Beer Me: August 23, 2016 – August 29, 2016

Good news! Further proof that the craft beer sky might not be falling comes this week from the Boulder-based Brewers Association and its chief economist, Bart Watson. In his estimation, “There aren’t enough breweries!”

Watson explains that what we are currently seeing in the craft beer world is not a “bubble.” “A bubble is the opposite of demand-driven growth – it’s a level of investment or asset price increases that isn’t fundamentally tied to demand.”

Now I’m no economist – all my money is tied up in space beer – but the crux of the argument appears to be that as long as the demand for craft beer keeps up with the growth in breweries, we can avoid a similar fate to “The Shakeout” referenced in last week’s post.

There’s an informative graph that tracks brewery production versus TTB brewery permits (the permit required to start a brewery), going back to 1990. The shakeout happened on the areas of the graph where permits equaled production. Since then, production has grown at a much greater pace.

Definitely worth reading the entire post.

Now…on to the events! (FYI It’s a busy week…)

Tuesday, August 23 – Friday, August 26, 2016: Back to School BOGO at Factotum Brewhouse

Bidding adieu to summer and getting back into the school groove is a drag. Thankfully, Factotum is there to help ease the transition with a buy-one-get-one deal for educators. Just bring your work badge to the taphouse and bask in the denial that the school year has already started.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 @ 5 – 10pm: Malts vs. Hops at First Draft Taproom & Kitchen

While malt and hops are key building blocks in any beer since the Middle Ages (looking at you, gruit…),  Firestone Walker will be tapping selections that showcase the characteristics of one or the other including STiVO Keller Pils (collaboration with Russian River), Unfiltered DBA, Luponic Sitorition #2, Stickee Monkee, Pale 31, and Union Jack. Which side will you choose?  

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 @ 2 – 9pm: Chili Cask Month at Copper Kettle Brewing Company

August is Chili Cask Month at Copper Kettle and this week they’re adding some international heat to their offerings with a Vietnamese Ot Hiem Say Pale Ale (you’ll have to imagine the fancy accent marks). The literal translation is “dangerous pepper” so proceed with caution. Smoke: Colorado Craft Barbecue will also be on-site, serving up their own heat.

Thursday, August 25, 2016 @ 3 – 9pm: Princess Peach Heliocentric Beer Release at Odyssey Beerwerks

Odyssey’s first fruit beer utilizes fresh Palisade Peaches to enhance the balance of wheat and barley and add a unique layer to their Heliocentric Hefeweizen. At 5.5% ABV and 11 IBUs, Princess Peach is a perfect complement to a warm August evening.

Thursday, August 25, 2016 @ 4 – 7pm: Paws and Pints at Bruz Beers

Bruz was recently featured in a Denver Post article on the rise of the neighborhood brewery. Check out the Midtown location and bring one of the following items to donate to the Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue for a free beer – toys, bowls, crates, exercise pens, food, or $5 cash donation.

Thursday, August 25, 2016 @ 4 – 9pm: Nautical Buzz Tap and Bottle Release at Ursula Brewery

Ursula teamed up with Logan House Coffee Company to create Nautical Buzz, a coffee-infused IPA. Available on tap and in bottles.

Friday, August 26, 2016 @ 4 – 11pm: West Coast Vs. East Coast IPA Battle at Grist Brewing Company

The East Coast/West Coast battle rages on in IPA form. Like your pale ales big and bitter or does your palate prefer a hazy, juice bomb? Vote for your favorite between West Side Till I Die and Notorious M.I.K.E. Biggie and Tupac will be providing the soundtrack and ChurnandBurn will be serving eats.

Friday, August 26, 2016 @ 6 – 9pm: Secret Tap: Starfire Citrus Table Sour at Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales

James and Sarah Howat recently shuttered Former Future Brewing to focus wholly on Black Project, their (former) side project. While the location is the same, the taproom has been rebranded to reflect the switch. This Friday, they’ll be releasing one sixtel of a low-gravity sour wheat ale with lemon and lime zest. Apparently, this brew tastes like a dry, sour shandy.

Saturday, August 27, 2016 @ noon: Nightmare Fuel Release at River North Brewery

River North brings back their 13.5% ABV imperial coffee stout, available in $10 bottles and on draft. The pitch black ale is loaded with more than three pounds of local dark roast coffee beans per barrel.

Saturday, August 27, 2016 @ 1 – 5pm: Libations & Provisions at Station 26 Brewing Co.

Station 26 invites local merchants to sell their wares in this brewery-hosted farmers market. Vendors include Basic Kneads Pizza, The Agápē Roasting Project, Chocolate Lab, New World Cheese, Smart Cookie Barkery, The Funky Trunk, Tonix Denver, Tru Pickles, and Two Ravens Soap Company.

Sunday, August 28, 2016 @ 3 – 6pm: Orale! Bog Days of Summer Chili Cook Off at Boggy Draw Brewery

Boggy Draw is accepting entries to their first chili cook-off in the categories of red, green, and vegetarian. Or, if you’d prefer to simply pass judgment, $10 gets you a beer, chili, and a bowl of posole. Live music will be making the event even more festive.

Monday, August 29, 2016 @ 4 – 10pm: Keg of the Mondays at Diebolt Brewing Company

Diebolt is open for business seven days a week and they’re increasing your case of the Mondays to a keg. Each Monday, they’ll tap a keg of experimental beer and also offer 20% off for industry folks.

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.