Here are a few updates from the scene

By Jay McKinney

Stout Takeover at River North Brewery

Stouts are a style sure to spark up conversations with mixed opinions. But whether you love them or hate them, they have their place in the vast world of beer and River North Brewerywants to share their love of stouts with you.

Starting Friday, March 5, both of the brewery’s taprooms will have a stout tap takeover featuring an assortment of stouts that will run through the weekend. A mix of barrel-aged and double barrel-aged stouts, adjunct stouts, stouts that are over five years old, and an assortment of other options will make this event perfect for those who love the style, and those who just want to dip their feet in.

And because many of these dark beers will be higher on the ABV spectrum, you’re going to want to make sure you don’t drink them on an empty stomach. That’s where the food trucks come in.

The Washington Street taproom will have Go Green Gourmet as an option from 12-7 p.m. on Saturday, while the Blake Street taproom will have food trucks on all three days. Friday’s food truck is El Chuletazo Grill, Saturday’s truck is Fiorini’s Lil Cucina and, last but not least, Sunday will feature the new food truck, Big Bear Cheesesteaks offering a special brunch for Super Stout Sunday. The brunch special is a cheesesteak omelet with fries, pasta salad and a fruit cup for $11 and $1 of every purchase will go to The Wildlife Animal Sanctuary.

Denver Beer Co. Honors the Late Jason Buehler with a Special Release

It’s unusual when you meet leaders who are passionate about their craft and who can inspire passion in those around them. Ask anyone who knew Jason Buehler, and they’ll tell you nothing but good things about the Denver Beer Co.’s head brewer who tragically passed away in a climbing accident last November.

To honor his legacy of outstanding beers, fantastic friends and a loving family, Denver Beer Co. has brewed Sunrise Sensei, a black IPA with Rosita de Cacao.

Brewery co-founder Charlie Berger lost a friend and business ally with the passing of Buehler and acknowledges that this recipe honors him well. He says, “It is a complex blend of citrusy hops, roasted caramel notes and sweet cocoa. It takes his adventurous spirit and blends it with his ability to make a friend out of anyone over a beer.”

His passion for beer was contagious and for those who were fortunate enough to work alongside him, the heartache is profound. “Jason brought ideas, skills, experiences and love to work with him every day, Berger says. “He cared for his beers like they were his kids. He cared for his coworkers like a coach cares for his players.”

Sunrise Sensei will be available at the Denver Beer Co. taprooms in limited 6-packs and on draft with 100% of the proceeds being donated to Buehler’s family.

WeldWerks Celebrates its 6th Anniversary with a Special Promotion

We’re all familiar with Roald Dahl’s classic story of a poor boy finding a golden ticket in a chocolate bar and changing his life forever. As Charlie peels back that wrapper and we see the glimmer of gold, it instills a sense of euphoria upon us. Thanks to WeldWerks Brewing Co., beer lovers can visit the taproom in Greely starting March 26 at 12 p.m. and purchase an anniversary six-pack that may provide them that same sense of joy.

To celebrate the brewery’s sixth anniversary, they’ve decided to throw together six of their most popular beers for $30. Hidden among the anniversary six packs at the taproom there are 10 golden tickets that will unlock one free bottle of every WeldWerks Barrel-Aged Stout release for an entire year starting this March.

Thankfully, you can’t really lose with the selection of beers, custom glassware and commemorative masks. The Peanut Butter Achromatic, brand new Coconut Achromatic and Extra Extra Extra Juicy Bits are three exclusive beers available only in the six packs, alongside the fan favorites Advanced Fluid Dynamics, Blueberry Cobbler Berliner and Froot Camp: Strawberry Banana.

If there wasn’t a pandemic threatening our safety and limiting our gatherings, the award-winning brewery’s anniversary would warrant a rockin’ taproom party where these delicious beers could be enjoyed with friends and fellow beer enthusiasts. However, WeldWerks has launched this promotion as an alternative for fans to celebrate with exclusive beers in the comfort of their homes, while giving them the hope of finding a lucky golden ticket.

Great Divide Introduces New and Old Beers

The active lifestyle of Coloradans calls for an IPA with special considerations. With the debut of Great Divide’s Fastpack IPA, the brewery has stepped up to the task and created a low calorie, low ABV and moderately hazy India Pale Ale that could be the perfect thirst quencher on your next outdoor adventure.

A lighter, fruit-forward beer with a citrusy peach flavor profile and hints of white wine might not sound like your typical IPA, but the plentiful portion of Cashmere hops added with Simcoe and Chinook hops keeps this beer from running away and sounding like a fancy mimosa.

In addition to this release, Great Divide is bringing back the Mexican Chocolate Yeti

from now until May and they also still have their current Yeti seasonal, the Maple Pecan Yeti available on draft and in 19.2-ounce cans through April. Both options pack some serious flavor and serve as great options in the transitioning of seasons and subsequently warmer days that come with March.

Calling All Artists: Epic Brewing Wants Your Design on A Future Beer

Ever see a beer bottle or can with unique and interesting art? Or on the flipside, seen a design and thought, “I could design something better.” Well Epic Brewing is giving you that opportunity with the Epic Can Art Contest. Running through May 31, artists 21 and older can channel their creativity and submit up to three designs for consideration to be on the Cranberry IPA, rotating beer release in November.

To download the entry template, view other designs and the specific instructions on how to enter, visit www.epicbrewing.com/epic-can-art-contest. Judges will determine the winner based on artistic expression and creativity, alignment with the Epic Brewing brand and originality. The contest winner will be notified via email in June 2021.