There is a reason that we have been saying our trips were taking us to the beer Meccas of the country.
Sara went to Asheville and experienced a place that has taken off in the craft beer scene. Breweries like Sierra Nevada, Oskar Blues and soon New Belgium have found an east coast home in Asheville.
On top of that there are countless taprooms and bars that feature tap lists that would make your eyes pop out of your head like Bugs Bunny looking at Lola Bunny.
As you know my mecca was the Denver/Fort Collins and surrounding area. Since the birth of craft beer this area has always been a place for the wayward curious beer drinkers to find a home.
Our first stop on the stars of beer tour was O’Dell Brewing Company.
Odell has been churning out some of the best beers in the country since 1989 as the second microbrewery to open in Colorado.
Their IPA was on Zymurgy’s top brews in America this year, and there’s no question why. It’s one of the most solid beers I’ve ever had. Myrcenary, an amazing double IPA, was probably my favorite beer of the trip.
ODell, like a lot of brewing companies out there, doesn’t serve their own food but brings in local food trucks. That night I had and sausage made with elk, cheese and jalapenos.
They have a huge outdoor space with a stage, plenty of seating and corn hole, which I dominated like always.
Conveniently right behind ODell is one of the biggest breweries in the country, New Belgium.
New Belgium — which starting August 31 will be found all over Central PA — is huge but they still know the value producing new and exciting beers.
While we were out there they had just released their double IPA, Ranger, and their session IPA, Slow Ride, which became the go to beer for the trip, gives Pinner a run for it’s money.
But Pinner is still better (needed to say that before the boss got on my case).
Speaking of Oskar Blues, they were just a short drive from our base camp in Fort Collins.
Oskar Blues has three locations where you can get their beer and some pretty damn good food. Lyons was their original location but when they moved their production to Longmont they opened up a restaurant less than a mile away.
Oskar Blues Brews & Eats not only has a total of 44 beers on tap including at least eight of their own taps. They have traditional southern style BBQ food, including grits, pulled pork and ribs.
I love some cheddar and grits so that was perfect. Also their burger “The Silo,” topped with pulled pork, was one of those heaven parting with angels singing moments.
Just down the road is where all of the beer is brewed and canned now. It’s a great open tasting room that reminds me a lot of the Troegs set-up.
Also, they have 19 oz. cans of Pinner, it’s everything I (and Sara) could want.
Again, this is why it’s a craft beer paradise, and it gets better.
Just 10 miles down the road sits Avery, another fantastic nationwide brewery.
Avery makes amazing beers like Maharaja (ask my dad about this beer and he will never stop talking about it), White Rascal and their IPA.
They just opened a brand new beautiful tasting room in North Boulder with a tasting room with over 30 of their own beers on draft. With a lot being just specific to the brewery.
Pum(KY)n was a pumpkin porter aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels for six months, it was awesome. It should be at $9 for 5 oz but well worth it. Other than that Liliko’I Kepolo, a sour white ale brewed with passion fruit, quickly became a group favorite.
They also have a very unique self-guided tour that takes you on a catwalk above all of their brewing operations.
A lot of these breweries have been there from the start of it all, and it is awesome to see the evolution of the industry. All of the breweries were started out passion and love for the craft, something that is still clear even today.
