Put down that Budweiser and pay attention: It’s American Craft Beer Week.
That’s right: As delicious as those fizzy suds may be, and as cute as those Clydesdale ads are, now is the time to salute the smaller, more artful brewer.
Officially started in 2006 and recognized in a resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives that same year, it’s a “declaration of beer independence.” The aim is to draw beer drinkers’ attention to independent brewers who make less than two million barrels a year — brewers who might be nearby, providing jobs and fresh beer.
Of course, there are a lot of these places in Colorado, including at least a few in downtown Denver. Great Divide Brewing Co. (2201 Arapahoe St.) is just one, and they’re making sure to celebrate American Craft Beer Week.
Tonight’s the Craft Beer Week party at the brewery’s Tap Room, from 6 to 8 p.m. The $10 cover includes pours of Great Divide’s special releases and cask-conditioned beers.
Check out Great Divide’s latest seasonal offerings — Saison, a Belgian beer, and Dunkel Weiss, a wheat ale. Both are available only until June 1, so time’s running short.
There’s also Belgica, a Belgian-style India pale ale, but that’s available until Aug. 1, so don’t panic.
If you can’t make tonight’s party, there’s another reason to stop by Great Divide soon: a new patio.
While it might initially seem strange for an urban brewery in an old warehouse to have a streetside patio, it does make sense. This is Colorado, after all, land of year-round, sun-soaked beer drinking.
“We opened it not only to allow people to enjoy the great Colorado weather with great Colorado beer, but also because the Tap Room was getting so full, we needed a place to put all the beer drinkers,” says Patrick Langlois, manager of the Tap Room at Great Divide.
They’re also touting the patio as another venue for Rockies fans to warm up or wind down, but it’ll be a nice place to hang out anytime.
The patio’s open Monday through Friday from 3 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 7 p.m. Stop by and raise a glass to America’s craft brewers — they deserve it.
Good-doing.
There’s a curiously large number of benefit performances happening this weekend. Spring must be bringing out the best in people. Here are a couple:
Tonight and Saturday, a crew of more than a dozen local musicians and bands will unite to support another band, Potcheen.
Potcheen, a Denver-based gang of Celtic-rock pirates, suffered a huge loss when their tour bus, Grace, collided with a semi in March. Potcheen’s drummer, Christian Blochinger, sustained serious injuries in the accident, including a broken collarbone, shoulder and three broken ribs.
The benefit shows at the Toad Tavern (5302 S. Federal Circle, Littleton) feature local acts like Yerkish, Something Underground, No Bueno and members of Potcheen, all performing to help Potcheen and Blochinger get back on the road.
The shows start at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday. Admission is $7.
On Saturday, the Hi-Dive (7 S. Broadway) hosts a benefit show for The Local Shakedown, Radio 1190’s all-Colorado music block.
The Shakedown started on Radio 1190, the University of Colorado’s radio station, nine years ago. In that time, the station has released two CD compilations of local artists, and now they’re gearing up for a third. They just need an extra financial push.
Denver indie faves Bad Luck City, Overcasters and Cowboy Curse will perform to support the Shakedown. Doors for the age-16- and-up show are at 7 p.m. The cover is $6.
