Ska Brewery (Durango, CO)

Later that day, we made a slow mosey from Carver to the industrial park of Durango to find one of the larger-named breweries on our tour: Ska brewery.  Ska has certainly made a name for itself over the 15-odd years it’s been in business.  Though Ska and Steamworks opened around the same time, Ska has certainly pulled away as far as distribution and can be found in liquor stores and bars throughout the West. 

 

Though Ska does some good staple beers such as Pinstripe Red and Decadent IPA, their alternative or speacialty beers were found lacking in quality.  If you’re one for hoppier beers with a sweeter side to them, than Ska certainly struts its stuff, but as far as their other beers, we felt a little let down.  Nonetheless, not all breweries strive to have the best of ALL kinds of beers, and more often than not just stick to their guns, so if your drinking Ska anytime soon, consider the following.

Decadent IPA:  One of Ska’s staple beers, the Decadent shows up at parties in my mouth unannounced, with a grip of its skankster friends with gold teeth.  Yeah, by morning there will be holes in the cushions of your couch and Mom’s favorite lamp is broken, but damn if that wasn’t fun!

Organic Belgium Dubbel bock:  Dark, subtle, sensitive, charismatic.  “Shouts and yells at my mouth!  It throws hops at my tongue!”  Ali reserves the right to her own opinion about this beer, but I still think it’s alright. 

True Blonde Ale:  True blonde?  Please, I know highlights when I see them, and this beer is all phony.  Ali, being more a dirty and truer blonde (and more a fan of Nimbus’ Dirty Gurera) could only smirk and sneer at this bimbo-beer.  So light in taste and color, you’d almost think that the carbonation in this beer is an implant!  You’re better off saving some money and getting a 12-pack of PBR.

Buster Nut Brown Ale:  A lot of people who like brown ales support their choice in palate by referring to New Castle or Moosedrool, two popular and unimaginative brown ales.  They’re not bad, but not impressive, but that’s not to say brown ales can’t be good.  Indeed, many are, especially nut browns.  Ol’ Buster here isn’t bad, but falls into that category of being dark enough for people who associate with Bud Lite to drink around real beer drinkers and pretend like they’re cool and know a thing or two about beer.  Nice try, Buster, but no dice.

 

Ska Special ESB:  “Gaghhhhh!”  Ali certainly has a way of expressing herself and really hitting it on the head.  Truer words, Ali, truer words…

Rating:  4992—12 out of 54637.00001 Barbie doll eating sharks.