Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
High Hops & Spirits
Colorado has only 2% of the US population, but 8% of its breweries. Today there are over
160 craft breweries, many of them medal winners, and there are more in the works. The
Front Range leads the way as the largest market for craft brewing in the US. Colorado also
leads the nation in the drinking of draft beer. Call these people overachievers. Homer
Simpson would be very happy here indeed.
Real beer aficionados shouldn't miss Denver's Great American Beer Festival, the na-
tion's premier beer event. Held in September or October at the cool Colorado Convention
Center, this mammoth three-day festival and competition draws 49,000 people. Unfortu-
nately, tickets sell out almost the instant they go on sale, but you could also check out a
number of festivals and dedicated events held around the state at
www.coloradobeer.org
.
In a state hung up on local ingredients and artisan product, craft distilleries were the lo-
gical next step. From garage operations to big names, these businesses are popping up in
cities and mountain towns. We're talking about those hand-crafted rums, vodkas, whiskeys,
gins and liqueurs that keep cocktail hours interesting.
Bar menus highlight local spirits and many distilleries offer their own tour. Based in
Denver, Stranahan's is a small batch distiller that makes only 12 barrels of whiskey per
week out of locally grown barley. Another one to watch is Montanya, a Crested
Butte-based rum distiller with a number of awards under its belt (and amazing craft cock-
tails post-tour). Check out Peach Street Distillers in Palisade if you want to taste amazing
Palisade peaches in a bottle.
A dish endemic to New Mexico and southern Colorado, green chili is a sauce made from roasted and
stewed green and red chilies, cumin, oregano, cilantro (coriander) and chunks of pork. Served hot, it's of-
ten poured over burritos, enchiladas and tamales.
