Beer Me: June 7, 2016 – June 13, 2016

Founded in 1994, Great Divide Brewing Co. will celebrate its 22nd Anniversary on Saturday, June 11, 2016 from 2 – 6pm. Denver’s oldest brewery also recently released a revamped version of their venerable Denver Pale Ale and unveiled the latest offering in the Tank Farm series, Nadia Kali, a Saison infused with hibiscus, ginger, and lemon peel. Ruby red in color, crisp and complex, Nadia will surely be a patio staple this summer.

“Over the past 22 years, we’ve had the opportunity to grow and learn from our very talented co-workers at the brewery,” related founder and president, Brian Dunn, on the upcoming celebration. “This past year alone has been extremely notable for us. We’ve released new beers, we started canning last summer in our new space in RiNo, we’re expanding our barrel aged and sour program—it’s been a crazy year, and we’re not done.”

Speaking of sours, the much-anticipated anniversary beer for 2016 will be a Dark American Sour Ale, aged in red wine barrels. “Notes of black cherry jam and tobacco are countered by a welcome tartness and tannic oak finish that lasts long after each sip,” according to a recent press release.

While usually ordered by its alias DPA, Great Divide is embracing the gravitas of Denver Pale Ale’s enviable trademark, retooling the hop bill to create an Americanized-version that carries citrus and pine notes, a faint maltiness and a slightly bitter finish.

“This city has changed a lot since we first launched Denver Pale Ale almost 20 years ago and so have the palates of craft beer drinkers,” explained Dunn. “The original Denver Pale Ale is a great beer and has won a lot of awards throughout the years, but we decided it was time to update the beer to better represent everything that this city has become.”

Adding to the “Denver-ness” of the new brew is the can’s original artwork by local artist, Josh Holland. Each year, a new artist will have the opportunity to provide the can’s distinct graphics.

“The people of Denver are very proud to live here,” said Holland. “I took that inspiration and thought carefully about each element I designed for this can. The can captures the hybrid lifestyle of Denver, city and small town, laid-back and adventurous, inspiring and creative.”

Tickets to the Great Divide 22nd Anniversary Party are $40 and include unlimited beer samples (rare and one-off offerings included), a $5 food ticket, a commemorative tasting glass, a beer and ice cream float, the “Yeti Experience”, outdoor games, and performances from Chimney Choir, Strange Americans, and Zach Heckendorf.

Now…events!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 @ noon: Tap-it Tuesday – Select #3 at Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

Despite popular thinking, not everything at Crooked Stave is sour. Check out their Brewer Select series, which features one-off beers available for a limited time. This week, they’ll be offering up their third beer in this series, a 9% American-style Porter that comes with a healthy dose of aromatic hops.

Wednesday, June 8, 2016 @ 11am: One Keg Wednesday at Black Shirt Brewing Co.

The 31st edition of Black Shirt’s popular One Keg Wednesday series was brewed in conjunction with friends and neighbors in the RiNo Arts District. This experimental one-off beer is a Saison infused with fresh strawberry, rhubarb, basil, and cucumber.

Thursday, June 9, 2016 @ 7 – 9pm: Bluegrass Jam Session at Call to Arms Brewing Company

Fancy yourself a pickin’ prodigy? Head down to Call to Arms for their open jam session hosted by Bill Huston of Monocle Band. Join in and get a free pint at the bar. Otherwise just head down to listen, dance, and drink.

Friday, June 10 & Saturday, June 11, 2016 @ 4:30pm: Tour the Juicebox at Rackhouse Pub

Take a FREE tour of Rackhouse cohabitants, C Squared Cider and Bierstadt Lagerhaus. They’ll drop some cider and lager making knowledge on you along the way. Tours occur every Friday and Saturday, take approximately 45 minutes, and are limited to the first 30 guests #runforestrun

Saturday, June 11, 2016 @ noon: 2016 Tandem Pedal Release and Doughnut Pairing at Denver Beer Co.

Blood Orange Tandem Pedal Double IPA is brewed with a blend of Centennial, Nelson Sauvin, Citra, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops to give it a robust citrus flavor with hints of tangerines and grapefruits. They’ve also thrown in some blood oranges to double down on the citrus intensity and lend a slight sweetness. This juice bomb clocks in at 10% ABV, hence the advice to pedal with a partner. Tandem Pedal will be paired with three other beers and four doughnuts from Habit Doughnut Dispensary. Tickets are $12 and going fast, so donut delay #sorrynotsorry

Sunday, June 12, 2016 @ 11am: Brewery Bike Crawl – Arvada to Golden hosted by Odyssey Beerwerks

Head out for a Sunday bike tour and earn your pints. The trek starts at 11am at Yak & Yeti and will travel along the Ralston Creek and Clear Creek trails hitting Odyssey, Cannonball Creek, Mountain Toad Brewing, and Golden City Brewery, finishing back in Arvada around 6pm [insert sound of bike bell here].

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.