Elk Mountain Brewing, Parker

Elk Mountain Brewing, visited on 1/31/12  (http://www.elkmountainbrewing.com/)

After cancelling a gym membership in Parker (oh the irony), I felt the distinct need to visit the town's only brewery. Elk Mountain is a simple little brewpub tucked away in an obscure commercial strip in Parker. The place still manages to feel like a neighborhood bar. There's no food offered but there is a little popcorn machine, games and several mounted TVs for 'sports-watchin'. Elk Mountain, at about 4PM on a Tuesday, had a row of 8 or so men and women enjoying their brews. There's a blue-collar feel here despite the fact Parker isn't really all that blue-collar. The barkeep was friendly and I chatted up a man sitting next to me who's son works back east in small-arms training/physical security in MD. Small world.

I tried three beers, all of which were quite good. I walked out with a growler of the last one I tried, and after finishing the growler last night with Holly, vowed to return for a fill or two of the same beer. Or another...

Wild Wapiti Hefeweizen Wheat - 5.5abv; good yellow/golden hue; cloudy, but not full of sediment...I imagine this is not unfiltered; good quarter inch head, light lacing; as with many hefes, there is a VERY noticeable banana flavor; crisp taste; smells a little bitter, doesn't taste bitter at all; smells 'wheaty'; good beer, very easygoing; lack of overall complexity, but a great summer beer I'm sure. Despite always trying hefes, and usually never being overtly impressed, this was an impressive beer to session for the lighter-palate crowd.

Elk Horn Oatmeal Stout - 7.2abv; debated on this or Vanilla Caramel Porter for a second pint; this beer is dark; there is no head, almost no lacing; coffee and cocoa on the nose; strong oatmeal flavor; a touch of sweet that almost goes unnoticed; a little bitter on the back end; I'm curious about any hops used; hardy beer perfect for winter; I'm almost instantly full; overall a great stout flavor with an abv wallop you can't even taste. Good beer, great oatmeal stout.

Vanilla Caramel Porter - 6.3abv; I took town a 2 oz taster of this and LOVED it; ultimately left with a 64 oz growler; growler was a reasonable $5, fill of this winter season was $12...worth it! Good quarter-plus inch head; again, very dark; companion at the bar says 'dessert beer'; smells exceptionally like caramel and vanilla; great nose overall; heavy on caramel in flavor; despite the flavor and color, this beer isn't overly heavy; repeat sips really brings out the caramel; delicious beer. Not quite dessert, but certainly sweet and yummy, perhaps nonetheless an 'apertif beer'. H and I really enjoyed the growler...and I think I've found a beer lineup she can really get behind: slightly sweet, but definitely dark...she's a porter/stout girl.

Good stuff Elk Mountain...I'll be back for a growler fill soon!