Sty Safe And VOTE BY MAIL!!!
- August 04, 2020 -
Colorado voters have been able to Vote By Mail since 2014, and it works great. Vote by mail is easy, convenient, accurate, secure, and is your right. Colorado has been at the forefront of Vote by Mail elections, with a staggeringly reliable rate of success. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold said that in the 2018 election, Colorado forwarded only 0.0027% out of 2.5 million ballots for potential fraud investigation.

According to Heritage Foundation, out of the more than 7.5 million votes cast since voters could Vote By Mail, there have been only nine actual cases of election fraud. One was committed by Steven Curtis, former head of the Colorado Republican party.

In order to vote, you must register first.

First, if you are not a registered voter, you can register online at this Colorado Secretary of State website

If you have a Colorado drivers license, you can do everything online. Otherwise, you can download the application and mail it in.

Next, look for your official Vote by Mail package and ballot that will be delivered to you by mail, in the first part of October.

Fill out your ballot, follow all the directions, and don’t forget to SIGN it.

You can send it by mail, or drop it off at one of many Official Ballot Drop Boxes in your county.

You can also deliver it in person to County Offices on Election Day, Tuesday November 3, 2020.

Don’t dilly-dally - fill out and send your ballot as soon as you’ve completed it.

In Colorado, about 95% of all voters use Vote By Mail to make their voices heard. You can also vote in-person at your local precinct Polling Station, which is listed on your ballot.

Register and Vote by Mail - make sure your vote get counted!

Trinity Brewing Changes Hands, Yester Moves On
- July 03, 2020 -
Trinity Brewing in Colorado Springs has chugged along slowly with other breweries since mid-March, when they were all closed by state directives intended to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Owner Jason Yester early on kept doors shut, then gradually served beer out-the-door until June 11, when they again welcomed customers to come visit for a beer and food. With recent developments, it’s best to call ahead before you visit.

Fans have made their beers famous, and rightly so. Never mush of a follower, Yester pushed the boundaries of “beer” and in the process created brews that brought beer lover from around the US and the world to 1466 Garden of the Gods Road. Ratebeer has rated the place highly in years past, and Yester had looked beyond the shadow of Pikes Peak to open a second location somewhere else along the Front Range.

But we won’t have former footballer Jason to kick around much longer. Ryan Hannigan has a great writeup here. The bottom line: Yester is moving on to other adventures, not necessarily beer-related.

As Ryan writes, ”Trinity Brewing officially changed hands on July 1, 2020. The new guy in charge is Matt Dettmann, who is hoping to continue Yester’s level of brewing excellence, while exploring opportunities for expansion and improvement, especially in the restaurant and pub.”

Trinity Brewing's opening day in 2008 (seen in photo) featured six beers and a small kitchen. In addition to Flo, Chi, Soul, Sunna, Farmhouse and Awaken house beers, they had 24 taps ready for expansion and interesting guest beers. Pliny the Elder in growlers went for $15. Yum. The no-flush urinals flustered some, but Trinity was a big hit in a big wave of craft beer awareness.

Matt Dettmann takes on a big reputation with big expectations during an uncertain business climate (Fuck, I’ve gotta shut down again?!) Gotta have something extra to do that, and we wish him well. Stop in before August 1 and you might catch Jason before his last day.

When and how they are allowed to open is subject to change. Call Ahead.

And now more than ever, Support Your Local Craft Makers!
City Star Launches New Cans: A Shining Star Amidst COVID-19
- June 30, 2020 -
Whitney Way at City Star Brewing is respectful of COVID-19's deadly potential, but certainly is not afraid.

Since Mid-March, brewers, winemakers and distillers worldwide have changed gears to deal with stifling and shifting restrictions to business operations. It has sucked badly for some: forced to close, lay off staff, curtail improvements.

But at City Star Brewing in Berthoud, all was not gloom. Check out their chronological story on their website. It's an encouraging tale of brewers who see light at the bottom of every glass of beer, and a fascinating day-by-day account of the ups and downs we've all experienced in the last 120 days or so, through the eyes of craft beer makers.

Whitney and crew really upped their game, too, with lots and lots of crowlers, a shiny-new canning line, new beers, and a renewed commitment to "double down on what we love - making and sharing quality craft beer"

You'll find their their new 16-oz four-packs only at the Downtown Berthoud taproom, 321 Mountain Avenue.

Thank God for Beer, and Thank You Whitney for Hanging In There! And please, dear reader, don't forget to Support Your Local Craft Maker!
2020 GABF in Denver Cancelled, Will Take Place Online
- May 22, 2020 -
The Denver Convention Center, home to the Big Blue Bear, is also home to many of Colorado's biggest conventions, including the Great American Beer Festival.

Not this year. It's been designated as a crucial "alternate care site" for potential COVID-19 patients by state authorities, which means no big events for some unspecified time.

So this year's GABF is going "online" according to the Brewers Association. Whatever that means, it won't mean getting chummy with 15,000 other beer drinkers this September, but grab your computer and get ready to "immerse".

From the Brewers Association:

Boulder, Colorado, May 21, 2020: The Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the country’s preeminent beer festival and competition, will pivot its 2020 event, originally scheduled for September 24-26 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, to an immersive online experience October 16-17.

This decision was further confirmed with the announcement on May 20, when Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued an executive order temporarily suspending certain statutes to allow the operation of alternate care sites in Colorado due to the presence of coronavirus disease 2019, rendering GABF at the Colorado Convention Center infeasible.

“While we are disappointed to not be gathering in Denver this fall for the craft beer community’s annual big tent event, the health and safety of our attendees, brewers, volunteers, judges, and employees is and always has been our top priority,” said Bob Pease, president and CEO of the Brewers Association. “As the world is still greatly affected by the spread of COVID-19 and will continue to be affected for the foreseeable future, we must stay true to our priorities and pursue other ways to host GABF.”

The 39th Great American Beer Festival may look different, but beer lovers from around the country will have the opportunity to come together in new ways to celebrate the nation’s craft beer community. The spirit of the festival will live on through live and virtual experiences with beer lovers and breweries nationwide on October 16-17, 2020. The event is still in planning, but experiences will likely include beer tastings, conversations with brewers, local brewery activations, and at-home beer and food pairing deliveries.

The festival’s renowned professional beer competition will take place in 2020. A panel of more than 100 professional judges will assess the more than 7,000 expected entries to identify the three beers that best represent each style category. The GABF gold, silver, and bronze medals are recognized around the world as symbols of brewing excellence. Brewery registration opens on June 9. More information on the competition, style guidelines, and awards ceremony here.

“We are thankful to be able to move forward with this year’s competition and have the opportunity to award brewers’ achievements and generate consumer awareness for beer styles and trends,” added Pease. “We look forward to celebrating the annual accomplishments in brewing excellence and unveiling this year’s winners.”


We'll provide more details as they emerge...
Not All Hope is Lost for Colorado Craft
- May 15, 2020 -
Sadly another Colorado Craft Brewery, Next Stop Brewing of Denver, announced they will close their doors May 30th. This is the fourth brewery to close including Iron Bird of Colorado Springs, Veterans Brothers Brewing of Johnstown and Gorilla Alchemy of Fort Lupton. But not all hope is lost for craft brewing in Colorado. There is positive news! Several new Breweries and Brewpubs announced their openings! Below is a list of Businesses that have managed to open their doors.
Place your to-go order now and help Support Local!

Now Open!

Ball Brewing- Glenwood Springs
Barrels & Bottles at Camp George West- Golden
Cabin Creek Brewing- Georgetown
Dented Face Brewing Company- Delta (Open for Craft BBQ, Craft Beer coming soon)
Lady Justice Brewing- Aurora
Mad Russian Brewing Company- Olathe
Monumental Beer Works- Grand Junction
Smiling Toad Brewery- Colorado Springs
Spice Trade Brewery & Kitchen- Greenwood Village
Gold Dirt Distillery- Rollinsville (Open by Appointment)
Syntax Spirits Distillery- Greeley

Stay tuned as more Breweries will be opening over the Summer! Cheers.
Whitewater Hill Vineyards Will Come to YOU!
- April 28, 2020 -
How's this for service, courtesy Grand Junction vintners Nancy Janes and John Behrs, who will be delivering direct from their hillside vineyard to Front Range locations:

Hello Friends and Fans of Whitewater Hill Vineyards!

Since we cannot hold our usual Spring Fling, John and Nancy are going on the road!!! We will be offering FREE deliveries to your door next Thursday thru Saturday (April 30-May 2) for folks between Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins. Orders must be placed by either calling us at 970-434-6868, or entering them on-line by Wednesday at 6PM to be included in the Free Delivery:
- Thursday, April 30th: We will deliver to Colorado Springs and South Denver. We will be staying at our usual south event location, now called Quality Inn Park Meadows. Folks who need to pick up Thursday evening or Friday morning may meet us at the hotel.
- Friday, May 1st, we will deliver the east side of Denver heading north and stay at the Holiday Inn Express Thornton. We will again be available for evening or AM pickups from the hotel. North and west of Denver orders will be delivered on Friday PM or Sat AM, depending on our progress.
- Saturday May 2nd: Complete north deliveries and western Denver deliveries on our way back to Grand Junction.
We hope to see you all soon,
Nancy, John, Heather, Michael, and Chloe


If you can't participate in the free deliveries, they have a COVID-19 special of 15% off on shipped orders. Email or phone for ordering info, delivery confirmation and any other questions:
nancy3@whitewaterhill.com, and 970-434-6868
FREE Drinker's Guide Available For Limited Time
- April 15, 2020 -
In these tough times, it's nice to have something to look forward to. Like visiting local craft makers when they re-open.

We want you to be prepared, with knowledge and insight as to where to go. So to make sure you're ready, we are offering everyone a Free Beer, Wine, & Spirit Drinker's Guide to Colorado Book.

Yep, a Free Book, that includes access to our Digital Coupon Portal. We're not Amazon, and you'll pay the shipping charges, but your Free Book is the perfect shelter-in-place companion to help you research and plan your future craft-beverage outings, whenever that may be.

Get your Free Book and Digital Coupons HERE.

It's Free, as in Free. So once you've studied the hundreds of listings, read dozens of feature stories and enjoyed the illustrations, an alternative value may be found in using the 224 full-color pages as firestarters or even emergency toilet paper. That was not our intent when we published our highly-acclaimed book, but these times call for flexibility, and we are honored to provide all the usefulness that we can with our guidebook.

The Free Book comes with Digital Coupons - Free Beer, Drinks and Bargains at dozens of Colorado Businesses. It's the free book that actually Pays You Back! This book offer is available online only to everyone, and we have a limited number to give away, so act fast. We've also lowered prices on our book/map/coupon packages, and our newest map/coupon package too. Get you free book here, and be ready to Support Your Local Brewer, Winemaker and Distiller when the air is warm, skies are blue, and Colorado Craft is open for business again.
Bars, Taprooms, Restaurants that AREN'T CLOSED
- March 18, 2020 -
In response to COVID-19 health concerns, effective 8am March 17, bars and restaurants throughout Colorado were prohibited from serving dine-in or inside customers. Many places closed completely. Thousands of employees will be out of work until April 15, when the current notice expires. Maybe much longer.

But in the meantime, these places are offering food and beer to-go, some with discounts, and they’d all like you to phone your order, place it online, and swing by for curbside service. This list is not exhaustive, and if you don’t see your favorite place here, see our interactive map and listings for info and contact them directly.

  • Tivoli Brewing
    Taproom is closed until further notice but production will continue! Please click here to locate a liquor store near you and continue to enjoy Tivoli Craft Beer at home.

  • Bristol Brewing Company
    719-635-2555, Hours 12p-7p, Curb side beer pickup only
    Website here

  • Bruz Beers
    Open for To-Go beer at Main Brewery Location only, 3pm-7pm. New 16-oz and 22-oz packages, and New Delivery option, too. Call 303-650-2337 or info@bruzbeers.com
    Website here

  • Tommyknocker
    303-567-2688 take out /curb side pick up- food and beer from 11am to 7pm
    Website here

  • Three Barrel
    719-657-0681
    Open for to-go/pickup orders or FREE DELIVERY to Del Norte and surrounding areas!
    Website here

  • Cerberus
    OPEN 11am-7pm 719-636-2337
    Buy 3 get 1 FREE. Call to order Crowlers to-go and full Food menu as well pick up curbside.
    Limited edition mug! ($10) Buy a Crowler and a mug for $22!
    Website here

  • Declaration Brewing
    303-955-7410 Open 12-6pm Daily for to-go orders
    Buy a 6-pack or Crowler & get a t-shirt or hat with a glass for just $20.
    Also offering 25% off everything for teachers & service industry friends.
    Donate canned goods or cleaning/sanitation supplies -25% off all merchandise/retail beer
    Website here

  • Peaks N Pines Fountain
    719-434-7945 Hours M-F: 4-8PM Sat & Sun: 2-6PM
    Garage door pickup, rotating food trucks for carry out food options. Check facebook page for details
    Website here

  • Peaks N Pines Tutt
    Open for to-go orders Mon-Fri 4-8pm, Sat-Sun 2-6pm
    Garage-Door Pickup (Tutt pickup will be from the north side garage behind the taproom)
    Website here

  • Strange Craft
    Adjusted To-Go Hours Mon-Sat 3-8pm Sun 3-6pm
    720-985-2337 Call ahead or email to beer@strangecraft.com, use "pickup order" in the subject line. Or just come on in to order. Gift cards also available
    Website here

  • Comrade Brewing Co
    720-748-0700 Call to order ahead for to-go orders
    Beers to go in 64oz growlers or 32oz Crowlers, from 12-9PM this week.
    $2 off Crowlers and covering the 64oz glass growler with a fill during the shutdown
    We have been a partner with Craft Alley for delivery if stopping by the taproom isn't an option. Craft Alley website
    Comrade website here

  • Empourium
    720-361-2973
    Crowlers from 2pm-6pm Daily. Please stop by the taproom or email - orders@theempourium.com and they will even bring them out to the parking lot for you!
    Website here

  • Gravity Brewing
    303-544-0746
    Hours 4pm to 8pm Mon - Fri and 2pm- 7pm on Sat & Sun.
    Gastronauts is open for curbside pickup! Delivery options coming soon!
    Mention your pup and we will throw in to go doggie treats on the house!
    Website here

  • Pagosa Brewing
    970- 731-2739- NEW HOURS: 11AM-7PM
    FULL menu available for carry out, curbside pickup
    Now including a $5 Gift Card with every purchase!
    Website here

  • Blue Spruce Brewing- Centennial and Littleton
    Centennial 303-771-0590
    Littleton 720-282-3675
    Hours: Mon-Fri 3pm-8pm, Fri & Sat 12pm-8pm
    TO GO beer currently is 32oz Crower cans or 64oz Growlers or any of our beers, 22oz Bombers of Session IPA, 6 packs of Millenial Marmot Brown,
    Purchase a $25 Gift Card and get a $5 off coupon
    Website here

  • Kokopelli
    303-284-0135 Call for pick up orders- Crowlers and Growlers
    Open for take out Beer and Food. Order with PostMates and UberEats. GrubHub and DoorDash coming soon.
    Website here

  • High Hops
    970-674-2841
    High Hops Brewery and The Heart Distillery open with amended hours for to-go sales only, canned beers, growler fills, spirits bottles, and canned cocktails
    Menu
    ONLINE ORDERING is now up and running on their website

  • Front Range BBQ
    Wed-Sun 12PM-8PM Open for Take Out and Delivery(5 mile radius)
    Please See Website for take out menu.
    Order by calling 719-632-2596 or 719-598-8895

  • Bull & Bush
    Closed until further notice

  • Eddyline
    Restaurant: 719-966-6000 Taproom: 719-966-6018
    Taproom hours 12-7pm DAILY for to-go beer and food.
    Restaurant on South Main hours 11-8:30pm for CARRY-OUT FOOD ONLY.
    Restaurant
    Taproom

  • Dueces Wild Taproom
    3-7pm carry out orders. Call 719-374-5806 to order
    Quarantine Special! 4 Crowlers for $28
    Website here

  • Dueces Wild Brewery
    719-394-4811 Call ahead to order Beer To Go
    Quarantine Special 4 Crowlers for $28, Growler refills $16 ( All Growlers must be clean and have a cap to be filled)
    Website here

  • Ska Brewing
    Call to order food/ and or Beer (970)403-8434
    Website here

  • Locavore
    All Irish beers will continue at $10 per Crowler.
    Email orders to orders@locavorebeerworks.com
    Website here

  • Trails End
    Closed until further notice

  • Goat Patch
    719-471-(GOAT) 4628 Beer to- go curbside, Crowlers, Growlers, Bottles. Offering Daily Specials so check theirwebsite

  • Big Choice
    Hours 11:30am-7pm daily 303-498-0150
    Beer to-go curbside, Order food online or by phone. Delivery Option for FOOD ONLY - Brighton Express Delivery Services 720-661-8771 OR brightonexpress80601@gmail.com. $6 per delivery
    Website here

  • Funkwerks
    Beer to-go curbside Noon-7pm
    Website here

  • 1350 Distilling
    Open for Bottle Sales Tue-Sat 3-6pm
    Website here

  • Twisted Pine Brewing Co
    303-786-9270
    Beer to go curbside, Order food and/or beer online or by phone. Food available for delivery through DoorDash
    Website here

  • Pikes Peak Brewing
    719-208-4098 Hours Mon-Sun 1-7pm
    Beer to go Curbside. Check facebook page and website for deals and updates
    Website here

  • Metric Brewing
    Curbside Pickup 719-418-5560 Mon-Th 2-9pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 2-8pm.
    20% off all 4 packs.
    $1 off to-go Crowlers (up to 3)
    Website here

  • Red Leg Brewing
    719-598-3776 Mon-Th 2-9pm, Fri-Sat 12-10pm, Sun 12-7pm
    Beer to-go curbside- Crowlers, Growlers, 6-Packs, Kegs
    Will also be hosting food trucks every day!
    Website here

We’ll keep adding to the list, and if you have something to contribute send it to info(At)bdg2c(dot)com.
Odell Brewing Co Announces Plan for New Wine Project
- March 11, 2020 -
For over 30 years, Odell has been on a journey to challenge what’s possible in craft beer. Today, their passion for fermentation is inspiring them to experiment again to begin an entirely new journey. Unbound by geography, agriculture, or imagination, The OBC Wine Project is their fresh take on a centuries-old tradition. They are in pursuit of uniquely balanced flavors that showcase what a little beer-geek-turned-wine geek creativity can do. Odell Brewing is hoping you'll join them as they break new ground, fire up the canning line and experiment their way through this new adventure.
Meet them at their brand new Winery and Tasting Room, located on the same grounds as the brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Journey to start Summer 2020 and the types of wines to include a Rose, White Blend, Red Blend and a Rose with Bubbles.
This and more info at the OBC Wine Project website
Final Last Call for Iconic Boulder Beer: Jan 18, 2020
- January 07, 2020 -
From humble beginnings in a Boulder County goatshed, forty-year-old Boulder Beer has been a staple of the Colorado Craft scene - indeed, the American Craft scene. Started as a partnership between brewers David Hummer, Alvin Nelson and Randolph Ware, Boulder Beer was issued US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Brewers Notice / Serial Number 1 in 1979.

Boulder Beer - Colorado’s first craft brewery - has been a staple in taprooms and on store shelves throughout Colorado and the region. Citing increasing costs and highly competitive markets, they announced late last year that they would cease packaging and distributing their iconic brews in liquor stores and other locations, and focus only on operations at their 2880 Wilderness Place brewery and taproom

Alas, January 6, 2020 brought another announcement, this one final. Boulder Beer was selling its operations and quitting business. This letter from owner Gina Day sums it up:

January 6th, 2020
A Letter to Boulder Beer Company Customers and Friends -

Dear Boulder Beer Patrons,

As you all know, things have been changing here at Boulder Beer, and we now have a new development we would like to share. Some outside influences have recently transpired that have led us to make business decisions we feel are best for the company. An opportunity to sell the building at 2880 Wilderness Place recently presented itself to us, which has led us to the decision to close The Pub at Boulder Beer. Our last day of operation will be Saturday, January 18th, after which we will close for business.

After closing the manufacturing side of our business and then creating a relationship with Sleeping Giant, we feel it is now in our best interest to pursue this opportunity to sell the building. The 19,000 square foot production facility has proven to be too large for our brewpub to operate within.

Moving forward, because of our new partnership with Sleeping Giant Brewing Company in Denver, you will still be able to find our beer on draft and in six packs at your favorite liquor stores, groceries, bars and restaurants. They will continue to brew, package and distribute the Boulder Beer brands we all know and love and keep the Boulder Beer legacy alive at retail. So although the Pub will be closing, the brands will live on.

Our valued Boulder Beer staff will all have access to job opportunities with our sister company Concept Restaurants should they decide to join their team.

Also, with all of these changes it isn’t out of the picture that you may see a new Boulder Beer Pub open sometime down the road.

Thank you all for 40 amazing years of support and friendship. If you’re in the Boulder area, please come raise a pint with us on or before January 18th to toast the fun ride it’s been, and celebrate the many, many great memories that make up Boulder Beer.

Sincerely,
Gina Day, Owner


Like we’ve said before, it’s a fluid business. Boulder Beer in Boulder will be missed, and though the brand may live on through contract brewing and marketing, it loses its home, its terroir, its iconic place on the Colorado Craft Beer Trail. Here’s to Boulder Beer - setting beer trends long before beer trends were even made.


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Drinker's Guide to Colorado