nd annual event. The versatile grain will be accompanied by the similarly versatile three-piece acoustic punk, country, bluegrass, and soul outfit, The Rye Pushers. Tickets run $35 – $40 and include unlimited tastings with proceeds benefiting Community Sailing of Colorado.

Sunday, April 10, 2016 @ 11am: Bluegrass Brunch at Station 26 Brewing

Station 26, Westword’s Best Brewery Tap Room for Beer in 2016, throws their monthly bluegrass and brunch gathering with music from Burn it Blue, donuts from Glazed and Confused, and barbecue from Rolling Smoke BBQ. No cover.

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.