The ten best new Colorado beers of 2012

Colorado breweries made and packaged dozens and dozens of amazing new beers in 2012, expanding their range and proving which state is the center of the craft beer universe. And although hundreds more were brewed and sold on draft in tap rooms, bars and breweries, this list — like the…

It’s been A Wonderful Life for the Wynkoop Brewing Company

In the Christmastime classic, It’s a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Stewart, as George Bailey, gets a taste of what the world would be like if he had never been born. It’s not a pretty picture, and it reminds Bailey, and the audience, of the joy he created. The Wynkoop Brewing Company,…

Ace mixologist Randy Layman serves up a holiday drink at Ace

At Ace, Randy Layman knows how to serve drinks…and ping pong.Whether it’s a night at the Nutcracker, a performance of Handel’s Messiah, or old-time caroling with friends, we all have our favorite holiday traditions. For Randy Layman, bartender at Ace, which I review this week, Christmas Eve wouldn’t be the…

Ten of the best (and highly giftable) wines of 2012

Last week, we poured out a little guidance on what you might sneak under the tree (or Festivus Pole, or whatever) that would add a little splash of joy in the lives of any wine lover on your list. But we failed to include any actual wine in that grouping,…

How Tuaca became “a Colorado thing”

Colorado is one of the country’s top two markets for Tuaca, a liqueur as ubiquitous as snow (and sometimes more so) in the high country. But how did that happen? Blame it on two Summit County bartenders who came across the brand on their travels, then made it at home…

Photos: Scenes from the first ever Denver Beer Festivus

The first Denver Beer Festivus filled the renovated McNichols Building on Saturday with a real craft-beer festival for the rest of us. With its focus firmly on Denver, the event featured more than twenty local brewers and their drafts. For more photos, visit our full slide show. See also: -…

Is Colorado the center of the “crafty” beer universe?

Colorado — home to the Great American Beer Festival, the Brewers Association and 161 breweries — is the center of the universe when it comes to craft beer. But is it also the center of the “crafty” beer universe? On Thursday, the Brewers Association, which represents small brewers nationwide, fired…

Photos: Tuaca Cinnaster gets in the Denver swim at Dive Inn

Colorado is one of the top two markets for Tuaca, and judging from the local launch of Tuaca Cinnaster at the Dive Inn last night, this cinnamon-laced extension of the brand is going to be hot in more ways than one. Westword photographer Elyse Mitchell brought back these photos from…

Five perfect holiday wine gifts for every budget

‘Tis officially the season, wine lovers. Christmas is a mere thirteen days away, and if you’re anything like us, then you’ve barely thrown out your Thanksgiving leftovers, never mind purchased anything sparkly or bright for your loved ones. The good news? We’ve made a list of all the primo wine-related…

Kevin Burke fills Catherine’s Cup with holiday cheer

To celebrate the luckiest day of the year — 12/12/12 — Ron Abuelo rums asked a dozen mixologists across the country to a create a signature cocktail as a toast to the holiday season. Kevin Burke of Colt & Gray, who won our Best Bartender award in the Best of…