The Bolder Life: Guide to American Craft Beer Week

Next week is American Craft Beer week, which naturally means that Boulder County breweries have stocked their calendars full of events to help celebrate the culture and the community of craft beer. Craft beer lovers will be in hoppy/malty heaven this Monday, May 14 through Sunday, May 20, as local breweries offer up a little something for every pint-loving drinker. So grab your favorite koozie, your best beer-drinking buddy, some milk thistle to keep your liver happy and a print out of this blog post to help keep your Craft Beer schedule on point.

Cheers!

And a safe and happy Craft Beer Week for all!

Twisted Pine Brewing | Week Long Celebration |Monday, May 14^th – Sunday, May 20^th
Twisted Pine is so excited for Craft Beer Week, they’re throwing an event every night for seven days to truly celebrate in style. Ever participated in a frozen t-shirt contest? Me neither. Sounds chilly, and a little ‘naners—but if there’s beer involved—it probably means it’s going to be a good time. Along with the frozen t-shirt contest, Twisted Pine is also hosting a tapping of their Independence Ale along with $2 pints on Monday, musical trivia on Tuesday, a koozie give-away on Thursday, a performance by the popular local band, the Holden Young Trio, on Friday and on Sunday, Twisted Pine gives the gift of all day happy hour. Who doesn’t love a good all day happy hour?! Click here for a complete listing of events.

Avery Brewing Co. | Murray’s Cheese Pairing | Tuesday, May 15^th
I’m loving the special events that Avery is hosting in their delicious smelling Barrel-Aging Cellar. Just last month I attended a Sister Hood of the Hops Belgian beer tasting and got some education on the background of Belgian-style beers along with several tasty samples. For Craft Beer Week, Avery is throwing down a cheese and beer pairing event on Tuesday, a lesson in fermentation for anyone who’s interested in brewing beer on Monday, a screening of a film dedicated to women in the beer industry (put on my the Sisterhood of the Hops) on Wednesday and a special tapping on Friday. I pretty much have my heart (and stomach) set on the cheese pairing event which, at the tiny price of $8 per person for 5 tasters of Avery beers paired with my favorite food group, is straight up winning all around.

Oskar Blues Brewery | Hoe Down Throw Down @ The Blake Street Vault | Wednesday, May 16^th
I’m a small town girl with a fascination and appreciation for all things country—such as a good ol’ fashioned hoe down. Although local beer giant, Oskar Blues, doesn’t have too much going in at either one of their restaurants or at the brewery, they are throwing down some interesting events in Denver—such as a Hoe Down Throw Down at the Blake Street Vault. OB fans are encouraged to check out the Oskar Blues Beer Dinner at Freshcraft before moseying next door to The Blake Street Vault for a free show by extremely popular Colorado band, The Tusks of Elephant Revival. Tickets for the beer dinner are $35. Which is an excellent price for the quality of beers you are going to drink and the delicious food you’re going to put in your mouth. For a complete listing of Oskar Blues Craft Beer Week events going on around the nation, check here.

Left Hand Brewing | Left Hand/Firestone Walker Beer Dinner | Thursday, May 17^th
Left Hand Brewing recently emerged as a serious contender after years of silently building up their current beer empire. This is seriously great for Colorado folks. But what’s even better—Left Hand is teaming up with one of my favorite California breweries, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., for what I can only imagine will be an epic beer dinner at Highland Tap and Burger in Denver next Thursday. The theme of the dinner is “Distinctly American Style Beers” with a combination of brews from two of the hottest breweries on the scene, paired with a menu by Highland Tap and Burger chef, Eli Odell. This beer dinner caps out at 50 seats, so click here and purchase your ticket now!

Boulder Beer Co. | Innovation Celebration Tap Takeover | Saturday, May 19^th
Boulder Beer is keeping it local by hosting their Craft Beer Week events at the brewery next week—most exciting of which is the Innovation Celebration Tap Takeover happening on Saturday. Boulder Beer is loading their taps with a selection of their most innovative, small-batch and barrel-aged beers chosen by the brewers who made them. This event is for the true lover of the complex and unique brews coming out of the craft beer scene. The only tricky thing about this event, is that only 40 pints of each beer will be available, which means that you should show up early, and thirsty.