There’s no end in sight for the Centennial State’s burgeoning distillery and microbrewery scene. According to the American Distilling Institute (ADI), the number of licensed distillers in Colorado has grown from zero to 41 over the past decade, which is twice the national average.
In April, Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel hosted ADI’s 10th annual Craft Spirits Conference & Vendor Expo, the largest convention of craft distillers in America. More than 700 people were in attendance and Colorado’s very own Montanya Distillers, makers of rum in Crested Butte, was named 2013 Craft Distillery of the Year. In addition to the expo, there were public and private craft spirit tastings and cocktail events in Denver, including the American Craft Spirit & Cocktail Showcase and the Colorado Craft Cocktail Map hosted by EatDenver. The map guided people to independently owned restaurants that were serving 29 special cocktails made with Colorado craft spirits.
Here are the latest reasons to consider adding tours and tastes to your gatherings, especially several of Colorado’s mountain burgs:
-Two Guns Distillery opened in Leadville this spring as a salute to this mountain town’s long heritage of whiskey making. Wild West Whiskey, Single Six Rocky Mountain Moonshine and B.A. Dallas Black Label Whiskey are being bottled.
-Woody Creek Distillers not only is packaging the goods, the company is growing its own potatoes and sourcing local spring water from near its Basalt location. With a 10,000 square-foot distillery and tasting room for sampling their two ultra-premium vodkas, Woody Creek plans to release four specialty spirits in 2013, including baby bourbon, gin, apple brandy and pear eau de vie.
-Ark Valley Libation Society in Lake and Chaffee Counties (home to towns like Leadville, Salida and Buena Vista) was created by local craft wine, beer and spirit makers to educate, advocate and promote the responsible enjoyment of these adult beverages in the Upper Arkansas River Valley.
-Ute Pass Brewing Co. in nearby Woodland Park opened a 3,200-square-foot brewery in April, joining BierWerks and Paradox Beer Company in serving up local suds. Ute Pass Brewing plans to pour four to six of its own beers as well as other Colorado brews and to serve tamacos, a cross between tamales and tacos.
