Colorful Colorado is a state where the locals won’t settle for anything less than the best. As a result, there are lots of options for everything. The scenery is incredibly diverse, from rolling plains in the east to the arid southwest to the pine forests of the Rocky Mountains and the skyscrapers and smokestacks of Denver. There’s an expression that if you don’t like the weather here, wait five minutes. There’s an excellent selection of ski resorts, national parks, marijuana dispensaries (for those with medical justification) and organic food markets.
Perhaps the greatest variety, however, can be found in the beer. A trip to Liquor Mart, a truly impressive Boulder liquor store of immense size and breadth sells an extremely heterogeneous assortment of beers with monikers ranging from the technical to the bizarre: a few of my favorite beer names are “Hazed and Infused,” “Sweaty Betty,” “Arrogant Bastard Ale” and “Stone IPA.” The overwhelming majority of beers sold in Colorado come from local breweries. Of course the largest brewer in the state is Coors, located in Golden, but few locals drink that. The most popular beers seem to be Avery, Twisted Pine, Left Hand, Fat Tire and an assortment of others. For beer connoisseurs, for lovers of pub fare and even those looking for a good time with the family, Colorado’s breweries offer quality beer crafted in novel ways combined with a laid back and fun atmosphere. Here’s a list of some of the best.
“Mountain Sun Brewery” – Boulder, Colorado: Mountain Sun has a reputation for being popular with beer snobs. Don’t let that put you off. The décor is pure Boulder with tapestries on the wall, a cool but diverse crowd, a massive cabinet full of board games and a stand up bar at the back that’s usually jam packed with people. Mountain Sun only sells its beer in house. As is usual, the names are oddly descriptive: Resinous Rye, Yonder Mountain Stout, Colorado Kind or FY-IPA. Located on Pearl Street, it’s one of the most popular places in town on a Friday night.
“Oskar Blues” – Longmont, Colorado: Oskar Blues is, without doubt, one of my favorite places to go out to eat in Colorado. Located off Diagonal Highway on the outskirts of Longmont, the Oskar Blues sign advertises that the brewery specializes in “Liquids and Solids.” Just outside the door there’s a beer keg that’s been converted into a flowing fountain. Inside, the all wood décor is embellished by album covers as well as beer cans that have been turned into birds and fish. The booths are plush and spacious. Oskar Blues has an excellent barbecue menu with ribs that are particularly good. Their Rocky Mountain Chili, only available on Sundays, contains deer, elk and bison. The place also brews a number of award winning beers (Dale’s Pale Ale–the top US Pale Ale according to the New York Times, Gordon Ale and Mama’s Little Yella Pils) and a pretty good root beer.
“Tommy Knockers” – Idaho Springs, Colorado: One of the attractions of Tommy Knockers is its. The gold mining town of Idaho Springs, located just off route 70 in the heart of the mountains boasts a charming 19th century old town and many attractions including thermal baths, mine tours, gem shops and a variety of boutiques. The brewery itself has located immediately adjacent to the restaurant and pub so its customers can see the peculiar mechanics of brewing beer. Tommy Knockers has EXCELLENT food: with two varieties of chili, multiple burgers made from beef and bison as well as quality ribs and steaks. A number of the beers have won awards in tasting competitions (including Pick Axe Pale Ale, Butt Head Bock and Ornery Amber Lager) and Tommy Knockers brews, without doubt, the best root beer that I have ever tasted. In 2009 Tommy Knockers was voted best Brew Pub in Colorado by West Word magazine.
Boulder Beer Company – Boulder, Colorado: Boulder Beer is a local institution. The brewery’s beers with bizarre names and colorful bottles are offered in most bars in the Denver area. The pub is small but in the summer its outside area is a popular hang out for diners and beer lovers. The bar food is not bad but one of the best reasons for visiting this particular brewery is to purchase the creative and stylish t-shirts, hats and bumper stickers for sale.
