Beer Me: April 19, 2016 – April 25, 2016

500 years ago this Saturday, Wilhelm IV, Duke of Bavaria passed the Reinheitsgebot or German Beer Purity Law, decreeing that the only ingredients to be used in the production of beer be water, barley, and hops. That edict was later amended to include yeast once its role in fermentation was understood.

While the law helped protect consumers from possibly hazardous contaminants in their beer (poisonous roots, soot, sawdust, bubonic plague, etc.) it also forced brewers to only use the sanctioned taxed ingredients and effectively killed off several beer styles native to north Germany – such as Gose (pronounced “gose-uh”) – that have only recently resurfaced.

Several events in Denver this week will honor (or ridicule) the occasion. On Saturday, over at the Rackhouse Pub, they’ll release the Bierstadt Lagerhaus/Hogshead Brewing collab called Collabieration Billsner from the Fässer and also tap 1516 Beer from the Sandlot Brewery and Andechser Doppelbock Dunkel. Also available will be AC Golden’s Reinheitsgebot 500th Anniversary Celebration, a smoked beer made with the help of Andreas Gahr from the St. Johann Research Brewery in Germany. That beer will also be available at the Lakewood and Glenwood World of Beer locations on Saturday, April 23, 2016 and in the tasting room at the end of the Coors Brewery Tour in Golden.

Meanwhile, at Mockery Brewing they’re going the opposite direction by throwing a first annual Reinheitsgewhat?, featuring several new and limited beer releases that all break the German Beer Purity Law. The lineup includes Whiskey Barrel-Aged Boysenberry Wheatwine, Macallan Scotch Barrel-Aged Porter, Wild Fermented Whiskey Barrel-Aged Sour IPA and a spread of German cuisine. The first 100 people through the door get a commemorative stein and the Polkanauts will be playing from 3 to 5pm; no cover.

Now, onto other less pure events!

Wednesday, April 20, 2016 @ 2 – 10pm: 5-Year Anniversary Party at Copper Kettle Brewing Co.

Copper Kettle will be releasing 12 beers over 5 days to celebrate their “wood” anniversary. First up is Rokura, a Japanese pale ale brewed with rice and Cascade hops and fermented with Sake yeast. Mark Rush will play the patio from 6 – 9pm and Farm to Truck will serve up eats.

Thursday, April 21, 2016 @ 5pm: Grapefruit Endpoint Release Party at Renegade Brewing Co.

Endpoint is a single-hopped triple IPA that clocks in at 11.2% ABV. The hop bomb draws rave reviews and has seen several iterations, including a mango-infused version and one aged in whiskey barrels. The latest offering was brewed with grapefruit and will be available in cans at the taphouse. Additionally, receive $1 0ff 10 oz. pours in-house.

Friday, April 22, 2016 @ 4 – 7pm: Ratio & Crooked Stave Tap Takeover at Avanti F&B

To showcase the unveiling of The Wolf Bar upstairs at Avanti, the LoHi eatery will turn the taps over to Ratio and Crooked Stave. The Crooked Stave lineup includes Colorado Wild Sage, St. Bretta, and L’Brett d’Cherry while Ratio will serve up Dear You, Rented World, and Handwritten.

Saturday, April 23, 2016: OMG, THE MOTHERFUDGING AIRPORT TRAIN IS FINALLY HERE!!!

Considering Denver International Airport opened back in 1995, sixteen months behind schedule, it’s not too surprising that a viable public transportation system was also tardy. But over two decades late?! This train better make the Simpsons’ monorail look like the kids’ train at Colorado Mills. Anyway, people are understandably excited. Black Shirt Brewing Co. will be celebrating all weekend. The party on Saturday starts at 10am and will feature the newly released Common Red Kolsch, food trucks, and live music. Nearby, Beryl’s Beer Co. will start the party at 11am. with their West Coast style A-Line IPA #allaboard

Saturday, April 23, 2016 @ noon – 3pm: Arlo Batch One Release at Atom Brewing Co. (rescheduled)

Atom had to postpone the release of Arlo one week due to weather. Here’s the original listing: One of Denver’s most specialized breweries will release an open-fermentation 6.5% ABV farmhouse-inspired ale, aged for 3 months in oak barrels. Atom operates out of a barrel-filled shed at the owner’s house. Because this is a private residence, there is no on-site consumption allowed and visitors are asked to be especially mindful of neighbors. 750ML bottles of Arlo will sell for $15 and there is no limit.

Sunday, April 24, 2016 @ noon – 3pm: Dual Bottle Release at Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales (rescheduled)

Black Project also had to postpone the release of Jumpseat and Ejector one week due to weather. Here’s the original listing: Black Project will release its second edition of Jumpseat, a dry-hopped wild ale brewed with a unique hop lineup of Citra, Mosaic, Equinox, and Mandarina Bavaria. Ejector, a new double dry-hopped wild ale with New Zealand Kohatu hops, will also be available. Anyone in line by noon is guaranteed at least one bottle with official bottle limits to be announced closer to the release.

Sunday, April 24, 2016 @ 1pm – 4pm: Beer & Cheese Pairing at Fermaentra

This Sunday, A Cheese Peddler will be on hand with four cheeses from around the world to pair with offerings from Fermaentra. Both cheese and beer representatives will help explain the nuances of the pairings, which are sure to wow the senses. $15 gets you four cheeses and four 5 oz. tasters. Tickets will be available through the taproom, day of the event.

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.