A Bar Crawl Like No Other Is Coming to Denver

Denver drinkers, your love-hate relationship with Jeppson's Malört is about to be tested. From Friday, August 29, through Sunday, September 7, the Malört x Mover and Shaker Bar Crawl will use the liqueur you love to hate to create a multitude of snacks, entrees and desserts served across Colorado.

Introduced to Chicago in the 1930s, Malört has slowly made its way across the country. It's known for its extremely bitter taste that reminds many of drinking shoe polish, sweat or even gasoline. Yet, the liqueur also has citrus, botanical and wormwood flavors that make it less of an actual abomination than it sounds.
Founder Carl Jeppson immigrated from Sweden to Chicago in the mid-1880s, and began producing his "bäskbrännvin" (traditional Swedish bitters) in the 1920s. Marketing it as a "medicinal product" that gets rid of parasites in the body, the drink was able to get away from federal regulation during the Prohibition era because consumers did not drink the spirit recreationally (officially, at least).

The Jeppson company went through multiple acquisitions before a modern-day Malört was produced; it inspired a comedic social media run and a grand return to the Windy City that defined not just the brand, but Chicagoans who enjoy a drink at the bar. In recent years, Malört has spread to more than thirty states across the country.

Nick Hogan, founder of Mover & Shaker, has been shaking cocktails and serving up drinks for many years. Although he is slinging merch much more often these days, he knows the culture and traditions of bars.

Inspired by internet pots that have garnered millions of views over the years, Hogan says that Malört has embraced its "notoriety and reputation," regardless of whether it's great or not. This bar crawl will be an event where locals can put their best (or worst) foot down, take on a bold challenge and join in a friendly competition.

"We can only hope this inspires Denver to be creative and be daring," Hogan says. "Malört constantly pushes the envelope and we are 100 percent encouraging them to take that envelope, take it one step further and light it on fire."
Those ready to take on the challenge can sign up for the bar crawl here. The rules call for you to visit as many bars as you can during the ten-day run, try their Malört-infused item, check in via QR code and rate the item on your mobile device.

The event ends with a massive closing party at Improper City on Sunday, September 7. One lucky contender will win an exclusive Malört x Mover & Shaker prize.There will be additional awards, as well as sales of limited-edition merchandise, such as T-shirts and Malört Air-Worseners.

"Words of wisdom... Do NOT Enjoy Responsibly!," Hogan concludes.

Here are the ten Denver area bars offering the most imaginative, comical and "I guess, let's do it" Malört-infused delicacies the Centennial state has ever seen:

Fellow Traveler
3487 South Broadway, Englewood
Chocolate Malört With Lemon Sorbet

Wild Corgi Pub
1223 East 13th Avenue
1000 Island Fat Washed Malört with a slice of Reuben Corned Beef

Trashhawk Tavern
1539 South Broadway
Veggie/Spice Mixed Pickled Malört Shot with Rolled Hot Dog

Pony Up
1808 Blake Street
Au Jus/Pepper Malört Shot with Italian Beef Slice

Nearby Bar
2401 15th Street #180
Butter Chicken Malört with Papaya, Mango and Durian Lassi

Improper City
3201 Walnut Street #101
Crème Brûlée Malört with Homemade Cookie

The Electric Cure
5350 West 25th Avenue, Edgewater
Spam-Infused Malört and Celery Salted Rim with Pickle Beer

The Shambles Tavern
3501 Delgany Street
Tomato, Pickle, Pepper Hot Dog Malört with Hot Dog and Old Style

MST
2200 Market Street
Pineapple/Blue Cheese Malört and Dill Pickle Malört with Malört BBQ Wings

Sputnik
3 South Broadway
Jalapeno/Pickle Malört with Corn Dog

The Malört x Mover and Shaker Bar Crawl Closing Party, 7 p.m., Sunday, September 7, Improper City, 3201 Walnut Street #107; the event is open to everyone 21+.