10th Annual Colorado Brewers' Festival
Great brewers are still serving up great beer
August, 1999by John Adams
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Colorado Brewers' Festival held in Fort Collins. I have had the privilege to attend all but the first two. This is in my opinion the best local festival in the state.
The festival was alive with people, music, and food vendors. A few local Colorado beer celebrities were also on hand: Greg Cross of Weedhopper Brewing was in heaven with a Wet Mountain in his hand. John Irwin of The Homebrew Hut and Beth Irwin from Twisted Pine were enjoying the company of Chris "No Crap on Tap" Black from the Falling Rock.
Again this year the Colorado brewing community was well represented with Cheyenne Mountain, H.C. Berger, The Sandlot, Tabernash/Lefthand (they change their name to TaberHand or LeftNash or use both in a clever slogan), and Wynkoop Brewing to name a few.
In years past it was easy to see the growth of Colorado microbrew industry as more and more breweries attended this event. While attendance was still high, the number of participating brewers has peaked and leveled off. This is a sign of the times in the microbrew arena as the big money breweries continue to move in, older breweries merge to reduce costs, and the financially weak disappear.
The great brewers are still making great beer and I always enjoy the opportunity to find a new favorite sud. I really enjoyed both Dillion Dam's Extra Pale Ale (A dam-fine brew) but Great Divide's Wit takes my honors as Best-of-Show.
Marzen Lager -- 3 points - Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing
The beer has a nice low hop aroma and malt character when the glass is first brought forth. Taking a sip it becomes evident that this is a well balanced, clean and crisp lager. This easy drinking libation would go well with baked chicken in any beer garden at Oktoberfest.
Great Divide Wit -- 3.5 points - Best of Show - Great Divide Brewing Company
While a little over the top for the style I enjoyed this beer never-the-less. A very clean Belgian that could use a little less coriander and a little more malt to bring its balance into perfection. A nice beer, a great summer refresher, and my pick for Best of Show.
Mooseberry Wheat -- 3 points - Smiling Moose brew Pub & Grill
I do not fancy fruit flavored beers, in particular raspberry wheat beers, but this is a good one. Less raspberry than most brewers add, the malt balances the fruit sweetness making this most enjoyable.
Rattlesnake Kate's Vienna Lager -- 2 points - Union Colony Brewing
As the beer approaches the mouth a sweet malt aroma welcomes you. Unfortunately the flavor lacks what the aroma suggests. I'd suggest more malt.
Extra Pale Ale -- 3.5 points - Dillion Dam Brewery
A very clean ale that has a wonderful hop nose that invites you to take that first sip! The flavor does not disappoint you as the medium hop bite balances the malt fabulously. An excellent brew that should be tried by all!
Copyright 1999 John Adams
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