Denver Beer Fest

Did you know that Denver is considered “the Napa Valley of beer?” It’s true! Now through October 4, the city is celebrating Beer Fest. If you have lived in Denver, you know that it is a city rich with beer heritage. Coors Light, the largest brewery in the world, is only 12 miles outside of Denver. However, you don’t have to leave the city to explore different beers. In fact, many of Denver’s “must visits” for beer lovers are within walking distance of one another. Denver Beer Fest breaks down where you need to go:

WYNKOOP BREWING COMPANY

1634 18th St.

Photo courtesy Wynkoop Brewing Co.

Denver's first brewpub, The Wynkoop Brewing Company (co-founded in 1988 by former Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, now Colorado's Governor) produces more than 4,000 barrels of fresh beer annually, earning it a place among the largest brewpubs in the world. Housed in LoDo's 1899-built J.S. Brown Mercantile building, The Wynkoop is packed with 22 pool tables, multiple dart boards and other bar games, but the beer is the main attraction for suds aficionados. Start with their flagship brew, the Railyard Ale, a smooth, amber beer that combines the malty goodness of an Oktoberfest lager with the slight fruitiness of an ale.

TIP: Ask what's on the cask-conditioned rotator tap. The Wynkoop rotates cask-conditioned ales such as Quinn's Scottish Ale, the Churchyard Ale or the Splatz Porter, each with its own cult following among in-the-know beer drinkers.

ROCK BOTTOM BREWERY

1001 16th St. #100A

9627 E. County Line Road, Englewood

The minds behind Rock Bottom Brewery, with locations on the 16th Street Mall and in the Denver Tech Center, believe that the best beer is the freshest beer. All of Rock Bottom's beer (40,000 barrels yearly, the highest volume of beer in the restaurant brewery category) is handcrafted onsite, by dedicated brewmasters with a reverence for the rich traditions of brewing. As a result, beer experts have piled on the accolades, naming it the "Large Brewpub and Large Brewpub Brewer of the Year" at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival. Try Molly's Titanic Brown Ale (so named for Denver's famed "unsinkable" Molly Brown), an English-style ale that finely balances malt flavor and hops.

TIP: On Fridays evenings in the summer, Rock Bottom on the 16th Street Mall hosts a rockin' outdoor concert series, featuring beloved local bands.

BRECKENRIDGE BREWERY COLORADO CRAFT

2220 Blake St.

Photo courtesy Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado

Like so many brewpubs, Breckenridge Brewery started out modestly in a home brewer's basement. Today, Breckenridge Brewery satisfies the thirsts of discerning beer drinkers at three locations in Colorado with such unique brews as Agave Wheat (created using the nectar of Salmiana Agave), Trademark Pale Ale (boasting hearty amounts of pale and Munich malts) and Oatmeal Stout (a bold, smooth-bodied concoction that magically combines dark-roasted coffee aromas and flavors of espresso and semi-sweet chocolate). Opened in 1992, the downtown Denver location is just a block from Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies.

TIP: Ask about Breckenridge's 471 Small Batch series -- big tastes in limited releases. The Extra ESB is particularly beloved by Denver beer connoisseurs -- warming malt notes at the onset with a hop kick in the back, opening up to a nice dry finish.

GREAT DIVIDE BREWERY TAP ROOM

2201 Arapahoe St.

Thirteen Great American Beer Festival medals. Four World Beer Cup awards. Ranked 14th in Ratebeer.com's 2008 "The Best Brewers in the World." Ranked seventh in Beer Advocate's "All-Time Top Breweries on Planet Earth." Yes, Denver's Great Divide Brewery, has racked up its fair share of awards and acclaim since its founding in 1994 -- so many that it has become a must-visit destination for beer lovers worldwide. At the Great Divide's Tap Room in Downtown Denver, sample any of their beers on tap or in bottles, as well as the occasional Tap Room-only special release. Grab a seat on the patio and toast Denver's beautiful skyline with some of Colorado's finest beers. Or get some Great Divide to go: choose from a full selection of bottled beers, available in either 4 or 6-packs or in 22 oz. bottles. Bring in a growler and the brewers will fill it to the brim.

TIP: Check the website for Great Divide's monthly beer and cheese pairings at the Tap Room. For $10, attendees get five cheeses, paired with five beers, garnished with artisan bread, nuts and fruit.

FALLING ROCK TAPHOUSE

1919 Blake St.

Photo courtesy Falling Rock Tap House

Falling Rock Taphouse takes beer appreciation seriously, with more than 69 beers on tap and even more bottled beer, including what is probably the most extensive selection of Colorado-brewed beer under one roof in the world. All beer on tap is craft brewed -- "no contract brews or megaswill" they proudly state on their website. Just a block away from Coors Field in LoDo, Falling Rock regularly takes top prize in Westword's annual Best Beer List competition -- they're tough to beat!

TIP: Ask about Falling Rock's selection of cask-conditioned brews -- unfiltered and un-pasteurized beer, which is conditioned (including secondary fermentation) and served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure.

Photo courtesy Colorado Rockies

THE BLUE MOON BREWERY SANDLOT AT COORS FIELD

2145 Blake St.

Ice cold brews and baseball -- a match made in heaven. Just behind right field at LoDo's Coors Field (home of the Colorado Rockies) sits The Blue Moon Brewery at the Sandlot. A bit of a contradiction in terms, this is a microbrewery that's run by a mega-brewery -- MillerCoors. But the beer served is mainly of the craft variety, centered on Blue Moon beers, which were first brewed right here in Denver. Their Belgian White Ale was their first claim to fame, and took away top prize at the World Beer Championships. It's an unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale with deep flavor and a uniquely cloudy appearance. The brewers suggest you try it with a slice of orange to bring out the natural spices and subtle fruit flavor.

TIP: Every summer, Blue Moon makes a handful of special brews that are exclusive to Coors Field -- ask the brewers what's on tap, and enjoy a cold one while the Rockies play.

VINE STREET TAVERN

1700 Vine St.

Vine Street Tavern, one of the newest and grooviest additions to Denver's microbrewery scene, is all about the Grateful Dead on the sound system, juicy burgers (or veggie burgers) and a dedication to lovingly crafted beer. A sister brewery to the Mountain Sun and Southern Sun breweries in Boulder, the beers brewed and served here have won medals across the globe, including six gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival. Start with a Colorado Kind, a deep amber ale dry hopped with whole flower and cascade hops -- as satisfying as a Denver skyline sunset.

TIP: Ask your server what Vine Street has on its revolving "nitro" tap. This is filtered but not pasteurized beer pressurized with nitrogen, making for an even smoother drink.

Photo courtesy Euclid Hall

EUCLID HALL

1317 14th St.

Euclid Hall's beer list was named among the top 5 best in the country by Esquire Magazinerecently. The writers raved: "Sessionable kolsches and pilsners hang next to porters and nitro-carbonated milk stouts on the Colorado-centric tap tower. A mathematical-themed bottle list spans from the introductory ("Arithmetic": Del Norte Orale Light Lager) to the more advanced ("Quantum Mechanics": Lost Abbey Lost & Found), with smart choices everywhere in between."

TIP: Soak up the beer with an order of Euclid Hall's much-raved about Poutine, an inspired take on the Canadian dish.

FRESHCRAFT

1530 Blake St.

Fresh food and craft beer -- what more do you want? Located in the heart of lower downtown,Freshcraft boasts an ever-changing selection of the best craft beers in Colorado and beyond, not to mention some great eats.

TIP: Not in the mood for a beer? The bartenders at Freshcraft can mix a mean cocktail, too -- and the wine list is nothing to shake a stick at either!

DENVER BEER CO.

1695 Platte St.

Good beer is best enjoyed with friends, fresh air, and a bit of adventurous spirit to sharpen the palate. Located in the Riverfront neighborhood just west of downtown, Denver Beer Co.specializes in artisan and seasonal varieties of premium ales and lagers made from the best ingredients around. The tap list is constantly changing - you may get the fan-favorite Graham Cracker Porter, the delectable Peach Saison or the hoppier-thatn-thou Fresh Hop IPA. They're all fantastic examples of great Denver beer. The patio is always a happening place to enjoy great beer and some Mile High City sunshine.

TIP: Keep an eye on Denver Beer Co.'s website for future Beer Dinners, when the brewery teams up with a local foodcart, providing them with four hand-crafted brews to use as ingredients, as well as partners for the dishes.

ALE HOUSE AT AMATO'S

2501 16th St.

The first thing you'll notice is the view. Located in the lower Highlands neighborhood west of downtown, Amato's rooftop patio boasts a stunning panorama of Denver's skyline. Next, of course, you'll notice the beer. A collaborative effort by Breckenridge Brewery and Wynkoop Brewing Co., Amato's is a tribute to Colorado craft brewing with 42 Centennial State beers on tap. The beer lineup changes daily, so stop in often to try the Colorado craft industry's latest and greatest.

TIP: Beer is just the beginning. Amato's boasts a handcrafted cocktail list, with drinks that are built with small-batch, Colorado-made liquors and local ingredients.

RENEGADE BREWING

925 W 9th Ave.

Photo courtesy
Renegade Brewing Company

Maybe Denver's Art District on Santa Fe should change its name to the Art (and Beer) District on Santa Fe. Renegade Brewing is that good. Founded by Brian and Khara O'Connell in the summer of 2011, the brewery's "offensively delicious" brews were homebrewed initially. But friends and family encouraged the O'Connells to take their beers to the people! One sip of their flagship brew, Ryeteous IPA, and you'll be a believer, too - the citrusy hops and spicy rye are irresistible.

TIP: Renegade's friendly taphouse offers enticing daily specials. Ride your bike in on Tuesdays and you get $1 off. Wear a Renegade hat on Sundays and receive a dollar off your pours all day long. Check the website for more.

DRY DOCK BREWERY

15110 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora

Dry Dock is by no means the biggest brewery in the Denver area -- even after a 2009 expansion -- but it deserves a spot among the best. Since founding Dry Dock in 2005, owner/head brewer Kevin DeLange has won an impressive amount of awards for his creations, including a Gold Medal at the 2006 World Beer Championships for the HMS Victory ESB (Extra Special Bitter Ale) and a Silver Medal at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival for the SS Minnow Dark Mild. The tasting room at Dry Dock is open 2-9 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., noon-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. and noon- 9 p.m. Sunday. Have a seat and drink a pint or get your growler or keg filled with Dry Dock's finest.

TIP: On Fridays, Dry Dock features a special beer available for one day only. This specially prepared beer is naturally carbonated, served from a cask with a gravity tap, and is served at a warmer "cellar" temperature. Check the Web site for more details.

DENVER CHOPHOUSE & BREWERY

1735 19th St.

Housed in a beautifully restored historic building just across from Coors Field, the Denver Chophouse & Brewery offers outdoor decks, live music, and fine dining. The beers the ChopHouse brews are fantastic, too. There are eight craft beers on tap, including such as a premium mild, pale ale; honey wheat; nut brown ale; oatmeal stout and extra special bitter. Cuisine ranges from burgers to filet mignon - anyone's tastes will be satisfied here.

TIP: The ChopHouse also has a location at Denver International Airport, in case you're in need of a great craft brew before (or after) a flight.

What are your favorite Denver beers? Have you ever done your own Denver beer tour? Share your thoughts in the comments!

What Neighborhood is Right for You?

"my neighborhood" by Chris Dlugosz is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Before you need to think about signing a lease and packing your possessions, you need to determine where you want to live. Not just the city or the specific apartment, but what area best fits your needs. Even if you’re familiar with the layout the city you’re moving to, it’s important that you still do some homework first. Apartment Guide suggests you research the following factors:

1. Price Range

Pay attention to the price of rent in the neighborhoods you’re considering. You have to be able to afford to pay monthly rent and utilities! Monthly rent prices in a neighborhood are good indicators of the prices of services and amenities in the neighborhood. If you choose a home on the low end of prices for your neighborhood, but there are other rental homes that are much more expensive, there’s a good chance that prices at stores and restaurants in the neighborhood might be on the higher end of things. Ensure that you can not only afford your rental, but also the neighborhood’s available resources.

2. Amenities and Attractions

Another important thing to look for in a neighborhood are great amenities and attractions. You’ll likely be spending the most time at places around your home, so make sure it is surrounded by plenty of activities! Think about what kinds of places you like to spend the most time at. Do you like dining out? Are you a person that spends a lot of time outside in parks? Do you want to be located near top-notch schools or daycares? Make a list of important amenities to you, then look for neighborhoods that closely meet those specifications.

3. Commute

Your work commute is a huge factor when choosing the right neighborhood. Think about how long it will take you to get to and from work, and how you will physically do that. Consider living in a place that offers an acceptable commute time and an easy way to get to and from where you need to go, whether that’s by your own vehicle or public transportation. If you have friends or coworkers already living in some of the prospective neighborhoods, find out if carpooling is a reliable option.

4. Safety

Real estate brokers can’t legally tell you how safe a neighborhood is, but it’s an important thing to keep in mind for an area that you want to call home. You can find reports about crime by geographic area online, and you might want to research different areas to make sure you will feel safe in your new neighborhood. You should also take into account other safety considerations that apply to your life – for example, whether a neighborhood has sidewalks, bike lanes, or a fire department nearby. Pro tip: drive through a prospective neighborhood during the day and at night to get the feel of a local.

5. Home Size and Shape

Nearly every neighborhood has its own character and personality, and one of the important qualities that makes up its personality is the size and shape of the homes within it. Are you looking to live in a high-rise building? A community of townhouses? A small apartment complex? Each neighborhood has its own character, and the types of available rental homes will reflect that.

Are you wondering if Amaranth is the right home for you? Learn more about Amaranth's neighborhood or schedule a tour!

Watch the Leaves Turn Around Denver

"Aspen Afternoon" by Steven Bratman is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Fall in Denver is such a beautiful time of the year, and there is plenty of time to enjoy the changing colors of the fall foliage. Whether you want to take a walk in a local park or a quick weekend getaway, these are the places to go to take-in the sights, sounds and colors of autumn in the Denver area, courtesy of VISIT DENVER.

Denver has one of the longest periods of fall colors of any city in the country. That's because there are five different climate zones within a two hour drive of downtown Denver. Pick your elevation and you can find yourself at the height of fall colors from mid-September to Mid-November. Starting in mid-September, expect to see aspens turning gold at elevations from 8-10,000 above sea level. Later in the season in October to mid-November, you can see spectacular color down in the foothills and along the plains in Denver.

Here's a guide of where and when to go:

MID-SEPTEMBER TO EARLY OCT. ABOVE 9,500 FEET

• Guanella Pass, located just one hour from Denver, climbs to 11,670 feet and has many high aspen groves on both sides of the pass. There are aspen groves at all elevations along the trail, offering a good chance of seeing color somewhere on the mountainsides.

• Rocky Mountain National Park, one hour to one and a half hours from Denver, has many groves of high aspens around Bear Lake. There are also many high aspen groves getting to the park on the scenic Peak to Peak Byway (Colorado Hwy. 72 and 7) from Black Hawk to Estes Park.

LATE SEPTEMBER TO MID-OCTOBER, FROM 7,000 TO 9,000 FEET

• Georgetown and Silver Plume, located approximately one hour from Denver (40 miles) are surrounded by aspen groves. An interesting way to see the fall colors is by riding the Georgetown Loop Railroad, where a historic steam locomotive pulls passengers up the steep grade between the two towns.

• The area around Lake Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne is filled with aspen groves and is just a 75 minute drive from Denver. An 18-mile paved bike path circles the pretty lake, offering mountain and fall views in every direction.

MOST OF OCTOBER, FROM 6,000 TO 8,000 FEET

• Several historic old cemeteries near Central City have groves of aspen, and many other trees can be seen on the dirt "Oh My God Road" that runs between Central City and another old mining town, Idaho Springs.

• Golden Gate Canyon State Park, located 20 miles west of Denver in the foothills (45 minute drive), has many aspen groves at lower elevations, as well one of the best panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains.

EARLY OCTOBER TO MID-NOVEMBER, 5,280 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL

• Selected by USA Today as one of the top 5 bike paths in the country, the Cherry Creek Bike Trail is a paved off-road path that follows the tree-lined creek for more than 40 miles from downtown Denver to Cherry Creek State Park.

• Another 40+ mile bike path, the South Platte River Bike Trail, follows the South Platte River from downtown Denver to Chatfield State Park and Waterton Canyon, where it meets up with the Colorado Trail and continues 400 miles to Durango.

• The Highline Canal meanders through Denver for more than 70 miles, and almost all of it is lined with old Cottonwood trees that turn brilliant yellow in the fall.

There are more than 200 parks in Denver city limits, many of them connected by a necklace of bike trails - and all of them will boast beautiful fall colors:

WASHINGTON PARK: Denver's grand traditional park has two lakes, two flower gardens and a tree-lined, two-mile gravel running path.

SLOAN'S LAKE: Denver's largest lake offers city and mountain views and an expansive tree-covered park.

CITY PARK: Denver's largest park is home to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Zoo, several lakes and the Mile High Trail - a running trail that follows the 5,280-foot contour so that much of the path is exactly one mile high.

Do you have a favorite fall spot you go to? Share your ideas and pictures in the comments below!

Tailgate Tips

"Grilled Apple Sausage" by H. Michael Karshis is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Fall is in the air, which means one thing...football season is back! Are you ready? There’s no better way to spend pre-game time than tailgating. Follow these tips, courtesy of Apartment Therapy, to ensure that you are properly prepared for the perfect tailgate.  

1. Research the tailgating site: Even before you get to the packing and prepping of food, make sure you know where you can park, what the facilities are like, and what the rules are. Are open flames allowed so that you can grill? Is there running water, bathroom facilities, or rules about alcohol? What time can get there, and how late can you stay?

Think about the weather and the time of day when planning — will it be hot or rainy and a tent would be useful? And make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get there and set up.

2. Pack in, pack out: Unless a tailgate site explicitly says so, assume that everything you bring in comes home with you, including trash. Make sure you have plenty of heavy-duty trash bags, figure out how you'll handle recycling and packaging leftover food, and think about how you'll pack and bring home a dirty grill.

3. Multiple coolers are a must: Two coolers are the minimum — one for food and one for drinks. If you have a third for the raw food that needs to be cooked, even better! Make sure foods are wrapped tightly to prevent leaking and cross-contamination, and pack the things you'll need immediately at the top.

Label your drink coolers and tie a bottle opener to the handle so it's convenient and never gets lost. Make sure you have enough ice for drinks and to keep everything cold until you get home.

4. Grill prep: Make sure your grill is clean and that you have the necessary grill tools, enough fuel to last through all the grilling, and a portable fire extinguisher just in case.

5. Food choices: Have ready-to-go finger foods and snacks that you can put out immediately to keep people happy while the grill gets fired up. Keep more substantial food items simple and easy-to-serve. Bonus points if you don't even need plates to eat them off of, like kabobs and quesadillas! If you plan on tailgating after the game too, pack some different snacks and foods to grill then so that you have some variety.

6. Food prep: Do as much as you can at home, including marinating, cutting up vegetables, threading things onto skewers, or forming burger patties. Mix up big batches of drinks or cocktails so all you have to do is pour.

7. Equipment: Pack a few folding or portable chairs and tables. A tablecloth looks nice and makes for easier cleanup, and a few big stackable plastic bins can serve as trash and recycling bins. Don't forget a cutting board, sharp knife, and serving platters. Foil can help scrape down a dirty grill, keep food warm, or wrap up leftovers.

8. Water, water, water: Freeze some water bottles to both keep the coolers cold and so you'll have something icy to drink if it's a hot day. Bring along a big water container with a dispenser for handwashing too.

What are your tailgating must-haves? Share them with us below!

Make a Bold Decor Move

Photo courtesy Wicker Paradise

We have all seen something on Pinterest that we thought would look so cool, but then said, “I could never do that.” Yes, you can! Aside from things that you may have to ask your landlord for permission for, there are still many things you can do to take risks as you decorate--from furniture, to rugs, to accessories. So here’s that motivation you need to actually put those Pinterest boards to use, courtesy of Apartment Therapy.

1. Decide to do it — This is both the easiest and hardest part. You've thought it through, debated endlessly and now it's time for a simple yes or no. It's liberating! No more, "Gee, I'd really like to have..." or "Someday I'll try a..." That day is today! Don't dawdle, say yes and don't look back.

2. Get inspired — Time for the eye candy. You have a general plan, sure, but browsing some great inspirational images will help you really nail down what you love and what turns your stomach (and with risky decisions, it's usually one or the other). This is also when you'll start to get really excited about your project, which will further cement your decision to do it. Remember: this is fun!

3. Tell everyone — Now that you've made your decision, it's time to share. Telling everyone your plan is an insurance policy that you'll actually follow through. You're accountable, see? Sure, people will have their own opinions (and may decide to share them, unsolicited) but that won't bother you because you're solid in your knowledge that you've made the right decision for you.

4. Baby steps — Don't get overwhelmed and derail your decision. No matter how big or small, breaking down your project into baby steps will help you see a clear, do-able path to the finish line. It may be scary to paint a wall pink, but it's not scary to drive to the paint store — you can do that. It's not scary to grab some paint samples, piece of cake! Now, wash your wall, no problem. Baby steps are everything.

5. Repeat after me: nothing is permanent — There's nothing you can do to your home that you can't undo; it's as simple as that. Don't overthink this. If you don't like it, you'll try something else. Yep, you've spent some time and money to learn what you don't like (a very valuable lesson by the way) and next time you'll do better. The journey to your perfect home is never-ending and that is part of the fun, so don't be afraid to make a mistake once in a while.