Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado. Show all posts

Thursday, November 24, 2016

13 Colorado Brews in Texas


The ski season is starting in Colorado but the weather in Texas still hasn't made up it's mind.

 Texans are lucky enough to have a variety of Colorado born beers distributed at their local watering hole.

 Even though Colorado may be a thousand miles away you can have a taste of it with the 13 Colorado breweries that are distributed to Texas.

 To distribute in Texas is not the easiest task to accomplish because of the antiquated and archaic TABC laws. Due to the endless paperwork, and the $5-10k cost for application fees, it is impressive seeing a out of state brewery make it across the border.  

 This is a list of independent Colorado craft breweries you can find in Texas. Some are regionally specific, such as DFW, but many of them are distributed across the entire state. 
1. Avery Brewing Company | Boulder, CO 
A photo posted by Avery Brewing Co. (@averybrewingco) on
     
     Avery Brewing was founded in 1993 by Adam Avery when the craft beer scene was just getting started. Due to capacity restraints, the brewery left 18 states in 2010-2011 but returned in 2015 when Avery expanded it's operations doubling the capacity and allowing their classic artisan style beers such as "The Reverend" to be distributed to Texas and many other states.


2. Backcountry Brewery | Frisco, CO 
A video posted by Backcountry Brewery (@backcountrybrew) on
      
         Backcountry opened operations in 1996 and branched out to Texas in August of 2015. The beers where so well received the owners looked into opening a satellite brewery/taproom in Texas. A former brewery that closed its door in Rowlette, Texas allowed Backcountry to take over operations and brew their beer. In January of 2016 Backcountry officially opened its door in Texas and became a satellite brewery.  

 3. Crazy Mountain Brewing Co. | Edwards, CO
     
     Crazy Mountain Brewing's founder was a former brewer at Anchor Brewing in California before he returned to Vail Valley in Colorado to open his own brewery in 2010. Crazy Mountain ramped up production in 2012 and distributed to several different states along with Texas. If you like West Coast IPAs mixed with a Colorado style of rich maltiness, this is your beer.

 ***Update - Sadly Crazy Mountain is not currently distributed in Texas.

4. Epic Brewing Company- Denver, CO

      Epic Brewing is Utah's first brewery since prohibition to brew exclusively high ABV brews. After a larger demand for their award winning beers, they expanded operations to Denver in 2013 and distributing to Texas in 2014. For those that need soul cleansing, be on the look out for the Big Bad Baptist, the 12.7% Imperial Stout. 

5. Elevation Beer Company |  Pagosa Springs, CO
A photo posted by The Elevation Team (@elevationbeerco) on

      Elevation Beer Co. is an artisan microbrewery located in Poncha Springs, Colorado. Elevation teamed up with Favorite Brands in 2013 to distribute 750ml bottles to DFW, Houston, and Austin. Texas was Elevation's first out of state distribution and is known for award winning beer. A crowd favorite, the "Bourbon Stout Oil Man" is here to warm your spirits during this cold winter season.
6. Funkwerks | Ft. Collins CO 
A photo posted by Funkwerks (@funkwerks) on

      Distributed exclusively in the DFW area in 2015 with Andrews distribution and recently signed on with FLOOD distribution in 2016.  Many a Texan have mistaken Funkwerks to be "That Fort Worth Beer" because of the FW on the tap handle. Funkwerks is one of the premier Saison breweries in the nation and is a staple in Ft. Collins. You can find limited Kegs and Bombers in DFW and Austin markets.  


7. Great Divide Brewing Company | Denver, CO

      Great Divide was born in 1993 in Denver when the craft beer scene did not exist as we know it today. Great Divide has won 17 GABF metals over the years and is rated one of the top breweries in America. Great Divide was originally brought to Texas through Ben E. Keith and you can request it at many bars in Texas.  You can find seasonals as well as their Expresso Oak Aged Yet in your local beer stores.


8. Left Hand Brewing | Longmont, CO
A photo posted by lefthandbrewing (@lefthandbrewing) on

      Left Hand Brewing is Colorado's 4th largest brewery and exploded on the craft beer scene with the Nitro Milk Stout. Known for their bold brews and creative artwork, Left Hand is well known and distributed in most states. Distributor Ben E. Keith originally brought Left Hand to Texas and 2016 marks a important year as they transition to a canning line.  

9. New Belgium Brewing | Ft. Collins, CO

      When you think of Colorado beer many people think of New Belgium and Fat Tire.  The brewery was founded in 1991 after the founder came back to Ft. Collins from a trip to Belgium. Known for their creative culture and eco-friendly practices, New Belgium strives to be a model company that is dedicated to it's employees, environment, community, and craft beer fans. Today, New Belgium is the 4th largest American craft brewery and the largest Colorado craft brewery distributed to Texas.

  
10. Odell Brewing Co | Ft. Collins, CO

       It's not a coincidence that 3 of the 13 breweries are from Ft. Collins, CO which is also home to the Cache La Poudre River.  Known for it's excellent water quality, it was an easy decision for Doug Odell to move to the area from Seattle in 1989 and open up the brewery. Texas was a enormous undertaking for the brewery as they expanded operations in 2014. On a brewery tour they show their two storage coolers for distribution. Both of them are the same size, one is for Colorado and the other states/countries they distribute to, and the other is entirely for the state of Texas. 

11. Oskar Blues Brewery | Longmont, CO

      In 2012 Oskar Blues expanded operations to Brevard, NC and in 2016 they opened a brewery and taproom in Austin, TX. Following their success that started in a pub basement in 1999, the brewery has consistently raised the bar for other craft breweries by pioneering in canning (first for craft beers) and the Crowler. The owners have not forgotten their roots even though they are one of the largest craft breweries in America. Today you can go by and visit their original pub in Lyons, CO with 45 beers on tap.


12. Ska Brewing | Durango, CO

       Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 by two friends who had two similar interests- Good craft beer and Ska music. After much success with their award winning beer and they expanded operations to Texas in 2009 and signed on with Ben E. Keith distribution.  

 13. Upslope Brewing Company | Boulder, CO

       Upslope Brewing was founded in 2008 and quickly rose to popularity. Along with many other Colorado breweries, they package their beers in aluminum cans to accommodate the active Colorado lifestyle. Upslope choose Texas as their first out of state distribution in 2013. You can find their beers in DFW, Houston, Austin, and East Texas markets.
* I left out the Macro Breweries and Corporate owned (ie. Coors, Blue Moon, and Breckenridge) that are easily distributed in most states. 

The Happy Chappy (Jeff)


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Monday, October 24, 2016

From Cliffs To Craft beers: My Unbelievable Story

Monarch Pass, Colorado 2011
It was a cold brisk Friday evening in Colorado the night my life flashed before my eyes. I was on a frozen tundra two-lane road in the mountains headed back to Texas after a work assignment. Little did I know this near death experience of mine would form a inseparable bond with craft beer and the thrill of adventure.

 It was March 4th, 2011 I was in a hurry to drive back to East Texas to attend my dad’s wedding that weekend and pack up my belongings to move to Colorado. The route from Grand Junction, CO to Longview, TX is 1,300 miles. Approximately 400 or so miles can be dangerous and shouldn't be taken lightly. I've been this way twice before so I knew what to expect. Many locals have warned me about the driving conditions even to the point of recommending that I take off my seat belt when going down a treacherous mountain pass. I've heard all the stories and shrugged it off as just an old folk tale.

Monarch pass is a popular spot for avid skiers in the area, not for rookie snow drivers like myself. Many people choose not to go this route because of the conditions of the road. It could be 40 degrees on the bottom and -10 degrees on top. I thought off all the warnings and decided to proceed anyways. After all, I had been this way already. This time was different. It was around 5:30 a.m. when I approached the summit of Monarch. The road gradually turned from a dry road to snowy and icy conditions. I assumed I was okay since I was following traffic in front of me. Usually it's wise to drive slower than the posted speed limit. I don't remember how fast or slow I was going, but obviously since I lost control, it was too fast. I was only a quarter of a mile from the top of the summit (11,120 ft) when out of nowhere... it happened.

 I started to slide to the right, I panicked and made the horrible mistake of slamming on the breaks, the one thing that you never want to do on a mountain pass. As I started to turn even more, I realized that there weren't any guard rails, snow banks, or even any trees to slow me down. It was "straight off the edge". I clearly remember my white knuckle grip on the steering wheel and trying turn the vehicle the best that I could. I knew that if I went over sideways, it would cause the truck to flip and roll several times. Like something I've seen out of the movies, I went air borne over the edge only to be welcomed by a "runway" of snow. The truck dug in the snow and drifted for about 200 ft before coming to a stop.

 I typically like being comfortable when driving long distances. Certainly a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops is comfortable, but not so much for this experience. I reached over the seat to find socks, waterproof work boots, and my insulated coveralls. I couldn't open the door because the snow was so deep that it was up to my windows. I rolled the window down to escape the disabled truck and climb back into the truck bed to put on my clothing. I grabbed my wallet, proof of insurance, and cell phone and headed out of the window to start my self-rescue.

The truck couldn't be seen from the road, local’s going home from skiing that day wouldn't be able to see me. This was a big problem since it was nearing night fall. Somehow I had to be a man and get to the top. I knew I couldn't get to the top without sliding and creating an avalanche on top of my truck. My hands were already numb and bleeding from clawing in the snow to get a grip. After several minutes of attempting to reach my highest point I did what is foreign to me, I gave up. My hands where on fire and felt like a frozen fish. Not nearly defeated yet, I was at least high enough to wave at cars going by.


After a few minutes I heard breaks squeal to a stop. A vehicle had seen me waving and stopped 50 feet above me. A skinny hiking looking guy approached and asked if everyone was okay. I said "Yes, I'm the only one, do you have a rope? I can't get up." He returned a few moments later with a 10 foot rope and tossed it down to me. He crawled down as far as he could go, held onto the end of the rope and stretched his arm out for me climb up his body as if it was a rock wall. Although, I still was about 10 ft from him. I dug into the snow, found some rocks sticking out, and prayed that my dead fingers could grip enough for me to make my way up the vertical incline. Finally I was making progress and he reached his hand out and I maneuvered around him to the rope and climbed my way to the top. It was such a relief to be out of the misery that I was in.

Salida, CO
I met Scott officially when I was warming up in his vehicle. Scott was traveling with his wife and two friends. They lived just over the pass in Salida, CO where they both where part owners in a local pizza place and brewery called "Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub". I was so relieved to be alive I was indebted to them. I wasn't into craft beer at the time, but I made a vow that I would always stop by Salida and pay my respects, eat some pizza, chat with Scott and drink some craft beer.


Many times, I have stopped by over the years and each time Scott has remembered me and that fate of a night that merged our lives together. Our stories have changed some since that night and I started a new life in Colorado surrounded by some of the best craft beer in the entire world. Moonlight Pizza expanded into a brewpub and has become one of the must see restaurants spots in the Colorado high country. 


                                                         
Scott and his wife are on the right
Looking back at my time in Colorado, much of my crazy adventures can be attributed to knowing that I truly have lived life to the fullest and have never settled for the mundane life. I attribute that to my pursuit of craft beer and the never ending journey of discovering the next hand made craft beer from local people just like Scott.

  Putting a face with a beer not only what makes it personal, but it also allows you to see the other stories behind the pint. I'm thankful for Scott and his friends coming back from Vegas that night, if it wasn't for their generosity I don't know if id be around to discover the art of craft beer. So next time you are in Salida, stop in and say hello to my friends and get one of my favorite beers there- the Moonlite Cream Ale!

The Happy Chappy (Jeff)  














"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing"
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