Beer Events
Distanced Yet Together: 12th Annual Denver Rare Beer Tasting Goes Virtual
August 18, 2020 | Karen Mills
While many beer festivals have been canceled due to the pandemic, the 12th annual Denver Rare Beer Tasting is taking a page out of Great American Beer Festival’s book and will be taking place virtually the weekend of September 25-27. It will feature a live, online event portion, remote brewery releases, and an auction to raise funds for the Pints for Prostates campaign. Over 70 leading craft breweries have already committed to participating in the event.
FoBAB Cancelled, ICBG to Continue with Virtual Competition
August 11, 2020 | Dan and Lizzie
On Thursday, the Illinois Craft Brewer’s Guild announced that their annual Festival of Barrel and Wood Aged Beer (FoBAB) will be among the many festivals to get cancelled because of the global pandemic. This news coincides with the cancellation of the 2021 Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines festival held in Breckenridge, Colorado. The ICBG mentioned in their official announcement that the annual competition and awards ceremony would still be taking place virtually. Participating breweries will be asked to send their competition beers to FoBAB where they will be judged by 50 industry leaders and certified craft beer judges.
BREAKING | Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Announces 2021 Cancellation
August 9, 2020 | Scott Grossman
There will be no joy in Breckenridge this January as Laura and Bill Lodge, organizers of Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines, have announced the cancellation of the 2021 event. The festival was planned for January 7-9, 2021 in Breckenridge, CO. The cancellation follows similar moves by virtually every onsite beer festival in 2020 and represents one of the first 2021 events to be canceled. It would have marked the 21st annual event.
Organizers attributed the cancellation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions on gatherings.
“Our Big Beers board has met and discussed the pandemic situation. We are very clear that our first priority as a Big Beers community needs to be supporting our sponsors and brewers throughout this bizarre and difficult time as they work hard to adapt business as necessary – and not by asking you to travel and/or otherwise support us in January of 2021,” said organizer Laura Lodge.
Lodge went on to explain that they’ve decided not to move forward with a virtual version of the event, but that they are still exploring the possibility of some scaled-down homage via newsletter or social media that would take place on the originally proposed January 2021 date.
Purpose Brewing Safely Celebrates Anniversary Amid COVID-19 Restrictions
August 5, 2020 | Scott Grossman
As beer-drinkers increasingly long for festivals and celebrations to return, Purpose Brewing and Cellars seems to have found a way to throw a great party that’s both fun and safe. Purpose, located in Fort Collins, CO. celebrated their third anniversary on Aug. 1 with many of the usual features including music, special releases and an outdoor beer garden, along with pandemic-inspired additions like masks, hand sanitizer and social distancing.
Vail Craft Beer Classic Is This Summer’s In-Person Beer Fest
July 31, 2020 | Katie Coakley
There’s nothing that epitomizes summer like a beer festival: Standing under the hot sun with a diminutive glass, waiting in snake-like lines to score the rare — or new-to-you — brew. However, with COVID-19 lurking like a skunky beer in the six-pack, in-person beer festivals have been canceled left and right. Except, it seems, for one.
Rotating Tap Brings Socially Distanced Comedy to Denver Breweries
July 28, 2020 | Korey David
COVID has derailed everyone’s way of life. In addition to your personal plans being put on hold, small and large brewers alike have been forced to make tough decisions to adapt to the current climate. While most live entertainment and nightlife is far from being back to normal, some breweries are taking creative approaches to attract drinkers to their taprooms like hosting stand up comedy to coincide with their craft beer. Let’s be real, a good laugh and a beer might be more important now than ever.
Sanitas Brewing Opens Boulder’s Largest Outdoor Patio
July 27, 2020 | Zoe Lanterman
Sanitas Brewing Company may not be a flashy new name in the Boulder, Colorado, brewing scene, but the brewery’s palpable excitement and energy come through when talking to co-founders Chris Coyne and Michael Memsic. They have every reason to be excited because they recently opened the largest outdoor patio in Boulder. This new patio adds another component to the brewery, especially during the pandemic, offering room for live music, games, movie nights, running and bike clubs, and plenty of socially distant seating.
Colorado Brewers Guild Announces Colorado Pint Day Date & Participants
July 10, 2020 | Scott Grossman
The Colorado Brewer’s Guild (CBG) has announced the new date and participating brewery list for Colorado Pint Day 2020. Colorado Pint Day will now take place on Wednesday, July 29.
The annual event raises money for the guild and traditionally takes place during Colorado Craft Beer Week each spring. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CBG had to postpone its 2020 fundraiser. Now that breweries are being allowed to re-open with on-premise consumption, the guild was able to confirm a new date. Read More
FlyteCo Brewing & FERAL Outdoor Company Release Collaboration Beer
July 8, 2020 | Korey David
Drawn together by a shared adventurous spirit, Denver’s FlyteCo Brewing and Feral Outdoor Gear Shop have come together to release a limited release collaboration Double Dry-Hopped Hazy Pale Ale called Bearhawk.
Event Recap | Sixth Anniversary Virtual Tasting at Beermiscuous
July 8, 2020 | Emma Wargolet
Beermiscuous, a local beer cafe in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago (and another new location in Highwood, IL), recently celebrated their sixth anniversary, having opened on June 27, 2014. In years prior, they have hosted events ranging from tappings of special beers to raffles that give the winner two free beers each week. With the current state of COVID-19, Beermiscuous instead hosted a virtual tasting, hosted by co-owner, Austin Harvey.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus Announces Release of BFL, a 12% Big Effing Lager
July 6, 2020 | Tristan Chan
When looking back at Colorado breweries who have made the most of 2020’s nightmare of a year, Bierstadt Lagerhaus might be at the top of the list. In what was … Read More
First Taste | Imperial Oak Brewing 2020 Quiet Giant Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
June 17, 2020 | Mathew Powers
Pure barrel flavoring. No extracts. No syrups. No sugar bombs. The Imperial Oak Brewing Quiet Giant (strong) Barrel-Aged American Imperial Stout series, now in its sixth year, celebrates the artistry of barrel-aging in its purest form.
Yes, there are varieties with adjuncts, but only as complementary flavors. “Why put a beer in a barrel for a year and then completely cover it up? That’s why the two-year [BBA] is still my personal favorite. But, I do like our variants. They aren’t going to knock you in the face. That’s not our thing. None of them are going to be a chocolate bomb, coconut bomb..that type of terminology. I like adjuncts. But, I want it to be subtle and complement the beer,” said Brett Semenske co-owner and brewer.
Quiet Giant arrives each year for its anniversary, which this year enjoys the theme: Six years, Six Feet Apart (details can be found at the end of this story). The party slogan speaks to the challenges presented to breweries in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, Illinois’ case numbers are declining, patios are open and the beer remains consistent as ever. Going forward, most can expect five variants to arrive each May (this year in June due to the COVID-19 lockdown), with more two-year BBA for 2021. However, this year, Imperial Oak also has a one-time special beer from its Savage Oak room, offered in bottles.
Where to Find Colorado Strong Ale Collaboration Releases Across the State
June 12, 2020 | Tristan Chan
While the past three months have been a taxing time for the craft beer industry, one of the brightest aspects to emerge has been the consistent theme of breweries banding … Read More
Birds Fly South | Virtual Mystery Bag Bottle Share
May 19, 2020 | Brian Haitz
As we all know, breweries have been affected by the current pandemic that has swept our towns and cities across the country. Many local breweries have had to quickly evolve and adapt to the changing landscape, closing taprooms and offering to-go beer purchases.
A standout during these trying times is Birds Fly South in Greenville, SC. The booming “funk first” brewery’s 2020 plans came to a screeching halt, but that didn’t stop them from finding fun ways to serve up their award-winning beer. In order to evolve, shift and engage their community, the brewery has developed a series of virtual beer events to keep people connected in new ways, pioneering how we can all enjoy beer together. Read More
Chicago-Area Breweries and Bottle Shop Host Beer Hunt 2020
May 16, 2020 | Mathew Powers
Illinois Craft Beer Week my be postponed due to the COVID19 lockdown, but that’s not stopping six suburban-Chicago breweries and one bottle shop from celebrating craft week in spirit. Together, they have put together the 0th Annual Suburban Beer Hunt. From May 15 to May 30, beer fans can solve a series of puzzles that will take them on a to-go journey to six breweries and one bottle shop located in Chicago’s western suburbs. If they can solve each puzzle correctly, and in the correct order, prizes await the participants.
120+ New Colorado Beer Releases to Enjoy This Weekend
May 15, 2020 | Tristan Chan
Since Colorado Governor, Jared Polis enacted stay-at-home orders in mid-March, breweries around the state have had to pivot their business models to focusing solely on beer-to-go, beer delivery, and retail … Read More
Drink Beer, Do Yoga, Support Local
May 12, 2020 | Rachel Morrison
Just about everything looks different than it did a few months ago: We’re buying to-go beer and drinking at home because many of us cannot enjoy our favorite beverage at a local brewery or bar right now. Overnight, breweries have turned into delivery companies specializing in contactless delivery and carry out. Innovation is the name of the game and many breweries are offering creative options for people to stay entertained, from gift baskets to DIY pizza kits.
The fitness industry has drastically shifted as well. We cannot currently take large group fitness classes and instead are forced to participate in at-home workouts, oftentimes with dogs and small children attempting to join in.
Three Leading Spontaneous Ale Producers Host Virtual Roundtable Today
May 7, 2020 | Korey David
Today at 4 pm EST, three of arguably the most respected wild and spontaneous ale producers in the world will be in one place for an open discussion with you! … Read More
Dialed in with WeldWerks | Neil Fisher on Flights, Fan Questions and the Worst Beer Weldwerks Ever Made
May 6, 2020 | Jaclyn Menendez
Jake Goodman, the marketing and sales director at WeldWerks Brewing, was in the middle of answering a question about Juicy Bits when a loud thump thump thump reverberated through his Zoom audio. He paused and looked off-screen. “Hey, buddy, Daddy’s talking to his friends—can you please hold off on the drums until I’m done?” he asked his son. The camera cut back to a laughing Neil Fisher, the head brewer and co-founder of WeldWerks. A majestic pink dollhouse towered behind Neil; his children’s playroom had been repurposed into a makeshift interview corner. Welcome to “Dialed in with WeldWerks”.
Beerology | A Little History Behind Mexican Lagers
May 5, 2020 | Korey David
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Though you might be celebrating a little differently than usual this year, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a few Mexican-inspired craft beers. Plus, consider the positives: No dealing with blackouts in a crowded bar spilling their margaritas on your lap while you impatiently wait for chips and salsa on the establishment’s busiest day of the year. For some of you, a crowded bar seems like a wistful dream, something you might be longing for after six weeks of solitude, or perhaps you just miss being on the blackout end of the spectrum so you can forget about this nightmare. Regardless, if you’ve ever wondered where Mexican Lagers come from, here’s a little beerology to pair with your Cinco de Mayo crushers.
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