Thirst Colorado -- January-February, 2024 by The Publishing House

SERVING UP THE COLORADO EXPERIENCE

Vol. 9, No. 2 January-February 2024

s e k i b Moon through ing d a e r t ly t ie u Q ntry the backcou

Plus:

Exploring our state of cider Belgians — maintaining centuries-old traditions Snow tubing excitement for every age

Keep Colorado Wild Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your vehicle registration.

Enjoy more state parks, more lakes and more mountains while supporting Colorado’s outdoors with funds for our search and rescue teams, avalanche safety and outdoor education. cpw.info/KeepColoradoWildPass cpw.info/KeepColoradoWildPassSpanish In English

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ORA

FLO O ’ S WER

LIBATIONS BEYOND

Get snowed in and enjoy it It’s that time of year when the stretch between dawn and dusk isn't long enough. There’s less shine during the day to enjoy the outdoors. But don’t let it slow you down. Rather than wasting time thinking about the beauty of spring, embrace the snowy obvious. You’re in a state filled with natural wonders, some gnarly weather and endless nightcap choices - the perfect lead-in to this issue. Although the holidays are behind us, it’s the perfect time of year give the new gear a workout. Warm layers, sharp edges and fresh powder are needed to make the day for many folks. However, what about those youngsters who aren’t ready to slide around on boards? Simple. Snow tubing will keep the wee ones busy for an afternoon and have them screaming for more. For something new, MoonBikes are debuting this winter in Colorado. The first massproduced electric snow bike takes riders into the backcountry without the need for gas. The machines are quiet and can be ridden at designated parks or on terrain traditionally accessible to snowmobiles. So, embrace the chill. Let’s face it, we’ll be trading ice skates, snowshoes and ski boots for hiking boots soon enough. Until then, be sure to glide, swoosh and crunch your way into wintertime bliss - and then plop down by the fire with your favorite beverage. Inside, you’ll learn more about Belgian beers from some of our local creators who have taken the style to new heights. Is cider more to your liking? It’s covered. Weed, beer, both? Learn about some whys and why nots. And for those who can't think of any events to occupy their time, flip to the calendar on page 24 for a few hundred ideas! Enjoy and have a great 2024.

Publisher Paul Johnson paul@thirstcolorado.com Associate Publisher & Editor Joe Ross joe@thirstcolorado.com Vice President, Sales Scott Kaplan Sales Linda Battle, Rebel Becker, Nina Gunther, Jessica Levin, Alexis Nouhan, Christine Werner, Design & Layout Sandy Birkey Stacey Krull President & Founder Emeritus Wilbur E. Flachman Digital & Marketing Manager Steve Graham Contributors John Garvey, Jay McKinney, Kristen Kuchar, Kristen Richard, Melissa Voss For advertising and editorial information, please contact Joe Ross at 303.428.9529 or email joe@thirstcolorado.com Proud member of the Colorado Brewers Guild Thirst Colorado is produced by The Publishing House, a division of Colorado Word Works, Inc. The Publishing House also produces Colorado’s Performing Arts Publications, serving arts venues along the Front Range. 7380 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, Colorado 80030 303.428.9529

Joe Ross Associate Publisher and Editor

Drink up life in large amounts, but restrict your alcohol consumption. We do not endorse or support excessive drinking. Thirst Colorado is published six times a year by The Publishing House, 7380 Lowell Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030. © The Publishing House, 2024. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. Except where noted, the content of Thirst Colorado is the property of the magazine and should only be reprinted with permission. Thirst Colorado is not responsible for false or misleading claims made in advertising or editorial materials published herein. Thirst Colorado Magazine is distributed in part by DJM Distribution, Inc., and Community Racks Distribution, LLC.

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CONTRIBUTORS JAY MCKINNEY McKinney is a Colorado native who grew up south of Denver in Sedalia. In 2020, he graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Shortly after, he began contributing to Thirst Colorado. He is passionate about promoting the Colorado lifestyle and the independent craft businesses that make the state a magnet for creative people. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf, shooting pool and hiking throughout Colorado and neighboring Utah.

MELISSA VOSS

Voss is a South Dakota native who recently moved to Colorado to find her next adventure. Her writing goes beyond working with Team Thirst, as she is working on her first novel. In her free time, she’s hiking with her dog, writing poetry with her cat on her lap, or adding to her growing collection of Colorado-based coffees and brews.

KRISTEN KUCHAR

Kuchar has written about travel and the beverage industry for 15 years in a variety of national and local publications. For Thirst, she primarily covers food, wine, cider, beer and other beverages. She has contributed to VinePair, Zymurgy, The Beer Connoisseur, Craftbeer.com, Beer Advocate, Brew Your Own, All About Beer, DRAFT and dozens more. Currently, she is a Certified Cicerone Beer Server and has a Level 1 Wine Certification with the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, and she continues to pursue further wine and beverage education.

JOHN GARVEY

Garvey is a storyteller, freelance writer, illustrator and nerd. You can see more of his creative ventures at clippings.me/johngarvey and CreativeFollies.com.

KRISTEN RICHARD

Richard is a drink and food freelance writer based in Denver. Her fascination with beverage history and the science of drinks act as a guiding force in her work. When she’s not traveling down a rabbit hole of random esoteric booze knowledge, you can usually find her camping, hiking, hanging with her dog, reading or rocking out to metal bands.

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

THIRST COLORADO | January-February 2024 EXPERIENCES

8 To the Moon

Electric snow bikes provide quick, quiet backcountry thrills

16 Slip Sliding Snow tubing hills are popular with youngsters

21 Triathlon

8 12

Breck will host athletes with stamina to spare

24 Events

The state’s most complete guide to having a ball

28 Cider Scene Varied approaches bring cideries to the forefront

32 Prime Pairings Two great dishes paired with excellent libations

On the cover:

28 16

New electric MoonBikes arrive in Colorado Photo courtesy of MoonBikes

Distillery, Winery, 36 Brewery, Cidery and Meadery Guide

Find great craft beverages wherever the adventure takes you

BEER GUIDE

12 Belgian Beers

22 Root Shoot

20 Distribution Brewers

34 Weed and Beer

The style is rooted in history, but not stuck in it

Brewers produce great beverages without physical taprooms

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Homegrown grains are popular among distilleries, breweries

What to know before you go there

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January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

TO THE MOON! An electrified way to explore winter By Jay McKinney

ecessity is the mother of invention and MoonBikes are no exception. The innovative company that manufactures electric snow bikes was founded in France by aeronautical engineer Nicolas Muron. While living in the small town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Véroce in the French Alps, Muron noticed that residents would use bikes, skateboards, rollerblades and more during the summer, but once winter arrived, cars and snowmobiles seemed to be the only options. With his engineering background and a strong desire to sustainably enjoy the mountains during winter, Muron became obsessed with creating a new mode of eco-friendly transportation that could also be used recreationally. He spent all his free time experimenting and designing prototypes, but in 2017 he took a leap of faith by leaving his career to devote all his time to his passion project. The decision led to collaboration with people in design, engineering and finance and as a result, his vision to create a lightweight, silent and powerful method of transportation became a reality when MoonBikes was founded in 2018. In January of 2022, the company expanded into North America and made Boulder its regional headquarters. Colorado parks were planned and the company marketed to destinations throughout the high country. “We really feel that we have opened up winter recreation to a wider subset of people,” says Joseph Sweet, vice president of business development in North America. “If we compare it to existing products on the market, everyone compares it to a snowmobile, but really it’s so drastically different that we see it as a new form of recreation.” While MoonBikes may look like snowmobiles with the front ski and track in the rear, there are numerous differences that make them an appealing alternative. First and foremost is their size and weight. A MoonBike with the battery in it only weighs around 190 pounds whereas a snowmobile can weigh over 500 pounds. With the small size, MoonBikes can easily be transported in the back of a truck, on a motorcycle rack, or even in the back of larger SUVs. The bikes are also extremely easy to maintain, and their low center of gravity makes them accessible for anyone to ride. “We have everyone from people who are using them as a quick and easy way to get from point A to point B within a snowy environment, to backcountry skiers using them as their access vehicles,” Sweet says. “On the B2B side of things, we have places like ski resorts, hotels, and lodges that are using them for internal uses and guest recreation. We see it as a unique offering to meet a variety of use cases during the winter.” The bikes can travel 26 mph and run for up to three hours (with the dual battery option). They are available in three colors (black, red, and white) and can also be accessorized to tow a pulka sled or carry a luggage rack depending on the length of adventure. MoonBikes start at around $8,900.

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Photo courtesy of MoonBikes

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

In addition to being able to ride them on any trail or open space where snowmobiles are permitted, the company has also partnered with more than 40 designated MoonBike parks throughout Europe and North America. Each park is different but guests can rent the bikes at the park so they can try one out without purchasing their own. In Colorado there are currently five MoonBike parks located in Ouray, Grand Lake, Windsor, Red Feather Lakes, and Garfield County outside of Glenwood Springs, Sweet says. Check moonbikes.com for availability this winter. As they become more popular, he hopes more parks are established, along with potential partnerships with ski resorts within the state. When MoonBikes planned to expand into North America, it found a home in Boulder for several reasons, according to Sweet. Not only is Colorado filled with outdoorsy thrillseekers where the bikes have a natural market, but as the company grows, they feel confident that Boulder is a desirable place to live where they can hire talent from the greater Denver Metro area and lure individuals from elsewhere. “It makes sense that Colorado is our largest market and it’s great being here because of all the great things Colorado can provide,” Sweet says. “The bike fits in extremely well within the culture here, where people are active and outdoors, and constantly looking for new activities to enjoy. With that, people here want to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the state and these bikes fit in so well because they don’t pollute and they’re quiet.” While the company is still young and growing, MoonBikes undisputedly aligns with the Colorado lifestyle as they provide a new way to explore the outdoors during the winter.

Jay McKinney grew up in Sedalia and graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf, shooting pool and hiking throughout Colorado and neighboring Utah.

Photos courtesy of MoonBikes

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January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

FROM PAST TO PRESENT, BELGIAN BREWING MIXES TRADITION WITH CREATIVITY By Jay McKinney

Charlie Gottenkieny at the Bruz Beers Midtown location. Photo by Jay McKinney

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Photo by Christopher Austin

edged between Germany, France and the Netherlands, Belgium has a brewing history dating back hundreds of years to when beer was brewed out of necessity because fouled water was too dangerous to drink. While water is safe to drink these days, a true beer lover will probably still choose a delicious Belgian Tripel over a glass of water. With diverse styles and unique brewing methods, Belgium has solidified its legacy and continues to influence brewing worldwide, including in Colorado. One Colorado brewery that’s all in is Bruz Beers, founded by Charlie Gottenkieny and Ryan Evans in 2016. “At different times, Ryan and I had both gone to Belgium and loved the beer from the minute we tasted it, especially Tripel Karmeliet, which was both of our favorites,” Gottenkieny says. “I came back and couldn’t find Belgian beers in America, so I started homebrewing.” He started homebrewing in 1988 and mastered the craft, winning competitions and eventually teaching a class titled “World of Belgian Beers” at Colorado Free University and Front Range Community College. Evans attended a class and hit it off with Gottenkieny. Evans tasted some of Gottenkieny’s Belgian-style beers and soon after, they were crafting a business plan for a brewery. They secured a location in the Midtown neighborhood of north Denver, purchased an old system from Black Shirt Brewing Co. and launched the business.

Since then, the brewery has added a second taproom on East Colfax Avenue. They try to source ingredients locally as much as possible because, as Gottenkieny says, “That’s what the Belgians would do.” For example, the Diablo Colorado is a golden strong ale made with grain from Loveland, hops from Billy Goat Hop Farm in Montrose, locally propagated yeast and Colorado water. “Belgian beer is a small slice of the overall market and a niche,” Gottenkieny says. “But they’re higher quality beers for the most part. When the monks brew them, they look at it as a tribute to God, sparing no expense or effort making the best beer they can possibly make, and we’ve kind of adopted that philosophy.” Gottenkieny and Evans aren’t the only Coloradans making Belgian-style beers. Gottenkieny lists Barquentine Brewing Co., Cellar West Artisan Ales, Avery Brewing Co., Primitive Beer, New Belgium, TRVE Brewing Co. and River North Brewery as a few other Colorado breweries that serve great Belgian beers. Matt Hess, founder of River North Brewery, acknowledges the Belgian inspiration in his beer. “Belgian beer is the reason I fell in love with drinking, savoring, and brewing beer,” he said. “The beer styles open up a world of flavors that can be found in no other brewing tradition, and, I would argue, are unparalleled in their breadth, complexity, and downright deliciousness.”

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

Ryan Evans enjoys a Belgian beer. Photos by Christopher Austin

MONK INFLUENCE Some of the original brewers in Belgium were monks. Living together in monasteries, monks began brewing in the Middle Ages to provide a safe form of hydration for the community, with different strengths given to the separate social classes. It may seem as if the entire civilization was drunk back then, but most of the beer contained more sugar and less alcohol than present day beers. Over time, brewing expanded outside of monasteries and continued to evolve, with various styles developing in different regions. Despite the wide variety of flavors and brewing methods, there are some common attributes that set them apart from other beers around the world and make them unique.

YEAST VS. HOPS First and foremost are the yeasts. Today hundreds of yeast strains are available to brewers, and Belgian strains tend to contain more esters and phenols. Estery yeasts provide fruity flavors such as banana or apricot, and phenolic strains bring spice flavors such as clove or pepper. While an IPA may be brewed with neutral yeasts because the brewer wants the flavor to primarily come from the hops, Belgian brewers choose yeasts that contribute to the flavor. Another common quality of modern Belgian beers is that they tend to be dry and highly attenuated, which is caused by the yeasts eating up a larger quantity of the fermentable sugar. Some of the most famous Belgian styles include Witbier, Saison and Lambic. Monastery beers like Dubbel and Tripel have evolved from their early counterparts, and Belgium has strict laws governing their classification. A modern-day Tripel that’s labeled as Trappist must be brewed under direct supervision of monks at a brewery on monastery property. The same beer brewed outside of a monastery would be labeled as an Abbey Tripel. Even though each style has particular characteristics and individual origin stories, Belgian brewing is generally viewed as an artisanal craft, according to Gottenkieny. Rather than strictly conforming to pre-existing styles, brewers are seen as artists with

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freedom to be creative. In addition to selecting distinctive yeasts, Belgian brewers determine flavor profiles by adding fruits and spices or various grains, such as oats and wheat. Fermentation techniques also might be tweaked. Beer is an essential component of Belgian culture, and is taken very seriously. Every style of beer has a distinct glass. There are hundreds of different glass shapes, and Belgian bartenders are adamant about serving beer in the correct glass.

IN THE KITCHEN During his visits to Belgium, Gottenkieny also fell in love with the cuisine. In the back of the house, Belgian chefs frequently use beer in their recipes and develop dishes with beer pairings in mind. Belgian cuisine is varied and influenced by the surrounding countries. Fine dining in Belgium has elements of fancy French cooking, but the average food in the country can be described as comfort food and is influenced heavily by the Dutch. One classic dish is Carbonnade à la Flamande, a Belgian beef stew with the primary ingredients of beef, onions, and a dark Belgian ale. Another extremely common food found in Belgium is frites. Despite being commonly known as “French” fries, the Belgians insist they were the original creators of the side, and they are commonly served with meals. Outside of the country, it’s not hard to pair a Belgian beer with just about anything, according to Gottenkieny. A lighter beer like Witbier is excellent with sushi or other light seafood dishes. Belgian Strong Golden Ales pair nicely with a wide range of foods including poultry, salmon or spicy foods. A Belgian Abbey Tripel pairs well with roasted pork, rich seafood and creamy desserts like crème brûlée. Darker beers such as a Belgian Abbey Dubbel go great with hearty foods like roasted meats, and Belgian beers of all varieties can be paired to an assortment of cheeses. Jay McKinney grew up in Sedalia and graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in communications. During his free time, he enjoys playing golf, shooting pool and hiking throughout Colorado and neighboring Utah.

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January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

HOLD ON!

Families take advantage of Colorado tubing hills By Melissa Voss

he Colorado snow is piled high and avid winter sports enthusiasts are hitting the slopes. For families with smaller children, it’s not always easy to strap on a pair of skis and go. However, numerous Colorado parks, resorts, and communities provide a fun winter experience for nearly all ages: tubing. As long as you can sit on the tube and hold on, you are able to participate. According to tubing hill hosts, Colorado families with younger children use tubing to introduce and include their young ones in the winter fun.

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The tubes and the groomed hills have come a long way since the activity originated in the Swiss Alps in the late 19th century. Commercialized tubes were invented by John Boyd Dunlop of Scotland when he created a tire that was too big for bikes but too heavy for tubing. After many innovations and patents in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the tube was born and is still similar to those used today. But what makes tubing different from sledding? Unlike a sled, a tube is light and smooth, which decreases friction, allowing

Microgen / stock.adobe.com

riders to speed down the slopes. Add a steeper slope angle and the speed only goes up. However, it’s important to keep in mind that tubes will go nowhere on fresh, unpacked snow. Oftentimes, tubing hills were previously used for skiing or snowboarding runs. Several ski resorts provide a tubing-only slope because the increased speeds and minimal steering ability require the slopes to have safety barriers to keep riders on course. Winter sports are a staple to Coloradans as the snow starts

to fall. But as Colorado grows, communities around the state are working to bring inclusivity to families during the winter months. Maria Chavez, membership services director of Winter Park and Fraser’s Chamber of Commerce says that tubing opens up another door of fun for families. “Winter Park and Fraser have three resorts that offer numerous winter experiences. Tubing allows and welcomes families of all ages to get in on that winter fun,” Chavez says.

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

Photo courtesy of Winter Park Resort

One unique take on the tubing scene is Winter Park Resort’s Coca-Cola Tubing Hill, a multi-lane, curved slope that offers different experiences for everyone. There are several lanes that allow one to enjoy a ride whether you want to take it fast or slow, ride solo or slide down with a group. What upgrades this experience is that on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5-7 p.m., the hill adds neon lights along the path to light up the snow for Glow Night Tubing. Although highly recommended, the park does not require an advanced purchase, allowing families to take a last-minute trip out to the slopes. The park understands that winter months can start to cool you down, so they offer numerous ways to warm you back up. Families are able to warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, and other hot drinks in the warm cabin at the top of the hill. You don’t have to travel to Winter Park to enjoy a good tubing slope. Parks and communities around the state offer slopes for Coloradans and visitors alike.

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SADDLE BACK RANCH Fifteen minutes from Steamboat Springs is the Saddle Back Ranch’s Yee-Haw tubing hill. Families are able to enjoy the hill, which is equipped with a tube-attaching lift system that brings you to the top, and a warming lodge with drinks and snacks at the bottom. To reach the hill, you can either drive up to the ranch or hop on the shuttle at the Steamboat Springs Gondola Transit Center. Children 4 and under with an adult can ride for free.

COLORADO ADVENTURE PARK Only minutes from Winter Park Ski Resort is the locally owned and operated tubing hill, Colorado Adventure Park. Besides single tubes, families can rent double tubes so that younger children can ride safely with an adult. There’s no need to trek all the way up the hill because as the park offers a ride up the Magic Carpet lift. If you or your young ones need a break, the warming hut offers a variety of snacks and warm beverages. The last tubes are rented at 6 p.m.

ARE YOU READY TO GO? Here’s what you need to know

Make sure your young ones measure up! Some parks and resorts require tube riders to be at least 36-inches tall. Many parks and resorts require that you sign a waiver before hitting the slopes. Be prepared by signing off early on their websites. Dress warm! Tubing gets very popular throughout the winter season, so wait times for going down can vary. Don’t forget your hats, gloves, scarves, goggles, jackets and snow pants. Always check the resort or park’s website to see if there is any additional information you need to know before making the trip. Some require you to park in specific parking areas, come during certain times, or wear additional gear.

Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain

Photo courtesy of Colorado Adventure Park

Photo courtesy of Saddle Back Ranch

COPPER MOUNTAIN Once all the snow is compacted at Copper Mountain, families can take the twists and turns down their 4-lane tubing hill. Reservations and scheduled times are required for a full hour of play, so be sure to get your ticket an hour in advance. If you pre-book at least one day in advance online, you can save 10% off day-of rates. Do you have younger kids that are too short to ride? Copper Mountain’s Critterland allows smaller children to enjoy tubing on Squeal Hill, right at the base of the tubing hill in East Village.

MONARCH MOUNTAIN Just outside of Salida, Monarch Mountain’s tubing park takes riders down 400 feet of snow right next to the ski slopes. The tubing park allows even experienced winter sports enthusiasts to sit back, relax, and enjoy the slopes with the whole family. Tubing park availability depends on the amount of snow, and the time needed to carve out the tubing lanes, so check their website to see when the slopes are ready to ride. Already a Monarch Season Pass holder? You get 50% off walk-up rates!

VAIL’S ADVENTURE RIDGE Gear on up to Adventure Ridge in Vail for a breathtaking view down the slopes. Although many folks have experienced the

summer adventure park full of ziplines, mountain coasters and more, Adventure Ridge also offers Eagle’s Nest, a 900-foot long, multi-lane tubing hill. Everything is offered on a first-come, first-served basis so no reservations are required. Waiting for the slopes? Adventure Ridge offers numerous other kid-friendly activities, such as kids snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and a winter zipline. To get there, take the Eagle Bahn Gondola from Lionheads Village to Adventure Ridge. You can purchase tickets at any ski school location in Vail.

DUTCH HENRY TUBING HILL You don’t always have to go to a ski resort to have fun. Leadville Twin Lakes offers the Dutch Henry Sledding and Tubing Hill. Open from dawn to dusk, you can bring in your own tube or rent tubes on the weekend, available at the base of the hill. This place is nothing too fancy; you do have to walk back up the hill if you want another run. Not in or near Leadville Twin Lakes, check out your community’s website and see if there are any smooth hills to take your family down this winter. Melissa Voss is a South Dakota native who recently moved to Colorado

to find her next adventure. Her writing goes beyond working with Team Thirst, as she is working on her first novel. In her free time, she’s hiking with her dog, writing poetry with her cat on her lap, or adding to her growing collection of Colorado-based coffee and brews. January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

NO TAPROOM, NO PROBLEM

Distribution-only Colorado breweries worth sampling By The Thirst Team

Hundreds of Colorado breweries sell beer in their taprooms. But a few passionate brewers craft good beer that is only available in bottle stores and bars.

CERIA BREWING Ceria beers have neither a dedicated taproom nor any alcohol. The Denver-based brewery distributes regular non-alcoholic beer widely throughout the state at liquor stores, restaurants, grocery stores and other brewery taprooms. Ceria was a pioneer in THCinfused beers, but stopped producing cannabis brews in 2023.

AMALGAM BREWING Amalgam Brewing is technically a distribution-mostly brewery. The brewery has a small north Denver taproom that is only open very occasionally for bottle releases and special events. The rest of the time, they distribute mixed-culture and barrel-aged beers to bottle shops and breweries in the area.

NEW PLANET BEER BACKACRE BEERMAKERS Originally based in Vermont, Backacre moved to Denver in 2019. The blendery now operates exclusively in Colorado, where it has always exclusively brewed one beer — the Backacre Sour Golden Ale. The beer is fermented in French oak barrels for more than a year, then various vintages are combined to reach the right balance and flavor. Select liquor stores carry 750-ml Backacre bottles, and the ale was recently released on draft for the first time.

Boulder’s New Planet Beer has crafted gluten-free beer in Boulder since 2009, after the founder was diagnosed with celiac disease. They currently distribute a pale ale and blond ale at restaurants, bars and liquor stores around Colorado.

MAD RUSSIAN BREWING Mad Russian Brewing opened an Olathe taproom in late 2019. In late 2023, the taproom closed, but the brewer is still distributing beer and seltzer.

Photo courtesy of New Planet, by Lauren Kayl

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TRIATHLON COMPETITORS HEADED FOR BRECK The USA Triathlon Winter National Championships will come to Breckenridge for the first time Feb. 23 to 25. The event will include a winter triathlon (run-bike-ski), a winter duathlon (run-ski) and a Nordic ski-only race. In addition to racing for national titles, participants can also qualify to represent Team USA in the 2025 World Triathlon World Championships. Registration is open now. If you plan to race in Breck, professional triathlete and coach Nicole Valentine has some tips. “Increase water and electrolyte intake upon arriving at higher altitude and in the days leading up to the race,” she said. “Add salt to your foods (if unprocessed and not already containing salt) during race week.” Valentine, who lives in Breckenridge (elevation 9,600 feet) for part of the year, said a race at altitude brings higher caloric demands. She also recommends one or two rest days to adjust to the altitude. Finally, she recommends sticking to mocktails and non-alcoholic beer before a race. “Save the sampling of the incredible local craft beers for after the race,” she said.

Photo courtesy of World Triathlon

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

Photo by Emily Sierra

FARMERS OF THE FUTURE

Root Shoot pushes farming sustainability By Melissa Voss

hat’s better than a brew made with ingredients grown in your own backyard? For over 100 years, Olander Farms has been bringing locally sourced grains to its local communities. Root Shoot Malting extends the Olander family mission by providing malt to local brewers and distillers, curating a cycle of communal prosperity. As Root Shoot looks to the future, they want to make sure they take care of the land for the generations of farmers that come after. Root Shoot evolved from the efforts of Olander Farms in Loveland. However, not everything was smooth sailing for the Olander family. Olander Farms persevered through a century of highs and lows by overcoming the uncontrollable: weather events, market fluctuations, economical impacts on seed and fuel, and so much more. Olander Farms formed Root Shoot with sustainable farming practices in mind to serve the community that has supported their family for generations.

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“If we could create an outlet for our own product we would be less dependent on the commodity market for our income, giving us more control over the farm as a business. If we could curate an outlet locally, we could also keep the food coming out of our fields in the community that supports it,” says Todd Olander, founder and farmer at Root Shoot Malting. As the Front Range picks up speed on industrial and community development, access to water is deemed essential for the longevity of Colorado farms. In late 2022, Olander Farms and Root Shoot Malting partnered with Colorado Open Lands to curate a conservation easement, protecting 112 acres of their land by limiting its use and protecting it from development. Olander says that farms need to do their best to stay ahead of the curve by implementing sustainable and regenerative farming practices. “In a ‘normal’ year, we get 16 inches of rain,” Olander says, noting that the semi-arid climate doesn’t result in much water. “The Colorado River can no longer sustain the populations that use it. We began diving into sustainable and regenerative farming practices for

our fields because healthy soil grows healthier plants. We’re creating healthier soil teeming with microbiology. By doing that we’re reducing the use of water, a precious commodity, as well as reducing the use of chemical inputs. That means less expense for us and more resilient fields that are more likely to produce good crops for our farm. Win-win-win.” Root Shoot currently works with more than 125 breweries across the nation. He points out that the Colorado brewing community has been supportive of their efforts by sourcing local ingredients from small, hometown businesses like Root Shoot. “The breweries we work with are keenly aware of their carbon footprints, the agricultural processes behind the products they use, and the impact their businesses have on the local economy,” he says. “Our brewers and distillers are so invested in Colorado that we knew if we offered them a high-quality product grown using highly ethical standards, they would likely support it.” Lady Justice Brewing in Aurora has partnered with Root Shoot for eight years. Co-founder and owner Betsy Lay says that Root Shoot’s sustainability efforts are leading the way for other malt distributors. “We’re big fans of Root Shoot and are grateful for all the hard work they are doing to save family farms,” Lay says. “Between an ever-changing climate and living in a state that is constantly developing and building, I’m sure they face many challenges to their mission. They have a high-quality product that I’ve been using since 2016 and Colorado breweries are very lucky to have a local option that’s doing good in the world.” To ensure trust amongst their brewing partners, Root Shoot believes complete transparency is key. They strive to ensure that their customers are educated on the process of growing and harvesting the malt. “We show them what we do, how we do it, and we explain why,” Olander says. “We even invite them to come harvest sweet corn from our fields during the summer growing season. We believe that this sort of connection with the grain they are using and the land it comes from is what “grain to glass” really should look like.” Experiencing the fruit of Root Shoot’s labor became more accessible to everyone with last year’s release of its Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt Whiskey. Completely grown from their family-led farm team, Root Shoot’s whiskey is malted and distilled within 30 miles of where the grain was grown.

Photo by Emily Sierra

KEEPING COLORADO’S CRAFT SCENE LOCALLY BASED In addition to farming Colorado’s soils in responsible ways, Root Shoot is helping keep the local craft scene local. Following are a few of the state’s producers that have worked with Root Shoot to produce libations. Comrade Brewing Co. in Denver High Hops Brewery in Windsor Bruz Beers in Denver Conflagration Distilling in Wheat Ridge Talnua Distillery in Arvada State 38 Distilling in Golden Breckenridge Distillery

Melissa Voss is a South Dakota native who recently moved to Colorado. She is currently a student at the University of Colorado Denver, following her passion for literature and writing in hopes of going into higher education.

Photo courtesy of Root Shoot Malting

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

2024 WINTER EVENTS GUIDE JANUARY BLOSSOMS OF LIGHT, Denver Botanic Gardens, through Jan 7 ZOO LIGHTS, Denver Zoo, through Jan 7 NEAL FRANCIS, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 2 “THE SECRET COMEDY OF WOMEN,” Garner Galleria Theatre, Denver, Jan 3-28 AFROMAN, Moxi Theater, Greeley, Jan 4 MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 4 SOFI TUKKER, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 4-5 DJ DIESEL, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 5 TANNER USREY, Boot Barn Hall, Colorado Springs, Jan 5 COLORADO SYMPHONY: “HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS” IN CONCERT, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 5-7 ALL IN ICE FEST, Ouray Ice Park, Jan 5-7 THE YALE WHIFFENPOOFS, Newman Center, Denver, Jan 6 TANNER USREY, The Oriental Theatre, Denver, Jan 6 RODNEY CARRINGTON, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Jan 6 AN EVENING OF STORIES AND SONGS WITH JOHN OATES, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 6 NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW, Denver, Jan 6-21 ALDO LÓPEZ-GAVILÁN AND RICARDO MORALES, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Jan 7 TANNER USREY, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 7 TRAPT & ARDAVAN, Moxi Theater, Greeley, Jan 7 “PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL,” Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Jan 8-10 COLORADO SYMPHONY: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. TRIBUTE AND HUMANITARIAN AWARDS, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 9 PAINT, SIP, SAFARI, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, Jan 9 RAILROAD EARTH, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 9 THE RECORD COMPANY, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 10 BOOMBOX, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Jan 10 RAILROAD EARTH, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 11 THE HEAD AND THE HEART, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 11-12 COLTER WALL, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 11-13 “POTTED POTTER: THE UNAUTHORIZED HARRY EXPERIENCE,” Newman Center, Denver, Jan 11-14 INTERNATIONAL SPORTSMEN’S EXPO, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Jan 11-14 WINTERSKÖL, Aspen, Jan 11-14 JOYCE YANG WITH THE TAKÁCS QUARTET, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Jan 12 ON A WINTER’S NIGHT, Rialto Theater, Loveland, Jan 12 LUCHA LIBRE & LAUGHS, Oriental Theater, Denver, Jan 12

24 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

Photo courtesy of CU Presents

STEP AFRIKA! The group blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms

FIRST PEOPLES FESTIVAL, Estes Park Events Complex, Jan 12-14 INDIAN MARKET & SOUTHWEST ARTS FEST, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Jan 12-14 COLORADO COWBOY GATHERING, Buffalo Rose, Golden, Jan 12-14 COLORADO SYMPHONY: LITTON CONDUCTS FEAT. THE NYC BALLET, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 12-14 SLWMO, Moxi Theater, Greeley, Jan 13 MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR, Kendall Mountain Community Center, Silverton, Jan 13 EMINENCE ENSEMBLE & EVANOFF, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Jan 13 LAFAYETTE OATMEAL FESTIVAL, Pioneer Elementary School, Jan 13 JOHN JORGENSON BLUEGRASS BAND, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 13 “SWEAT,” Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 13-Feb 10 KELLER WILLIAMS, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 14 ALONZO KING LINES BALLET: DEEP RIVER, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 14 TAKÁCS QUARTET, Grusin Music Hall, Boulder, Jan 14-22 PLAYBOI CARTI, Ball Arena, Denver, Jan 15 BOOMBOX, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 15 BUD LIGHT COWBOY DOWNHILL, Steamboat Resort, Steamboat Springs, Jan 15

into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The tour comes to Boulder on Feb. 2. cupresents.org

KITCHEN DWELLERS, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 16-17 PACIFICA QUARTET AND KAREN SLACK, Newman Center, Denver, Jan 17 JOSH TURNER, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 17 COLORADO SYMPHONY CHAMBER CONCERT, Center for the Arts Crested Butte, Jan 18 HAIRBALL, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 18 BIG BILL MORGANFIELD, Moxi Theater, Greeley, Jan 18 FRENEMIES: A FIERCE, FABULOUS AND FUNNY SHOW, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Jan 18 DRAKE & J. COLE, Ball Arena, Denver, Jan 18-19 CHARLEY CROCKETT, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 18-19 HIGH COUNTRY DANCE WINTER SHOWCASE, Rialto Theater, Loveland, Jan 18-20 DENVER BOAT SHOW, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Jan 18-20 OURAY ICE FESTIVAL, Ouray Ice Park, Jan 18-21 CHANGEMAKER SERIES: FROM SANDLOTS TO STADIUMS, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 19 BALKAN BUMP, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Jan 19 Email your upcoming event listings to joe@thirstcolorado.com. And check venue and event websites for updates.

Photo courtesy of the Aspen Chamber

WINTERSKÖL Aspen’s annual “toast to winter” dates back to a quiet January in 1951 when locals chose to commemorate Aspen's distinctive mountain way of life with a JOSH TURNER, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Jan 19 THE MARGARITA BROTHERS, Stargazers Theatre, Colorado Springs, Jan 19 HAIRBALL, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Jan 19 SAN JUAN SYMPHONY STRING QUARTET, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Durango, Jan 19 WINTERFEST, Pagosa Springs, Jan 19-21 “THE BOOK OF MORMON,” Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 19-21 COLORADO SYMPHONY CHAMBER CONCERT, SteamPlant Event Center, Salida, Jan 19 THE LONE BELLOW WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 19 MOMIX’S “ALICE,” Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Jan 20 BEATS ANTIQUE, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 20 GOLDFISH, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 20 THE LONE BELLOW, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 20 DRAGHORIA WITH DYSTOPIOID, HUMAN PAINT, Moxi Theater, Greeley, Jan 20 MARY LOUISE LEE BAND, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 20 HAIRBALL, Paramount Theatre, Denver, Jan 20 JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF ZEPPELIN, Oriental Theater, Denver, Jan 20 COLORADO SYMPHONY: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 20-21

diverse weekend of events. Festivities include concerts, a craft beer festival, a torchlight descent down Aspen Mountain, a bonfire and fireworks. aspensnowmass.com MOMS UNHINGED COMEDY SHOW, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 21 “PETER AND THE WOLF,” Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 21 MOMIX’S “ALICE,” Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Jan 22 INTERNATIONAL SNOW SCULPTURE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Breckenridge, Jan 22-31 COMPAGNIE HERVÉ KOUBI, Newman Center, Denver, Jan 23 MANIA: THE ABBA TRIBUTE, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Jan 23 THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 23 CUARTETO LATINOAMERICANO, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 23 PAINT, SIP, SAFARI, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, Jan 23 “JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Jan 23-28 “A YEAR WITH TOAD AND FROG,” Arvada Center, Jan 23-May 17 SHAUN BOOTHE, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Jan 24 MOMIX’S “ALICE,” Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 24 HAYDEN JAMES, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 24 CHANTICLEER, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 25 MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR, Paradise Theater, Paonia, Jan 25-26 THE ULTIMATE RV SHOW, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Jan 25-27

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL, The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, Jan 25-28 SNAP: CONTEMPORARY MYSTERY PERFORMANCE, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 26 PIANO INSPIRATION WITH GARY SCHMIDT, Rialto Theater, Loveland, Jan 26 CHANTICLEER, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Jan 26 SMOKUS POCUS, Oriental Theater, Denver, Jan 26 WINTER COMEDY SERIES, Warren Station for the Arts, Keystone, Jan 26 ULLRGRASS MUSIC & BEER FESTIVAL, Parfet Park, Golden, Jan 26-28 RIO FRIO ICE FEST, Alamosa, Jan 26-28 COLORADO SYMPHONY: MOZART & NOW, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Jan 26-28 X GAMES ASPEN, Buttermilk Mountain, Jan 26-28 SNOWDOWN DURANGO, various locations, Jan 26-Feb 4 “CEBOLLAS,” Singleton Theatre, Denver, Jan 26-Mar 10 WINTER BREW FEST, Mile High Station, Denver, Jan 27 INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Jan 27 WILLIE BARCENA, Oriental Theater, Denver, Jan 27 WINTER WHISKEY TASTING FESTIVAL, Downtown Denver, Jan 27 ANIMANIACS LIVE!, Rialto Theater, Loveland, Jan 27 “THE SANDLOT” 30TH ANNIVERSARY W/ THE CAST, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Jan 27 BIG BAND ROYALTY, Arvada Center, Jan 27 “AND THAT’S WHY WE DRINK,” Newman Center, Denver, Jan 27 COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC PERFORMS RACHMANINOFF, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Jan 27 COLORADO MOTORCYCLE EXPO, National Western Complex, Denver, Jan 27-28 BOB MOSES, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 28 MOMIX’S “ALICE,” Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Jan 28-29 SNAP: CONTEMPORARY MYSTERY PERFORMANCE, Lone Tree Arts Center, Jan 28 “CHICAGO,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Jan 30-Feb 4 HANNAH BERNER, Belly Up, Aspen, Jan 31 SNAP: CONTEMPORARY MYSTERY PERFORMANCE, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Jan 31

FEBRUARY CHARLIE FARLEY, Moxi Theater, Greeley, Feb 1 LEE BRICE, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 1 STEELY DEAD, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Feb 1 BEN RECTOR AND CODY FRY WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 1-2 STEP AFRIKA!, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Feb 2 January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

WALKER & ROYCE, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 2 BERT KREISCHER, The Ranch Events Complex, Loveland, Feb 2 MIKE MAURER BAND, Oriental Theater, Denver, Feb 2 RACHAEL & VILRAY, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 2 BLACK VIOLIN, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Feb 2 RUN WITH SCISSORS, Stargazers Theatre, Colorado Springs, Feb 2 TIM ALLEN, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Feb 2 SING & SWING: A JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRODUCTION, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 2 ZED’S DEAD, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 2-3 COLORADO BALLET’S “JEKYLL & HYDE,” Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, Feb. 2-11 MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR, Rialto Theater, Loveland, Feb 3 GORILLA NEMS & MAC LETHAL, Oriental Theater, Denver, Feb 3 EMMET COHEN TRIO, Newman Center, Denver, Feb 3 FUTUREBIRDS, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 3 HIGH COUNTRY HOOTENANY, Warren Station for the Arts, Keystone, Feb 3 BERT KREISCHER, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, Feb 3 LAKE CITY ICE CLIMBS FESTIVAL, Lake City Ice, Feb 3 THORGY THOR AND THE THORCHESTRA WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 3 SPACE EXPLORERS: THE INFINITE, Stanley Marketplace, Feb 3-May 5 “THE IMPROVISED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY,” Garner Galleria Theatre, Denver, Feb 7-Mar 31 LEWIS BLACK, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 4 CAMERON CARPENTER, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 4 JOHNNY CASH: THE OFFICIAL CONCERT EXPERIENCE, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Feb 4 FUTUREBIRDS, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 4 TOOL, Ball Arena, Denver, Feb 5 DISCO BISCUITS, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 5-7 VITAMIN STRING QUARTET FEATURING THE MUSIC OF “BRIDGERTON,” Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 6 CLINT BLACK, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Feb 6 PAINT, SIP, SAFARI, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, Feb 6 JOHNNY CASH: THE OFFICIAL CONCERT EXPERIENCE, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 7 STEAMBOAT SPRINGS WINTER CARNIVAL, Feb 7-11 COLD WAR KIDS, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 8 NECK DEEP, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 8 COLORADO SYMPHONY FEATURING CONDUCTOR EUN SUN KIM AND PIANIST INON BARNATAN, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 8 TWIN TRIBES, Oriental Theater, Denver, Feb 8 LEFTOVER SALMON, Community Concert Hall, Durango, Feb 8

26 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

Photo courtesy of the Newman Center

ACROBUFFOS The Air Play is a circus-style adventure that has been performed on five continents, and comes to Denver’s Newman Center on Feb 18, and Greeley’s Union Colony Civic Center on Feb. 23. acrobuffos.com

RISING APPALACHIA, Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge, Feb 9 CORY WONG, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 9 MAGIC CITY HIPPIES, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 9 INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Feb 9 MOUNTAINFILM ON TOUR, Warren Station for the Arts, Keystone, Feb 9 “THE PRINCESS BRIDE: LIVE CINEMA EVENT,” Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Feb 9-10 MONSTER JAM, Ball Arena, Denver, Feb 9-11 “RUBICON,” Kilstrom Theatre, Denver, Feb 9-Mar 10 BEETHOVEN PIANO CONCERTO NO. 2, Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver, Feb 9-11 INTERNATIONAL GUITAR NIGHT, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 10 MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO COOK-OFF AND CARNIVALE PARADE, Soda Springs Park, Manitou Springs, Feb 10 CORY WONG FEAT. MONICA MARTIN, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 10 DISCO LINES, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 10 MY OWN SUMMER, Stargazers Theatre, Colorado Springs, Feb 10 SAN JUAN SYMPHONY, Community Concert Hall, Durango, Feb 10

KDUR COVER NIGHT — LOCAL BANDS COVERING THE MUSIC OF NEIL YOUNG, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Feb 10 “CALL OF THE WILD: ILLUSTRATED EDITION,” Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 10 DENVER BRASS PRESENTS: CARNAVAL! NOLA TO RIO, Newman Center, Denver, Feb 10-11 CELLIST DAVID REQUIRO, Macky Auditorium, Boulder, Feb 11 TAKÁCS QUARTET, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 11 SNAP: CONTEMPORARY MYSTERY PERFORMANCE, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 13 ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, PITBULL AND RICKY MARTIN, Ball Arena, Denver, Feb 13 “MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Feb 13-25 “HAIRSPRAY,” Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Feb 13-15 DIRTWIRE, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Feb 14 SOJA, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 14 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Colorado Mesa University, Grand Junction, Feb 14 DIRTWIRE, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 15 MIGHTY POPLAR, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 15 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Feb 15-16 MICHAEL FLATLEY’S “LORD OF THE DANCE,” Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Feb 16 “SMALL ISLAND, BIG SONG,” Newman Center, Denver, Feb 16 THE SURFRAJETTES, Oriental Theater, Denver, Feb 16 LATE NIGHT RADIO, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Feb 16 “STOMP,” Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Feb 16 YESTERDAY: A BEATLES TRIBUTE, Stargazers Theatre, Colorado Springs, Feb 16 BLACK OPRY REVUE, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 16 DANCEASPEN: “LIMITLESS,” Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Feb 16-17 “ANON(YMOUS),” Loft Theatre, Boulder, Feb 16-25 “NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812,” Arvada Center, Feb 16-Mar 31 MIGHTY POPLAR, Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge, Feb 17 DIRTWIRE, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 17 PAIZLEY PARK (PRINCE TRIBUTE), Oriental Theater, Denver, Feb 17 CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, Ent Center for the Arts, Colorado Springs, Feb 17 "STOMP," Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 17-18 JEREMY JORDAN, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 17 THE LONG RUN (EAGLES TRIBUTE), Stargazers Theatre, Colorado Springs, Feb 17 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Delta Egyptian Theater, Delta, Feb 17 FLY DANCE COMPANY, Community Concert Hall, Durango, Feb 17 THE SURFRAJETTES, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Feb 17 JERRY SEINFELD, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Feb 17 CRIPPLE CREEK ICE FESTIVAL, Feb 17-25

ARI SHAFFIR, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 28 THE PAPER KITES, Ogden Theatre, Denver, Feb 28 NYGASP PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 29

MARCH

THE SURFRAJETTES The Surfrajettes are from Toronto and play instrumental surf-psychedelic rock with retro styles and vibes. They ACROBUFFOS: AIR PLAY, Newman Center, Denver, Feb 18 SCOTT BRADLEE’S POSTMODERN JUKEBOX, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Feb 18 JASPER STRING QUARTET, Grusin Music Hall, Boulder, Feb 18-26 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Boulder Theater, Feb 19-21 BEATRICE RANA, Newman Center, Denver, Feb 20 MARSHALL TUCKER BAND, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Feb 21 PORNO FOR PYROS, Belly Up, Aspen, Feb 21 PAINT, SIP, SAFARI, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, Feb 21 ASPEN LAUGH FESTIVAL, Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Feb 21 THE ELOVATERS, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Feb 21 SUPER DIAMOND, Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge, Feb 22 LONE TREE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS OLD WORLD CITYSCAPES, Lone Tree Arts Center, Feb 23 ACROBUFFOS: AIR PLAY, Union Colony Civic Center, Greeley, Feb 23 GRACE POTTER, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Feb 23 LAB GROUP, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 23 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge, Feb 23-24 WINTER TRIATHLON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, Breckenridge, Feb 23-24 “THE LITTLE MERMAID,” Avalon Theatre, Grand Junction, Feb 23-25

JOSHUA REDMAN, Newman Center, Denver, Mar 1 MATT KEARNEY AND BRETT DENNEN, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Mar 1 MATISYAHU, Belly Up, Aspen, Mar 1 THE ELDERS, Rialto Theater, Loveland, Mar 1 MARCIA BALL, CJ CHENIER AND THE RED HOT LOUISIANA BAND, Riverwalk Center, Breckenridge, Mar 1 WINTERWONDERGRASS, Steamboat Springs, Mar 1-3 LATIN SOUNDS FROM LEGENDARY ARTISTS, Arvada Center, Mar 2 ELECTRIC AVENUE, Vilar Performing Arts Center, Beaver Creek, Mar 2 MARCIA BALL, CJ CHENIER AND THE RED HOT LOUISIANA BAND, Lone Tree Arts Center, Mar 2 TAJ MAHAL AND SONA JOBARTEH, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Mar 2 Photo courtesy of The Swell Global MY ONE AND ONLY (MA ELI GHAYRO), Newman Center, Denver, Mar 2 “THE WIZARD OF OZ“ IN CONCERT, Boettcher will play at Denver’s Oriental Theater Concert Hall, Denver, Mar 2-3 on Feb. 16, and Durango’s Animas City THE SPIRITUALS PROJECT WINTER CONCERT, Theater on Feb. 17. Newman Center, Denver, Mar 3 thesurfrajettes.com MALEVO, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Mar 3 NICK SWARDSON, Vilar Performing Arts Center, BEETHOVEN'S NINTH SYMPHONY WITH Beaver Creek, Mar 3 MARIN ALSOP, Boettcher Concert Hall, SIERRY FERRELL, Belly Up, Aspen, Mar 4 Denver, Feb 23-25 AMY GRANT, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado SELECTED SHORTS, Lone Tree Arts Center, Springs, Mar 5 Feb 24 BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Stargazers THE PETTY NICKS EXPERIENCE, Oriental Theatre, Colorado Springs, Mar 5-7 Theater, Denver, Feb 24 “HAIRSPRAY,” Buell Theatre, Denver, Mar 5-10 TOMMY EMMANUEL, Avalon Theatre, Grand JEFF DUNHAM, Broadmoor World Arena, Junction, Feb 24 Colorado Springs, Mar 7 SOAPDISH, Stargazers Theatre, Colorado BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Wheeler Springs, Feb 24 Opera House, Aspen, Mar 7 “THURGOOD,” Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CHANGEMAKER SERIES: 4 DECADES Feb 24 THROUGH THE LENS, Lone Tree Arts Center, JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF ZEPPELIN, Rialto Mar 8 Theater, Loveland, Feb 24 BLACKBERRY SMOKE, Vilar Performing Arts COLORADO NEW PLAY SUMMIT, Helen Bonfils Center, Beaver Creek, Mar 8 Theatre Complex, Denver, Feb 24-25 UMPHREY’S MCGEE, Belly Up, Aspen, Mar 8-10 COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC PERFORMS BEETHOVEN, Pikes Peak Center, TROUPE VERTIGO: ESPANA!, Pikes Peak Center, Colorado Springs, Mar 8-9 Colorado Springs, Feb 24-25 JEFF DUNHAM, Colorado Convention Center, BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL, Lory Denver, Mar 8-9 Student Center, Fort Collins, Feb 24-26 JURASSIC QUEST, Colorado Convention Center, DEW TOUR, Copper Mountain, Feb 24-26 Denver, Mar 8-10 COLORADO HOME & GARDEN SHOW, STRAVINSKY'S "THE FIREBIRD" WITH Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, Boettcher Feb 24-Mar 3 Concert Hall, Denver, Mar 8-10 OPERA COLORADO: “THE FLYING DUTCHMAN,” “THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG,” Roe Green Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Denver, Theatre, Boulder, Mar 8-17 Feb 24-Mar 3 COLORADO BALLET’S “COPPÉLIA,” Ellie TOBYMAC, Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Caulkins Opera House, Denver, March 8-17 Springs, Feb 25 CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, Lone Tree Arts Center, BRYCE VINE, Mission Ballroom, Denver, Feb 25 Mar 9 NEW YORK GILBERT & SULLIVAN PLAYERS, DENA BLIZZARD, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, Feb 28 Mar 9 BRETT DENNEN, Animas City Theatre, Durango, Feb 28

RIPE WITH INNOVATION AND EXPERIMENTATION Colorado is the ‘Wild West’ of cider By Kristen Richard

In a state mostly known for craft beer, Colorado’s cidermakers have created a culture built on creativity

he year is 1860. Thousands of miners are pouring into Colorado each week, perhaps pausing on arrival after an arduous journey to look out upon the Rocky Mountains. But these miners aren’t here for the scenery. Instead, they are hoping to get lucky, find gold, and strike it rich. But whether or not they found gold doesn’t change the fact that this large influx of people forever changed Colorado’s landscape, history and industry. Especially when it came to one small thing many of them packed on their journey west: apple seeds. Carrying apple seeds would spawn an entire industry, according to “American Cider, a Modern Guide to a Historic Beverage,” by Dan Pucci and Craig Cavallo. For instance, a man named Jesse Frazier, who arrived in the late 1800s, planted 130 apple varieties. Later, in the 1880s, William Pabor (who would later found the town of Fruita) became one of the first people to plant apple trees in the Grand Junction and Grand Valley area, helping spawn the region’s agricultural industry. But with unpredictable weather, harsh terrain, pesky moths and a myriad other factors, orchard owners soon discovered farming in the Rockies was difficult at best. Apple orchards and cider somewhat fell to the wayside. However, in 1989, Brad Page, a craft beer brewer who always had an interest in cider, opened Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing in Fort Collins, where he offered a cider on tap. “That was in the days when there really wasn’t any cider to speak

28 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

of and the federal regulator let us serve it because it contained a percentage of malt,” he says. Later in 2011, Page and his wife, Kathe, started Colorado Cider Company in Denver. And that’s about the time, according to Brad, when Colorado cider really began to come into its own and expand. “It’s grown quite a bit and there’s a lot of cider on the market for sure. And there’s a good variety of people making cider today,” he says. Talia Haykin, owner and CEO of Haykin Family Cider in Aurora and Mountain West representative for the American Cider Association, echoes that sentiment. “Whatever you want, ciderwise, you can get here in Colorado,” she says. Here’s a look at Colorado’s cider culture today and where it’s headed.

MAKING CIDER THE FOCUS, ONE APPLE AT A TIME While cider has seen an uptick in popularity, you still don’t see very many single-varietal bottlings. But at Haykin Family Cider, you’ll find bottlings of McIntosh, Columbia Crabapple, and many more highlighting single apples. “When we first started, the general consensus in the cider world was you needed a blend of apples to get a perfect balance of tannin, acidity and fruitiness. But we didn’t have that, we had single varieties,” says Talia Haykin. But she goes on to explain that

Photo courtesy of Stem Ciders

they were able to make it work because they approach their cidermaking just like winemaking, which it technically is. “If it’s good for wine, it works for us,” she explains. “We will never add an adjunct or sugar to our ciders. We will never add jalapeños, peaches or cherries. That’s not what we do. We’re looking to find the beautiful levels of fruitiness, tannin, acidity and sweetness out of an apple.” Naturally, focusing on single-varietal ciders meant they were met with skepticism by those who had been in the industry for quite some time. Many would tell the Haykins it was not possible. “Then we would hand them a cider and they would be like, ‘Holy shit, you actually did it!’ It was cool to see the people who are grandfathers of the American cider revival say it’s actually possible.”

FOCUSING ON CIDER’S FUTURE BY HIGHLIGHTING ITS PAST From Haykin, travel nearly 400 miles southwest to Mancos and you’ll find yourself at Fenceline Cider, which focuses on highlighting historic apple varieties. Currently, Fenceline has around 3,000 trees on the property. But according to Sam Perry, co-founder of Fenceline, most of those trees aren’t in full production yet. Plus, “we are really trying to focus on upcycling the food that’s already grown here,” he says. “The bulk of our cider comes from these historic orchards in the North Animas Valley, northern

Cortez and Dolores. A lot of these historic orchards people own are beautiful and they enjoy having them, but they don’t have any real need for the fruit that comes off of them. So, we worked out a deal with different landowners to come and pick their orchards.” Currently, one can find offerings like their dry-hopped cider and Farmhouse, which is made with Dolgo crabapples. One of Perry’s favorite varieties to work with? Jonathan, which according to “American Cider,” was planted by settlers as early as the 1800s. “It just has a really nice balance of tartness and acidity,” Perry says. “It makes some really good single-varietal cider that is balanced and complex. The last time we made it, we totally sold out.” Travel just under 200 miles north and you’ll find yourself at Clear Fork Cider in Paonia. Here, Jay Kenney, owner and cidermaker, also aims to spotlight heirloom apple varieties when they are available. He sources most of his fruit from the North Fork Valley and grows apples himself in the small towns of Paonia, Lewis and Crawford. “For a long time I picked apples at the Pitts Family Ranch outside of Cortez. And they had a collection of about 600 trees that included Red Delicious, which is not very good for cider. But they also had Stayman, Winesap, Rome and Jonathan. And those were just excellent, excellent cider apples.”

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

Photo courtesy of Haykin Family Cider

Currently, visitors can try Clear Forks’ Dolgo Sour, Big Britches, and eight other guest cider and wine taps at their tasting room.

FROM DRY TO FUNKY One common misconception cider pros hear a lot: I don’t like cider, it’s too sweet. Well, along with the aforementioned ciders, Page’s Colorado Cider Company offers all sorts of dry options. Those include the Glider Cider Dry, which has a Champagne-like finish, and their Pagetree Orchard Kingston Black, which is “bittersharp” with balanced tannins and acid. And not only do they serve up some incredible cider at their Denver tasting room, they also host events like yoga with rescued pigs. But much like Haykin suggested, there’s a Colorado cider for everyone, which is demonstrated by Stem Ciders, which has locations in Denver and Lafayette. Along with their chile guava, raspberry and other staples, Stem also has a variety of seasonal funky flavors. For instance, they utilize Denver Botanic Garden’s lavender, which they infuse with their offdry cider. “It’s only available for about 45-60 days throughout the year,” says Patrick Combs, director of liquid at Stem Ciders. More recently, they launched their Tiki-cocktail inspired ciders - think drinks like the Singapore Sling and the Hurricane with an apple twist. Much like Stem, Kevin Williams, owner and cidermaker at Apple Valley Cider Company in Penrose, also likes to get creative with the flavors he offers. For instance, in 2022, he worked with Burley Bees in nearby Cañon City to make a honey-cinnamon cider. He also offers a semi-sweet, strawberry rhubarb, peach and black currant all year. Look for seasonal flavors, such as mango chili with roasted Pueblo chilies from Milberger Farms in Pueblo.

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE Despite the increase in popularity, Colorado’s cider industry still faces challenges. For instance, many of the cidermakers still need to educate consumers on what cider is, and disprove stereotypes like the “it’s too sweet” narrative. Additionally, cidermaking is an expensive process. Yet, as Perry and Page point out, it’s often lumped together with beer, so people expect to pay lower prices for it, especially when they see it packaged in cans. “It’s so much more expensive than beer that sometimes I worry that the cider industry as a whole has made a mistake by going into that lower price point market,” Perry says. Williams also notes that in the aftermath of the pandemic, increased interest in hard seltzer and gluten-free options only put more pressure on smaller cideries.

30 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

Photo courtesy of Colorado Cider Company

Photos courtesy of Clear Fork Cider

Yet, despite the challenges Colorado cidermakers continue to push forward. “In the last five years, we’ve seen a lot more people not only become more aware of cider in general, but try it, like it, and give it a place in their pantry,” Williams says. It’s pretty safe to say the state’s cider scene will continue to grow. Perhaps Talia Haykin puts it best when she says, “Part of what works for us in Colorado is the same thing that worked for craft beer, it’s a Wild West mentality of willing to experiment and not being held to conventions or traditions that may not be relevant anymore.”

Kristen Richard is a drink and food freelance writer based in Denver. Her fascination with beverage history and the science of drinks act as a guiding force in her work. When she’s not traveling down rabbit holes of random esoteric booze knowledge, you can usually find her camping, hiking, hanging with her dog, reading or rocking out to metal bands.

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Get ready for Red Rocks season Evenings are still pretty chilly at Red Rocks, but dozens of 2024 shows are already on sale. The Colorado Symphony will return to the legendary Morrison amphitheater to collaborate with Trevor Hall (June 9), Lake Street Dive (July 21) and Jason Mraz (July 28). Check RedRocksOnline.com for the full lineup.

Photo courtesy of Colorado Symphony

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

Prime Pairings Fried Okra By Kristen Kuchar

This classic southern dish pairs great with the Juicy Bits from WeldWerks Brewing in Greeley. The subtle citrus notes of the Hazy IPA bring out hints of spice from the remoulade and complement the freshness of the okra. For this recipe, you’ll need a table-top fryer set to 375 degrees or a heavy stove-top pot, 2 quarts of canola oil, a high-temperature instant thermometer and metal skimmer.

Prep time: 15-20 Minutes Cook time: 10-20 Minutes Serving size: 3-5 people Remoulade 1 tbsp minced garlic 1⁄4 cup fine diced red onion 1⁄4 cup fine diced pickles 1 tsp fresh lemon juice 2 tsp chili powder 2 tsp paprika 11⁄2 cup mayonnaise 1⁄4 cup spicy brown mustard Start with the remoulade. Mix all ingredients together in advance. Refrigerate until serving. Fried okra 1 lb fresh okra 3-4 eggs 2 cups cornmeal 1 cup cornstarch 2 tsp cayenne pepper Salt for seasoning Preheat fryer or stove-top pot to 375 degrees. Mix cornstarch, cornmeal and cayenne pepper evenly together, and set off to the side. Whisk the eggs together until fully combined. Slice okra into medallions, removing the tip and the stem. Mix okra thoroughly into whisked eggs. Transfer okra to the cornmeal mix and thoroughly coat. Working in small, manageable batches, fry at 375 degrees, about 4 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the fryer and gently season with salt. Serve with remoulade on the side for dipping.

32 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

Photo courtesy of WeldWerks Brewing

Pair with Juicy Bits WeldWerks’ Hazy IPA is an easy drinker featuring Mosaic, Citra and El Dorado hops. The flagship brew registers 6.7 percent ABV and is the perfect match for the fried okra dish.

Prime Pairings Shaved apple and kale salad + Western Slope cocktail By Kristen Kuchar

The shaved kale and apple salad from Boulder’s OAK at Fourteenth has been a long-time customer favorite because of its balanced textures and sweetness from candied almonds and apples. It also features acidity from lemon, richness from grana padano, an aged Italian cheese, and a touch of spice from a dusting of togarashi. A cocktail pairing is The Western Slope, featuring Woody Creek Mary’s Gin, CapRock Pear Eau de Vie, lemon, egg white and Angostura. Collin Griffith, beverage director at OAK at Fourteenth, says the smooth, rich acidity of the cocktail complements the amazing texture of the salad. “The cocktail also plays off the acidity of the lemon as well as the bright, fresh sweetness of pear and the floral notes from gin,” Griffith adds. “The egg white adds a velvety texture to oppose the bright acidity and crunch of the salad.” Photo courtesy of OAK at Fourteenth

Shaved Apple and Kale Salad 6 tbsp whole almonds 2 tbsp granulated sugar 3 cups very thinly sliced stemmed lacinato kale (from 1 small bunch) 6 tbsp grated grana padano cheese 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 2 tsp togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend) 2 small honeycrisp apples, very thinly sliced Salt

Western Slope 1 oz Woody Creek Mary’s 1 oz CapRock Pear Eau de Vie 3/4 oz lemon 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1) egg white from one egg Bitters Lemon wheel (garnish)

To make candied almonds: Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Bring the almonds to a simmer in a small pot of water. Immediately strain the almonds, transfer them to a baking sheet (lined with a non-stick baking mat, if you have one), and dust with the sugar. Bake, stirring after the first 10 minutes and then again after every 5 minutes, until the sugar is hard and caramelized. It should take about 30 minutes. Let the almonds cool (they’ll crisp as they do), then cut into quarters. Toss almonds with the kale, cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, togarashi and apple slices in a large bowl until well combined. Taste and season with salt, if necessary.

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

CANNABIS AND BEER

Great friends, quarrelsome roommates By John Garvey

Hops, weed, terpenes and alcohol can play nice, but they can also derail your dinner reservations. Here’s how to enjoy them together.

f you’ve ever been mildly high, drank an IPA and felt like you had smoked enough weed to kill a flock of seagulls, you have some appreciation for how cannabis and beer play together. My research into the effects beer and cannabis have on each other began as you might guess. It led to a most enlightening interview with a man who possibly qualifies as a mad scientist. Mad scientist creds aside, Keith Villa comes across as disarming and authentic. After earning his Ph.D. in science with a brewing specialization from the Free University of Brussels, he created Blue Moon Brewing Company in 1995, and was the master brewer at Coors in Golden. Villa also literally wrote the book on cannabis and brewing (“Brewing with Cannabis: Using THC and CBD in Beer”), and has an extensive craft brewing acumen spanning over three decades. “I brewed beer with chicken,” Villa says, “beer with just all kinds of crazy things in the 1990s. And you name the herb, fruit or spice and I probably brewed with it.” Villa did not consider the chicken beer to be his greatest success. But it does speak to his long and mostly successful track record as an innovator. In 2018 Villa and his wife Jodi co-founded CERIA Brewing Company, an alcohol-free beer company that specialized in cannabis-infused beer. Eventually, Villa stopped using THC in his beer and brews mainly non-alcoholic beer now. Villa helped me dial in on the two key reasons beer and weed pair so interestingly.

THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT Pine, vanilla, lavender, citrus, cracked pepper, juniper. Hops. Cannabis. Many of the scents and flavors we both love and too often take for granted come from aromatic compounds called terpenes. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) and hops (Humulus lupulus) both belong to the Cannabaceae family, and terpenes are responsible for their rich variety of scents and flavors. Some terpenes found

34 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

in cannabis, like myrcene and humulene, are also present in hops, contributing to shared scent profiles. But scent isn’t the only reason terpenes matter. Individual terpenes have a range of effects, some quite significant. They can be anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic (anxietyreducing), sedating, antidepressant, and appetite curbing. The way terpenes and cannabinoids (like THC, CBD, THCV and CBG) modify one another’s effects is called the entourage effect. It’s also why

Villa also notes that herbs and spices in specialty beer contribute terpenes as well. Anything lending a citrusy, peppery, or piney character to your beer or weed is also going to influence how it affects you physically and mentally. “The entourage effect, to me, it really exists, and you can have different feelings with different IPAs and with different other styles of beer like a bohemian pilsner,” Villa states.

CROSS-FADING

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drinking a beer will typically enhance your high. “For example, humulene is a terpene that’s found a lot in hops and to a minor degree in cannabis,” notes Villa. “But if you have an IPA that has a high amount of humulene, and then you have cannabis that has THCV, together, they can really cut down on the munchies.” Ergo, a hoppy beer like Dale’s Pale Ale from Osker Blues or Odell IPA may help you relax into an evening walk instead of ransacking your pantry.

The entourage effect is about a lot of compounds influencing each other, often in non-quantifiable ways. Cross-fading, by contrast, is pretty linear: it’s about THC and alcohol. THC and alcohol mutually enhance each other’s effects. The margins between a relaxed buzz and drooling down your chin are narrower than many people realize when combining alcohol and THC . “I would say most experts … advise that most people should stick with one or the other, meaning if they’re gonna enjoy an evening with cannabis, do that and stay away from alcohol,” says Villa. “... But there are some folks who enjoy the effect of cross fading at low doses.” All told, this is why if you keep the key variable THC constant, you’ll experience distinct effects depending on what you combine it with: a conventional IPA, a pilsner, a shot of vodka, or an alcoholfree IPA. The IPA will have the strongest effect because you have both cross-fading (THC + ethyl alcohol) and the entourage effect (THC + myrcene and humulene) at play. Of all beers, IPA is the most obvious dancing partner for weed. The terpenes that give it such pungent, hoppy characteristics also grant it the strongest synergistic effects. This is something to consider from an enjoyment standpoint, but also from a planning and safety standpoint. If you don’t want to miss dinner reservations because you fell asleep on the couch, pair the two with caution. If you have any intention of driving anywhere, just … don’t. Pairing beer and cannabis isn’t a 1 + 1 = 2 thing; it’s a 1 + 1 = 4 equation. And with IPA, it may be more like 1 + 1 = 6. In short, cannabis and beer tend to produce a relaxing and satisfying effect together. But the edibles mantra of “go low and go slow” fits nicely here as well. John Garvey is a storyteller, freelance writer, illustrator, and nerd. You can see more of his creative ventures at clippings.me/johngarvey and CreativeFollies.com.

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

COLORADO CRAFT L ● – Serves Food ● – Food Truck ● – Live Music

BREWERIES

MILE HI/AURARIA

_____________________________

Brewability Lab ● ●

Fiction Beer Co Chapter Two

Briar Common Brewery + Eatery ●

DENVER SUBURBS

Peak View Brewing Co ● ●

Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant y Cerveceria ●

Burns Family Artisan Ales Little Machine Beer ● Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake ● Raices Brewing Co

DENVER

Seedstock Brewery ● ●

BAKER/SOUTH BROADWAY

Tivoli Brewing ●

Baere Brewing Co Banded Oak Brewing Co Burns Family Artisan Ales Grandma’s House Monolith Brewing Novel Strand Brewing Co

Strange Craft Beer Co ● ● Zuni St. Brewing Co ● ●

NORTHEAST DENVER Danico Brewing ● FlyteCo Tower ● River North Wash. St. Taproom ●

ARVADA Denver Beer Co

FREDERICK

New Image Brewing ●

Mirror Image Brewing Co ●

Odyssey Beerwerks ● ●

Mountain Cowboy Brewing Co ● ●

Resolute Brewing Tap & Cellar ●

GOLDEN

SomePlace Else Brewery

Barrels and Bottles Brewery ●

Spice Trade Brewing at Yak & Yeti ●

Cannonball Creek Brewing Co ●

AURORA

Coda Brewing

A Bit Twisted Brewpub ●

Coors Brewing Co

Bent Barley Brewing Co

Golden City Brewery ●

BJ’s ●

NORTHWEST DENVER

Cheluna Brewing Co

The Post Chicken and Beer ●

Amalgam Brewing

Cerebral Brewing ● ●

Public Offering Brewing ●

Berkeley Alley Beer Co.

Dry Dock Brewing Co ●

Bruz Beers ●

Jade Mountain Brewing Co

So Many Roads Museum and Brewery ● TRVE Brewing Co

CAPITOL HILL/E COLFAX/ PARK HILL

Call to Arms Brewing Co ●

Station 26 Brewing Co ●

Very Nice Brewing - Nederland ●

BJ’s ● Boulder Social ●

BROOMFIELD

HIGHLANDS RANCH

Finkel & Garf Brewing Co

4 Noses Brewing Co ●

3 Freaks Brewery ●

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery ●

Gordon Biersch ●

Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant y Cerveceria ●

Oskar Blues Taproom ● ●

Prost Brewing Co & Biergarten

Rocks & Hops Brewing

Hogshead Brewery ● Oasis Brewing Co ● ● Prost Brewing Co. & Biergarten●

Big Choice Brewing Floodstage Ale Works ●

RINO

Rails End Beer Co ● ●

14er Brewing

Wonderland Brewing Co ● ●

Altitude Brewing & Supply

CASTLE ROCK

Bierstadt Lagerhaus ●

Left Hand Brewing Co ●

105 West Brewing Co ● Burly Brewing ● ● The Elizabeth Brewing Co ● Great Divide Brewery & Roadhouse Iron Mule Brewery ● ● Rockyard Brewing Co ●

New Belgium Brewing ●

New Belgium - The Woods at the Source

SweetWater Mountain Taphouse ●

Odell Brewing Co

CENTENNIAL

Tivoli Taphouse ●

Our Mutual Friend

Bent Barley Brewing Co

Ratio Beerworks ●

Blue Spruce Brewing Co ● ●

River North Brewery

Halfpenny Brewing Co ● ●

SOUTHEAST DENVER

Kodiac Brewery

Great Divide Brewing Co ● ●

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew - Lyons

New Terrain Brewing ● ●

Spice Trade Brewing Co

Great Divide Brewhouse and KItchen ●

Denver Chophouse & Brewery ●

MainStage Brewing - Lyons ● Mountain Toad Brewing ●

Something Brewery ●

Great Divide Brewing Co ● ●

Denver Beer Co ●

Knotted Root Brewing Co - Nederland

Beyond the Mountain Brewing Co

Denver Chophouse and Brewery ●

Cervecería Colorado

Howlin Wind Brewing and Blending Rollinsville

Holidaily Brewing Taproom

Cohesion Brewing Co ●

Breckenridge Brewery ●

Fritz Family Brewers - Niwot

Avery Brewing ●

Breckenridge Brewery ●

AC Golden Brewing Co

Echo Brewing Co - Erie ●

Cherry Creek Brewery ●

Blue Moon Brewing Co ● ●

LODO

Busey Brews - Nederland ● ●

GREENWOOD VILLAGE

Black Shirt Brewing Co ● ●

Woods Boss Brewing ● ●

Bambei Brewing - Superior ●

BRIGHTON

The Empourium Brewing Co

Boulder Beer Tap House ●

Spangalang Brewery ●

BOULDER COUNTY

Over Yonder Brewing ●

DENVER INT’L AIRPORT

FIVE POINTS

Windfall Brewing Co _____________________________

Six Capital Brewing & BBQ ●

The Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe + Brewery ● ●

Reverence Brewing Co

Westminster Brewing Co ●

Diebolt Brewing Co ● ●

Bruz Off Fax

Pints Pub ●

Kokopelli Beer Co ● ●

Second Dawn Brewing

Goldspot Brewing Co ● ●

Long Table Brewhouse ●

Frolic Brewing Co ●

Launch Pad Brewery ●

Alpine Dog Brewing Co.

Fiction Beer Co ●

801 Brickyard Cir., Golden

BJ’s ●

Denver Beer Co Canworks ●

FlyteCo Brewing ●

Crazy Mountain Brewery

Lady Justice Brewing

Holidaily Brewing Co Holidailybrewing.com 303.278.BEER

WESTMINSTER

Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

4 Noses Brewing Co ●

Cerebral Brewing ● ●

Sunroom Brewing ● ●

LUKI Brewery

Platt Park Brewing Co ●

Ratio Beerworks ●

Sanitas Brewing II ●

Bull and Bush Brewery ● ●

Comrade Brewing ● comradebrewing.com 720.748.0700 7677 E Iliff Ave Denver

Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co ●

Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant y Cerveceria ●

Rock Bottom Denver ●

Black Sky Brewery ●

Sandlot Brewery

Chain Reaction Brewing Co ●

Westbound & Down Brewing Co

Renegade Brewing Co ●

Wynkoop Brewing Co ●

36 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

Sanitas Brewing Co ● ● Twisted Pine Brewing ● ●

BJ’s

Upslope Brewing Co ● ●

Great Frontier Brewing Co ●

Vision Quest Brewing Co ●

Green Mountain Beer Co ●

Wild Provisions Beer Project

Landlocked Ales ● Old 121 Brewhouse ● Westfax Brewing Co ●

LAFAYETTE Cellar West Artisan Ales ● Liquid Mechanics ● ●

LITTLETON AREA

Mono Mono Brewery ●

Blue Spruce Brewing Co

Odd 13 Brewing Inc ● ●

Breckenridge Brewery ●

The Post Brewing Co ● ●

Coal Mine Ave. Brewing Co

Westbound and Down Brewing Co

Comet Brews ● Lariat Lodge Brewing ●

Two22 Brew ●

Los Dos Potrillos Mexican Restaurant y Cerveceria ●

Brewery Rickoli ●

The Post Chicken and Beer ●

Southern Sun ●

Locavore Beer Works

Denver Beer Co ●

Asher Brewing Co

6 and 40 Brewery

Rock Bottom ●

Barquentine Brewing Co

BOULDER

LAKEWOOD

Living the Dream Brewing Co ●

Copper Kettle Brewing Co ●

Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery ●

Rock Bottom ●

Resolute Brewing Co

EDGEWATER/WHEAT RIDGE

SOUTHWEST DENVER

Ohm Brewing

LONE TREE Lone Tree Brewing Co ●

LONGMONT 300 Suns Brewing ● Bearded Brewer Artisan Ales ● Bootstrap Brewing ● ● Collision Brewing Co ● Großen Bart Brewery ● ● Knuckle Puck Brewing Left Hand Brewing Co ●

Colorado Plus Brew Pub ● ●

NORTHGLENN/THORNTON

Longs Peak Pub & Taphouse ●

Joyride Brewing Co ●

Mother Tucker Brewery ● ●

Oskar Blues Brewing ●

Mestizo Brew Cantina ●

Satire Brewing Co ● ●

Outworld Brewing ● ●

New Image Brewing

PARKER

Primitive Beer

ENGLEWOOD AREA

Barnett and Son Brewing Co ● ●

The Post Chicken and Beer

Breckenridge Brewery Ale & Games ●

Downhill Brewing Co ●

Pumphouse Brewery ●

LIBATIONS LISTINGS Shoes and Brews

_____________________________

Loveland Aleworks ●

Irwin Brewing Co

Eagle County Brewing Co - Gypsum ●

Wibby Brewing ●

N. FRONT RANGE

Mountain Cowboy Brewery ● ●

OURAY

Vail Brewing Co - Vail ● ●

Bulzomi Brewing - Eaton

Rock Bottom ●

Colorado Boy Southwest Pub ●

12Degree Brewing ●

Rock Coast Brewery ●

EVERGREEN

Old Colorado Brewing - Wellington ●

Ouray Brewery ●

Crystal Springs Brewing Co

Sky Bear Brewery and Pub ●

Evergreen Brewery ●

Sparge Brewing - Wellington

Ourayle House Brewery ●

Gravity Brewing ● ● ●

Verboten Brewing Co

Lariat Lodge Brewing ● ●

Timnath Beerwerks - Timnath ●

Mother Tucker Brewery ● _____________________________

PAGOSA SPRINGS

Pygmy Stallion Brewing at El Rancho ●

ESTES PARK

WINDSOR

The Break Room Brewing Co

S. FRONT RANGE

High Hops Brewery ●

GLENWOOD SPRINGS AREA

Avant Garde Aleworks

Riff Raff Brewing ● ●

Mash Lab Brewing ●

Ball Brewing

Estes Park Brewery ●

Brewzone Rifle ●

Lumpy Ridge Brewing Co

Mighty River Brewing ● ●

ALAMOSA

Casey Brewing and Blending

Crafty Canary Brewery - Walsenburg

The Post Chicken and Beer ●

San Luis Valley Brewing ●

Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub ●

Florence Brewing - Florence

Rock Cut Brewing Co

Peculier Ales ● ● _____________________________

The Colorado Farm Brewery Spare Keg Brewers

Iron Tree Restaurant and Funky Town Brewing - Florissant ●

GRAND JUNCTION

FORT COLLINS

Browns Canyon Brewing - Buena Vista

PAONIA

Base Camp Beer Works

Manitou Brewing - Manitou Springs ●

Anheuser-Busch

Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beer

Edgewater Brewery ●

BJ’s ●

Eddyline Brewery - Buena Vista ●

Mountain Merman - La Veta ●

Foam & Folly Brewing

Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing ●

Elevation Beer Co - Poncha Springs ●

Paradox Beer Co - Divide ●

Paonia United Brewing Co ● _____________________________

World’s End Brewing Co - Cañon City

Crooked Stave Brewing

South Park Brewing Co - Fairplay ●

NORTHEAST

Kannah Creek Brewing Co ●

T-Road Brewing Company - Crestone

Parts & Labor Brewing Co - Sterling ●

Mama Ree’s Pizza and Brewhouse ● ●

Two Mile Brewing Co - Leadville ●

Tumbleweed Brewing & Wine - Yuma ● _____________________________

Ramblebine Brewing Co ●

SALIDA

NORTHWEST

LOUISVILLE

BierWerks Brewery - Woodland Park ●●

COLORADO SPRINGS Atrevida Beer Co ● Batch Slapped Brewery / Cidery Battle Mountain Brewing ● Bell Brothers Brewing

DC Oakes Brewhouse & Eatery ● Envy Brewing Equinox Brewing ● Funkwerks Gilded Goat Brewing Co ● Hello Brewing Co

BJ’s ●

Horse & Dragon Brewing Co

Black Forest Brewing Co ●

Intersect Brewing ● ●

Brass Brewing Co ●

Jessup Farm Barrel House ●

Bristol Brewing ●

Maxline Brewing ● ●

Cerberus Brewing Co ●

Mythmaker Brewing ●

Cogstone Brewing Co ● ●

New Belgium Brewing Co ● ●

CENTRAL COLORADO

HighSide Brewing - Fairplay

Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub ● Salida Brewing Co Soulcraft Brewing ● Tres Litros Beer Co ● _____________________________

SOUTHWEST Avalanche Brewing Co - Silverton ● Bottom Shelf Brewery - Bayfield ●

Colorado Mountain Brewery ●

Obstacle Brewing and Grill ●

Dueces Wild Brewery ●

Colorado Boy Brewery - Montrose, Ridgway ●

Odell Brewing Co ● ●

Father & Sons Brewery ●

Dolores River Brewery - Dolores ● ●

Peculier Ales

FH Beerworks ●

Golden Block Brewery - Silverton ●

Pitchers Brewery ●

Fossil Craft Beer Co ●

Horsefly Brewing Co - Montrose ● ●

The Post Chicken and Beer ●

Goat Patch Brewing Co ●

Lake City Brewing - Lake City ●

Prost Brewing Co

Mancos Brewing Co - Mancos ●

JAKs Brewing Co ●

Purpose Brewing

Pomona Brewing Co - Montrose ●

Camber Brewing Co - Fraser Grand Adventure Brewing - Kremmling

Base Camp Provisions - Fruita ●

Never Summer Brewing Co - Granby

Copper Club Brewing Co - Fruita ●

Smoking River Brewing Co - Meeker

Palisade Brewing Co ● ●

Vicious Cycle Brewing - Fraser ●

Suds Brothers Brewery - Fruita ● ●

World’s End Brewpub - Grand Lake

SUMMIT COUNTY

Yampa Valley Brewing Co - Hayden

Angry James Brewing - Silverthorne

Yampa Valley Taproom - Craig

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub ●

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS

Broken Compass Brewing - Breck.

Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill ●

Dillon Dam Brewery - Dillon ● ●

Mountain Tap Brewery ●

HighSide Brewing - Breckenridge, Frisco ● ●

Storm Peak Brewing Co

Outer Range Brewing Co - Frisco ●

Yampa Valley Taproom

Pug Ryan’s Brewery - Dillon ●

WINTER PARK

Steep Brewing & Coffee - Keystone ●

Big Trout Brewing Co

Syndicate Brewing Co - Silverthorne _____________________________

Rally King Brewing Ramskeller Brewery ●

Mash Mechanix Brewing ●

Salt Road Brewing

Spare Keg Brewers - Creede

Metric Brewing ●

Snowbank Brewing

Stoik Beer Co - Delta ●

Nano 108 ●

Stodgy Brewing Co ● ●

Stronghouse Brew Pub - Telluride

OCC Brewing

SweetWater Brewery

Telluride Brewing Co - Telluride ●

I-70 CORRIDOR

Peaks N Pines Brewing Co ●

Zwei Brewing Co ● ●

Three Barrel Brewing Co - Del Norte ●

ASPEN AREA

GREELEY

CORTEZ

Aspen Brewing Co ●

Crabtree Brewing ● ●

J. Fargo’s Family Dining & Micro Brewery ●

Carbondale Beer Works ●

Main Street Brewery & Restaurant ●

Mountain Heart Brewing - Carbondale

Phantom Canyon ● ● Pikes Peak Brewing Co ● ● Red Leg Brewing ● Red Swing Brewhouse Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery ● Storybook Brewing ● Trinity Brewing ● Urban Animal Beer Co Wackadoo Brewing Whistle Pig Brewing Co ● ●

PUEBLO Brues Alehouse Brewing Co ● ● Reservoir Brewing Co ● Shamrock Brewing ● Walter’s Brewery & Taproom ●

Rule 105 Brewing Co ● Tightknit Brewing Co ● ● WeldWerks Brewing Co ● Wiley Roots Brewing Co ● Yetters Brewing

LOVELAND/BERTHOUD Berthoud Brewing Co Big Beaver Brewing Co ● Big Thompson Brewery City Star Brewing ● Crooked Beech Brewing Co Grimm Brothers Brewhouse

WildEdge Brewing Collective ●

Trail Life Brewing

GRAND MESA AREA

Lost Friend Brewing ●

Smuggler’s Brewpub - Telluride ●

The Rockslide Restaurant and Brewery ●

Fraser River Beer Co - Fraser

Local Relic ●

Silver Basin Brewing - Montrose

Gemini Beer Co

Hideaway Park Brewery The Noble Buck ● _____________________________

DISTRIBUTION ONLY Backacre Beermakers Ceria Brewing Circular Beer Crow Hop Brewing

Capitol Creek Brewery ●

Dive Bar Brewing Co Mad Russian Brewing Co New Planet Beer Sleeping Giant Brewing

DURANGO

CENTRAL CITY/GEORGETOWN/ IDAHO SPRINGS

Anarchy Brewing

Cabin Creek Brewing - Georgetown ●

Animas Brewing Co ●

Dostal Alley Saloon & Gambling Emporium - Central City ●

DENVER/BOULDER

High Trestle Brewing ● ●

Guanella Pass Brewing - Georgetown, Empire

52Eighty Distilling - Littleton

Ska Brewing Co ● ●

Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub - Idaho Springs ●

Anders’ Vodka - Parker

Carver Brewing Co ●

Steamworks Brewing Co ●

DISTILLERIES Abbott & Wallace - Longmont

Westbound & Down Brewing Co - Idaho Springs ●

Archetype Distillery - Denver

GUNNISON/CRESTED BUTTE The Eldo Brewpub & Venue ● ●

EAGLE COUNTY

Ballmer Peak Distillery - Lakewood

High Alpine Brewing Co ●

Craftsman Brew Co- Edwards ●

Bear Creek Distillery - Denver

Arta Tequila - Englewood

January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com

The Block Distilling Co - Denver

3 Hundred Days of Shine - Monument

Carlson Vineyards - Palisade

Mountain Spirit Winery - Salida

PLAINS

Boulder Spirits by Vapor Distillery Boulder

Art of the Spirits Colorado Whiskey Woodland Park

Carlson Tasting Room - Grand Junction

Pop’s Vineyard - Penrose

Claremont Inn & Winery - Stratton

Branch & Barrel Distilling - Centennial

Axe and the Oak - Colo. Springs

Centennial Cellars - Palisade

The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey Canon City

Country Road Vines and Wines - Fort Morgan

Conflagration Distilling - Wheat Ridge

Black Bear Distillery - Green Mountain Falls

Vino Colorado Winery - Colorado Springs

Mummy Hill Winery - Holyoke

Copper Sky Distillery - Longmont Deki Distillery - Lafayette Denver Distillery - Denver Deviation Distilling - Denver Devil’s Head Distillery - Englewood Dirty Dill - Denver Downslope Distilling - Centennial Dry Land Distillers - Longmont DV8 Distillery - Boulder The Family Jones Spirit House - Denver ● Gold Dirt Distillery - Rollinsville Golden Moon Distillery - Golden Hogback Distillery - Wheat Ridge J & L Distilling Co - Boulder Ironton Distillery - Denver

Mad Rabbit Distillery - Westminster

Colorado Vintners Collective - Palisade Colterris Winery - Palisade

Deerhammer Distilling Co - Buena Vista

Evolve Wines - Clifton

Distillery 291 - Colo. Springs

Grande River Vineyards - Palisade

Lee Spirits - Colo. Springs

Graystone Winery - Clifton

CENTRAL FRONT RANGE

Flying T Wine - Cortez

Meridiem Spirits - Elizabeth

Gubbini Winery - Palisade

Aspen Peak Cellars - Bailey

Four Leaves Winery - Durango

Mystic Mountain Distillery - Larkspur

Hermosa Vineyards - Palisade

Attimo Wine - Denver

Fox Fire Farms - Ignacio

Sand Creek Distillery - Hugo

Maison la Belle Vie Winery & Amy’s Courtyard - Palisade

Avanti Winery - Littleton

Sutcliffe Vineyards - Cortez

Balistreri Vineyards - Denver

Yellow Car Country Wines - Cortez

Snitching Lady Distillery - Fairplay South Park Distilling - Fairplay Spirits of the Rockies - Pueblo

Woods High Mountain Distillery woodsdistillery.com 719.207.4315 144 W 1st Salida

WESTERN SLOPE

Mesa Park Vineyards - Palisade The Ordinary Fellow- Palisade Peachfork Orchards and Vineyards Palisade Red Fox Cellars - Palisade

Carboy Winery - Denver, Littleton

Restoration Vineyards - Palisade

Colorado Sake Co. - Denver

Sauvage Spectrum - Palisade

Creekside Cellars - Evergreen

Boxing Brothers Cider - Colorado Springs

Shiras Winery - Grand Junction

Deep Roots Winery & Bistro - Denver

Branch Out Cider - Fort Collins

St. Kathryn Cellars Winery - Palisade

Gaijin 24886 Sake - Denver

Brush Hollow Winery - Penrose

Talon Winery - Palisade

The Infinite Monkey Theorem - Denver

Clear Fork Cider - Denver

InVINtions, A Creative Winery Greenwood Village

Climb Hard Cider Co - Loveland

Mythology Distillery - Denver ●

808 Distillery - Eagle

Two Swedes Glögg - Grand Junction

Rising Sun Distillery - Denver

Breckenridge Distillery - Breckenridge

TWP Winery & Farmhouse - Clifton

Rocker Spirits - Littleton

Clarke & Co’s Distilling - Palisade

Spirit Hound Distillers - Lyons

Durango Craft Spirits - Durango

Varaison Vineyards and Winery Palisade

State 38 Distilling - Golden

Eagle River Whisky - Minturn

Tighe Brothers Distillery - Denver Tingala - Denver

Highlands Distillery - Grand Junction

Turnbuckle Distilling - Westminster

Honey House Distillery - Durango

Vanjak Vodka - Golden

Idlewild Spirits Distillery- Winter Park

NORTHERN COLORADO

KJ Wood Distillers - Ouray

477 Distilling - Greeley American Woman Spirit Co. Steamboat Springs

Marble Distilling Co - Carbondale ● Montanya Distillers - Crested Butte

Kingman Estates Winery - Denver Ladrón Cellars - Englewood Leap of Faith Winery - Wheat Ridge

Vines 79 Wine Barn - Palisade

Monart Winery - Centennial

Whitewater Hill Vineyards - Grand Junction

Purgatory Cellars Winery - Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Parker

CENTRAL WEST AREA 5680' Vineyard - Paonia Alfred Eames Cellars at Puesta del Sol Vineyards - Paonia Aquila Cellars- Paonia Azura Cellars - Paonia Berkeley Estate Cellars - Paonia Black Bridge Winery - Paonia Chill Switch Wine - Cedaredge

St. Vrain Cidery - Longmont

The Wine Barrel - Parker

Stem Ciders - Denver ● ●

NORTHERN FRONT RANGE Augustina’s Winery - Nederland Bad Bitch Cellars - Eaton Blue Mountain Vineyards - Berthoud

Pullman Distillery - Frisco

Lanoue DuBois Winery - Montrose

Elevation 5003 Distillery - Fort Collins

Stoneyard Distillery - Dotsero

Infinite Monkey Theorem Tasting Room – Fort Collins

Elkins Distilling Co - Estes Park

Leroux Creek Vineyards - Hotchkiss

Storm King Distilling - Montrose

Gnebriated Gnome Distillery - Fort Collins

Telluride Distilling Co - Telluride

Mesa Winds Farm and Winery Hotchkiss

Tincup Whiskey

Old Elk Distillery - Fort Collins

Western Medicine Spirits

Old Town Distilling - Fort Collins Seed & Spirit Distilling - Fort Collins Spring 44 Distilling - Loveland Syntax Spirits - Greeley

SOUTHERN COLORADO 1874 Distilling - Del Norte 1350 Distilling - Colo. Springs

WINERIES

Old Mine Cider Co - Erie

Water 2 Wine - Centennial

Coppermuse Distillery - Fort Collins

NOCO Distillery - Fort Collins

Locust Cider - Lakewood

Snow Capped Cider - Cedaredge

Hillside Vineyard - Fort Collins

Locke & Co Distilling

Locust Cider - Fort Collins

Taboche Winery - Broomfield

Jack Rabbit Hill - Hotchkiss

Mobb Mountain Distillers - Fort Collins

Haykin Family Cider - Aurora

Scrumpy’s Hard Cider - Fort Collins ●

Peak Spirits - Hotchkiss

DISTRIBUTION ONLY

Fenceline Cider - Mancos ●

Spero Winery - Denver

Coyote Gold Margaritas - Fort Collins

Kure’s Craft Beverage Co. - Loveland

Colorado Cider Co - Denver

Red Fox Cellars - Palisade

Cottonwood Cellars / The Olathe Winery - Olathe

The Heart Distillery - Windsor

Boco Cider - Boulder ●

Silver Vines Winery - Arvada

Peach Street Distillers - Palisade

Woody Creek Distillers - Basalt

CIDERIES Big B’s Juices and Hard Cider Hotchkiss ●

Two Rivers Winery - Grand Junction

410 Zerex St Fraser

Black Arts Cellars - Littleton

Durango Winery - Durango

Bonacquisti Wine Company - Denver

39 North Spirits - Eagle

Talnua Distillery - Arvada

Bigsby’s Folly - Denver

FOUR CORNERS

Plum Creek Cellars - Palisade

Molly Brown Spirits - Denver

Fraser Valley Distilling fraservalleydistilling.com 970.363.7792

Western Skies Winery - Penrose

Apple Valley Cider Co

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co - Vail

Strongwater Spirits & Botanicals - Denver

Vino Salida Wine Cellars - Poncha Springs

Blanchard Family Wines - Denver

Mile High Spirits - Denver

Stranahan’s - Denver

Reds Wine Boutique - Sterling

Blackhat Distillery - Colo. Springs

Laws Whiskey House - Denver Leopold Bros - Denver

Colorado Cellars Winery - Palisade

BookCliff Vineyards - Boulder

Stem Ciders Acreage- Lafayette ● ● Summit Hard Cider - Fort Collins Talbott’s Cider Co - Palisade ● Teal Cider - Dolores Waldschänke Ciders - Denver Wild Cider - Firestone

MEADERIES

OBC Wine Project - Fort Collins

Antelope Ridge Mead - Colorado Springs

Settembre Cellars - Boulder

Brush Hollow Winery - Penrose

Mountain View Winery - Olathe

Snowy Peaks Winery - Estes Park

Dragon Meadery - Aurora

Qutori Wines - Paonia

Sweet Heart Winery - Loveland

Drekar Meadery - Colorado Springs

Stone Cottage Cellars - Paonia

Ten Bears Winery - Laporte

Stoney Mesa Winery - Cedaredge

Turquoise Mesa Winery - Broomfield

Honnibrook Meadery Castle Rock ● ●

Storm Cellar Winery - Hotchkiss

Vinnie Fera - Boulder

Hunters Moon Meadery - Severance

Williams Cellars - Cedaredge

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN

SOUTH FRONT RANGE

Buckel Family Wine - Crested Butte Carboy Winery - Breckenridge

Meadery of the Rockies - Palisade Medovina - Niwot Miracle Stag Meadery - Loveland Queen Bee Brews - Denver

GRAND JUNCTION AREA

Barn & Barrel - Florence

Avant Vineyards - Palisade

Brush Hollow Winery - Penrose

Continental Divide Winery Breckenridge, Fairplay

The Blue Beryl Winery - Palisade

D’Vine Wine - Manitou Springs

Monkshood Cellars - Minturn

Slaymaker Cellars - Idaho Springs

BookCliff Vineyards - Palisade

Evergood Elixirs - Palmer Lake

Steamboat Winery - Steamboat Springs

Zanamiel Meadery - Centennial

Carboy Winery - Palisade

Legatum Cellars - Canon City

Vines at Vail Winery - Wolcott

38 ThirstColorado.com January-February 2024

Monte Cervino - Colorado Springs

Redstone Meadery - Boulder

STRONG SPIRITS BY FIREFIGHTERS Colorado Magazine

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January-February 2024 ThirstColorado.com