Friday in Denver for GABF week is one of the crazier days one can experience, with side events scattered around the city that pull for a beer geek’s attention. I started the day with a quick sit-down conversation with Sam Calgione of Dogfish Head brewing. I am certain you’ve read it before, but Sam is a fascinating character who is full of enthusiasm and wit, and sitting one-on-one with him for a good amount of time just drove home how cool the beer industry is. From this I had about an hour to sit and go through emails, write yesterday’s blog post and just relax a bit before moving on to the next thing.

I made the brisk walk to Falling Rock without incident, it seems I am really getting to know Denver streets after several trips. I was impressed walking in that at 11:00 AM the place was already busy, all the seats taken and many folks standing with their beer. As much as I wanted to check out the tap list for the hour (it rotates pretty quick) I instead did the right thing and walked downstairs to check in as a judge for this year’s Alpha King Challenge, a beer judging event that awards the best hoppy beer. Before the first beers were presented the rules of the event were laid out: this wasn’t an event to award the most bitter beer, but the beer that best showcases hop characteristics (aroma, flavor, bitterness).

As the first beer was poured in round one it became apparent this was going to be a daunting task, the beer was an absolute hop bomb! The aroma was massive, the flavors bold and with excessive bitterness. It was an exceptional beer and fears began to settle in that choosing one or two beers from our flight would prove to be quite difficult. Sure enough, once beer number 12 was poured it was time to pick the beers to pass on to the Best of Show round. After some negotiation, debate and wrangling, we had the beers chosen. Ah, round one complete.

I was then honored with an invite to sit on the Best of Show panel and before I knew it, I was sitting with some wonderful and knowledgeable judges and twelve more beers that other judging panels thought worthy of a BOS nod. As difficult as round one was, it was immediately apparent that choosing the “best” beer on the table would be incredibly difficult. I don’t know how long we sat there and battled out the winners and runner-ups, but it was evidently the fiercest competition anyone remembered – we definitely went over time on this one. In the end we chose our winners:
- Third Place, Chama River Brewing Co. IPA
- Second Place, Boundary Bay Brewing Co. IPA
- First Place, Port Brewing Hop-15

I think it is safe to say that this was one of the most difficult judging experiences I have had, right up there with the Toronado Barleywine Festival and The Bistro’s IPA Festival. Not only are beers like these rough on the palate, they also are high in alcohol and great attention is required to keep yourself in check. In all there were 72 beers judged at this year’s event.

After I was done making my good-byes I had to beat feet to get to the Denver Marriott for Redstone Meadery’s “Get Back to Your Roots” event. Here there was a plethora of great meads (honey wine) from Redstone and other meaderies from around the world. I can’t tell you how happy my palate was to dip into one of these, going from beers pushing 100 IBUs to drinks with no measurable IBUs. I suppose there was one exception, the Nectar of the Hops which is a dry-hopped mead that has a bright hop aroma and a touch of flavor imparted in the process. I also sampled some of Redstone’s “Reserve” series meads, which have been well aged, and some of the meads made from around the world (Medovina was pretty fantastic too). I was very happy to find my way to this event, it was laid back and easy to enjoy – and I got to meet James Spencer for the first time!

It was time for me, once again, to hustle back to the Colorado Convention Center for day two of the GABF and some more interviews and work-related activities. I didn’t have a whole lot of beer on the floor for this session, but found some lovely Belgian beers brewed by Brugge and The Bruery. Of course I had to find Dark Horse to sample some of their stuff, Scotty Karate being particularly good for my tired palate. Before I knew it, it was time for me to make my way back to Falling Rock to cap off a long day.

Falling Rock had a pretty special event going on downstairs, an “around the world” tasting of some of Dogfish Head’s less common beers, an event hosted by All About Beer. Given it was Sam, the rock star, the crowd downstairs was exceptional so I opted to find space upstairs and enjoy a few Belgian sour ales with my dad and uncle, as well as a number of brewers, importers and distributors in attendance (and beer writers, podcasters, web personalities). I really can’t say enough about Hansen’s Oude Kriek, but the Cantillon Cuvee de Champions also did a great job of capturing my attention. As the night progress the faces changed, people rolled in as others wandered out. The weather had finally made a turn and outside it was getting cold, which caused many to either crowd inside or find warmth elsewhere. I don’t know, I thought it was beautiful outside, and as I finally made my exit it was just starting to mist, gently wetting the ground and windshields of parked cars.

I’m a bit sad that today is the last day of the GABF, I have 20 minutes before I am due to be on the floor. That said, my body is certainly looking forward to a much-deserved break after a very long.