Monday, October 4, 2010

4 wits of brew




Part one:
Ben Hansen - Master brewer
John Christman - brew guru
Anthony Stabile - brewer to be
Jeremy Hansen - drinker of brew

Listening to MewithoutYou and The Raconteurs in a car of organized insanity with common-wise thinkers with passionate ideas we discuss politics to conspiracy to 2012 to Reptilian shape shifters to galactic Galaxy movement to free style walking (parkore), the conversation was open minded, mixed and intelligent. By following a trend unconsciously of many people around me. I see and meet many that are free thinkers in a perspective of philosophy and theorists who reflect and ponder the difficulties of the world with disquiet to mindfully develop solutions to the peoples problems by using there wit and intellect to develop a way of life that makes sense. With new ways of thinking and changing reality for the better each of us will grow on to progress as a species of human that will better the people around them. As we discuss ways to save the world we drive over 3000 miles with only one thing on our minds, beer.

Drinking and driving in Montana starts our morning off in a unscrupulous manner only to wonder why the hell it is legal in Montana. Starting off with Moose Drool from Big Sky Brewing and a Belgian white from Harvest Moon, the open road seemed nerve-racking just thinking of who else is on the road with an open container. "Pardon me lady I am trying to drink and drive hear," not to make fun but it is amusing to me that such enactments are contentious I myself do not condone this act of irresponsibility.

20 hours of driving with a 4 hour excursion to find brew master Ben's wallet left in a dumpster in Harding Wyoming. We finally make it to Aunt Diane's. With open arms and made beds we rest for 5 hours to eagerly awake and explore Denver and it's eminent beer culture. First stop Great Divide Brewery for the first tasting and fun with the locals. With a 50 barrel system and a great selection of craft brews we try the Wild Raspberry, Claymore Scottish Ale, Wood Aged IPA, Titan, Colette, Yeti, Old Ruffian and the Hibernation. All were very good especially the Hibernation, Claymore and the Colette. A full self motivated & guided tour some beers and friendly conversation with employees we decide this was going to be the first stop each day as our adventure persist and we did.

On a five mile rove through the beautiful mile high city the next brewery stops were Flying Dog but they moved then over to Blue Moon but private cool people only. Now we are hungry so a short trek to Wynkoop Brewing Co where we indulge in to the typical bar food situation but first nine tastings of their craft brews. Most notable was the Wixa Weiss and Patty's Chile beer that was odd for me but very aromatic and tasty won bronze in 2006 at the GABF. Next stop the Breckenridge Brewery for another 10 beers. Top three Vanilla Porter, Buddhas Hand Saison and the Lucky U IPA all were very delicious and well crafted. After trying about 25 beers already we hike to The Colorado Convention Center and shuffle to the end of the line and wait for 5:30.


The doors open and OH MY 450 breweries 2000 beers and a an amazing display of craft beers. 30 minutes in and another 45 beers tasted. When doing a tasting of wine I start to get palate fatigue after 11 but with beers the flavors and styles just kept my palate happy and thirsting for more. With 79 different styles I tried my best to try all with no avail but my favorites were the bourbon barrel stouts or wood and barrel aged, sour ale, schwarzbier, Scottish ale, Imperial Stout and the Barley wine style. For the next couple of hours it was a sip and dump unless something well crafted was in hand then a full 1 oz swallow was needed. We closed the show with another tasting of Odell Brewing Co. ( my favorite all time brewery) bourbon barrel aged stout and the Friek that were both my favorites of the show. After tasting about 300 flavor profiles with a few dozen styles I was purely satisfied. 1700 beers short of trying all we tasted from all regions. We noticed that the biggest lines where in the Pacific Northwest and the Rocky Mountain regions. Both regions have great water and an abundance of beer drinkers with great beer palates. my feeling is the brew culture of these regions have the same type of people. While being in Denver I felt like I could be in Spokane. The people are great and have a style about them that is humble and adventurous. Maybe it's the beer culture that is engulfing our regions. When all said and done there was definitely a few breweries that really stood out. You can really tell by tasting who has the passion and puts thought and effort into it and those who brew without. But the obvious separation was clear and in part two is a list of those I felt put the love that is necessary to be recognized as a great craft brewer or brewery.

check back for part 2: brew tours, breweries, local breweries, beers. Peace...