I’m Still a Coors Guy, But…

Without going into lengthy detail, on a recent trip to Europe I mapped out my own beer tour. I found some wonderful beers in Belgium, at various towns all along the Rhine River in Germany, a few in France and Switzerland. Upon my return I decided that I would expand my knowledge of not only imported beers, but locally brewed craft beers as well.

It’s been fun. Yes, Coors Banquet and Light are still my “go to” beers, but the craft beer industry in Colorado has really ramped up considerably. Ten years ago it was a nothing. A few places, not much variety, small store front locations with little to no food. Well, in the ten years that I have been sleeping 😊 some brewers have made an effort to get out in front of the industry. Bigger establishments, more production capacity enabling them to brew more styles of beer, and in many cases, even tying in with local distributors (like Coors Distributing Company) to get their beers into more outlets, both local liquor stores and restaurants.

The results? For the consumers, it has been fantastic. Without going into detail of all the beers pictured, I can tell you that I have tried them all. A few imported, but most local. I have liked them all, but naturally, some more than others. A couple that really stood out: Launch Pad Brewery Kolsch (pictured with me having a “day” beer), the 8 Second Kolsch from Elevation Brewing in Poncha Springs, the pilsner from Storm Peak Brewing in Steamboat Springs, the Avery Lager, and even the Mexican Lager from Lone Tree Brewing. For imported, you can’t go wrong with the German Warsteiner Pilsner, Irish Harp Lager, or the Pilsner Urquell from the Czech Republic.

But you decide. Have some fun with it. Many liquor stores are offering a “build your own six pack” arrangement where you grab a six pack carrier and pick any six beers you might like to try. The price is usually around ten bucks for the six pack (or $2.50 each – save money, get six). Also, when you go out for a meal, many restaurants are now doing a separate drink list as opposed to listing them on the food menu. This gives them a chance to rotate their offerings, bring in new beers.

So do what I did, and continue to do: get out of your rut, your beer rut. Travel the state, the country, and even the world through your selection of beers. You’ll be glad you did. Cheers!