T.G.I.F... M.B. – Light vs. Dark

In the eternal struggle of Light vs. Dark, Dark wins this battle.

Here we have two completely different beers, sampled last Friday, at the Colorado Springs establishment called Thunder & Buttons. I had been reluctant to enter this pub, but it turns out it's very cute and cozy.

We tried two beer (one each) Winter Warlock Oatmeal Stout and Upslope Lager. We could not have chosen two more opposite drinks. The pale-beer lover of the two of us enjoyed the upslope immensely, but I would have preferred a glass of water over that tinted weak tea.

• What kind of beer? Winter Warlock Oatmeal Stout. Says the website: Chock full of highly roasted barley malt and 100 lbs. of flaked oatmeal, the Warlock is a dark and satisfying winter elixir.
• Where is it brewed? Bristol Brewing Company, right here in Colorado Springs.
• Alcohol content? 6.0%
• Tasters' rating? G for Grand! This Warlock cast a spell on me. >Giggle, snort< Come on, it's the Christmas season, allow me to bring out the cheese! 

T.G.I.F... M.B.

Tasting Grand or Ickily Formulated Microbrewed Beer

Coconut Joe & College Football.
(I didn't really watch the football.)

• What kind of beer? Coconut Joe. Coconut Coffee Stout.
• Where is it brewed? Papago Brewing, Scottsdale Arizona. (A suburb of Phoenix.)
• Alcohol content? Not listed, but it felt substantial.
• Tasters' rating? You may be squinching your noise up in suspicion, but I assure you, this hearty beer deserves its G for Grand! Strong stouty taste (reminiscent of the Half Pints Stir Stick Stout) with a toasty little coconut undertone. Yum! Even Mr. Prairie, proclaimed coconut hater, smiled after his sip.

T.G.I.F... M.B.

Tasting Grand or Ickily Formulated Microbrewed Beer

Even a sepia filter could not save my terrible photography

• What kind of beer? Tommyknocker Maple Nut Brown Ale. With a touch of pure maple syrup.
• Where is it brewed? Idaho Springs, about 100 miles from here. 
• Alcohol content? 4.5%.
• Tasters' rating? G for Grand! Not too sweet, not too strong, not too light. Just nice!

T.G.I.F... M.B.

Tasting Grand or Ickily Formulated Microbrewed Beer

This is a "growler" which contains 1 half gallon of beer (1.89 l)

We tried 3 of these fine people's beers - Raspberry Wheat ale, Colorado Trail Nut Brown Ale, and this growler of Lightner Creek Lager. The restaurant is tasty, and the brewery is powered by wind! At last, one can enjoy delicious goodness and be good to the environment at the same time.

Lightner Creek Lager

• What kind of beer? Light fluffy easy to drink great for a day of camping beer.
• Where is it brewed? In Durango, the only place to buy it. 
• Alcohol content? unknown, probably not too much though.
• Tasters' rating? G for grand!

T.G.I.F... M.B.

Tasting Grand or Ickily Formulated Microbrewed Beer

 

Extra points for a very cute label

I gotta be honest here, I probably wouldn't care how this particular beer tastes, I am so taken in by the title and advertising concept. Mass transit... this beer is for people who are proud take a bus? A Volkswagen bus? In the 60's? OK, sure I'll drink you!


Mass Transit Ale

• What kind of beer? Medium body ale based on the "Amber Style" according to their website.
• Where is it brewed? Right here in Colorado Springs. Within 6 miles of home.
• Alcohol content? 5.1%
• Tasters' rating? I give it a big G for Grand! Mr. Prairie, he begs to differ, citing it as not too special. However he concedes that it's good with food.

T.G.I.F... M.B.

Tasting Grand or Ickily Formulated Microbrewed Beer 

 

 

Coffee and beer, two of my favourite beverages....

 For those of us that may have had the preconception that America was a world of 3% Budweiser, it turns out to be incorrect. There are many small local-ish breweries, with varying concoctions. We are on a mission to sample them.

On the right:
Yellow Kite Summer Pils

• What kind of beer? A Handcrafted german-style pilser says the label.
• Where is it brewed? Right here in Colorado Springs. Within 6 miles of home.
• Alcohol content? 5.25%
• Tasters' rating? I for Icky. Totally drinkable, but too hoppy to be as refreshing as promised.

On the left:
Ellie's Brown Ale

• What kind of beer? Lab tested (heh) beatiful deep russet brew is dominated by a chocolate... says the label
• Where is it brewed? Boulder, Colorado. Within 2 hours of home.
• Alcohol content? 5.5%
• Tasters' rating? G for Grand! Just like the label says, beautiful, dark, sweet, yum.