The ten biggest Colorado beer stories of the year

In April, the Wynkoop Brewing Company began delivering kegs and cans to some of its downtown clients via horse and buggy. The move was a cool addition to Denver’s beer culture and a fun sight to see on Friday afternoons. But Colorado’s beer scene is so vibrant that it didn’t…

New Belgium Brewing plans eight Lips of Faith beers in 2011

Although I’ve never been New Belgium Brewing’s biggest fan when it comes to their standard beer lineup, I’ve always admired the way the Fort Collins craft brewer — Colorado’s largest — tries to keep environmental and employee-happiness issues on their list of priorities…

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey has been sold to an East Coast liquor distributor

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey is not longer a Colorado-owned company. Jess Graber, who co-founded the microdistillery with Aspen businessman George Stranahan in 2004, acknowledged today that New York-based Proximo Spirits has purchased Stranahan’s. He provided no other details. “Proximo Distillers and Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey have joined forces to facilitate the growth…

Sangria and Spanish snacks at Ondo’s happy hour

Happy Place: Ondo’s, 250 Steele Street, 303-975-6514 The Hours: Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.; all day Tuesday; Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to midnight The Deals: $3 Heineken drafts; $3 red or white sangria; $3 well pours; $2 off wine, cava, and sherry by the glass;…

Ask the Bartender: Another round on the Colorado Cocktail Contest

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour out both drinks and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Tallgrass Brewing brings its canned beer to Colorado this week

Just weeks after Maui Brewing began shipping its beer to Colorado, another brewer that packages exclusively in cans will enter the market. But Tallgrass Brewing out of Manhattan, Kansas, doesn’t have as far to go. “It’s just a little eight-hour drive,” says brewery owner Jeff Gill. Tallgrass, which was founded…

Ask the Bartender: What cocktail tools make great gifts?

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour out both drinks and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Getting cozy (and drunk) at the Walnut Room

Happy Place: The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut Street, 303-292-1700 The Hours: Monday through Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Deals: $3 well drinks; half-priced appetizers, draft beer and house wine; weekend happy hours include $5 Sauza margaritas and $4 Absolut you-call-its…

Drink of the Week: Orange Spiced Fizz at Green Russell

The Prohibition-style bar trend, which started in 2000 with Sasha Petraske’s Milk & Honey, finally reached Denver last month, when restaurateur Frank Bonanno (Mizuna, Bones, Luca d’Italia, Osteria Marco) and partner Adam Hodak opened Green Russell. The name’s inspiration is even older than Prohibition: William Greeneberry “Green” Russell came to…