A Glass Half Full

The city pours its heart into the ten-day Denver Beer Fest.

A A A Comments (0) By Jonathan Shikes Thursday, Sep 17 2009

It’s five o’clock somewhere, as the saying goes. And starting today and running through next Sunday, that place is the Mile High City. Welcome to Denver Beer Fest, ten days of beer tastings, beer dinners, beer-themed events, brewery tours and general beeriness — all designed to complement the Great American Beer Festival, September 24-26.

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The fest was created by the Visit Denver tourism bureau, which hopes to turn our city into the most recognized locale in the nation for beer. “We’re embracing beer like Florida embraces oranges, like Napa does with wine, like Detroit embraces cars. It’s an industry we can own,” says Visit Denver spokesman Rich Grant. There are more than 150 events listed on the website and more being added. In a couple of years, Grant says, he hopes the festival will include between 500 and 600 events. “Everyone will be trying to figure out a connection.”

Today’s highlights include a tap-handle blessing and beer trivia at the Cheeky Monk; the tapping of twelve GABF beers at Govnr’s Park; a meet-the-brewer night with Avery Brewing at the Rialto Café; and beer-themed dinners at Dixons, WaterCourse Foods, Vesta Dipping Grill, Rock Bottom, Oceanaire and many others.

Also on the week’s agenda are Beer, Brats and Burlesque! at Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret, a Battle of the Beers at the Paramount Cafe, homebrewing classes, a Boulder County Brews Cruise, and beer served in teapots, Prohibition style, at the Ship Tavern.

For all the details, visit www.denverbeerfest.com.
Sept. 18-27, 2009