One year and still going... sort of.

Guess what I forgot about? It's been one year since I tapped into the beer life and started this blog. I guess the fact that it's grown by hops and bounds is a good thing. And as I've gotten busier -- writing about beer on a myriad of other sites -- the little blog that started it all has felt the brunt. I apologize for that. Sadly, the next few weeks aren't going to get much better, but stick around. By the beginning of August things should be back to some degree of normalcy. With that... here are just a few things I want to pass along:


Prospective Cicerones

Since people from across the nation have expressed interest in becoming a Certified Cicerone, Ray Daniels is expanding the number of exams this fall. This four-hour test will be held in the following cities (exact dates and times to follow):

• Boston (October or November, Monday night)
• New York (Manhatten) (October or November, Sunday during day)
• Philadelphia (October or November, Saturday during day)
• Chicago (September and November, Sunday during day)
• Kalamazoo/Ann Arbor/Detroit, MI (September and November, time TBD)
• San Diego (North county, Saturday during day)
• Oakland/Berkley (Sunday during day)
• Seattle (Monday evening)
• Denver: several sessions around GABF - Sunday Oct 5, during day; Friday Oct 10, during day; Sunday Oct 12, during day.

Speaking of GABF

Tickets for the 2008 Great American Beer Festival are now on sale. I'm a big time beer geek, and even I am having a hard time justifying the prices they're asking for admission. Evening Sessions (Thursday - Saturday) run from 5:30 to 10pm. For a mere $50 you get the "privilege" of imbibing hundreds of different beers for 4 1/2 hours with thousands of your closest friends in a noisy, raucous auditorium. The Members Only session on Saturday (12:30 - 4:30pm) is a ridiculous $78. I'm sorry... I love beer and the beer life, but not that much. Hopefully I can snag a press pass (if they exist) and get in on one of the sessions in order to write up "experience" pieces for the rest of you not fortunate enough to have the King of Beerfests in your back yard.


Once, Twice, Three Times a Brewery

The countdown to the opening of Colorado Springs newest beervana spot -- Trinity Brewing Company -- has begun. Jason and Todd received their State Liquor License to brew beer and they're in full on hire mode to get people on board, trained and ready to serve all the beery goodness they can come Friday, August 1. If you're looking for a job and want to work at what will surely become the hottest place to hang out in Colorado Springs, check out their website pronto like.

Phantom Canyon goes Ape!

Colorado Springs' Phantom Canyon Brewing Company (owned by Denver's Wynkoop if you didn't know) tapped two new brews... a Czech style pilsner and a smoked porter. The Pre-Prohibition may be a lighter brew, but at 6.7% ABV this pils packs a punch. The Silverback Smoked Porter has smooth smoked roasted flavors. Wynkoop has partnered up with the Denver-based Mountain Gorilla Conservation Fund to raise money for the endangered mountain gorillas of Africa. From now until the end of October if you buy a pint of Silverback Porter 25% of the proceeds goes to the Mountain Gorilla fund. So drink a pint of smoked porter and help save an ape!