Back At The Ranch, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

“THE MOUNTAINS HAVE RULES. THEY ARE HARSH RULES, BUT THEY ARE THERE. AND, IF YOU KEEP TO THEM YOU ARE SAFE." -Walter Bonatti

In the shadow of Buffalo Mountain; Dillon Reservoir. Sapphire Point Overlook between Dillon and Breckenridge, 4/15/2023. 

     Majestic views. Everywhere. Can say that about just about anyplace you travel if said views are not your everyday. We looove Colorado. Civilization and the wild coexist there. Like the Ocean, the Mountains. Respect your surroundings and you'll experience unparalleled Stoke. Our third day was one of sunshine, red rocks, snow covered peaks, and more beer. Stunning. Day 4- spent back at the Ranch. Hangin' out with family. Breaking bread. Washing it all down with moonshine. And beer. Superb. How do you know you had the Stoke? Time flies. It did. 

Red Rocks, 4/15/2023.

New Terrain Coco Bound.

Brown Ale with hints of

toasted coconut and cocoa.

Dark brown pour with light

brown 2 finger head. 27 IBUs,

5.5% ABV. Nice beer.

 Rated an A-.

Idaho Springs

 

Tommyknocker protection kit.

TK Brewery, downtown Idaho Springs.

Fruit Forest IPA. Tommyknocker
stoke! 6.8% ABV, 48 IBUs. Poured
a hazy orange. Thin off-white head.
Piney. Lemon-limey. Rated a B+. 

Elevation: 12,987ft. Impressive Peak 8. Breckenridge, CO. 4/15/2023

RMU- True mountain culture, Breckenridge.

Downtown Breck.

Dillon Dam Brewery.

Mainstay brown ale.

Sweet George's. Dark pour.

Khaki head. Smooth,malty. Great

BBQ pair. 5.4% ABV. Rated a B.

Family gathering, back at the ranch. Littleton, CO. 4/16/2023

10th Mountain Colorado Clear.

Moonshine. On the rocks (of

course). Splash of lime. Moon-

shie at it's finest. Rated an A+.

   

Clear orange pour. Finger+

white head. Baskets of apricots.

 Light malts. Subtle bitter sweet.

  Dry Dock's Apricot Blonde.

 17 IBUs. 5.1% ABV. Refreshing

CO brew. Another B+ rating.

Badass View. Great Food. Phenomenal Family!

Rocky Mountain Way, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

West of the Atlantic, east of the Rockies. God's country- Littleton, CO. 4/13/2023

Spent the last year, Rocky Mountain Way

Couldn't get much higher
Out to pasture, think it's safe to say
Time to open fire

-Joe Walsh

      April. Too cold to surf. Returned to the Rockies. Been almost eleven years. Love to say we went to take advantage of the winter sports. Not so. However. Even in April, Breckenridge and the surrounding areas were getting a powder fresh cover. Did ice over pretty quick if'n ya didn't hit it early. Noone ever accused us of bein' early birds. Not really there for the powder...or ice. Landing in Denver, we were in need of an off campus diversion. This part of the "range" the temps will power fluctuate. Snowfall in the low 30s. Sunlight in the upper 60s. Perfect. It just so happens that Colorado is also known for it's beer. Part of the Rocky Mountain way. The Sages- our Aunt and Uncle- did some pre-investigation and provided the ideal itinerary. No shortage of breweries  (or beer) in a relatively short radius. Sweet!

UG, Lariat Lodge. Littleton, CO. 4/13/2023 

Side bar here. Last couple times in CO - altitude sickness.

We came in from Chicago. Cross country. Dull headache.

Dulls the senses. This time, dropped in from above.

No sooner than wheels down, unpacked, out to

Lariat Lodge Brewing. Green Chile, a CO specialty. Mad

Elk Burger (eat the locals). Beer. Found my cure to AS.

Lariat beer. Some lagers. Blondes. 

Couple IPAs. Myself? Partial to

 the Gogmagog. A golden Belgian 

Strong Ale. 9.9% ABV. 28 IBU.

Great food. Great beer.

 A definite go-back.

                                                                         

Rocky Mountain Mule Deer takin' it all in.

Left Hand Brewing, Longmont, CO. 4/14/2023

Day 2 of the Lower Rockies beer tour. Air temps 

running about 32-34 deg. Light, wet snow falling.

 Known for their Nitros, Left Hand still had

 quite the diversity in beer selection. Sours.

 IPAs. Ambers. Porters. Stouts. Even a Tripel. 

Some Nitro. Some not. 

Chill tasting room. Plenty of Stoke.

On the Left... Sour, IPA, Porter,

and my top pic - Galactic Cowboy

Nitro Imperial Stout. 

9% ABV. 44 IBUs. 

Keep ya warm in the CO cold.

Colorado staple. Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids and Solids. Longmont, CO.

Brewpub. Where there is beer, there must be fuel to absorb the alcohol y'all.

Had an incredible beer garden with stage. Must be rock'in in the warmer climes.

Paired our flight with smoked Whiskey BBQ Wings and Artichoke Dip.

Around the corner, also in Longmont. The Tasty Weasel.
Area's original OB taproom. Some merch...and a Ten Fidy
Imperial Stout (10.5%/65 IBUs) to help with decisions.

Wide selection. Lemon and Blueberry Sours,
Double Dale's Pale (must have). and the top
line Ry'd IPA at 6%ABV/55 IBUs.

Last call. Circle 'round to New Terrain Brewing. Golden, CO. 4/14/2023
By this time the snow was comin' down wet 'n heavy. No real accumulation except in the higher altitudes. That would be a concern for the next day. For now. More beer. Plenty to pour from and get warm before heading back to the ranch.

By this point- Wife

had AD converted.

Sours... their final

answer. Did a Kolsh,

Cream Ale, Walk in

 the Parfait (rasp- 

berry yogurt 5.5%

 sour - their top pic),

Hazy IPA, and

 Coco Bound (5.5% 

coconut brown ale- 

UD's and my top).

'Nuff said! Golden, CO. 4/14/2023

Between Here And There, cuts from the Rogue's notes.

The "here" of Spring, eight years ago. Didn't like rubber then either, but it was worth it.
Need to get back "there." Holiday's, mid-Spring, 2015.

     Still in the space between the here of border chill temps, and the there of seasonal warming. Water is still bordering upper forties, to 50, to lower fifties- depending on nighttime conditions. Between the here of no surf and there of sessions past. Dreamin' of surf yet to come. I'll even take a paddle on the back canals. Whatever is given. Be grateful. Come on warm weather!

     Salty Jawns, a Lime Gose collab between Lewes' Big Oyster Brewery and Phillie's Yards Brewing. Nice brew pic for the snapshot of the moment. Golden pour with a thin white head. Plenty of grassiness and briny lime in the aromas. Salted lime, wheat, and grains in the flavor profile. No IBU listed. Estimated at about 15. Only 4.5% ABV, making multiples very realistic. Light. Refreshing. Enjoyable. More so if I had been able to start the his year's surf. Rated a solid B.

“Nothing ever tasted better than a

 cold beer on a beautiful afternoon

with nothing to look forward to than

more of the same.”     -Hugh Hood