Beer Calendar: Holiday Tappings at Alpine Dog, Copper Kettle, Lost Highway, Baere

Most of us can't sing unless we've had a couple of pints, which means that the Fort Collins-area brewers who got together to sing this jingle at Horse & Dragon Brewing may have had a couple. The singing Christmas card was organized by the Colorado Brewers Festival and the Downtown Fort Collins Business Association. James Yearling, beer coordinator for the groups, led the choir. Cheers and happy holidays.

Turn the page to see this week's craft-beer events.

Wednesday, December 24

Lost Highway Brewing has released a new beer, a 6 percent ABV American IPA.

Copper Kettle Brewing has been counting down the days with the 12 Firkins of Christmas -- twelve unique casks themed around the holiday tune, "12 Days of Christmas." Today's beer is a A Partridge in a Pear Tree, an Oud Bruin Sour Ale.

Thursday, December 25

Alpine Dog Brewing, which just opened a few months ago, will host a Christmas party today featuring its only keg of Triple Chocolate Belgian Winter Ale. Festive clothes are encouraged. The brewery is open from 3 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday, December 27

Baere Brewing has tapped the Squash Medley Saison that it brewed in conjunction with Factorum Brew House for Denver Festivus earlier this month. Factotum owners Chris and Laura Bruns will be on hand from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Colorado Craft Beer Show will broadcast from Arvada Beer Company today from noon to 2 p.m. and then host a white-elephant gift exchange after that.

Turn the page to see more events later in December.>

Wednesday, December 31

Renegade Brewing will continue its annual New Year's Eve tradition, tapping its Imperial Peanut Butter Cup Stout at 4 p.m. today; the 11 percent imperial milk stout contains peanut butter cups, dehydrated peanut butter and sea salt. Previously called Black Gold, Renegade changed the name this year to Depravity, in order to align it more closely to the brewery's branding. "The idea for the beer originated after Halloween 2011, when surplus candy was bought at a discount and brewery owner Brian O'Connell started experimenting on the pilot brew system," the brewery explains. The beer was an immediate hit, but to get enough peanut butter cups, Renegade now orders them in increments of 25 pounds. The process of unwrapping the individually-wrapped cups takes a lot of labor and creates a mess.

Copper Kettle is celebrating New Year's Eve with its barrel-aged seasonals and a four-course dinner with Mikes 2 Kitchen tonight. To do it, the brewery is turning its tasting room in a silver and gold gala (black ties aren't required, but it would be awesome if you dress to the nines, the brewery says.). Pairings are: Lemonzest Crab Cake, applewood smoked bacon and red bell pepper soffrito, and Le Chapeau; Smoked Chicken Tostada with Sobremesa; Braised Short Rib Ragu and Well Bred; and Chocolate Espresso Torte with Snowed In. The taproom will stay open after the dinner to ring in the New Year with an included Tequila Barrel Aged Imperial Pilsner or Champagne toast. Tickets are $65 per person (additional 18 percent gratuity added) and available here.

Westword

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