The Not So Standard Beers at the Great American Beer Festival
The Mile High City is now Beer City for the weekend. Last night kicked off the first of four sold out sessions at the 30th annual Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center. Herds of people wearing pretzel necklaces and glasses that went from full to empty round after round navigated through the beer regions of the U.S. Inside you will find 578 breweries sampling a total of 2,700 types of beer. Pacing is key—if you sampled each beer that would come out 225 beers! Whoa Nelly
Here were five of my favorite beers that are out of the norm.
1.Chai Wheat Brewed by Pyramid Breweries in Seatttle, WA.
Who doesn’t appreciate a Chai Tea every now and again? Now there is a beer to take that taste and add a kick. The result is a well rounded, sweet and robust beer made with sweet caramel malts.
2. Headless Horseman Pumpkin Ale by Four Horsemen in South Bend, IN.
Enjoy the season with this truly distinctive pumpkin ale. This beer, inspired by American Folklore, is brewed using German Malts, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, cloves & nutmeg. Let’s just say it adds cheers to the season.
3. Sweet Potato Ale by Hamburger Mary’s Brewed in Chicago, IL
Vegetable Beer? That’s right, this is a different take on a pumpkin beer shifting the focus to yams! You will notice a sweet aroma with cinnamon, nutmeg, caramel, brown sugar and of course sweet potato.
4. Noble Rot by Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, DE.
The world’s of beer and wine collide. This beer is brewed with two unique wine grapes to add sweetness and complexity for wine drinkers looking to put a beer in their hand. Noble Rot has a spicy white wine body and a dry, tart finish.
5. Old Sour Cherry Porter by Riverton Brewing Company in Lockland, OH
Sweeten things up with a bowl of cherries..without the pits. This beer combines an Imperial Porter with fresh dark Michigan cherries that are aged it for over three months in a bourbon barrel. The brew then sit’s in a cellar for over five years to add a distinct taste!
You didn’t really think I would stop the party at five, did you? This is the GABF after all!
BONUS #6: Cocoa for Coconuts by Chicago Brewing Company in Las Vegas, NV
It’s like taking a trip to the islands. Take a moment to notice the smells of coconut and chocolate in this malty beer that leaves you with a sweet aftertaste. If you enjoy Malibu rum and other coconut drinks, then likely this will be up your alley.
There you have it 5 (plus a bonus beer) that will splash some adventure on your palette. Now get out there and and fill up those one ounce samples and remember to nibble on pretzels between.
