Inspiration can connect the most far-fetched or opposite ideas and come from the most unlikely of places. To give it further jolt, necessity is indeed the mother of invention. Put the two together and see what curious results give light. So, let’s play a little trivia. What do Boulder High School and beer brewing have in common? No, I’m not talking about teenage alcoholism so cross that snarky answer off the list. What they do both have in common are some interesting ties through both historical and modern day Boulder in a unique way: Crystal Springs Brewing Company. Some people search their... Read More

Founded in 1979, on a farm just northeast of town, Boulder Beer has come a long way since it planted its roots in the Boulder Valley 38 years ago. As Colorado’s First Craft Brewery, Boulder Beer quickly took off, giving beer lovers an extraordinary change. After expanding their product, the brewmasters realized that they needed to expand their space as well, moving to the Pub on Wilderness Place in 1994. There are now two Boulder Beer locations – the one on Wilderness Place, and the other just off the Pearl Street Mall on Walnut. The Pub on Wilderness has to be my favorite location,... Read More

I’ll be the first one to say it: and this is tough, coming from a self-proclaimed beer junkie. Sometimes, craft brew lovers, we take ourselves a wee bit too seriously. It’s not a problem, mind you. But have you ever been drinking a beer with a friend, only to be so caught up in predicting the grain bill, the hops used, the clarity of the water used, the astrological sign the beer was brewed under… that you forget why you’re actually there in the first place? At the end of the day, shouldn’t enjoying a beer really be about where you are, and who you are with? We don’t... Read More

Drinking beer is not the only thing I do, so the other day, I decided to go on a lovely jaunt through downtown Boulder. Where was I walking, do you ask? To the Bohemian Biergarten, of course! I was on a quest to discover the history behind the beloved beer boot, or Das Boot, as many of us fondly refer to it. I arrived at my destination, but to my disappointment, their Bavarian chef, Martin König, was away, and my question could not be answered. I actually think my curiosity may have sparked the same questioning surrounding Das Boot in others. Anyways, I am not the most patient person, so instead... Read More

Looking to grab a quick drink but don’t want to leave the pup at home? Check out one of these dog friendly breweries in Boulder this weekend!   Boulder Beer Company – 2880 Wilderness Pl.   Wild Woods Brewery – 5460 Conestoga Ct.   Upslope Brewing Company – 1898 S Flatiron Ct. Unit 20   Stein Brewing – 2516 49th   Asher Brewing Company – 4699 Nautilus Ct.   Grab a leash, a couple treats, and your 4 legged best friend and enjoy a nice cold one in the best city on earth!    Read More

Hotel Luna Mystica Down in New Mexico at the foot of Wheeler peak and right next to the Taos Mesa Brewery Mothership stands a little-known hotel…if you want to call it that.  Hotel Luna Mystica is what they call it and it is an amazing place dotted with restored vintage trailers, campsites, and even trailer hookups if you bring your own. Trailer park? Not quite. At the risk of this place being overrun, let me tell you a little bit about it. The Best Winter Glamping Escape Close to Colorado Hotel Luna Mystica is an experience, to say the least, they have several restored vintage trailers... Read More

To be fair, the “rhyme” in the title of this post is indeed a slant rhyme, which totally counts. What are you, the rhyming police? Does such an organization exist? If they do, I want to humbly thank them for their service in smugly correcting poets all across this land. Anyway, welcome to this week’s editorial in which Max drinks a few beers, and tells other Boulderites what he thinks of them. On tap this week? Twisted Pine Brewing Company, a major-league brewery in the middle of Boulder, Colorado. Before I get started in today’s beer experience, I want to tell all you... Read More

Anyone out there wondering what makes a nitro, a nitro? You are? Alright, well let me give you a little lesson with the help of the Left Hand Brewery. It’s no secret that Left Hand Brewing Co. is Number 1 when it comes to nitros, so I made my way up to Longmont to learn from the best. They sure did teach me a thing or two about these bodacious beers, and of course I had to test a few to grasp the full experience. After talking to a few employees, I came up with a quick guide to nitros: Basically, a regular beer uses 100% carbon dioxide during the carbonation process, while nitros do not.... Read More

Water is a basic human right, correct? Even within our society’s divided climate, I think that is something we can all agree upon. No person should go without water. I mean, after all, an adult human body consists of about 60% water. It’s safe to say, we need it. Now, let me ask you another question: It’s not a shock to anyone that California, and southwestern states in general have been suffering from a drought, correct? So, why would Baja California be any different? Wouldn’t they be suffering from the same drought as us? The answer is, yes, they are suffering from severe drought, causing... Read More

Wondering which craft brew to try next? Just follow your curiosity, wander down the road to Golden, and you will be greeted by the New Terrain Brewing Company. Located just up Table Mountain Parkway, this new-aged brewery is surrounded by breathtaking views and even better beer. When I first stepped foot in New Terrain, my immediate thought was, “I’m home.” Not only are their beers exquisite, but the vibes are unmatched. I wouldn’t even describe it as a brewery, but rather a meeting place for those struck by wanderlust and on the search for a good beer. They boldly blend... Read More

Leaves are crunching beneath your feet, the air’s a little crisper, and you’re dreaming of apple cider and pumpkin pie – Fall is here. Truly my favorite time of year, I couldn’t be more excited to taste some seasonal ales in the Boulder area this Autumn. So, with the help of the amazing team at Hazel’s Beverage World, I went to picking and found some sweet pumpkin and malty local Oktoberfest flavors. Here’s a few that I’d definitely recommend to you seasonal beer lovers:   Pump Action by 4 Noses Brewing Co.: An Imperial Pumpkin Ale that’s sweet... Read More

Happy September everyone! Who’s excited for this months brewery events? I know I am, and there’s quite a list to chose from! Here are a few upcoming beer events in the Boulder area, to get you through this busy month: Taproom Yoga @ Left Hand: Venture up to Longmont this Saturday morning for some free all-levels yoga, which happens to pair perfectly with a complimentary beer. So grab your yoga mat, fill that stomach (before downing a brew), and stop by Left Hand’s taproom at 11:15am this Saturday, September 9th! Also, be sure to check out Left Hand Brewing’s Longmont Oktoberfest... Read More

Throw back some brews and get pumped up for the big fight this Saturday night! We all know what I’m talking about – Conor McGregor v.s. Floyd Mayweather. It’s a boxing match for the ages that we’re all anxiously awaiting to see. Who will win? Mayweather, the undefeated longtime pro-boxer, or McGregor, the Irish charmer/MMA master? I guess we’ll have to wait and see; but where is a fan to watch the Mayweather/McGregor showdown in Boulder? Well, after spending tedious amounts of time calling the most prominent bars in Boulder, I realized the hard way, that watching boxing fights is just... Read More

While perusing the aisles at Hazel’s Beverage World, I stumbled upon a local brewer that I had yet to try – Cellar West Artisan Ales. Their unique funky packaging popped, immediately catching my eye. Out of all their wonderful brews, it was the Aquarius, a recent addition to the Cellar West family, that peaked my interest. The Aquarius, a Saison whose Belgian roots truly represent in this aged ale, was introduced just this past April at Cellar West’s very own Tasting Room. As I took my first sip of this craft beer centered around Spelt Malt, I was quickly drawn in. The fruit fizzled... Read More

I think we can all agree that we have been blessed with some amazing weather these past few weeks in Boulder. It’s not often that you catch weeks in a row of temperatures in the 60s – 70s. All of a sudden, we have a Boulder winter with options! It’s March and we don’t have to resort to sitting in endless traffic on the way to ski or snowboard every weekend, instead, we can stay in town, we can leave our homes without wearing one million layers, we can hike, we can bike… the list goes on and on. Next weekend, I have a couple of friends coming into town and, speaking of biking, their trip... Read More

After a long work week, Gabe spends his Friday evening out at Murphy’s Taphouse in Louisville with some of his co-workers. What better way to kick off the weekend? Gabe is a Colorado native who was born and raised in Longmont, and he doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon. He is currently a project manager at a Logistics company in Louisville but in his free time, you can find him at a local sport event or hanging out with his friends and family. Growing up, Gabe spend a lot of time with his dad, brother, and grandparents going to the local CU games. “So my favorite thing about... Read More

Boulder is an interesting mix of currents. Consider, for example, the constellation of tech start-ups that find a home here. Think about the many craft breweries and distilleries that have cropped up over the years. Taken together, you get a place equally devoted to innovation and cutting loose, often at the same time. Given CU-Boulder is a dominant fixture, it’s no surprise similar labels apply. The university boasts an array of research associates, experts in various scientific disciplines, as well as artists in every medium, all teaching under its tent. Academically speaking, attending or... Read More

Sometimes, friends, it just hits me. I wake up in the morning, and after a strong cup of Kona, after a solid breakfast made up of a bowl of oatmeal and maybe half a bagel, I say to myself, “I could really use a hoppy beer right about now.” Perhaps this is indicative of a much larger problem in my life, but that’s beside the point. Sometimes, friends, I know that on that day, I will want to get the hoppiest, bitterest, and most floral barley water I can possibly find. You know the stuff; the kind that would make a child swear off drinking forever, if dad ever let them have a sip.... Read More

Waking up to the sound of rain is a sobering reminder for the people of Boulder county. In a way, it brings us all back to those days in September of 2013, when we never thought we’d see the sun again. Some of us were lucky. Me? I was lucky. I live on the second floor, and even though people were saying, “It’s seen better days,” about my condo all the way back in the 70s, it didn’t get too much damage, a leaky overhang aside. Some of our neighbors, however, weren’t so lucky. It’s an interesting mindset for a town. Places like Portland or Seattle, cities... Read More

Late April is always a fascinating time in Boulder, because you have two holidays that many of us truly enjoy. First up, always on the 20th of every year, is the hallowed “420”, which, to many (CU’s Administration, for example), is just a major headache. To those who actually have a reason behind celebrating 420, and aren’t just smoking their friend’s glass to seem counterculture, 420 is an important symbol for national legalization and recognition of every person in prison for the “crime” of possession of cannabis. I guess you can tell which side of... Read More