Besides, the Wynkoop is already pretty busy these days. Esquire names Denver one of the country's seven best beer cities in its current issue, and gives a particular shout-out to "Wynkoop's house-brewed Patty's Chile Beer, a light German-style beer made with Anaheim chiles and smoked Ancho peppers" (which happens to be named after the editor of Westword, which once officed across from the Wynkoop).
And the Wynkoop has its own big celebration this week: the fifteenth annual Beerdrinker of the Year contest on Saturday, February 26, with judging starting at 2 p.m. and the winner crowned around 4 p.m. in the Mercantile Room of the brewpub.But the fun actually gets under way the day before, with a special beer dinner hosted by the three 2011 finalists and 2010 champ Bill Howell that's open to the public for the first time. "We figure that we feed these guys and their families, so we might as well let others join us," says Jones. "It's a great night and a good deal."
Reservations are $40, not including tax and tip -- but including a lot of beer from Ska, Avery Brewing, Great Divide and the Wynkoop. Here's the menu:
Beerdrinker of the Year Dinner Salad: Scottish bangers, malted vinegar slaw and apples, served with Ska ESB
Soup: Lamb stew in a sourdough read bowl with Wynkoop's Beerdrinker of the Year Scottish Strong Ale
Entree: Grilled tri-tip steak, twice-baked potato, roasted garlic and thyme butter and succotash served with Avery Dugana Imperial IPA
Dessert: Flourless chocolate habanero cake and creme anglaise served with Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti and Wynkoop's The Coupler -- an imperial barrel-aged milk stout.
Dinner, which starts at 7 p.m., includes an apperance by the Beertles; to make a reservation, call 303-297-9999.
