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January 1, 2015 VOLU M E 1 2 | I SS UE 39 | F R E E
CastleRockNewsPress.net D O U G L A S C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
WHAT’S INSIDE
Weighing when to survey: The Douglas County School District has no timetable for a community survey, but says it is still moving toward one. See Page 2
Cool cats: A new calendar will get 2015 off to a purr-fect start for those who are smitten with kittens. See Page 10
A real pro: Castle Rock resident Bobby Burnett, at one time a Denver Bronco, weighs in on football of yesterday and today. See Page 17 Eric Seufert, owner of Castle Rock Homebrew and Supply, talks to patrons during the Castle Rock Homebrew Competition Dec.19 at his store located at 1643 Park Street. Photos by Mike DiFerdinando
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Brewing up community Castle Rock beer, wine competition brings together about 15 participants By Mike DiFerdinando
mdiferdinando @coloradocommunitymedia.com The bottles line the table, each one from a brewer working in a home or garage or basement. Divided by color and style, the 25 beers and five wines at the 2014 Castle Rock Homebrew Competition were crafted by about 15 amateur brewers. There’s a prize for the winner, a gold medal. But the real reward is being able to share their work with others.
“Most homebrew competitions are judged by certified judges. So they take notes on aroma, flavor, and appearance, and judge it according to style,” said Eric Seufert, owner of Castle Rock Homebrew Supply, where the competition was held Dec.19. “They’re actually quite boring events. It’s usually just a bunch of people standing around taking notes. This is a more social, fun event that probably better suits the average brewer or wine maker. It’s fun.” Seufert opened Castle Rock Homebrew Supply in January 2013. This is the second year he is hosting the Christmas competition — something he hopes will bring together the local homebrew community and give brewers a chance to share and compare with other amateurs and enthusiasts. “Most of these beers here and the wine are Brew continues on Page 13
Bottles for the Castle Rock Homebrew Competition are given plain labels, numbered and arranged by color and style for tasting.
South metro stories of the year A look at the top 10 of 2014 Staff report In the south metro Denver area, this past year was one of hope and change, inspiration and pain, growth and remembrance. The following are the top 10 stories of 2014, in no particular order, as chosen by Colorado Community Media’s editorial staff.
P LE AS E R ECYCLE T HIS COPY
Business is booming
Jeff Pearce offers cookies to the more than 500 people waiting in line for the opening of the Park Meadows’ L.L. Bean store Nov. 21. File photo
In November, Colorado’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent, the lowest since early 2008, before the recession slammed the country. The south metro area did its part in job creation in 2014, as businesses continued to find the region an attractive place to set up shop or expand. Some of the major developments of the year: • Sterling Ranch won another legal battle in February and forged ahead in northwest Douglas County. At build-out, the development is ex-
pected to include more than 12,000 homes and spawn a number of businesses around it. • Charles Schwab opened its new Lone Tree campus in early October. As many as 4,000 employees are ultimately expected to work inside the office buildings. • Also in October, plans were unveiled for Year end continues on Page 4