WHERE INSIDERS SHARE THEIR OPINIONS

- Compiled by Dylan Hochstedler

1. Proboscis Simcoe American Pale Ale, 6% ABV, Four Noses Brewing Co.

With so many amazing choices out there sometimes something simple does the trick. One of my favorite beers is Proboscis Simcoe American Pale Ale by Four Noses Brewing. It is light bodied and brewed with 100% Simcoe hops, which leaves you with a hint of pineapple and passion fruit. Overall it’s a delicious, bright, well-made beer that I find myself coming back to time after time.

Gregory Tanner, Brewer/Co-Founder, Black Sheep Brewing

2. The Hopfather IPA, 7.1% ABV, Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing

I love The Hopfather from Coopersmith’s Pub and Brewing in Fort Collins. It’s one of my favorite local hop bombs and has a ridiculous amount of citrus and dank pine hop flavor and aroma. The bitterness is there, but not face melting. The light malt base makes it a perfectly balanced IPA in my opinion. Coops kind of flies under the radar with their newer hop-forward beers, but they’re really worth checking out.

Jay Shambo, Brewer, Soul Squared Brewing

3. Slow Pour Pils, 5.1% ABV, Bierstadt Lagerhaus

One of our collective favorites right now at Our Mutual Friend is Bierstadt Lagerhaus’ Slow Pour Pils. So crisp, so delicious. It’s pretty much perfection in a glass. If you swing into the Rackhouse Pub (the home of Bierstadt and C Squared Ciders) in the middle of any day you will discover all of the great reasons why it is becoming a brewing industry hangout.

Brandon Proff, Managing Partner, Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company

4. Tart’n Juicy Sour IPA, 4.5% ABV, Epic Brewing Co.

Tart’n Juicy Sour IPA by Epic Brewing is my current go-to. It is a new style that is turning into one of my favorites. The combination of sour tartness with citrus and tropical hops makes for an amazing beer. This beer fits any occasion because it is so refreshing, easy drinking and flavorful.

Ryan Kilpatrick, Owner/Head Brewer, Fiction Beer Company

5. Green Gate IPA, 6.7% ABV, High Alpine Brewing Co.

I am really about the Green Gate IPA from High Alpine brewery in Gunnison. The fresh mosaic hop is one of my favorites, and it is under appreciated. The heavy stone fruit and citrus combo that Green Gate IPA reps with the combo of mosaic and citra hops is a must try. High Alpine also has a strong connection with the surrounding community, which to me is very important.

Danny Wilson, Head Brewer, Palisade Brewing Company

6. Superpower IPA, 7.5% ABV, Comrade Brewing Co.

Superpower IPA is first introduced to you as a rich golden ale with a snow white head. The aroma is rich with ripe grapefruit and resinous pine and it carries a hint of caramel and citrus zest. At first taste there is a moment of malt sweetness from caramel malts and just the right touch of bitterness, followed by a wave of grapefruit and fresh cut pine. Superpower leaves you with a lingering hop freshness and a powerful urge to have another.

Patrick Jose, Head Brewer, Carver Brewing Co.