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Costumed heroes may be flooding downtown Denver this Memorial Day weekend, but even those without super powers can order The Hulk’s beer.
Hulk’s Mash is this year’s exclusive Denver Comic Con beer, crafted by Breckenridge Brewery—the third year that it has created a special brew for the event. The mango, mosaic pale ale is available on tap at downtown Denver bars for a limited time.
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“Every year we create a completely different beer,” says Ryan Workman, brand manager at Breckenridge Brewery. “We may use it as a testing ground for something later on, but the goal is to make something unique to Denver Comic Con.”
Hulk’s Mash is a light beer with earthy notes. It’s drinkable, with a 4.5 percent ABV and an IBU of 45. One brewer is assigned to work on the recipe each year, and the final beer is selected in cooperation with convention organizers and the brewery. The name is chosen each year via social media suggestions—this year from a pool of more than 700. Due to the popularity of last year’s “Brews Wayne,” a hoppy amber, Breckenridge Brewery doubled its batch this year to 100 barrels.
The beer went on tap last week— complete with special edition tap handle— at both 1up locations, Scruffy Murphy’s, and Breckenridge Colorado Craft. (1up went through five kegs of Hulk’s Mash on the first night alone, according to spokesman Craig Bailey.) Since then, 12 local bars have added the brew to their roster, including Stout Street Social, Illegal Pete’s LoDo, 5280 Burger Bar, Tilted Kilt, and World of Beer LoDo. In addition, each bar has also been handing out limited edition pint glasses—designed by Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design student Trevor Plaza—throughout the weekend.
“Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is also a sponsor this year, so it fits with the theme of making sure it’s local and community driven and fan driven,” says Workman, noting that 2,000 glasses were commissioned this year.
Plus, for the first time this year, Breckenridge Brewery is partnering with 1up to provide a “Comic Con Canteen” inside the Denver Convention Center, with the beer on tap, tables, and arcade games. Workman also hinted at a “special game” that has yet to be unveiled.
Since Lou Ferrigno is back as a guest at this year’s convention, maybe TV’s first Hulk will even drop by for a brew.
