Beer Me: November 15, 2016 – November 21, 2016
With more than 60 breweries in Denver alone, keeping up with the city’s expanding beer scene can be a Sisyphean task. Many neighborhoods make visiting several breweries in a single outing nothing more than a quick jaunt around the block. But, once you’ve exhausted the local options, it’s time to head further afield, an act that necessitates transportation.
One option—now in its second month—is Thirsty Third Thursday, a partnership between the Colorado Brewers Guild (CBG) and Lyft. The promotion offers 25% off multiple rides to or from select breweries. You can find details on downloading and claiming the offer here.
“Lyft reached out to us, looking for a way to creatively offer their customers [options] that involve craft beer,” explained Steve Kurowski, CBG’s Operations Director. “We came up with this idea to switch breweries every month…and to help people easily get from brewery to brewery safely and explore all these breweries we have in Colorado.”
Beyond the opportunity to earn yet another “Find The Source” badge on Untapped, the program also advocates for enjoying responsibly. While a few flights spread across multiple breweries might only add up to a pint or two, with offerings ranging from 3% session beers to 13% barrel-aged barleywines, it’s no longer safe to assume the old adage that your liver can process one beer per hour.
Earlier this year, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) launched “A Few Brews – Social Experiment,” which was a fake brewery tour emphasizing the fact that “this isn’t your grandfather’s beer.” Participants were alarmed by what they blew at the end of the tour, with some admitting they had driven in similar situations.
“I think it’s a big part of marketing at a lot of breweries. It’s always part of our conversation,” said Kurowski. “It’s a great way to build a relationship between Lyft and the Guild and even CDOT. With all these breweries around…sending that message of responsible consumption is always a good idea.”
Over 500 people claimed the inaugural Lyft promotion in October, which featured Renegade Brewing Co., Great Divide Barrel Bar, Cerebral Brewing, River North Brewery, and Factotum Brewhouse. This month, Lyft will be offering discounted rides to/from Diebolt Brewing Co., Goldspot Brewing Co., Call To Arms Brewing Co., Joyride Brewing Co., and Little Machine Beer.
And, while we’re talking Colorado breweries, take a minute to check out the captivating beer tourism videos the CBG produced for Denver, Colorado Springs, the Western Slope, mountain towns, and Fort Collins.
Now, events!
Tuesday, November 15, 2016 @ 6 – 10pm: Pour Over Pairing at Avanti F&B
Last year, New Belgium Brewing teamed up with Ben & Jerry’s to create Salted Caramel Brownie Brown Ale. This year, the two B-Corp companies will release Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ale. A beer on a mission, $50,000 of the proceeds will benefit Protect Our Winters. Head over to Avanti to try pairings of the beer + inspirational ice cream, as and your luck at winning some pf the giveaways.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 @ 5:30 – 7:30pm: Kegs with Legs at Battery 621
Enjoy some brews from Crazy Mountain Brewing Company, explore a new agency, and network with other young professionals in the creative industry. The event is FREE and open to the public, so grab your colleagues and come learn more about the Colorado advertising scene!
Thursday, November 17, 2016 @ 4 – 6pm: 11 Iron Men Beer Release at Ursula Brewery
In the year 1934, brains and brawn met on the gridiron in the form of the 11-man Yale University football team. That year, they became the last team in modern history to play the entire season without a substitution, on their way to beating undefeated Princeton and becoming the top team in the country. 11 Iron Men honors that achievement—as well as Ursula owner, Scott Procop’s grandfather who played on the team. The beer is a massive 11% ABV IPA, brewed with 11 hops and 11 malts.
Friday, November 18, 2016 @ 5 – 10pm: National Yeti Day at Great Divide Barrel Bar
Did you know that Yetis make 25% less than Bigfoot and Sasquatch? Probably not. That’s why Great Divide established National Yeti Awareness Week, “a way to celebrate and promote the awareness of these majestical creatures, and encourage others to believe.” On Friday, a multitude of Yetis will take over the taps at the Barrel Bar, including Velvet Yeti, seasonal Yetis, and some special Yeti firkins. Non-barrel-aged versions will be 20% off. The event also marks the release of the Yeti 3-pack, which features three different rotating Yetis along with a Yeti carabiner mug #YetiAwareness
Saturday, November 19, 2016 @ 11am – 5pm: Thanksgiving Pie & Beer Pairing at Denver Beer Co.
Possibly no holiday is more synonymous with pies than Thanksgiving. And, while pumpkin is the crusted dessert du jour on most tables, DBC is teaming up with The Long I Pie Shop to expand your pie horizons. $20 will get you four pies paired with four beers: Drunken Nut (Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie) and Barrel Aged Imperial Porter; Honey Flower (Salted Honey Lavender Pie) and Incredible Pedal IPA; Pumpkins in the Mud (Pumpkin Pie with a Chocolate Ganache) and Graham Cracker Porter; and Grandma’s Pie (Spiced Apple Cranberry Pie) and Cheery Creek Saison. If you’re so inclined, $40 will get you your favorite pie plus growler pairing for pickup on Wednesday in time for Turkey/Tofurkey Day.
Saturday, November 19, 2016 @ noon – 4pm: Day of Darks at Wynkoop Brewing Co.
All that creepy, newly acquired face furniture can only mean one thing…it’s Movember. “Shave the date” for Wynkoop’s annual Day of Darks celebration. Tickets are $30 and get you a commemorative glass, chocolates + chocolate desserts, and all the dark beer you can handle from 25 breweries.
Sunday, November 20, 2016 @ noon – 5pm: 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off at Chain Reaction Brewing Co.
The best red, green, veggie, exotic, and experimental chili will all be crowned at Chain Reaction’s third annual chili cook-off. Contest entry is free; just bring enough for everyone and serving tools. The brewery will also have on-site screen printing so that you can take home a custom t-shirt. Sign-up at the taproom or on the event page.
Monday, November 21, 2016 @ 6:30 – 9:30pm: Friendsgiving at Platt Park Brewing Co.
Thanksgiving, the holiday so good you want to enjoy it multiple times. Each year, Platt Park Brewing invites friends and neighbors over for a Friendsgiving feast, potluck-style. They’ll provide the turkey, you bring a side.
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.