#collaborationfest

Cart-Driver: Small but Mighty @cart_driver #DenverRestaurants #woodfiredpizza #DenverHappyHour

You know what I like about small restaurants? I’m talking small in size, as well as menu. My theory is that with limited space, they have to be very deliberate about the equipment they use, paring it down to what’s truly essential. And with a smaller menu, that means they can focus on doing those few dishes really well. (Haven’t we all wondered about some restaurants with menus that are…

Success. Its the best word to describe Collaboration Fest 2014. I have been to other beer festivals before, but this was by far one of my favorite. Not only did I get the chance to try over 35 new brews, there was enough for everyone! I've seen problems at festivals in the past where breweries come unprepared and run out before the festival is over. Not at Collaboration Fest. I stayed until the very end and the party was still poppin'.

I pretty much enjoyed everything I tasted, but I was smart enough to write down some of my favorites before I imbibed too much. In no particular order, here they are:

Black Fox Brewing and TRVE Brewing Collaboration: A rustic saison fermented in white wine barrels.

This was the only beer I had that I went back for seconds. It was absolutely amazing. I'm slightly biased because I have an obsession with saisons, but wow, this one was good. Lots of funkiness and peppery notes that you would expect in a saison with a clean white wine finish that wasn't too sweet. How can I get a barrel of this shipped to my house?

Oskar Blues and Shamrock Brewing: Death By Coconut

This coconut and dark chocolate porter literally tasted just like my recipe for coconut macaroons (which were dipped in chocolate). I know what you're thinking, "It must've been a sugar overload!" Well, you're wrong. It had all the amazing flavors without being too sugary sweet. If you are too lazy to throw together my recipe, go grab yourself a Death by Coconut.

Wit's End Brewing and Colorado Cider Company: Cibeertron 

Never before have I had a cider/beer mix. It has the spice from the yeast and the tartness from the apples. It reminded me of a farm-fresh apple pie.  If I ever cooked apples in booze again, I would do it in this.

Elevation Beer Company and Epic Brewing AKA Epication: Blackberry Saison

At this point, I was kind of drunk. You can tell from my notes because for this one, I just wrote, "Blackberry Saison is off da hook!" This is not a great description at all. From what I remember though, it had tart blackberry flavors in the forefront and the typical saison profile underlying it. I hope they bottle/sell this so I can try it again.