Hop-py Summer!

In an attempt to escape this past weekend’s scorching heat, I found myself on an impulsive drive into the mountains–that all-American side of me screaming to hit the open road and just head West. An hour later, I found myself perched on a bar stool in the lively little town of Nederland, watching as a friendly bartender filled up a growler (a one-gallon jug) of my newest favorite beer, Mountain Cherry Wheat, brewed by Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery.

As I headed back down the mountain, my growler safely buckled into the passenger seat of my car, I got to thinking about my summer beverage of choice. “Sophisticated” people have long been banging on about the heath benefits of a glass of wine, but in the heat of a Colorado summer, you won’t find me reaching for a glass of red wine… I’d like an ice-cold glass of beer, please. Without getting too much into the health side of things, one glass of beer has the same glorious effect on our cardiovascular system as a glass of wine, but that’s not all. The grains that are combined with water and yeast to make a common ale are loaded with a variety of vitamins that actually survive the fermentation and filtering process (unlike those found in the grapes of wine).

Is it any wonder then, that here in our health-conscious state, we have more breweries per capita than any other state in this great ale-drinking nation? The Colorado Brewers Guild counts 100 craft brewers statewide, and that’s not even including the local yokel microbreweries dotted around. Most breweries host tastings and serve flights (a row of sample sizes of their beers) and are more than happy to steer you toward some sort of food pairing that will bring a whole new dimension to your choice beverage–things like cheese and chocolate aren’t only for squashed grapes!

Here, I give you my short (but ever-expanding) list of local microbreweries. Keep your eyes peeled for these names, which are sure to satisfy, and visit coloradobeer.org for a full listing of breweries in (and out) of your area.

Avery Brewing Company (Boulder)
Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver)
Odell Brewing Company (Fort Collins)
Trinity Brewing Company (Colorado Springs)
Wild Mountain Brewery (Nederland)
Wynkoop Brewery (Denver)