This Week in Beer: Brews and Boos

As the local brewery scene continues to evolve and grow, we're rounding up the news, events and new releases you need to know about. Here's the latest:

Blue Spruce Brewing Changes Name

The Story: The name change from Blue Spruce Brewing to Wild Sky Brewery comes with some sprucing up at both locations.

The Scoop: The brewery has two locations, one in Littleton and one in Centennial. In a statement on Facebook, the brewery announced changes at both, including two indoor pickleball courts at the Littleton location, on track to be ready for winter. Meanwhile, the Centennial location has new pinball machines and table games for patrons. The company went through a shakeup earlier this summer when the founding partners were let go from the company.

North Carolina Brewery Aid

The Story: Since our news report earlier this month, Colorado breweries have signed on to help, and new ways to help have opened up.

The Scoop: Pouring for Neighbors is a very easy way for breweries around the country to help out North Carolina breweries that were devastated by the Hurricane Helene disaster. Breweries simply request a complimentary tap shipped to the brewery, then choose a beer to pour, while donating at least 10 percent of the proceeds back to the North Carolina Brewers Guild. Colorado breweries that have signed on to help include Barrels & Bottles Brewery, Burns Family Artisan Ales, Horse & Dragon Brewing, New Belgium Brewing-Fort Collins, Purpose Brewing & Cellars and Wynkoop Brewing.

And another local avenue to support the efforts in North Carolina has emerged. Local beer aficionado, writer and Advanced Cicerone Dev Adams is helping raise awareness about a collaboration beer called Higher Calling, created by DSSOLVR Brewery in Asheville. Many of the ingredients are donated, including malt by Country Malt Group and yeast from Pinnacle Yeast; many other brewing suppliers are stepping up with donated or discounted ingredients as well. Contact Adams directly, or reach out to DSSOLVR co-founder Vince Tursi on the special collaboration website.

Dyer Public House Opens in Fairplay

The Story: The pub is a rare spot in Colorado to offer up cask ale.

The Scoop: Dyer describes itself as a gathering place and looks like a solid addition for locals, as well as those looking for a quick stop between Denver and the Arkansas River Valley (an area home to many quality breweries). The pub will serve up Hogshead's delicious cask ales.

Upcoming Events

Thriller Halloween Party & Costume Contest
Friday, October 25, 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Spangalang Brewery
2736 Welton Street
DJ Kimani will be spinning the beats at the free party, which features spooky-themed cocktails, alongside Spangalang's lineup of house beers. Wear your best costume and enter to win the contest.

Banded Oak Brewing's Atomga Fest
Saturday, October 26, 1 to 5 p.m.
Banded Oak Brewing
470 Broadway Street
Banded Oak is rolling out the red carpet for stout season with a festival to celebrate its barrel-aged stout, Atomga. the fest will include food trucks, live music and costumes. Atomga is an 11 percent ABV imperial stout, aged in Mile High Spirits rum barrels and finished with cacao from Ghana. The beer will be available on draft in ten-ounce pours and in limited 16-ounce cans to-go.

Beer of the Week

Brickyard Porter from Cannonball Creek Brewing, Robust Porter, 6.3 percent ABV

From the Brewery: This full bodied dark ale features flavors of toffee, coffee and chocolate balanced by a subtle English hop addition.

From the Glass: Creamy chocolate with a touch of caramel and medium roast coffee lead the way in the flavor. There's a balancing touch of bitterness that separates itself from the dark malts, and a sort of herbaceous hop flavor, but it's light, and pleasant. I chose to have this beer off of the nitro tap; it's also served on regular CO2. Nitro beers seem to have faded away in recent years (I remember when breweries offered double IPAs on nitro!), but it's a nice change of pace, particularly with a deep, rich dark beer like this. Westword's 2023 Brewery of the Year, Cannonball Creek is most often associated with hops, perhaps followed by lagers, but there are usually one or two beers on draft that don't fit that mold, and they can be a great way to mix things up.

Availability: On draft at the brewery.