The Oskar Blues Ordeal gives beer fans a look at a craft brewing kingdom

Oskar Blues has been one of the rock stars of the craft brewing industry for nearly a decade -- ever since it became the first microbrewery to can its big beers. And this week, Oskar Blues is offering its legions of fans a peek behind the curtain, not just of...

By Jonathan Shikes

September 26, 2011

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Oskar Blues has been one of the rock stars of the craft brewing industry for nearly a decade -- ever since it became the first microbrewery to can its big beers. And this week, Oskar Blues is offering its legions of fans a peek behind the curtain, not just of the brewery in Longmont, but of its original location in Lyons and its new fifty-acre Hops & Heifers farm.

A series of bus tours, collectively called the Oskar Blues Ordeal, are aimed both at locals who want to spend a day talking and drinking good beer, and to tourists in town for the sold out Great American Beer Festival, which begins on Thursday.

"It's really to kind of showcase everything we have. It's a backstage, all-access experience," says brewery spokesman Chad Melis. The Ordeal -- which will be different each day -- will stop at four Oskar Blues locations and it will feature live music and beer in some way. The best part is that every tour is only $25, but tickets are almost gone.

Here's part of the rundown. For more info, go to www.oskarblues.com.

Wednesday: two events (but you can do both)

Morning Tour

8:30 a.m. -- Pick up at the Falling Rock Taphouse, 1919 Blake Street, in Denver. 10 to 11 a.m. -- Breakfast burritos from Oskar Blues Old Chubway in Lyons and a tour of the original brewery and restaurant there. 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. -- Tour of the Oskar Blues Hops & Heifers Farm. 12:30 to 1:30pm: Brewery tour and beer tasting at the Tasty Weasel Taproom. 1:45 to 2:45pm: Lunch & specialty beer at Homemade Liquids & Solids 4 p.m. -- Arrive back at the Falling Rock

Evening Tour: Hump Day Hops & Heifers Hoedown

4 p.m. -- Pick up at the Falling Rock Taphouse. 5 p.m. -- Arrive at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons, where you will grab a couple of beers, including fresh-hopped specialties made with hops from Hops & Heifers and listen to live music from Holden Wofford & the Hi Beams. There will also be a mechanical bull and a farm-to-table Hops & Heifers buffet 10 p.m. -- Depart Lyons for Denver

Thursday Hops & Heifers Gospel Brunch (attend the tour or just the brunch)

8:30 a.m. -- Pick up at the Falling Rock 10 a.m.-noon -- Hops & Heifers Farm for the Farm to Table Gospel Brunch, which will include food made with meat and veggies from the farm, along with fresh-hopped beer made from hops grown on site. 12:30 to1:45 p.m. -- Tasty Weasel for BrewSkee ball, brewery tour and specialty tasting 2 to 2:45 p.m. -- Homemade Liquids & Solids for apps and beer 4 p.m. -- Arrive back in Denver

For more on the Saturday tour and cruiser ride, go to www.oskarblues.com.

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