Bubbly at the Brewery Dog Wash

Posted on July 14, 2008
Filed Under Events and Festivals | Leave a Comment

I’m not sure who got pampered more at Left Hand Brewery yesterday, the humans or the dogs. The folks at the Longmont Humane Society and the brewery teamed up for their second of three dog washes at the shipping docks of Left Hand Brewery. We took our two and a half year old Goldendoodle, Hailey, to the festivities for the first time and she had an absolute blast. While getting the full treatment of a nail clipping and wash, her Mom and Dad got to enjoy a couple Deep Cover Brown Ales and Haystack Wheat brews. There were also brats and other assorted treats to have while kicking back on the loading dock. Our four legged friends on the other hand, got delicious samples from Left Paw Pantry, a great local home-delivery service out of Niwot, Colorado.

Special thanks to all volunteers who worked the event and to Left Hand Brewery for providing the great brews to cool down in the heat. It was a great time supporting a good organization. There’s one last chance to take part in the event this summer, August 10th. Don’t let your dogs down and help support the Longmont Humane Society. What better way to enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Organic Hop Research Funded Locally

Posted on May 15, 2008
Filed Under News and Information | Leave a Comment

I know it’s been a long time between posts, but I’m still here. I have been dealing with a whole slew of major house projects over here that have kept me off the blog for a while (…excuses…excuses). And while I slowly work my way back into posting more often, here are a couple articles to keep you up to date regarding the hard work the folks at CSU are doing to try and find a sustainable solution to the hop shortage. Special thanks should go out to the New Belgium and Odell breweries for taking a chance on supporting these ventures over the years. Let us hope the work the students are doing pays off.

Cheers!

Denver is Beer Country

Posted on April 16, 2008
Filed Under Brews and Breweries, News and Information | 2 Comments

While stumbling around the internets, I came across an article by Joel Stein writing for Time that coined Denver the best place for brewery-touring. In the article, he explores the growing craft beer phenomenon by touring a few larger breweries in the Denver-metro area. He argues that Denver is better than Portland, Oregon (which has more microbreweries) and San Diego, California (which he says is more innovative) because it is more tourist-friendly, has more restaurants that offer better beer vs. wine pairings, the GABF and the country’s first chief beer officer. Oh yeah, don’t forget the water and our dudes???

He goes on quite a beer tour over the three days he was here and gives some great insight, but it is too bad he couldn’t get up to Fort Collins or down south to see those breweries too. He didn’t seem too enamored with the breweries themselves, but it was more a lesson in tasting what real beer has to offer. It sounded to me that he got bored on the tours. Worth a read though.

Of course, coining anything the best has gotten several bloggers all up in arms because we’re all proud of the craft brew that comes from our home states. I don’t think he ever mentioned that Denver, or Colorado, has the best beer, though. I think we do. However, I’m biased. When it comes down to it, if another person is opened up to the world craft beer, what else could be better?

Any press is good press, right?

Sunday Liquor Sales!

Posted on April 14, 2008
Filed Under News and Information | 2 Comments

One bill down, one to go…(eventually anyway)

The Sunday Sales bill was quick and appeared to pass too easy. I know it has been a long time coming, but today Gov. Bill Ritter finally signed into law a bill that would allow liquor sales on Sundays. Beginning July 1st (or July 6th which is actually Sunday), consumers will be able to go to their local liquor store to purchase their craft beer. That’s one small step for man…

The story is how fast grocery and convenience stores are rallying to be able to sell full-strength beer instead of the 3.2% ABV stuff they’re pushing on people. Thus, the battle continues…

Having lived here pretty much my whole life, it’s going to be a strange feeling walking into a liquor store on a Sunday. It’s definitely more convenient than planning my drinking earlier in the week.

Cheers!

Colorado Craft Beer Gathering: Sustainability and Drinking Laws

Posted on March 19, 2008
Filed Under News and Information | Leave a Comment

This week, Colorado came one step closer to Sunday liquor sales as well as legalizing liquor sampling in Lafayette. With all the “doom and gloom” from the opposition to these laws, it makes you really wonder if we, the consumers, are really getting the best deals out there.

Sunday liquor sales over the hurdle - Apparently domestic abuse and drunk driving will go up on Sundays now. Who elects some of these folks? (@ The Durango Herald)
Sunday liquor sale bill passes House - Another example of whining from a liquor store owner. This time on the western slope. Again, you can stay closed if you want to. (@ Montrose Daily Press)
Liquor sampling now legal in Lafayette - The Lafayette City Council passed a resolution to allow retail liquor establishments to have tastings in-store. I would definitely take advantage of this in order to save me from buying something I don’t like. (@ The Daily Camera)

At the same time, is aluminum the future of craft beer? New Belgium is jumping on the bandwagon for its benefits.

New Belgium goes aluminum - Fat Tire in a can? (@ The Coloradoan)
Odell celebrates small-batch brews - It’s great to see a local brewery supporting CSU’s efforts for sustainable hop growing. I going to have to make an effort to get up their for their festival on May 31st. (@ The Coloradoan)
Hops and Fears on St. Pat’s Day - A great read about the mass producer’s sustainability and the nod to New Belgium for it’s eco-friendly production. (@ The Huffington Post)