Mainstream media has discovered craft brewing.
How else to explain that not one but two television networks fell all over themselves about craft beer last month? This, 20 years after the “revolution” started.
Discovery Channel launched its craft series “Brew Masters” with a look at well-known industry figure Sam Calagione, whose Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware is legendary for its highly hopped beers.
Then, “CBS Sunday Morning” came to town to profile Wynkoop Brewing in LoDo as part of its holiday food and drink special. The most excited man in town was Marty Jones, a dedicated spokesman for Colorado beers and the official “mouthpiece” for Wyn- koop, who got the bulk of the face time in praise of the nation’s newfound taste for hearty beers.
“I was thrilled by it,” said Jones, whose soft Virginia accent makes him the perfect non-threatening spokesman for the industry. “It was so surreal. I’m talking to the guy from ‘Sunday Morning.’ I was thinking, ‘Where have you guys been?’ It’s surprising it took so long. Who knew when I started my beer column at the student newspaper?”
Jones, who didn’t forget to wear a jacket sporting the logo of one of Wynkoop’s beers while being interviewed, talked in general about the transition from light mass- produced beers to flavorful varieties being churned out by more than 1,500 brewers nationwide.
Jones is an optimist, but he isn’t blind. “The reality is craft is only a small percent of the market, about 5 percent. We’re spoiled here in that it’s such a wonderfully beery state. But in other states it’s not that way. We’ve earned it.”
Beer is his favorite topic. “I envy people who are still unenlightened (about beer). Look what awaits them. I wish I could find something else in life that results in this much pleasure.”
Marty’s all-day shoot only got about two minutes of airtime but no matter. “It was a huge lift for craft beer,” said Jones.
Beer for food
Bull & Bush, Great Divide, Left Hand, Twisted Pine, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada and Dry Dock are among 50 brewers pouring at Saturday’s “Parade of Darks,” a tribute to hearty seasonal beers as a fundraiser for MetroCareRing.
Brewers, volunteers and companies are giving every penny from the $30 admission to the Capitol Hill food pantry. It runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Wynkoop, 18th and Wynkoop streets. Info at .
Winterfest is back
Winterfest, the now-you-see-it- now-you-don’t holiday seasonal launched by Coors in 1987, has rolled around again.
This time it’s come from MillerCoors little brother AC Golden, the in-house craft unit that also produces Colorado Native and Herman Joseph.
This year’s version is a deep caramel color and, thank goodness, avoids overpowering spices and herbs that many brewers load up on this time of year. It’s also a little less malty this time, with a slight bite of hops.
Originally made for Coors family consumption, Winterfest went public in 1987, enjoyed a successful run, then disappeared for a couple of years before reappearing in 2009. This year’s “limited edition” is 99,840 bottles (they’re numbered).
It’s available only in Colorado in 12-ounce bottles, six-packs and on tap at bars and restaurants around town.
Beer notes
The end is near: Dec. 31 is the deadline to enter the annual Beerdrinker of the Year competition. Resumes, including beer history, philosophy and knowledge, must be e-mailed to beerdrinker@wynkoop.com. A panel of beer- knowledgeable judges will lightly grill three finalists on Feb. 26. . . . Stopped by Upslope Brewing in Boulder last week. They’re out (in cans) with an English-style brown ale, designated No. 3. Management says they’re about to double their size by taking over another unit in their strip-mall operation. . . . The 11th annual Big Beers, Belgians & Barleywines Festival features heavyweight brews Jan. 4-6 at Vail Cascade Resort & Spa.
Quotable:“I like to do my principal research in bars, where people are more likely to tell the truth or, at least, lie less convincingly than they do in briefings and books.” — P.J. O’Rourke
Dick Kreck’s e-mail: rakreck@yahoo.com. Send mail to him c/o The Denver Post, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202.
