Great Divide (Denver, CO)

 At this point in the trip, we’d finally hit the sandy shoal of over indulgence.  We had suckled from the greatest taps in Colorado, and now were left in somewhat of a terminal velocity of beer appreciation.  Denver alone still harbored many fine breweries…but so what?  Could it be possible that we had become so thoroughly saturated on quality ales that our red noses were getting blue?  Of course not!  All we really needed was a little exercise, stretch out those drinking muscles burn off a few hundred-beer calories, and we’d be fit for action in no time!  Fortunately, the Denver area has many fine recreation centers and a damned good climbing wall.

Denver's Laser Space Defense System

Nonetheless, even after some much needed recreation that didn’t involve drinking, we were still short on time for visiting and thoroughly appreciating much of Denver’s beers. I would mention Wynkoop’s beers here, but since we didn’t fully sample their beers, I wouldn’t be able to properly praise or defame them respectfully.  What we did have was alright, but not enough to say it was good or garbage.  We did make it down to Great Divide, however, and were able to fully document the experience enough for the enjoyment of you dear readers.

Samurai Rice Beer:  Brewed with rice, this light lager styled beer tastes much better than Saporo or Kirin Ichiban, which are just lagers from Asia.  This beer has a sweet, smooth ricey finish to it, and also packs a pretty heavy hit.  If it doesn’t meet your expectations, one of the brewers will also commit seppuku in order to maintain the honor of the brewery. 

beer vats hard at work

Scotch Ale:  This Scotch tasted like someone had just received a huge ransom from a banking institution after taking a few of their 1% highest paid employees hostage and demanding millions or they’d start depositing bits and pieces of them at various ATMs: the sweet, malty bite of revenge.

Smoked Porter:  I’m not exactly sure how one achieves a smoky taste in a beer, but some beers taste like they have had liquid smoke extract just dumped into the vats with the beer, and others actually taste good.  This one teeters on the edge of both.  I think a beer with added flavors must walk a very fine line or threaten becoming a coctail, and a terrible one at that.  I leave this one up to interpretation, but I’m personally indifferent. 

Beer snobs hard at work

Yeti Imperial Stout:  I’ve learned now that “imperial” labeling of a beer means it’s been pure bred to whoop ass.  Stronger and more powerful, it’s like a Superman kryptonian style of beer; some of that 1% super rich beer; the stuff getting passed around back stage at a Snoop Dogg concert.  Usually.  This beer indeed was, but be warned, some people like to make phony back-stage pass knock-offs that can’t walk the walk.  Great Divide also does their Stout in a variety of ways, aged in oak barrels, chocolated up, or infused with espresso, so pick and choose which one’s you like.

Rating:  423 out of 789 zombie garbage trucks.