If you're coming from the east you have either just come from, or
have been driving toward the magnificent San Juan range of the Rockies.
When you turn to drive through Ridgway over the bridge that spans the
Uncompaghre River you'll see the huge trees that shade a grassy lawn and
children's park. Along the dirt road that boarders the park you may
notice the True Grit Cafe and start to be transformed back to an old
John Wayne Western.
The Colorado Boy is situated in the heart of
this western movie set in the mountains. If you're not paying
attention you could pass through this small town without notice. The brewery is on the next dirt road off the main drag in a building
that once was a brothel and pretty rough bar. Folks in town will tell
you of a time when cowboys would ride up on horse back and most people
would keep their distance from the frequent bar fights. You wouldn't
know it now looking at the quaint little brewery that occupies the
corner. When you walk into the brewery you may think you have just
entered a small pub in Britain with it's wood finishing and warm
colors.
Take a seat a one of the few tables that line the wall or
belly up to the bar and you'll see the beer list of usually about 4
beers on CO2 and 1 on cask. Typically you'll find a blond, red, pale
ale and IPA, all nice and malty with light hops in a more traditional
British style. The brewery part of the pub is open so patrons can
observe the 7 barrel system while enjoying a pint. If it's a nice day you can sit outside at a picnic table and view the pinnacles of the Cimarron Range.
The first
time I visited this brewery, two years ago before moving here, the
"cuisine" consisted of complimentary popcorn and paninis. Since then,
the popcorn machine has died and the menu converted to gourmet pizzas. I
have to admit the pizzas are amazing but the day the popcorn machine
died, I wanted to weep. Don't plan on stopping for lunch because as
simplicity is the key here, modest space, menu and hours apply. They
are only open from 4-9pm Tuesday- Sunday.
http://www.coloradoboy.com/Home_Page.html
Watching the Nightmare Before Christmas
and drinking a Deviant Dales just seemed fitting. This is a great
occasional beer for me. Deviant Dale's is Oskar Blues IPA that clocks
in at 8.0%. And let me tell you, after drinking one of these tall
boys, you know it! A while back I had the opportunity to have a head
to head taster with Heady Topper, and east coast fav that I thought
mostly closely matched a Deviant, and I liked the Deviant better.
Heady topper was most definitely hop heady, but in an engine oily
kind of way. Dales has a nice maltyness but doesn't have the hops to
cover the alcohol kick at the end.
I'm pretty sure this was the first craft beer I ever had in a can. I wish I could remember the occasion, but it instantly became one of my favorites. I'm also pretty sure this beer paved the way for craft beer canning. Which also made it instantly one of my favorites. For a long time living in New Mexico, Dale's Pale Ale was a novelty that I couldn't get everywhere, so I would pick up a palate every chance I could. The difference was the malty sweet finished that followed the light hoppy aroma. Now with the choices I have available and maybe a change in palate, I still enjoy a good Dale's from time to time but the sweet finish is now a limiting factor. No doubt though, this is "A huge voluminously hopped mutha of a pale ale".
