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Yeah, it’s time to reluctantly put the skis away, but at least you can bring these Colorado beers along for your summer activities. Since there are so many to choose from, we’ve rounded up five sure-to-please sippers for your second favorite season—all available at liquor stores in the Denver metro area.
Nadia Kali
Saison, 6.3 ABV
The summer edition of the Tank Farm Brew series has the same proprietary four-yeast blend that we love in Great Divide’s Collette, complemented by tangy, floral hibiscus. Medium-bodied Nadia Kali finishes with a fresh pop of lemon that intensifies as you drink. The result is a sublime balance of sweet, floral, fruity, and earthy: Everything you need in your new favorite warm-weather brew.
Prop Culture
Farmhouse Ale, 7.1 ABV
The flavors of this limited release develop as it ages–we waited a couple months before cracking open our corked bomber. Now, we think, is the time to imbibe this masterpiece. More than 10 strains of yeast were combined for this experimental brew, yielding a complex, fruity taste we can’t quite place. Are there notes of papaya, mango, or pineapple in this crisp, champagne-like beer? You’ll enjoy trying to decide at your next backyard dinner party.
Sticks
Pale Ale, 5.5 ABV
What’s more Coloradan than spending your Saturday afternoon biking, hiking, kayaking, or climbing with a couple of crisp, local beers in your pack? Whatever your recreation, Bootstrap’s Sticks Pale Ale is your new trail companion. At 5.5 ABV, you can sip this light-bodied brew all day, and with its bright citrus notes and grassy hops, you’ll want to. Don’t forget to scoop up its sister beer, Bootstrap’s cult hit IPA Insane Rush, for your post-adventure treat.
Ostara
Sour Ale, 4.7 ABV
Everyone’s getting excited about sours these days, so impress your bandwagoning friends with this elegant ale from Denver’s Trve Brewing Company. It’s light-bodied, cloudy, and sure to make you pucker up. Lemon peel and lemongrass make it assertively citrusy, but the addition of dandelion rounds out the delicate balance of flavors. It’s not your neighborhood watering hole’s sour.
IPL
Red Lager, 7.5 ABV
Hey, I love IPAs as much as the next (Colorado) girl, but sometimes I just want to drink something smooth. Enter Wibby’s IPL, which debuted on liquor store shelves in the Denver metro area just this year. Juicy, aromatic hops are abundant, tempered by a smooth-as-silk medium body and sweet, earthy finish. Perfect for lazy afternoons and front porch sippin’.
