Rockyard Brewing Company, visited on 2/24/12 (http://www.rockyard.com/)
I've been to Rockyard copious amounts of times given that it's the closest brewery to my homestead. They've also got pretty good beer, and every Friday tend to tap a firkin or small-batch keg that in my experience has usually been quite good. The brewery is really a huge restaurant too...very family-friendly and usually pretty busy. I've been here in the middle of the afternoon on a Tuesday and it was slow, but otherwise, it's usually hoppin...clear signs that a one-horse brewery in any town can do well.
While discussing plans for an upcoming BIG event, Holly and I enjoyed the following:
Jellyman's Deviation - 6.1abv; a 'Belgian Hopyard IPA', or so I'm told; Jellyman is Rockyard's head brewer I believe (Kjell Wygant); the beer has a light head; little lacing; almost a light ale in color; subtle Belgian style iteration IPA; light grapefruit and citrus flavor; hop on the front, Belgian bitter towards the end.
Nitro Strike Stout - 6.2abv; Holly ordered this as we've come to acknowledge that she's the dark beer drinker in the 'family'; good half-inch head; light lacing; good roasted chocolate nose; really creamy because of the nitro; good stout flavor; balanced.
Old BroAle - 8.5abv; English style old ale; from the Brew Bros of Pikes Peak (I believe a collaboration with Rockyard); almost no head; very minimal lacing; immediately taste some sugary sweetness; similarly lightly sweet on the nose; good balance; kind of raisin-y; lightly malty; very good beer I enjoyed above all others here.
Rockyard has a full menu, a huge restaurant space, and is one of the better places to grab a decent beer in all of Douglas County. The food is usually pretty good, but I've never had anything spectacular. You don't usually come to breweries for the food though, do you? Except you wouldn't know if they are trying to be a really good brewery or a really good restaurant. I'm just happy I can do some good drinking and good eating so close to home. The Rockyard Knots, two giant jalapeno-cheese stuffed pretzels, are fantastic and great companions to beer drinking.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Denver Beer Company, Denver
Denver Beer Company, visited on 2/18/12 (http://denverbeerco.com/)
After our long day of beer at various Denver-area locations, we ended our Saturday at Denver Beer Company. The location of this brewery is practically unbeatable for downtown: right on Platte by the river in a huge and spacious industrial-vibe warehouse-y building. Most of the front of the facility is lined with the summer-appealing glass garage doors which I'm sure also lends itself well to the sun shining through in the cooler months. We were here late on a Saturday in February, so none of these positive traits prevailed in our visit. However, a few negative ones did.
Here's what we drank:
Graham Cracker Porter - real dark in color; nice half-inch head; solid lacing; good coffee aroma; very minimally sweet; good light porter flavor; very drinkable, although I desire a bit more taste in a "graham cracker" beer.
Powder Day DIPA - no clue about hops, booze, or anything else; dim amber color; light lacing; good hoppy aroma; light grapefruit; tastes too light in IBUs for a double; easy drinking; expect more from anything calling itself a double IPA.
In general, there's a cool industrial vibe brew pub; I might be wrong however, but there may have been a straight-brimmed hat dooshbag convention here that night. It may have had something to do with being somewhere newish, downtown, on a Saturday during Mardi Gras, but the crowd was less than awesome. They sell $5 soft pretzels, but that's it for food. They are giant...and look great...but a little 'undone'. Chili Billy Quesadillas was here but we didn't indulge...their menu looks good. My last note on the clientele: how many people with double ear piercings can high five each other in a 60-minute period? DBC has the answer.
Despite my notes from the night-of, I want to go back. I have to believe that such a cool location/building so close to where I lived in LoDo has the redeeming qualities I think it has, or should. Despite all of it, I wasn't overly impressed with the beer. I'm hoping a return visit in the warmer months, maybe during the week, will shed a better light on the brewery. I think some of the beer kinks are reflective of 'not having been in the game' long enough. That said, there's definite potential for the beer, the brewery, and DBC as a whole...why hasn't anyone called themselves Denver Brewing until now?!
After our long day of beer at various Denver-area locations, we ended our Saturday at Denver Beer Company. The location of this brewery is practically unbeatable for downtown: right on Platte by the river in a huge and spacious industrial-vibe warehouse-y building. Most of the front of the facility is lined with the summer-appealing glass garage doors which I'm sure also lends itself well to the sun shining through in the cooler months. We were here late on a Saturday in February, so none of these positive traits prevailed in our visit. However, a few negative ones did.
Here's what we drank:
Graham Cracker Porter - real dark in color; nice half-inch head; solid lacing; good coffee aroma; very minimally sweet; good light porter flavor; very drinkable, although I desire a bit more taste in a "graham cracker" beer.
Powder Day DIPA - no clue about hops, booze, or anything else; dim amber color; light lacing; good hoppy aroma; light grapefruit; tastes too light in IBUs for a double; easy drinking; expect more from anything calling itself a double IPA.
In general, there's a cool industrial vibe brew pub; I might be wrong however, but there may have been a straight-brimmed hat dooshbag convention here that night. It may have had something to do with being somewhere newish, downtown, on a Saturday during Mardi Gras, but the crowd was less than awesome. They sell $5 soft pretzels, but that's it for food. They are giant...and look great...but a little 'undone'. Chili Billy Quesadillas was here but we didn't indulge...their menu looks good. My last note on the clientele: how many people with double ear piercings can high five each other in a 60-minute period? DBC has the answer.
Despite my notes from the night-of, I want to go back. I have to believe that such a cool location/building so close to where I lived in LoDo has the redeeming qualities I think it has, or should. Despite all of it, I wasn't overly impressed with the beer. I'm hoping a return visit in the warmer months, maybe during the week, will shed a better light on the brewery. I think some of the beer kinks are reflective of 'not having been in the game' long enough. That said, there's definite potential for the beer, the brewery, and DBC as a whole...why hasn't anyone called themselves Denver Brewing until now?!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Strange Brewing Company, Denver
Strange Brewing Company, visited on 2/18/12 (http://www.strangebrewingco.com/)
Saturday was a decidedly Denver-day-drinking experience, and only after we spent two hours at Hops and Pie in the Highlands were we ready to hit a brewery. Our stop at Hops and Pie was planned, but we weren't aware until the night before the H&P was having a 'grand opening' to celebrate the expansion...and the celebration happened to include the tapping of some 12-14 Dogfish Head beers. Now, if you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE DFH. They are far and away my favorite brewery on the east coast. There's almost nothing that comes close until you cross the Mississippi. Our group of 7 ALL enjoyed DFH beers on tap, with Bitches Brew, Chickory Stout, Hellhound, Pangea, Midas Touch, Fort, Raison D'etre and 120 Minute ALL being enjoyed in luscious pints or snifters (except Fort...which was sampled...and loved by me). I indulged in the latter two beers, having only tried Raison on draft once or twice when I lived back in NoVA and having NEVER had 120 on draft. I was actually pleasantly surprised when they came out with 120 poured in a 10 ounce pint glass...I fully expected an 8-ounce pour in a snifter. YUM. 120 Minute is easily my greatest beer indulgence.
Following our stop at H&P, we headed to Strange Brewing, kind of hidden in a non-descript commercial stretch of older shops near Mile High Station. Strange was pretty busy for a Saturday afternoon, but I'm assuming that was kind of normal. It was easy to try some other beers when you go in a group...everyone can still order a pint and everyone can give it a taste or two. Below are my tasting notes for beers I enjoyed at Strange:
Gingerbread Man - 6.5abv; 30ibus; I believe, if I can recall, that this is a brown ale, at least in style; the color was dark brown; a full inch head was found here; smells nice and spicy; there are subtle hints of nutmeg on the nose too; this tastes real gingerbready, which I love; very good, not overly sweet beer; moderate sweetness overall; very easy to drink; really good balance of taste and complexity; NICE!
Cherry Bomb Stout - 5.2abv; 46ibus; dark; very small head; no to little lacing; lightly bitter on the nose; good cherry flavor; tastes like a very light stout; sessionable; good beer with a touch of sweet cherry flavor and not overly heavy.
Cherry Kriek - 4.7abv; 15ibus; light in color; moderate to little lacing; almost red 'lager' in color; very sweet, tastes A LOT like cherry pie, and sold as such; good beer, but might be a little hard on the belly over time; probably something to enjoy after a meal; almost lambic-y without the heavy sweet.
IPAphany IPA - 7.0abv; 66ibus; light in color, almost a medium amber; minimal lacing; good hop odor, light though...likely a reflection of the moderate ibu number; good simple IPA in flavor; nothing overly complex, but well-balanced; drinkable in doses. I enjoyed this after all the sweetness I drank here.
Strange is pretty small and tight, with two rooms serving as tasting rooms with picnic tables in one; there was a food vendor on-site that was 'attached' to the open-ended picnic table room; we tried some of their 'beer balls' which were basically baked dough with sausage and something else undiscernible in it...not bad, and good to soak up some booze with. Overall, Strange had a mellow vibe with some good experimental but accessible beers. Once again, we'll be back!
Saturday was a decidedly Denver-day-drinking experience, and only after we spent two hours at Hops and Pie in the Highlands were we ready to hit a brewery. Our stop at Hops and Pie was planned, but we weren't aware until the night before the H&P was having a 'grand opening' to celebrate the expansion...and the celebration happened to include the tapping of some 12-14 Dogfish Head beers. Now, if you know anything about me, you know that I LOVE DFH. They are far and away my favorite brewery on the east coast. There's almost nothing that comes close until you cross the Mississippi. Our group of 7 ALL enjoyed DFH beers on tap, with Bitches Brew, Chickory Stout, Hellhound, Pangea, Midas Touch, Fort, Raison D'etre and 120 Minute ALL being enjoyed in luscious pints or snifters (except Fort...which was sampled...and loved by me). I indulged in the latter two beers, having only tried Raison on draft once or twice when I lived back in NoVA and having NEVER had 120 on draft. I was actually pleasantly surprised when they came out with 120 poured in a 10 ounce pint glass...I fully expected an 8-ounce pour in a snifter. YUM. 120 Minute is easily my greatest beer indulgence.
Following our stop at H&P, we headed to Strange Brewing, kind of hidden in a non-descript commercial stretch of older shops near Mile High Station. Strange was pretty busy for a Saturday afternoon, but I'm assuming that was kind of normal. It was easy to try some other beers when you go in a group...everyone can still order a pint and everyone can give it a taste or two. Below are my tasting notes for beers I enjoyed at Strange:
Gingerbread Man - 6.5abv; 30ibus; I believe, if I can recall, that this is a brown ale, at least in style; the color was dark brown; a full inch head was found here; smells nice and spicy; there are subtle hints of nutmeg on the nose too; this tastes real gingerbready, which I love; very good, not overly sweet beer; moderate sweetness overall; very easy to drink; really good balance of taste and complexity; NICE!
Cherry Bomb Stout - 5.2abv; 46ibus; dark; very small head; no to little lacing; lightly bitter on the nose; good cherry flavor; tastes like a very light stout; sessionable; good beer with a touch of sweet cherry flavor and not overly heavy.
Cherry Kriek - 4.7abv; 15ibus; light in color; moderate to little lacing; almost red 'lager' in color; very sweet, tastes A LOT like cherry pie, and sold as such; good beer, but might be a little hard on the belly over time; probably something to enjoy after a meal; almost lambic-y without the heavy sweet.
IPAphany IPA - 7.0abv; 66ibus; light in color, almost a medium amber; minimal lacing; good hop odor, light though...likely a reflection of the moderate ibu number; good simple IPA in flavor; nothing overly complex, but well-balanced; drinkable in doses. I enjoyed this after all the sweetness I drank here.
Strange is pretty small and tight, with two rooms serving as tasting rooms with picnic tables in one; there was a food vendor on-site that was 'attached' to the open-ended picnic table room; we tried some of their 'beer balls' which were basically baked dough with sausage and something else undiscernible in it...not bad, and good to soak up some booze with. Overall, Strange had a mellow vibe with some good experimental but accessible beers. Once again, we'll be back!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Elk Mountain Brewing, Parker - Part 2
Elk Mountain Brewery, visited again on 2/12/12 (http://www.elkmountainbrewing.com/)
Following my personal visit to Elk Mountain in January, Holly and I decided after a hike last Sunday at Castlewood Canyon that we'd return. I wanted to take her on one of my favorite local drives too...83 to Greenland Road across miles of plains dirt road.
Here are the updated beers we tried that I hadn't tried before:
Pump IPA - 6.5abv; 60ibus; nice color tones, amber color but slightly darker; bubbly head; little lacing; good hop flavor, light though; light citrus on the nose; good IPA taste, not overwhelmingly hoppy; good sessionable IPA.
Ghost Town Brown - 5.3abv; unusual light brown in color; very small head; minimal lacing; light cocoa nose; very easy brown ale in flavor; touch of cocoa powder in flavor as well; apparent silver medal winner at the Colorado State Fair; comparable to the recently-tasted Avery's Ellie's Brown without all the flavor; good accessible beer.
Rock Slider Amber, on nitro - 5.5abv; like most ntiros, seriously creamy head; good light amber color; real creamy take on an easy to drink amber ale; love having nitro as an option; creamy flavor all the way through; Holly says, "bright flavor!"
We once again pulled a growler of Vanilla Caramel Porter and I've decided this beer is one of the better sweet porters I've ever tried. We can't go back for a while though...I've got to get out an explore some of the un-visited breweries!
Following my personal visit to Elk Mountain in January, Holly and I decided after a hike last Sunday at Castlewood Canyon that we'd return. I wanted to take her on one of my favorite local drives too...83 to Greenland Road across miles of plains dirt road.
Here are the updated beers we tried that I hadn't tried before:
Pump IPA - 6.5abv; 60ibus; nice color tones, amber color but slightly darker; bubbly head; little lacing; good hop flavor, light though; light citrus on the nose; good IPA taste, not overwhelmingly hoppy; good sessionable IPA.
Ghost Town Brown - 5.3abv; unusual light brown in color; very small head; minimal lacing; light cocoa nose; very easy brown ale in flavor; touch of cocoa powder in flavor as well; apparent silver medal winner at the Colorado State Fair; comparable to the recently-tasted Avery's Ellie's Brown without all the flavor; good accessible beer.
Rock Slider Amber, on nitro - 5.5abv; like most ntiros, seriously creamy head; good light amber color; real creamy take on an easy to drink amber ale; love having nitro as an option; creamy flavor all the way through; Holly says, "bright flavor!"
We once again pulled a growler of Vanilla Caramel Porter and I've decided this beer is one of the better sweet porters I've ever tried. We can't go back for a while though...I've got to get out an explore some of the un-visited breweries!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Twisted Pine, Boulder
Twisted Pine Brewing, visited on 2/4/12 (http://www.twistedpinebrewing.com/)
Following our stop at Avery, we decided to hit up the nearby Twisted Pine Brewing. We went for a sampler here of six beers and got a free taster of a special beer that will melt your face. The brew pub is smallish, cozy, and was pretty busy. The feel was definitely one of a 'local's brewpub'...we felt welcome, and they were celebrating the launch of their Imperial Indian Black...a black IPA. The pub had a very friendly vibe and there were parents with infants enjoying tasters...the parents, not the infants. Below are the tasting notes for the beers we tried:
Billy's Chilies - 5%abv; light head, solid lacing; "the most interesting beer I've tasted", says Holly..."where's the breakfast burrito?"; Indeed, the breweries site recommends this beer with a breakfast burrito; we both felt like some hot pepper jack cheese and a butter cracker would be a great compliment as well; distinct almost burning nose; very noticeable, although not intense, chili flavor all down the throat; full flavor..."it's fun", she says; great accessible experimental beer; four days after we tried it, I still find myself craving this beer.
Raspberry Wheat - 5%abv; low to little head; little lacing; light raspberry nose; very wheaty; very light in flavor; from Holly: "like drinking raspberry sparkling water with alcohol"; good, easily sessionable fruit beer.
Hoppy Boy - 5%, although I'm not sure; small head; exceptional lacing; lightly hopped; easily sessionable; light in color, prob. light abv w/o knowing; guessing under 60IBUs as well; expect more of a hop-forward flavor from TP's primary hop beer.
Honey Brown - 6%abv; amber to brown in color; light head; serious lacing; tastes like cocoa, but not over the top; easy to drink; made with local honey, but honey flavor kind of hard to find; good slightly sweet flavor
Big Shot Espresso Stout - unsure of the abv; little head; no lacing; dark; probably a great paring with cheesecake; smells like a cup of coffee; slightly espresso bitter; tastes as if a porter and a cup of coffee were poured in to one glass; good beer!; I believe I have a 22oz. of this upstairs...and didn't know it when we tasted
Imperial Indian Black - unsure of abv; this beer was launched the day we visited; dark!; small head; solid all around lacing; very fruity on the nose; hoppy and dark; very good balance; light grapefruit; love the dark/fruity combination; prob the best beer I've tried here; will be looking for a bottle down the road; tasty!
Ghost Face Killah - I have no idea what kind of abvs are in here...and it really doesn't matter; you aren't drinking more than a few sips; I saw a $4.50 12oz bottle at Bubbles last week and almost pulled the trigger; made with a blend of Ghost Chili; almost a metallic pepper smell on the nose; burns my throat immediately; my good lord that burns; this is the hottest beer (or drink!) I've ever or will ever taste; I almost can't type as I'm taking notes; instantly feel like I'm breathing fire; NOT for the faint of heart, fun experimental beer to share with friends.
And that's it! We enjoyed TP and I think Holly counts it among her favorite breweries visited thus far. It looks like there's a light menu of pizza, sammiches and snacks, although we didn't indulge. We'll certainly be picking up a 6er of Billie's Chilies with some good cheese. Yum.
Following our stop at Avery, we decided to hit up the nearby Twisted Pine Brewing. We went for a sampler here of six beers and got a free taster of a special beer that will melt your face. The brew pub is smallish, cozy, and was pretty busy. The feel was definitely one of a 'local's brewpub'...we felt welcome, and they were celebrating the launch of their Imperial Indian Black...a black IPA. The pub had a very friendly vibe and there were parents with infants enjoying tasters...the parents, not the infants. Below are the tasting notes for the beers we tried:
Billy's Chilies - 5%abv; light head, solid lacing; "the most interesting beer I've tasted", says Holly..."where's the breakfast burrito?"; Indeed, the breweries site recommends this beer with a breakfast burrito; we both felt like some hot pepper jack cheese and a butter cracker would be a great compliment as well; distinct almost burning nose; very noticeable, although not intense, chili flavor all down the throat; full flavor..."it's fun", she says; great accessible experimental beer; four days after we tried it, I still find myself craving this beer.
Raspberry Wheat - 5%abv; low to little head; little lacing; light raspberry nose; very wheaty; very light in flavor; from Holly: "like drinking raspberry sparkling water with alcohol"; good, easily sessionable fruit beer.
Hoppy Boy - 5%, although I'm not sure; small head; exceptional lacing; lightly hopped; easily sessionable; light in color, prob. light abv w/o knowing; guessing under 60IBUs as well; expect more of a hop-forward flavor from TP's primary hop beer.
Honey Brown - 6%abv; amber to brown in color; light head; serious lacing; tastes like cocoa, but not over the top; easy to drink; made with local honey, but honey flavor kind of hard to find; good slightly sweet flavor
Big Shot Espresso Stout - unsure of the abv; little head; no lacing; dark; probably a great paring with cheesecake; smells like a cup of coffee; slightly espresso bitter; tastes as if a porter and a cup of coffee were poured in to one glass; good beer!; I believe I have a 22oz. of this upstairs...and didn't know it when we tasted
Imperial Indian Black - unsure of abv; this beer was launched the day we visited; dark!; small head; solid all around lacing; very fruity on the nose; hoppy and dark; very good balance; light grapefruit; love the dark/fruity combination; prob the best beer I've tried here; will be looking for a bottle down the road; tasty!
Ghost Face Killah - I have no idea what kind of abvs are in here...and it really doesn't matter; you aren't drinking more than a few sips; I saw a $4.50 12oz bottle at Bubbles last week and almost pulled the trigger; made with a blend of Ghost Chili; almost a metallic pepper smell on the nose; burns my throat immediately; my good lord that burns; this is the hottest beer (or drink!) I've ever or will ever taste; I almost can't type as I'm taking notes; instantly feel like I'm breathing fire; NOT for the faint of heart, fun experimental beer to share with friends.
And that's it! We enjoyed TP and I think Holly counts it among her favorite breweries visited thus far. It looks like there's a light menu of pizza, sammiches and snacks, although we didn't indulge. We'll certainly be picking up a 6er of Billie's Chilies with some good cheese. Yum.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Avery Brewing Co., Boulder
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| Ellie's Brown Ale and duganA IPA |
Avery Brewing Company, visited on 2/4/12 (http://www.averybrewing.com/)
I've long since loved Avery and count it among my top 3-4 breweries in the state. I realize these are blog-related pre-conceived notions. But their Maharaja is one of the better imperial IPAs I've ever tasted. Avery is popular and makes good beer. It's ok that I've enjoyed their offerings many times. It was finally time however to visit their brewery. And after a 2 day stretch of unending snow fall on the front range, Holly and I needed an 'outing'. We met some friends in Boulder for a show at the Fox Theatre, but not before we got our hands on some colddankbeers. Here's what we tried:
Ellie's Brown Ale - 5.6abv; I've enjoyed this beer in a bottle and a can, as far as I can remember, and know it's good; the beer is a moderate brown, good hue but not too dark; quarter inch head; a lot of lacing, particularly from a brown; light ale on the nose; delicious light chocolate flavor; small hints of brown sugar; really good sessionable brown ales; in fact, one of the best I can remember
duganA IPA - 8.5abv; solid golden hues; small head; good solid lacing; delicious pine smell; Holly thinks it was "made with giant grapefruits"; indeed, very noticeable grapefruit flavor; love and taste the 93 IBUs; subtle hop nuance that makes it accessible to non-hopheads; still big and danky; well-hidden ABV; lighter in 'hop-punch' than Avery's Maharaja; great balance here
Salvation Belgian Golden Ale - 9.0abv; half inch head; lacing stays, then magically disappears; taste and smell the Belgian style right away; very very light apricot and honey flavor; good bubbles!; overall, pretty good, but Holly says, "too plain!"
2011 Beast Grand Cru - 16.83abv; 68 IBUs; drinking from a 4-oz snifter; still, good head...half inch; still fizzing as it sits; dark cherry in color; says its made with 6 hops, 6 sugars, 6 malts; smells very malty, sweet; on a first sip, it's got serious punch; tastes ALOT like Samiclaus; very cherry sweet; has a bread flavor on the backend, oddly enough; I can't get over the malt taste in it; love the experimentation here, although there's a flavor profile that is a little bitter; this has to be the last beer I try here...it's a palate destroyer! Both Holly and a group of young men near us exclaimed at different times, "it tastes like cherry cough syrup!" It's def. better than that.
Avery's is a great little brewpub; the place was bumping on a Saturday afternoon; slight view of the flatirons...would be great to drink outside; tucked away in a commercial complex...what's up with that lately? Pretty hardy menu of grub; we ate stuffed jalapenos that were ok; good place to day drink.
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| Salvation Belgian Golden Ale...and a pretty background... |
Thursday, February 2, 2012
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!
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!
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