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If you can think of anything more Colorado than a giant beer festival in the same venue the Broncos play, let me know. Imbibe’s Collaboration Fest is returning, bigger and better, to Denver for a second year. In addition to expanding space from the Curtis Hotel to Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the number of participating breweries and resulting beers have been bumped up, meaning ticket holders will get to taste even more unique, collaborative beers concocted by teams from local and nationwide breweries. Quench your thirst with a sneak preview of five options appearing at this Saturday’s festival.
TRVE Brewing and The Bruery: Denver’s TRVE Brewing paired with California-based The Bruery to make a wit beer. Their brew-baby was fermented in white wine barrels and, according to TRVE owner Nick Nunns, has “a nice funk and wild character,” while still maintaining a mellow wit beer taste. The breweries plan to bottle the beer and have it available in taprooms and stores after Saturday’s event.
Epic Brewing and Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company’s “Midnight Mischief”: Epic joined forces with Virginia-based Devil’s Backbone to create a beer that showcased strengths of both brewhouses. Midnight Mischief is a German black lager that shares taste characteristics with a stout or porter and drinks like an IPA. Unlike traditional schwarzbiers, which are usually roasted and well-balanced, the Midnight Mischief will showcase its IPA-style hops with big flavor. The beer will be bottled at the Fest and made available in both Colorado and Virginia.
(Discover local breweries with our “Behind the Brew” series)
Ska Brewing and Stone Brewing Co.’s “Mighty Mighty Bastogne”: Durango’s Ska and Escondido, California’s ever-popular Stone Brewing have been friends in the craft beer business for over a decade. They came together to make a highly hopped tripel for this year’s fest. The Belgian ale is strong with an ABV of 11 percent, and the particular yeast strain used is from Bastogne, in Belgium (hence the name). The brew will be available in Durango, various Front Range locations, and San Diego, California.
Station 26 Brewing Co. and Cigar City Brewing’s “Snowbird”: The hopped-up brew has an ABV of 8.5 percent and is a cross between an IPA and a wheat beer. It includes freshly ground orange peel, wheat, and a variety of hops (Amarillo, Citra, Galaxy, Lemondrop, and Summer). In short: It’s a combo of Florida’s citrus and Colorado’s sunshine. Snowbird will be served on draft at the event and afterward in Station 26’s taproom.
“RyeNo Cluster Fuggle”: Brewed by six RiNo breweries (including Mockery Brewing, River North Brewery, Our Mutual Friend Brewing, Zephyr Brewing Co., Beryls Beer Co. and Brew ‘n Q), this beer is as unique as its name. This malt beer is high on the rye (50 percent of the brew) and contains Cluster and Fuggle hops. It’s also a representation of the “crazy growth and changes” that have happened in the RiNo neighborhood recently, says Mockery owner Zach Raburn. Each brewery contributed to the collaboration: Mockery and Beryls brewed the beer, Our Mutual Friend provided roasted barley, River North contributed yeast, and the others helped with the brewing process. It will be served on tap at the festival and will be available in Mockery’s and Beryls’ taprooms for a limited time after this weekend.
