Tuesday, January 22, 2013

2012 Pack: Top CO Beer Spots


I don’t spend as much time traversing the metro and the state as years past checking out new beer spots. Two kids and all that stuff gets in the way (most bars frown upon high chairs among the beer taps.)

But I still made it to a few to highlight for the year of 2012 that is nearly a distant memory, you know, being three whole weeks ago.

Local micro-breweries seemed to popping up all over, some small enough to be smaller than a micro. On Denver's far-Eastern fringe, Caution Brewing opened up amongst a non-descript industrial park., complete with a Space Invaders game and a tasty blonde ale. Further north in my hometown, Big Choice Brewing opened in another industrial area with more tasty beers, a small bar area and a TV room upstairs. Keep going up US36 and a turn into Louisville will find Gravity Brewing, with one of the longest bars I’ve seen in quite some while and food available through a small window from the American Legion lodge next door.

Staying in Louisville a trip to Lucky Pie is a must, with their great pizza and ever changing beer lineups. Spent a hot summer afternoon for former Slushy Gutter Winner Juck’s bday there, where the kiddos could play in their fenced in “front yard.” Fast forward a couple months and my own bday celebration there was somewhat muted with a freak early October cold front but fun nonetheless.

The mountains got theirs in 2012, staring with Eddyline Brewing in Buena Vista, where we stopped post NCAA tourney in Albuquerque for a craft brew and hearty grub. Further up the way in Carbondale is Carbondale Beer Works, in a former post office where me and Slushy Gutter Winner TDub stopped for a cold beer on a hot summer day. Winter Park might not be the top summer destination, but a stop at The Library for one of their beers is a must, as me and the beautiful Mrs Commish learned on a lazy WP Beer Festival weekend.

Colorado’s spots are getting wise and adding more outdoor areas to drink and one of the best Boulder County has to offer is Oskar Blues Homemade Liquid and Solids in Longmont. The mammoth backyard is a perfect spot for families and enjoying their huge beer list. Staying in BoCo, Centro on the west end of Boulder’s Pearl Street may be known for their mojitoes but I managed a Ska Mexican Loggers on their quaint outdoor bar. Fellow CU fans have to venture to LoDo for an early season game at Blake Street Tavern, where the outdoor area will occasionally feature a huge outdoor screen and are very Black and Gold friendly.

Meanwhile back in Denver’s Central Platte Valley is the Denver Beer Company and their beers and rotating food trucks, where I spent a scorching June afternoon watching the gentrification pass by. Over off Tennyson is Local 46, which was once a wayward dive bar but now features art on the walls and a live music. A skip away and across from Sloan’s Lake is GB Fish And Chips, where they’ll fry up anything and offer cheap PBRs (among other more traditional English brews) with soccer games on the telly.

While I certainly got in a fair share of LoDo’s, Old Chicagos, and other chains, I try to highlight the local spots, and one of those spots is Right Coast Pizza in old Wheat Ridge, locally flavored and laid back. Took the family there over the holidays, and while my youngest daughter goo-goo’ed and made faces at us, my oldest sang to her heart’s content and colored, with my wife enjoying a few seconds of peace and not wiping boogers or grabbing something from the diaper bag. I sipped on my cold one and watched other families in the Holiday spirit knowing there was no other place I’d rather be and no other people I’d rather be with. Enjoy these places not so much for greasy food, fancy chairs or the bartender with the tight shirt, but the memories and people you’re there with... Cheers.

Check the ID - past top beer spots:

2006 List, 2007 List, 2008 List, 2009 List, 2010 List, 2011 List

Labels: ,

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Dont spend as much time at bars"
???
there's 14 bars listed here!
plus the "chains" youre avg 2 a month,

2:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...


[url=http://deallnews.org/category/haushalten/] HAUSHALTEN [/url]

4:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice blog right here! Additionally your website so much up fast!
What web host are you the usage of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink
to your host? I desire my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Here is my web blog ... simply click the up coming web site

12:06 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The popularity of video games has been happening since its beginnings with pong. The area is one that is continually growing. Here are some great online gaming tricks and suggestions.

Keep your computer updated and clear of junk. When playing online gaming, you will need to limit how many additional programs you install in order to free up enough memory for the games. Maintenance programs are also beneficial to keep your computer fresh and up-to-date. These programs will keep your computer running at its peak performance.

If you want to sell your games on the Internet, you have to describe them in as much detail as possible. This description should include what type of condition the game is in and how it plays. Anyone who purchases this from you would like to be aware of these important details. By making your description as detailed as possible, you are increasing the odds that you'll sell your game.

Make sure that you stay hydrated when playing online games for long periods of time. It's okay to escape for a while with a game--that's what their main purpose is--but some people take it too far and get so involved in gaming that they don't drink water or other drinks regularly. Becoming dehydrated is dangerous, which is why you need to remember to drink plenty of water when playing.

Game store employees are a great resource when it comes to learning about new games. A lot of people like different kinds of video games, you should look to branch out. The employee should be able to give you a few ideas of what games to buy.

It can be helpful to play a trial version of a game you are unsure about purchasing. These computer game trials are extremely helpful in helping you determine if you want to spend your hard earned cash on a game. If you the trial of a certain game, try buying the full version.

You should try renting a game before buying it for your children. Stores often don't accept returned games if they've been played. Renting it first lets you and your kids try it out before you buy.

If you have children, ensure that you're limiting the amount of gaming play time your children have. Try not to let your kids play for over two hours every day since it can rearrange their priorities and strain their hands and eyes.

You shouldn't play video games all day long; keep it down to a couple of hours at most. Playing these games can lead to an addiction, which can impact your social life. Do not exceed more than three hours of game play per day. If you have sessions longer than that, make sure you are taking breaks often.

Try playing computer games as a way to bond with your children. Gaming together is a fun and inexpensive way to get in some family time. It can also allow you to ensure that your kids aren't playing inappropriate games.

Figure out how to operate the safety and parental controls of any gaming system that comes into your home. You can likely make adjustments that keep kids from viewing mature content. Some allow each gaming profile to be customized separately, allowing adults to enjoy games not meant for younger audiences.

No matter if you need to boost your grades, manage people and products, or get back at an enemy in the dark, video games can truly make it happen! Put the suggestions and tricks of this article to good use in your world of gaming today.

4:30 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We [url=http://www.singapore-casino.ws/]slots online[/url] have a corpulent library of unqualifiedly unconditional casino games in regard to you to sport privilege here in your browser. Whether you appetite to unaccustomed a provisions round plan or scarcely try manifest a occasional modern slots first playing on the side of unfeigned money, we have you covered. These are the claim same games that you can engage at true online casinos and you can play them all representing free.

4:04 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home