Beer Me: July 26, 2016 – August 1, 2016
The beloved musical mayhem that is the Underground Music Showcase storms into the Baker ‘hood Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31, 2016. Featuring several hundred local and national acts, spread across 17 venues, the 15th annual UMS (pronounced, u-a-mess) will showcase Denver’s diverse music scene and the colorful community that surrounds it.
For the fifth year running, Breckenridge Brewery will be the official beer sponsor, filling accounts around town with special offerings and stocking the main stage beer tents with multiple drafts and cans.
“It’s a real community-based event, which we like,” said Ryan Workman, Brand Manager at Breckenridge. “We really like the fact that for the people who are throwing it, the main focus is to be able to have a lot of people gain access to these homegrown Colorado bands…We think there is a lot of symbiosis between a hand-crafted beer and a hand-crafted music scene.”
Breckenridge, which recently vacated its facility on Kalamath Street in exchange for the sprawling 12-acre Farm House campus in Littleton, also enjoys staying in tune with its roots. “That area of town has always been really good to us,” explained Workman, “so we try to give back and support the local music scene as much as we can.”
Last year, Breckenridge unveiled a specially brewed UMS Lager for the festival, which they will once again roll out in 2016. This year’s version was created with the input of Denver band, Codename: Carter.
For some more unique Breckenridge pours, head to the tap takeover at The Hornet, which will feature several rare and one-off selections such as the hoppy Wheat Ale, Ophelia, aged in tequila barrels and the Imperial White IPA brewed with lemongrass (part of the Brewery Lane Series), among others.
Also, keep an eye out for the recently released Nitro Vanilla Porter served in 16-ounce cans, which offers the nitrogen-infused draft experience without the need for a pint glass.
Tickets to the 2016 Underground Music Showcase are still available but will increase in price once the festival begins.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 @ 4pm: Aurora Strong Ale Tapping & Bottle Release at Ursula Brewery
Members of the Aurora brewing community have brewed a special Belgian strong ale in honor of the victims of the 2012 Aurora theater shooting. 20% of each bomber of Aurora Strong Ale will go directly to the Alexander C Teves (ACT) Foundation, which awards scholarships to students with unique learning, behavioral, and emotional needs.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 @ 6pm: Paul’s Life Celebration at Declaration Brewing
Celebrate the life of microbiologist and Denver beer-champion, Paul Ogg, tonight at Declaration Brewery. During this year’s American Craft Beer Week, over 100 breweries served an Imperial Porter based on one of Ogg’s homebrew recipes for the Biggest Small Beer Ever. Declaration will tap Paradise in Helles and there will be a silent auction benefiting Ogg’s family.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016 @ noon: One-Year Anniversary at First Draft Taproom & Kitchen
First Draft kicks off their first-anniversary bash with a slew of specialty tappings, including a collaboration with Odd13 Brewing. “The Economist is a hazy, hoppy American wheat beer brewed with a unique sacch strain of yeast that kicks off huge pineapple and tropical fruit characteristics. A rich mouthfeel complements the orange and grapefruit peels added as well as a small Mosaic dry hop. The result is a beer reminiscent of juice from passion fruit, orange, and guava.” The party goes on through Sunday. Check out the event page for a full list of releases.
Thursday, July 28, 2016 @ 8pm: Zero F*cks Given Karaoke at Black Sky Brewery
What more can we say?
Friday, July 29, 2016 @ noon: Brewhouse Launch Party at New Image Brewing Company
Everyone has taken a brewery tour but not everyone has seen what happens before the tanks are filled. In Arvada, New Image is giving beer enthusiasts the opportunity to watch the installation of their new brewhouse. While they toil, you can enjoy live music and a special happy hour.
Saturday, July 30, 2016 @ noon – 2:30pm: Taste of Tennyson: A Walking Beer Tour
Experience the brewery, food, and shopping scene along Tennyson Street with the engaging, beer-savvy folks from Altitude Beer Ventures. West End Tap House, Call to Arms Brewing Co., and De Steeg Brewing are on the docket and attendees will get to sample three beers at each location and receive fun, interactive beer knowledge, as well as a pasty from Pasty Republic. Beer bonus: De Steeg will be releasing four new barrel-aged creations that day. Tickets are $30.
Sunday, July 31, 2016 @ 2 – 5pm: Cupcakes & Beer Pairing at Ratio Beerworks
Beer is the ultimate universal pairing tool. It can be gussied up with fancy cheese or dressed down with greasy bacon. Try the “ultimate mouth party” when Ratio teams up with Church of Cupcakes to bring you a pretty awesome Sunday. Sample lavender honey-lemon cupcakes with Dear You French Saison or fleur-de-sel caramel chocolate with Hold Steady Scotch Ale. $15 gets you a flight of three cupcakes and three tasters.
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” and Certified Beer Server, 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.