Beer Me: September 6, 2016 – September 12, 2016

A study released last week by the University of Colorado-Boulder’s Leeds School of Business and commissioned by the Colorado Brewers Guild revealed that Colorado’s craft beer industry has had an overall economic impact of $1.7 billion with $369 million in direct value added in 2015.

The industry in Colorado – which dates back to 1859 – is now 350 breweries and brewpubs strong, spread across 94 cities and accounts for 7,776 jobs and $882 million in industry sales.

The number of breweries in operation in Colorado is triple what it was just a decade ago and the state is now third in terms of breweries per capita and total number of breweries.

An interesting note is that while labor is 100% locally sourced, other key items such as hops (8%) and grains (9.3%) are much more likely to come from out of state.

The outlook from the report was mostly positive with breweries doing good and expecting to do good. 94% of participating breweries reported donating to charities and close to 49% projected growth in excess of 20% in 2016.

Cheers to that! Now…onto events!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016 @ 5 – 8pm: Paralympic Viewing Party & Fundraiser at Strange Craft Beer Company

The countdown is on for the start of the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Opening ceremonies will be this Wednesday in Rio De Janeiro. Come cheer on Team USA and help support the National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD). Strange Craft will be hosting a viewing party and $1 from every pint sold that evening will benefit the NSCD.

Thursday, September 8, 2016 @ 5 – 9pm: Lee Hill Series Volume 9 Release at Upslope Brewing Company

The latest installment in Upslope’s Lee Hill Series is a Barrel Aged Doppelbock. At 9.1% ABV the beer is strong and malty and was aged for five months in three different barrels: rye, whiskey, and tequila. The beer will be on tap and for sale in 19.2-ounce cans for $10. The Ginger Pig will be serving food.

Thursday, September 8, 2016: Broncos vs Panthers at various breweries

The NFL season kicks off with a re-(mis)match of last year’s Super Bowl. Who won that again? Mockery Brewing will serve BOGO pints to anyone in Broncos gear and River North Brewery will offer $1 off full pours for those in blue + orange. Big Choice Brewing will have free food and Kokopelli Beer Co. will extend happy hour and offer discounts on growler fills and pizza.

Friday, September 9, 2016 @ 1 – 11pm: Oktoberfest Beer Release at Grist Brewing Company

Along with pumpkin beers, fall is also time to tap Oktoberfest beers. Traditionally brewed in March and allowed to ferment slowly in caves, modern breweries can whip up batches in much less time. Grist will have theirs on tap and in limited edition six-packs.

Saturday, September 10, 2016 @ 1 – 11pm: Bottle Release at Station 26 Brewing Co.

Station 26 will release a Barrel-Aged Belgian Golden Strong on tap and in 750 mL bottles for $18 this Saturday. This beer was aged for more than 12 months in Hungarian oak Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels and brewed with Belgian pilsner malt, candi sugar, Saaz hops, and East Flanders yeast. Basic Kneads Pizza will also be onsite, serving wood-fired pizzas all day.

Sunday, September 11, 2016 @ 1 – 9pm: Codename: SuperDuperFan Can Release at Odd13 Brewing

Odd13 is doubling down on their much sought-after Codename: SuperFan, upping the ingredients and brewing it as a double IPA. Available in cans only at the taproom; buy a case and get a pint glass. Limit one case per person.

Sunday, September 11, 2016 @ 4 – 7pm: Pancakes Release Party at Renegade Brewing Company

Renegade is serving up breakfast for dinner along with their Pancakes Maple Porter. $15 gets you a 16-ounce pour and a pancake dinner with different toppings #yum

Monday, September 12, 2016 @ 6 – 8pm: Beer and Cheese at Alpine Dog Brewing Company

Normally closed on Mondays, Alpine Dog will open for an intimate beer and cheese pairing party. Four different soft-ripened cheeses from MouCo Cheese Company in Fort Collins will be served with four specially curated beers. Participants will also get an opportunity to tour the brewery post-cheese eating. Tickets are $20 and attendance is capped at 50 people.

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.