We asked Colorado craft beer industry leaders to tell us what they drink when they are not brewing their own beer.

Desert Dreams Sour, 9% ABV

Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beers

I have been enjoying anything that highlights the awesome availability of flavor from our own backyard and the people from Chrysalis Barrel Aged Beers
are killing it, literally from their backyard. With Colorado-grown ingredients like rosehips, apricots, cherries, and of course barley, I like them all. However, the Desert Dreams Sour with Chambourcin grapes, which takes over two years to make between time in oak and stainless, is simply awesome.

Zach Rabun, Brewer/Owner, Mockery Brewing

Probably Certainly Ale, 5.3% ABV

OCC Brewing

I have become a big fan of the Flemish Pub Ale named Probably Certainly from OCC Brewing in Old Colorado City. This beer drinks like a fine pilsner, though it is not brewed with lager yeast. Instead Dan (Ramos) relied on lower fermentation temperatures and aging to allow the Saaz hops and crisp malt character to shine. If you are in the area, do yourself a favor and stop in to try Probably Certainly or any of the OCC brews.

Charles McManus, Head Brewer, Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.

Vagabond Czech Pilsner, 5.2% ABV

Mirror Image Brewing

The best Colorado beer I’ve had recently came from the small town of Frederick. Mirror Image does an incredible job with all their brews but the one that really stood out to me was their Vagabond Czech Pilsner. It was smooth, had a perfect straw-colored Czech appearance, and boasted all the soft pilsner notes expected from something straight out of Pilsen. It’s an absolutely crushable pilsner that makes me want to go back to Frederick every day.

Todd Bellmyer, Head Brewer, Wynkoop Brewing Co.

Pils, 5.1% ABV

Zwei Brewing Co.

My favorite Colorado craft beer is Zwei Pils. With the sensory overload we constantly find in the craft beer scene, I almost always gravitate to a simple traditional lager when I’m out. Colorado has no shortage of exceptional Pilsner options, but I find Zwei’s to be my favorite traditional one out there. Crisp, herbal/floral, and a touch of sweetness make it the perfect afternoon beer or palate cleanse between more aggressive styles.

Parker Strum, Brewer/Packaging/QA Manager, Funkwerks Craft Brewery & Taproom

Helles, 4.9% ABV

Bierstadt Lagerhaus

I’m super fortunate to have one of my “deserted island” beers brewed right here in Denver. Bierstadt’s Helles is the beer I reach for when I don’t want to think about beer, and I mean that as a high compliment. It is what it isn’t: not too sweet and not too bitter. Bierstadt Helles is clean, balanced, highly drinkable and allows me to get my nose out of my beer, pick my head up, look around and focus on good times with friends.

Eric Schmidt, Co-founder, Amalgam Brewing

Janet Reno’s Dance Party, 5.4% ABV

Call To Arms Brewing Co.

In a world of Hazy IPAs where it’s far too common (and easy) to only concentrate on the amount of hops going into a beer instead of how well those hops work together, this nails the nuances. It’s a perfect combo of orange, pineapple, and mango with just a touch of bitterness at the end. So balanced that it’s easy to go through that six-pack on a sunny patio, and flavorful enough that you never get bored and forget how great it is. And if you don’t laugh a little bit every time you see the label artwork, get to the internet and get your learn on.

Andy Parker, Director of Innovation, Denver Beer Co.