Beer Me: June 21, 2016 – June 27, 2016
Colorado is often ranked among the healthiest states in the union. While it would be easy to attribute that standing to the plethora of outdoor activities available to residents of the Centennial State, maybe we need to give the easy access to craft beer more credit.
A recent study by the Harris Poll found that craft beer drinkers live healthier lifestyles than other tipplers. While beer of the fizzy yellow ilk is still often imbibed via shotgun or funnel, craft beer enthusiasts are more likely to drink less, exercise more, and be more food-conscious than their macro-beer swilling brethren.
This trend is easy to see in Denver where taprooms host yoga and bootcamps. Breweries organize running groups, promote endurance events, and sponsor cycling teams. The brewery bike tour is a Mile High institution and one of the state’s most well-known beers is named in honor of a bike trip through Europe.
This week you can enhance your craft beer-infused healthy lifestyle by participating in Bike to Work Day. This Wednesday, 34,000 Denverites are expected to ditch their regular method of transportation in favor of pedal-powered momentum. (That’s compared to 18,000 on a regular work day.)
While there will be stations set up across the city to fuel your journey to work, it’s after work that the party really begins. Bring your bike helmet into Declaration Brewing and enjoy happy hour all night long. Factotum Brewhouse is offering buy one, get one deals for those on two wheels from 4 – 10pm. In Arvada, Odyssey Beerworks will have discounted beer and raffle prizes for bikers. And, up in Boulder, Upslope Brewing Co. will give away a free pint glass to the first fifty folks with a bike and raffle off various swag.
Here’s what else is happening this week…
P.S. Last week we talked about the splintering of the Colorado Brewers Guild. A lot of people did. So much so that AB InBev and Breckenridge Brewery released a statement addressing the situation.
Tuesday, June 21, 2016, sign-up at 8pmish, game at 8:30pm: Riot Fest Presents Ratio Quiz Show at Ratio Beerworks
The Ratio Quiz Show is a new show that pits teams of audience members (up to 5 people) against a panel of “experts”. If the expert team wins, the prizes for the audience members suck…if an audience team takes first place, the prizes are AWESOME. This month’s theme is Riot Fest and a pair of tickets to the fest will be up for grabs.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 @ 4 – 8pm: Relaunch Takeover at First Draft Taproom & Kitchen
River North Brewery is celebrating their reopening with a tap takeover at First Draft. River North White, FarmHouse, J. Marie, Quandary, Anniversary Ale 4 ¼, and Barrel Aged Avarice will all be available on draft and there will also be giveaways.
Thursday, June 23, 2016 @ 7pm: Open Mic Night at Declaration Brewing
Calling all musicians, poets, storytellers, comedians, jugglers, gangsta rappers, animal balloon artists, and/or mimes: tonight’s the night to show your stuff. Sign-up starts at 6:45pm; the fame lasts forever.
Friday, June 24, 2016 @ 2 – 8pm: 2016 Banana Hammock Release at Wit’s End Brewing Co.
Wit’s End is releasing one of their most popular seasonal offerings, the awkwardly named Banana Hammock. The amber rye Hefeweizen will be available in the taproom all summer, available to go in Wit’s End 40s or growlers, and at select venues around town.
Saturday, June 25, 2016 @ noon – 10pm: Birth of Cool at Spangalang Brewery
Spangalang is teaming up with The Real Dill to celebrate the release of Birth of Cool Cucumber Gose. It will be a night of pickles and beer, with some unique one-off pickles created for the event. Any local picklers are welcome to bring in their best efforts to be judged by the experts. The Mike Schwartz band will provide the pickle soundtrack.
Saturday, June 25, 2016 @ 3 – 10pm: 5th Anniversary Block Party at Renegade Brewing Co.
Inner Oceans will be headlining Renegade’s fifth anniversary shindig at 8:30pm. The brewery will shut down the street and have plenty of other local bands, local food trucks, and “offensively delicious” beers. All beers will be available for a $5 beer ticket or you can purchase a $15 ticket that includes a commemorative stainless steel mug along with one free beer and up to five $4 beer tickets.
Sunday, June 26, 2016 @ 10am – 2pm: Bluegrass Brunch at Mockery Brewing
Widespread Panic is playing a three-night stand at Red Rocks this weekend and Mockery is commemorating the occasion with brunch, beer, and bluegrass. Live music proided by Blow the Vault and Timber; brunch provided by Little Bird Baking Co. No cover!
Monday, June 27, 2016 @ 3 – 10pm: New Monday Hours at New Image Brewing Co.
New Image opened in Olde Town Arvada in March and have just expanded their hours of operation to include Mondays. Swing by and check out their newly released Olde Town Regular, a 5.5% dry-hopped American blonde ale. Happy hour runs 3 – 5pm.
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.