Denver Post: Coloradoans Love Their Craft Beers

Colorado has long been known for its excellent microbreweries. With over a 100 brewpubs to choose from, a handcrafted pale ale or stout is never that far away. Nearly every town in the state has a little corner brewery with the heady aroma of hops wafting out its front doors. So it's great to learn that Colorado leads the nation in the sheer number of per capita breweries.

Under the headline, "Craft Beer Rising in Colorado," Denver Post Reporter Steve Raabe writes about the growing number of brewpubs in the state.

"Colorado's craft-beer industry can raise a toast to its heady status in the full-flavored malt- beverage sector. The number of craft breweries in the state rose to a record 101 during 2008, cementing Colorado's position as No. 1 in the nation for craft-beer makers per capita."

"Sales and production growth in 2008 slowed nationwide and in Colorado because of economic weakness, but the craft sector still grew faster than big-label U.S. brewers and imports."

"The Boulder-based Brewers Association in a new report said craft-beer production reached a 4 percent U.S. market share for the first time in 2008. Major brewers such as MillerCoors and Anheuser-Busch dominate the industry with an 82 percent share of the market."

"Colorado's largest craft brewer, Fort Collins-based New Belgium, made 493,000 barrels in 2008. Its 3.9 percent growth rate was the slowest in at least six years."

"Growth also slowed at Odell Brewing in Fort Collins, with an 8.4 percent increase in 2008 compared with 18 percent in 2007."

"Founder Doug Odell said that the recession is hurting the industry but that its core base of drinkers remains loyal.""Stepping down to Bud Light is not an option for our customers," he said. "A good craft beer is still an affordable luxury."

Smuggler's Brewpub Now Open for Business

For those of you who prefer handcrafted beer over wine, the Grand Valley offers plenty of choices: the Rockslide, Palisade Brewery, Kannah Creek, Ale House and now, Smuggler's Brewpub and Grille.

According to the Grand Junction Free Press:

"Smuggler’s originated in Telluride over 12 years ago, expanded to Montrose 2 ½ years ago, and Mesa Mall will be their third location.

"Smuggler’s Brew Pub & Grille will offer loft and outdoor/beer garden seating, live music and an original line up of 14 handcrafted ales and lagers, an original root beer and crème soda. Their menu boasts a wide variety of fare from sandwiches to fresh salads to steak and shrimp, all at moderate prices."

"Smuggler’s menu is online at www.smugglersbrew.com. Check out its award winning brews located on page 7 of the menu; the Colorado influence is evident with names like Shred Betty Raspberry Wheat, Rocky Mountain Rye, Wildcat Wheat, and San Juan SkyHop."

"For more information, reach Metz at (970) 729-1910."

Development Sought For Palisade’s Distillery/Brewery District

According to the Palisade Chamber of Commerce, Castle Rock Construction is constructing commercial projects in Palisade. They are looking for unique businesses interested in relocating or starting up a business that will synchronize with surrounding retail.

“The building will be a tremendous asset to Palisade’s Distillery/Brewery District, and will be an architectural fit with existing buildings,” said Robert Melot, owner. “The architecture consists of heavy timber, rock/stucco and rusty metal roof, with continuous courtyards co-joining a distillery. It will have a nostalgic feel of nature with the organic materials used for construction.”

Businesses they are seeking include a café featuring buffalo burgers or oven-fired pizza, trending toward organic local products. Other business that would fit well with Palisade’s new hotel client base would be a massage therapist, acupressurist, and chiropractor.

“With Palisade’s new lodging tax, the development of the new 80-room Wine Country Inn, recent publicity in the Denver press and the New York Times, and the Town’s commitment to aggressive marketing, now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Melot. He will be willing to work on a sliding rent scale to foster the right entrepreneurs wanting to expand.

The new building is located at 125 Peach Street along the north side of downtown Palisade, just behind Peach Street Distillers and DeBeque Canyon Winery’s warehouse. An entry way and courtyard will connect Peach Street Distillers to the complex.

For more information, contact Castle Rock Construction at 464-0188 or e-mail Robert Melot at croc@qwestoffice.net.

More Brewpubs Tap into Grand Valley

The Grand Valley has its own fair share of microbreweries. There's the the Rockslide, Palisade Brewey, Kannah Creek and the Ale House. Move around to Moab or Montrose, and there's still good homemade beer on tap. Another brewery plans to open in the old Krispy Kreme building on the fringes of Mesa Mall by Thanksgiving. Back in August, the Grand Junction Free Press wrote this article under the headline, "Smugglers Brewpub prepares to tap into Grand Junction." Reporter Josh Nichols wrote:

"The owners of a Telluride-based microbrewery that’s been serving up beers for more than a decade have wanted to tap some kegs in Grand Junction for several years.

"They recently discovered their opportunity — in the form of what used to be a doughnut shop.

"Michael Metz and Scott Strong, owners of Smugglers Brewpub in Telluride, hope to have their Grand Junction pub opened by Thanksgiving in the former Krispy Kreme Doughnuts building, which has sat vacant since the doughnut shop closed its doors in August 2007."

You can read the rest of the article here.

Sodas Into Ice Cream? Palisade Brewery's Proposed $100K Expansion

There's room for beer and soda in Colorado's Wine Country. Heck, there's even room for ice cream. If the Palisade Brewery has its way, it will be able to deliver on all three treats.

In order to keep its clientele seated in the winter months, the Palisade Brewery is proposing a $100,000 remodel of its facilities. The local brewpub is dreaming big. The owners dream of, "doubling the size of its kitchen, making their own Oktoberfest brew and turning some soda flavors into ice cream," says the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Read about it here.

The Palisade brewery has teamed up with Jackson Hole Soda Company to produce hand crafted soda pop. Their Sarsaparilla soda pop has been featured on the Food Network's "Unwrapped," while their Huckleberry soda pop won a bronze medal from the North American Brewer's Association.

Limited seating and a wish to expand its menu are driving the brewery's remodeling plans. Drop by for dinner sometime after you check into the hotel.

Our First Online Review -- We've Got 'Posh Beds'

Life is full of firsts. There are first kisses, first cars, and first jobs. But how about our first online revie w? Among other things, a guest who booked with us through Expedia.com, wrote on that web site: under the headline, "very enjoyable:"

"The beds were very comfortable and the six pillows and bedding were very posh! As a physical therapist, I noticed some interesting features: the beds were more elevated than most hotel beds, as was the toilet, which makes it easier for the elderly and people with back/hip/knee issues to get up."

We were rated a perfect 5.0 out of 5. Not bad for the first spin around the block.

The anonymous reviewer also gave a shout out to a local eatery, saying under the headline:

"Traveler's tip on dining"

"The Palisade Brewery was very simple yet good food - more of a local hangout and down to earth!"

Hey, we'll take guest praise wherever we can get it. Congratulations, Palisade Brewery.

And look out, TripAdvisor and Yahoo! Local, here we come.