Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich and brut IPA. (Photo courtesy: 300 Suns).
As the seasons change across Colorado, those who head to their favorite local restaurants, breweries and liquor stores expect to see offerings differ as well.
Of course, everyone will still have their standards, including a host of hazy/juicy IPAs, seltzers and the like, but a few of the more traditional fall beers will be added to the mix as well. With cooler temperatures and changing Aspen tress right around the corner, we checked in with a few of our favorite haunts for a sneak peek into the months ahead.
Longmont locals already know about 300 Suns Brewing, nestled just off Main Street at 335 1st Ave. According to Jean Ditslear, co-owner and “Director of Happiness,” craft brew fans can expect a trio of new beers to pair with their favorite items already on the menu.
“Every year in September we offer our Octoberfest Marzen,” Ditslear said. “Then we release our weisswurst sausage around the same time.”
Both Marzen style beer and weisswurst (white sausage) originated in Bavaria and pair well together.
Ditslear said two unique IPAs are expected this fall as well – a brut IPA and a coconut latte black IPA.
“The brut IPA takes after a brut wine, meaning it’s meant to have a dry taste on your tongue,” Ditslear said. “That goes great with our Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich.”
And finally, the coconut latte black IPA …
“That’s gonna be good,” Ditslear predicted. “And I’m thinking that’ll go really well with our Bacon Onion Jam burger … A little savory, a little sweet.”
The Post, located near the intersection of Hover and Hwy. 119 at 1258 S. Hover, is famous for its selection of brews and, of course, fried chicken.
And they really are famous. In fact, The Post is fresh off its second stint on Guy Fieri’s ever-popular show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, which aired on Aug. 11. (The show’s title is “Ocean Eats and a Chicken Feast” and features seafood in Los Angeles before heading to Colorado.)
Meanwhile, The Post’s Head Brewer, Nick Tedeschi, gave some insight as to what to expect in the coming months.
“You can always count on Oktoberfest beers and wet hop beers this season,” Tedeschi said. “Nothing says early Autumn to me quite like a malty and clean Oktoberfest lager, and fresh wet hop beers celebrate the mid-August hop harvest from our local hop farms.
“Also pumpkin beers. Always pumpkin beers.”
As for some good food pairings, what could go better with just about any beer than some excellent fried chicken? But, while that’s what The Post is famous for, Tedeschi had some other recommendations as well.
“I tend to like to pair these with foods that are earthy, herbaceous and heavily roasted – like roasted chicken or pork, roasted veggies and smoked foods. You also can’t go wrong pairing an Oktoberfest beer with a large pretzel.”
Oskar Blues will continue to serve its famous Dale’s Pale and its different variations, including Dale’s light and Dale’s Double IPA. Other stalwarts include Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Hazy Blues and a host of others.
The Pumphouse Brewery, at 540 Main Street in Longmont, will also feature its variety of standard and seasonal beers this fall along with a comfortable and fun setting to sit and watch your favorite team, including CU Buffs and Denver Broncos football games.
Fall beer varieties. (Photo courtesy:
Hover Crossing Wine and Spirits).
Hover Crossing Wine and Spirits, located at 1844 Hover, is also looking forward to stocking up on its share of Oktoberfest, Marzen-style beers.
“Dry Dock, Upslope, 4 Noses, Left Hand, Ska, Great Divide and Breckenridge are some of the many Colorado breweries crafting this delicious brew,” said Hover Crossing General Manager Rick Hines. “It’s available now and rapidly sells out!”
He recommended Marzens with bratwurst, schnitzel or the ever-popular pretzel and cheese.
Hover Crossing also plans to stock a selection of pumpkin beers, which Hines recommended pairing with “a campfire, warm sweater and fall vibes in Colorado.”
Heading further into fall toward the holiday season, Hover Crossing also plans to stock a host of different wines.
“Pairing the right wine can make all the difference in our holiday meals,” Hines said. “Having a buttery chardonnay and a pinot noir on the Thanksgiving table will elevate all those amazing dishes we look forward to every year.”
Hines also loves to “take a step back in the history of wine with the ancient style called mead.”
“Mead is a wine typically made by fermenting honey, the result is a sweet and flavorful nectar that can be enjoyed without the nuisance of pesky food getting in the way.”
So, hitch up your lederhosen, pour yourself an Oktoberfest and get ready to enjoy some cooler weather this fall in Colorado.
By Ross Maak | Longmont Magazine
