Colorado Beer Adventure: Day 1

For the past two years, I have marked my calendar and planned a vacation specifically around the Great American Beer Festival.  Each fall, GABF comes to the Colorado Convention Center in beautiful downtown Denver, allowing each of its attendees to explore a unique and over indulgent beer fest.  While this trip's focus was obviously the festival, it was difficult to stay put in a state that boasts having over 100 craft breweries.  Our tour of the Centennial State began right when we stepped off the plane.

Stop 1: Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont

After picking up credentials and an overflowing schwag bag from GABF, we headed north to enjoy our first beer of the day.  Previous beer pilgrimages through Colorado have led me to an Oskar Blues facility.  However, this was my first time at their actual brewery.  Walking into the tasting room, we were greeted with a swarm of industry representatives, TV cameras, and laughter.  Easily finding a spot at the bar, we ordered a Gubna and G'Knight: two of my all time OB faves.  One of the assistant brewers, and our server, Dennis, starts chatting with us about our trip, GABF, snowboarding, and such.  Before we knew it, we were about to embark on a private tour of the facility.  

Dennis led us around the brewhouse, showing us everything from the mash tun to the grain mill.  We were introduced to a slew of staff that are undoubtedly the heart and soul of OB.  Not only did we get to see their filtration system full of diatomaceous earth, but we were invited to take handfuls of fresh Chinook hops and crush them in our hands to truly experience that delicious aroma.  Our tour concluded with a sample of some Gubna right out of the tank.  Amazing!

Stop 2:  Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins

With our thirst temporarily quenched, we continued our trek north to the Fort.  Although FC has some heavy hitting breweries, our mission was only to visit Odell.  While the brewery was packed, we were able to easily get two pints relatively quickly. Myrcenary and  St. Lupulin were instantly at our table when a loud booming voice announced a brewery tour.  After travelling all day, we hopped right off of our stools, snagged the last two wristbands, and followed this limited group into the brewing facility. 
An impressive fact about Odell is that they have been running as a debt free brewery for several decades.  Quite an impressive feat when walking around this high tech brewhouse.  We meandered through the grain area, fermentation vessel yard, and into the warehouse full of freshly bottled beer.  Their filtration system is all centrifuge.  This 600K piece of equipment is responsible for the crystal clear beer I have grown to love.  Before our bubbly tour guide released us, she made sure to fill our pints with some fresh St. Lupulin.

Stop 3:  Freedom's Edge Brewing Company, Cheyenne

After consulting our Find Craft Beer app, we knew that we had no other choice but to drive 30 more minutes north to Wyoming in order to drink beer from an old brothel.  Downtown Cheyenne is not only well kept, it sported some neat old town architecture.  The tasting room felt as though we were going back in time.  Sitting at small tables in a parlor like setting, we enjoyed their 1890 IPA and Funkin' Pumpkin Ale.  With GABF tickets burning a hole in our pockets, we hopped back in the car and headed to Denver.



Stop 4: Great Ameriacan Beer Festival, Denver

Needless to say, I could go on and on and on about GABF.  Inevitabley within the next few blog posts, I will.  We spent only a few hours at the fest getting our bearings, sampling some beer, and chatting with old friends.   With a full day of travelling, drinking, and exploring under our belts, it was time to rest up for the rest of the weekend.

Colorado, you have once again surpassed my expectations.  I am overwhelmed by your hospitatlity, the friendliness of your people, and the sheer brillance of your beer.  If you keep this up, I may just have to move here.