Breckenridge Brewery & Pub

Across the street from the base ski lift in Breckenridge, Colorado stands Breckenridge Brewery & Pub at 600 S. Main St. The spacious two story building is well lit and has a relaxed blend of natural wood and glass. One striking feature is placement of the brewing equipment, three feet behind the bar with no wall in between! Batches of 310 gallons are done every one or two days to fill the 620 gallon fermenters. Over 500 pounds of grains high on the second floor find themselves crushed in a two roller mill, sucked through the Blue Cyclone and funneled into the premasher for about 20 minutes before ending up in the mash/lauter tun. After brewing, chilling, and aging, the beer disappears into the basement for filtering and carbonating, finally coming to rest in one of seven serving tanks. From a brew-side seat at the long stone bar, patrons can experience the intense aromas escaping the nearby boil kettle during the hop additions and from the hop remains during their extraction. Some hops from British Columbia find their way into recipes here but all other hops as well as grains are American.

Of the six brews on tap, all were very clear and except for the Light, creamy foam heads were the rule. The Mountain Wheat at 60/40, was a light straw color, well carbonated and yielded a pleasant hop aroma and almost tart hop flavor (Saaz). The Breckenridge Light was a medium amber color, owing to the caramel and chocolate malt used, had light carbonation, a malty aroma and a light malt flavor. This one was touted as "The Dark Light Beer." The IPA appeared a clear golden color and showed plenty of carbonation, a hoppy aroma, and a very noticeable hop flavor and aftertaste (dry hopped). The Avalanche was a dark amber color, well carbonated with an attractive hop/malt balance and a memorable hop flavor. The Anniversary Ale, dark amber and well carbonated, had a malty, roasted flavor and aftertaste. The Oatmeal Stout was opaque with a roasted barley aroma, a mild body and an indecisive flavor character between sweet and dry but finished on the dry side.

Now celebrating its two year anniversary, it looks like Breckenridge Brewery & Pub is offering the right mix of food, drink, and atmosphere to attract the skier and non-skier alike and the marketplace is showing its appreciation by strongly supporting the efforts to make this multi-million dollar venture succeed. Brewery souvenirs as well as 22 oz., 5 gallon, and 15.5 gallon "to go" containers are available. Noticeably uncharacteristic for this relatively progressive state, Colorado does not allow Sunday retail sales of quality beer.

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub
600 S. Main Street
Breckenridge, CO. 80424
(970)453-1550

Reviewed by Tom Ciccateri - January, 1993

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