Monday, January 24, 2011

Fort Collins Brewery Hopping

This past Saturday, I went brewery hopping in Fort Collins.

Started off at Funkwerks Brewery. They were serving 5 different beers. Sampler tray was available for $7.50.

Casper - a light session beer. 5% ABV.

White - a Belgian White. Aroma of orange zest and ginger. 5.5% ABV.

Saison - their flagship beer and my favorite. 6.8% ABV.

Maori King - new imperial saison. 7% ABV.

Belgian Resistance - german munich malt w/german noble hops and their house Belgiam saison yeast. 6.7% ABV.

Hopped on down the road to Odell Brewing
to sample their pilot beers. I adore their pilot beers - they are so much fun and there are always so many good ones to try.

This time I went with the Pilot Tray sampler. 6 pilot beers for $4.

Maize Azul 5.2% ABV - brewed with New Mexico blue corn. The corn was soaked for two hours and then mixed with the barley to form the mash.

Town Pump Pail Ale 5.1% ABV - traditional British style pale ale, dry hopped.

Session Dark Bitter 4% ABV - dark ale that is kettle hopped and then dry hopped.

Odell Red 6.5% ABV - American style red ale but with a variety of American hops added.

Nitro Cutthroat Porter 4.8% ABV - their classic Cutthroat Porter served on Nitro.

Cherry Stout 6% ABV - used a debittered dark malt (Carafa Special II) that adds deep color and aroma without the bitterness. 125lbs of sweet-tart cherries were added.

The Cherry Stout was awesome so I brought home a growler.

Bounced around the corner to New Belgium Brewing where I sampled their Frambozen (Raspberry Brown Ale) and Vrienden Ale (collaboration beer by Allagash and New Belgium).

Then it was time to drive back home. Next week, I am planning on brewery hopping around Colorado Springs.

Beer and Food Pairing Event at the Sun Rose Cafe (Longmont)


Just before Thanksgiving, I hosted a beer/food pairing event at the Sun Rose Cafe in Longmont. We had a great turnout and the food/beer were excellent.




Menu:
Trumer Pils – German Style Pilsner paired with Cream of Carrot Soup with Ginger and Lemon Grass

Jolly Pumpkin Bam Biere - Farmhouse Ale paired with a 3 yr Aged Gouda Cheese

Deschutes Mirror Pond Pale Ale – English Style Pale Ale paired with Antipasti



Asher Brewing Green Bullet IPA – All Organic IPA paired with Asian BBQ Duck Slider

Ska Ten Pin Porter – Made from 6 different malts paired with Grilled Flat Bread with Sun Dried Tomato Tapenade and Smoked Chevre

Left Hand Brewing Milk Stout – Sweet Stout served as an Ice Cream Float