Beer Me: September 20, 2016 – September 26, 2016

Considering hops and cannabis are part of the same family, it was only a matter of time once weed was legalized in Colorado that some byproduct of the plant would show up in beer. Aurora’s Dad and Dudes Breweria has been at the forefront of this movement, producing Dank IPA and releasing Indica IPA, a cannabidiol-infused beer, at last year’s Great American Beer Festival (GABF).

This year at GABF, they’re upping the ante and debuting the first federally approved cannabis-infused craft beer. General Washington’s Secret Stash plays up the fact that our country’s first Commander-in-Chief and took about a year to gain approval from the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

First off…this beer will not get you high. According to the brewery’s Kickstarter page, “our Cannabis stalk and stem extract is 100% legal and federally approved. It is classified industrial hemp as it contains 0% THC and is non-psychoactive. It contains ~4mg cannabinoids per pint.” The beer is more about challenging a status quo that the brewery feels unjustly demonizes cannabis and highlighting the plant’s current scheduling that puts it in the same class as LSD, ecstasy, and peyote, in other words, “drugs,” according to the DEA, “with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

While Dad and Dudes love “suds, buds and America,” there is another more altruistic purpose to this canna-beer: “This is also about sharing vital information about Patent #6630507. We believe our project will also help bring the debate and necessary information about cannabis nationwide through your local bar, tavern, or liquor store. Legalization is inevitable, but lets [sic] tip the scales before big pharma can get their grubby hands on the plant.”

George Washington’s Secret Stash has been available in the taproom and through some local accounts for about a year, but the blessing from the TTB means it can now be packaged and distributed in all 50 states. Dad and Dudes beer is currently available at 643 locations in Colorado and Washington but the Aurora brewery is hoping this new brew goes national.

If the Kickstarter campaign is successful and all goes according to plan, local accounts can expect to see the beer distributed in about three to four months, with national distribution coming another month or two later #party

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 @ 2 – 11pm: ALS Dry-Hopped Synchronic Sour Release at Fiction Beer Company

Fiction is turning two and celebrating all week long with special events and tappings. On Wednesday, try a unique dry-hopped sour that uses hops from the Ales for ALS program. Each year, the ALS Therapy Development Institute gives select brewers free hops in exchange for a portion of sales. Fiction will donate $1 from each glass sold to ALS research.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016 @ 3 – 8pm: Fresh-Hopped Strange Pale Ale Release at Strange Craft Beer Company

It’s fresh hop season and Strange’s offering features 26 pounds of fresh-picked Cascade hops from The Twisted Bine in Monument, along with five different malts. The big, hoppy but balanced brew clocks in at 4.8% ABV with 32 IBUs.

Thursday, September 22, 2016 @ 2 – 9pm: Fruity Bits Piña Colada at WeldWerks Brewing Company

If you’re feeling a worthwhile end-of-summer drive, head to Greeley where WeldWerks is celebrating the last day of the season with the release of a Piña Colada-infused Juicy Bits. From the brewery, “It’s the most fruit-forward and unique IPA we have released to date and the perfect end to summer.” 

Thursday, September 22, 2016 @ 7 – 11:30pm: Stone 20th Anniversary at Freshcraft

Freshcraft is honoring 20 years of Stone Brewing Co. with an impressive lineup of beers from the esteemed Escondido, CA brewery. The 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA is a floral, sweet, and citrusy 9% double IPA. Freshcraft will also be pouring Stone Wussie, and a selection of their Stone Encore Anniversary IPAs.

Friday, September 23, 2016 @ 11am – 11pm: New Can Release at Black Shirt Brewing Co.

Black Shirt is unveiling a new line-up of cans, designed by Narwhal Collective, this Friday with $2 cans all day. Frontman is a hoppy IPA, Springbender is an expressive Saison, and Timekeeper is a crisp Rye Pale Ale. A DJ, food truck, and giveaways will add to the festivities.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 @ 11am – 10pm: Oktoberfest at The Rackhouse

Oktoberfest continues at The Rackhouse where RiNo will resemble Munich, complete with classic German food, Oompah bands, and a Masskrugstemmen (beer-stein holding) competition, along with beers from 10 neighborhood breweries. Tickets are $20 and include your stein, a liter of beer, and a donation to the RiNo Art District.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 @ noon: Fresh Hop IPA Release at Alpine Dog Brewing Company

Alpine Dog loaded their fresh hop offering with fresh-picked hops from the Western Slope, brewing the beer just under one month ago. Fresh Hopped IPA is “magnificence in a glass” according to the brewery. Beef King will be serving up eats and there will be a pair of Thursday night GABF tickets up for grabs.

Saturday, September 24, 2016 @ 2 – 6pm: Colorado Wild & Sour Ales Tap Takeover at The Crafty Fox

The Fermentologists – a nonprofit science club of sorts for beer nerds – is celebrating three years with a tap takeover at The Tasty Fox, featuring beers from Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales and TRVE Brewing. Tickets are $28 ($35 day of) and include unlimited pizza, two craft beers from a select menu, and access to exclusive craft beers from Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales and TRVE Brewing. Check out the discussion on The Crafty Fox event page for more info on what beers to expect.

Sunday, September 25, 2016 @ 11am – 11pm: Scarlata Cucumis Release at Avery Brewing Company

Number 40 in Avery’s Barrel-Aged Series is Scarlata Cucumis, a Sour Ale aged in oak barrels with fresh pressed cucumber juice and hibiscus. $12 per bottle, limit one per person #spabeer

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.