Patrick Annesty of River North Brewery. (Photo courtesy of River North Brewing).
As 2015 comes to a close, we’re once again asking leading figures on the Colorado beer scene to reflect on the past year and look ahead to next.
This next installment in our 5th annual Beer In Review features Patrick Annesty of . River North has had a rather wild ride in 2015, having to say goodbye to its first home on 24th and Blake because of development pressures. But the brewery is reopening at 6021 Washington St. back in the River North neighborhood.
Here, we ask brewer Patrick Annesty, about his favorites for 2015:
Favorite beer of the year: Upland Pawpaw was the one beer that really stuck with me from the Great American Beer Festival. Such a great balance of fruit and sour character, and so drinkable.
Colorado brewery of the year: Station 26. Their cans are one of the few Colorado beers I regularly pick up in stores. And in their taproom, they really know how to showcase some nice hop profiles.
New Colorado brewery of the year: I don’t get to nearly as many new breweries as I like these days, but Call to Arms has been a great addition to my neighborhood. Solid beers right out of the gate.
Colorado brewery to watch in 2016: Bierstadt Lagerhaus. I’m a sucker for a properly done German lager, and am excited to see what Bill Eye and Ashleigh Carter can do with complete creative control. On a more personal note, however, I’m also looking forward to River North’s 2016, once we get our new space open in February.
Most notable craft beer news or trend of 2015: There’s only one answer: acquisitions. And valuations will only rise.
Craft beer trend to watch for in 2016: As competition for handles increases, I think you’re going to see a bit of a price war, breweries with subpar products offering massive incentives to lock up tap lines. When it comes down to it, a bar is a business, so it’ll be up to the consumer to continue to demand quality and vote with their wallet.
