#3 - New Belgium Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO
#32 - Rock Bottom Brewery Restaurants Louisville, CO
#34 - Odell Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO
#40 - Breckenridge Brewery Denver, CO
#46 - Boulder Beer Co. Boulder, CO
I'm sad that the Fort Collins Brewery didn't make that list. Out of all of the breweries up north, it's our favorite. They have an outstanding tasting room. You get to sample 6-8 beers for $4. Odell charges much more for much less. New Belgium is great because their tastings are free but it's always crowded. I'm sure it drums up good buisness from the college kids though.
Wil and I went up to Ft. Collins to do the brewery tours (Odell, NB and FCB) two months ago. I should have posted sooner but... eh, you don't come here for excuses! Since FCB was our favorite, I'll post pics from out tasting.
FCB's fancy interior!
The tasting list that day included: Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat, Retro Red, Rocky Mountain I.P.A., Z Lager, Kidd Lager and a really kcik-ass Chocolate Stout.
I had two favorites; Major Tom's and the Retro Red. Major Tom's is blonde, Like can't-walk-and-chew-gum-but-finished-high-school-anyways kind of blonde. It's bright and sparkling with a tartness that can be atributed to the fact that it is brewed with real pomegranates. If you find this in your liquor store, snag a sixer. I promiss it will dazzle you.
Major Tom's Pomegranate Wheat - ABV: 5.2%
The Retro Red came as a surprise. I was expecting something... well, I'm not sure what I was expecting. It took me by surprise, I can say that much. It was malty, nutty and very well balanced with just a hit of hops behind it. I've never had a disappointing FCB beer and this one was no different. I haven't been able to find this in my liquor store yet, but if I do I'm going to serve it with a nice piece of BBQ chicken and some sweet corn.
Retro Red - ABV:5.3%
So, since I've been such a slacker it's now your turn to tell me what you've been drinking. The weather is warming up, the grass needs to be mowed, the meat needs to be grilled... what beer is accompaning your springtime activities?
