It was a big week for beery expansion announcements: Oskar Blues brewed its first batch of Dale's Pale Ale at its new brewery in Brevard, North Carolina, while New Belgium spent $10 million to add twelve massive new fermentation tanks and and four brite tanks so that in can increase capacity to 840,000 barrels per year as it awaits the construction of its second brewery in Asheville, North Carolina. In the meantime, Odell broke ground on a $7 million expansion, while Avery finally closed on the purchase of 5.6 acres, where it will build a new brewery and restaurant in Boulder next year.
And although the scale is smaller, Denver Beer Co took possession of six new fifteen-barrel tanks, all part of an expansion that will also include taking over the building next door, which will be used for a variety of beer-centic events next year.
For all this week's craft beer events, turn the page.
Wednesday, December 19
Avery Brewing's seasonal New World Porter returns today in the brewery's Boulder taproom and later this week to liquor store shelves. Avery has been making the dry-hopped robust porter, which would now be described as a black IPA, since 1998. Hogshead Brewery will tap a special firkin of its Gilpin Black Gold London Porter that has been aged with Tcho Ghana chocolate today at 4 p.m." If you've had this one, you know... It will go fast," the brewery says.
Thursday, December 20
Freshcraft will tap Boulevard Brewing's Rye on Rye today at 7 p.m. The rye beer is aged in Templeton Rye whiskey barrels from Iowa, where the owners of Freshcraft hail from.
Lucky Pie Pizza in LoDo continues its 12 Beers of Christmas daily tappings at 4 p.m. today with 5 Golden Rings, a holiday seasonal from The Bruery in Orange County, California. It will count down the next few days with a new holiday brew. Tomorrow is JW Lees 2012 Harvest Ale, followed by Elysian BiFrost Ale on Saturday, Deschutes Jubelale on Sunday and Port Brewing's Santa's Little Helper on Christmas Eve.
Friday, December 21
The Yak and Yeti will host its own End of the World party with the release of its "Up in Smoke" Rauchbier lager today at 4 p.m.
Freshcraft will celebrate everything that's alive and dead, or both, today with End of Days, Beers From the Grave, a zombie-themed series of tappings that include Coney Island Geektoberfest, Deschutes Black Butte Anniversary XXIII, barrel-aged Stone Vertical Epic 09.09.09., Ska's Autumnal Mole Stout and Ska's new seasonal stout, Hibernal Vinifera. Guests who dress up will have a chance to win a $50 gift card for best costume.
Saturday, December 22
If the world is still intact, then the crew from Right Coast Pizza in Wheat Ridge is throwing an "Apocalypse Survival Bonfire Bash" to celebrate from 6 p.m. to Midnight. They'll have nine beers from Ska Brewing and nine beers from Great Divide, along with some Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey. And for entertainment, check out the stand-up comedians, magicians and DJs.
Friday, December 28
The Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Cafe in Denver will exercise the demons of 2012 and cleanse your soul for 2013 today by tapping Avery Brewing's demons, 2011 Samael's, 2012 Mephistopheles and 2012 Beast. It starts at 7 p.m.
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