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I wish that more people would pay attention to the results of the Great American Beer Festival but alas the other 95% as I call them seem more interested in people (who are purported to be stars dancing) or people who can’t sing singing.
The best place to check out a digestible set of results for me has been the Brookston Beer Bulletin. So check out his summary HERE.
Suffice it say that I am glad that California (adopted home is # 1) and that my ancestral home of Oregon was 3rd.
That’s right. The beer world has converged on Denver, Colorado for a massive amount of beer, people, breweries, events and fun. And why is the Search Party not there?
Well, dear reader, I had to make a choice. GABF now or the 1st Beer Bloggers conference (again in Colorado, this time Boulder). I chose the latter because I hope that interacting with the blogging world and learning more tech-ese will allow me to improve how I convey to you why I love the world of craft beer and why you should love it too.
In the meantime, the place to go to get your GABF fix when you can’t be in Denver is right here FoodGPS. Celebrator columnist Tomm Carroll is covering the action and you will learn all you will need to know.
In a bit of a departure for my intrepid dark beer correspondent, a sampler tray was tasted! I know it is heresy but to truly appreciate the dark beer side of life you must check the lighter side. Here is the report:
“From right to left
Light Rail Ale – light citrusy going to a doughty dusty wheat – good gardening beer. Also functioned as a palate cleanser for the subsequent beers.
Tut’s Royal Gold – sweet malty finishing with a nice sour tastes more carbonated at the finish.
Wixa Weiss – not my fab. Too barnyardy.
Mile HIPA – seriously hoppy grapefruity super bitter finish.
Railyard Ale – pretty reddish orange. Nice floral notes with a mellow finish
B3K Schwartz Bier – smoky goodness with a smooth finish. Probably my fav of the night.
Monkey’s Fist IPA – not as hoppy as the mile high but bitter finish continues to build.”
“Ignore the glasses in the background. Still working right to left
My notes were getting fuzzy by this point.
St Charles ESB – totally coats the tongue and palate. Light grapefruit with a slight bitter finish that continues to build
Patty’s Chili Beer-most interesting beer of the night. Light but definite jalapeño flavor without the spicy heat
McKenzies Milk Stout – chocolate/ espresso. Really sweet a little smoky sweet finish. Would make a great float.”
When I went to GABF last year, the one place that I visited twice was Great Divide. Now they have expanded and more new releases should be coming out in 2010 and 2011. Like this one…
“Rumble IPA is an American IPA with subtle nuance. Brewed with heavy-handed additions of Pacific Northwest hops, this beer is gently aged on French and American oak resulting in a wonderful balance of bitterness, caramel sweetness, vanilla, and undertones of pine and citrus.”
Great Divide 16th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA
“Based on our most award-winning beer, Denver Pale Ale, this copper-hued treat is a celebration of everything Great Divide does best. Plenty of malty sweetness provides a backdrop for earthy English and American hops, while French and American oak round off the edges and provide a touch of vanilla.”
Denver, like Portland and now Los Angeles is full of great places to sit down and have a great craft brew or two. Pint’s Pub marries the English pub with the American brewpub. All of their beers sound great but the Dark Star caught my eye.
Here is the description to whet your appetite…”Dark Star Ale
Live ale from the hand pump. A robust nut-brown ale with a malty start and a traditional dry-hopped finish.”
One of my favorite spots in Denver’s excellent beer scene is re-booting the saison and naming it Collete and making it available in six-packs.
If you go to the GABF website, my profile is now up! I have perused the breweries and events and here is what I plan on doing. (I’m keeping it light for my first visit)
Collaboration Celebration panel
6:30 to 7:00 with Tomme Arthur and Tonya Cornett
You Be the Judge booth
7:30 to 8:15
Beer Enthusiast bookstore
I will be checking out who is signing books throughout the night
Here is the list of breweries that I want to visit…
Cascade Brewery, 10 Barrel Brewing, Cigar City Brewing, Uncommon Brewers, Heater-Allen Brewing, Pelican Pub, Mt. Emily Ale House, Bell’s Brewery, Three Floyds Brewing, Goose Island Brewing
Starting next Monday, I will be giving you the re-cap from Denver. Including my favorite beer and photos of all the sights.
Boulder Beer @the Denver airport
Main Terminal, Level 5
phone: (303) 342-8326
To start or finish your GABF adventure!