Good beer in CO?

[iahebert]

SO!

It has been a while since I posted, and it was actually about moving from Seattle to Fort Collins, and have since done that, but now I have a new concern.

It seems that EVERY single bar in town has the exact same beers on tap which includes Budweiser, 3 from New Belgium, and 3 from O'dells, which is a local brewery here. The problem is that I've drank these beers many times over and frankly, am tired of them. None of them are real hop monsters like the ones i'm used to in Seattle and I need a nice hoppy beer.

In the 2 1/2 months that I've been here, I've had exactly 1 beer that I loved, and it was Stone's 13th anniversary (not exactly colorado brewed). I've been to Fort Collins brewery as well as O'dells, and tried all of the different beers they have, and NB doesn't seem to really have anything super hoppy, but I wouldn't expect that from them anyway.

Does anyone have any advice?
Much thanks in advance.

[fretlessman71]

Boy, what a GREAT time for me to pop in to Realbeer for the first time in a while! Hi folks!

(Quick aside: got new iMac and am VERY busy with recording and such and teaching and gigging and all that happy horsepuckey. Drinking less beer than I did; I can only take so much anymore. Okay. As you were.)

Okay, iahebert, here goes. First off, you want to be clear: "ODELL Brewing Co." is the local brewery that makes 90 Shilling and the like. "O'Dell's" is a NA beer produced by A/B out by the freeway headed towards Wellington. I'm not trying to be pedantic or an @$$; just trying to save you from a lecture from someone who IS trying to be an @$$.

Now then: for hop monsters, don't look to NBB. Not what they're about at all. Odell makes an IPA that should impress you, as well as a new brew called St. Lupulin. Fort Collins Brewery makes an IPA as well, if somehow you missed it.

Have you been to Coopersmith's yet? It's in Old Town Square, and the main entrance is on Mountain east of College. They trot out new stuff all the time, and I know that they just released a hop BOMB loosely patterened after Odell IPA. Plus, the other beers are wonderful, the food and vibe is terrific, and, well, you get the idea.

Now, there's a place in SW FoCo called The Tap Room: http://taproomfortcollins.com/ It's just north of the Conoco on Horsetooth and Shields, and exists by day as Catalyst Coffee (so you can find it). They're only open later in the week in the evenings, but check out the website and see if there's anything interesting there for you. Plus I know firsthand that they bring some really interesting musical acts in for you dining and imbibing pleasure.

Overall, CO beers aren't "all about the hops" like the beers you're used to. There's a lot more focus on balance for most breweries. However, if you just HAVE to try a CO beer and want it to remind you of home, may I suggest Avery Brewing Co. out of Boulder. Their motto seems to be, "Subtlety? Sure, we got subtlety - we'll hit you over the HEAD with subtlety!" All kidding aside, their beers are quite excellent, and if you can't find them on tap, head over to Wilbur's on College near Whole Foods and choose a few to take home.

Welcome to God's Country - we made the weather feel just like you're probably used to, just to make you feel more at home. :D

[beerking]

Welcome back, Frett! Glad to hear you are doing well!

[iahebert]

Thanks Frett-

Haven't been to Taproom yet, but they do have my friend Pliny on tap, so I'll head over to check it out.

I do like wilburs (we've nicknamed it liquor heaven).

[fretlessman71]

Wilbur's, Pringle Bros. (Taft Hill/Drake), Supermarket (E. Mulberry), Aggie Discount (W. Mulberry), 287 Discount (S. College 1 mi. past Harmony), and LiquorMax (Loveland, E. Eisenhower/Boise) are all worthy of a trip when you get the time. Happy hunting. :)