Wall of Fallen gets new name
By Katherine Weadley
(Redstone Review Newspaper)
Tow truck driver Dennis DeVeny died at age 53 in the line of duty in Longmont on April 7th. He was driving a tow truck for Blue Sky Towing of Longmont. He will be honored at the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum (ITRHFM ) in Chatanooga, Tenn. and his name will be placed on a plaque on their “Wall of the Fallen” Saturday, Sept. 20th.
This wall, according to the ITRHFM mission statement, serves to “honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to generate public awareness of the dangers involved in the towing and recovery industry and to permanently record and commemorate those involved in fatalities in the towing and recovery industry.” The wall was officially dedicated on Sept. 6, 2006. At that time 94 names were unveiled on brass nameplates. This ceremony was the first annual name unveiling and will continue to be held every year in Chattanooga on the third Saturday in September. DeVeny’s name will be on that plaque.
DeVeny was a graduate of Lyons High School and raised three children who also graduated from Lyons High School. His daughter, Missy Boone still lives in Lyons. His other two children, Tyson and Ashley DeVeny live in Wyoming, according to his sister, Deb Babler of Longmont. Babler is the Town Clerk of Lyons.
‘Died in the line of duty’ is a phrase often associated with firefighters and police. However, according to ITRHFM, the men and women of the towing industry assist the motoring public every day of the year, 24 hours a day in all types of weather and hazardous conditions. They risk their lives in everything from simply changing a tire to working complex recoveries at accident scenes. The ITRHFM calculates that upwards of 100 towing operators die in the line of duty annually.
Karen Marr is the office manager for both Tom’s American Towing and Blue Sky Towing in Longmont. She worked with DeVeny at Blue Sky Towing. “It’s a dangerous profession. Cars don’t slow down or get over anymore. Truckers even, they don’t get over. Years ago, you’d see flashing lights and you’d get over if you could. The guys are a target out there.” Marr thinks it is great that DeVeny’s name will be placed on the Wall of the Fallen. “He passed away doing what he loved to do. Any of the guys I work with would deserve it. He is greatly missed and always will be,” she said.
Dennis DeVeny was Deb Babler’s little brother. She says that DeVeny was driving a tow truck behind a tourist bus on April 7th in Longmont when luggage began spilling out of the compartments. “He wanted to help because that’s who he was. He was a nice guy,” she said. DeVeny flagged down the bus driver and they pulled over to the side of the road. “Dennis had a heart attack right there in the tow truck on the side of the road and died,” said Babler. “He had been a tow truck driver off and on his whole life and he really enjoyed it,” Babler said. “He died trying to help others.”
Monday, December 1, 2008
Park ranger receives national award
By Katherine Weadley
Hiking, biking, kayaking, hunting, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fishing are some of the more popular things to do at Ridgway State Park, near Ouray. Just ask Montrose resident and Lyons High School graduate Johnathon Freeborn -- he’s a park ranger there. However, Freeborn’s not just any park ranger; he’s a Senior Park Ranger and was recently recognized as one of the top park rangers in the country.
A Web site dedicated to camping enthusiasts called Reserve America recognized Freeborn as one of the "country's top rangers who dedicate their careers to serving park visitors while preserving the country's public lands for future generations," according to one of the Reserve America web sites (www.thecampingclub.com).
Freeborn, along with four others received the silver medal. The national gold medal winner, the top honor for the year, went to Joseph Aniskiewicz of Darien Lakes State Park in the New York. Freeborn was nominated by another park ranger he worked with at Sylvan Lake State Park near Eagle before coming to Ridgway three years ago.
The entire states park division and the staff at Ridgway State Park should share the credit, according to Freeborn. “It’s the whole division that should get the credit,” he said.
Customer testimonials were included as part of the nomination process for the award. Camper Julia Parker wrote, "I have known John since he worked up at Sylvan Lake State Park as a park ranger. Johnathon Freeborn always followed the very necessary laws and rules of the park to a tee...but the exception to John is that he treats all people, including the people violating the rules with respect and compassion.”
Freeborn was born to Lois and John Freeborn in 1975. An only child he grew up in Lyons and graduated from Lyons High School in 1993. His dad said “He was always a leader. He played sports and took over the Christian Athletes program at the school. I’m not surprised at his success in the park system. He’s committed, determined.”
Freeborn always wanted to work outside. “One of the glories of the job is being able to be outside,” said Freeborn. Originally, according to his dad, Freeborn wanted to be a division wildlife officer, but instead he made his mark in the park system. After high school Freeborn went to college at Colorado State University and received his degree in wildlife biology in 2001. During the winters he worked at a camping and gear store in Ft. Collins and in the summer he was a seasonal park employee. “He almost starved to death going to college but he got it done,” said his dad.
Winning this award hasn’t slowed Freeborn down. This week he’s in Boat Accident Reporting and Investigating training in Pueblo. He’s also in the process of taking First Responder classes. First Responders are just shy of an Emergency Medical Technician designation. “He has had to attend several motorcycles versus vehicle accidents around here lately. The motorcycle never wins,” said Rhonda Palmer, Ridgway Park Visitor Services Manager.
In addition, he and several other rangers took an ESPN sports television crew off-roading to film in Grand Mesa. “You can’t really see me in the shots, I’m too far away,” said Freeborn. He was the only park ranger from Ridgway to attend the ESPN shoot.
At the beginning of November, Freeborn and another Ridgway Park Ranger, Scott Rist, took two physically challenged hunters out to hunt deer in Ridgway Park. “They both had their bucks by noon,” said Palmer. According to Palmer the mobility impaired hunters from Utah got into vehicles, drove to the designated hunting spots, then got into their wheelchairs and went as far as they could. Then they got out and crawled. Rist and Freeborn were on hand to help them through the entire process.
Palmer says that these hunts aren’t frequent. You need to have willing park rangers plus it is necessary to get permission a long time in advance from the Department of Wildlife. “Freeborn is a sweetheart, he’s really just great. He does so much,” said Palmer.
Freeborn’s dad credits Freeborn’s success to discipline. “He never got in trouble. He probably had more discipline than I did. Plus, he’s a single guy and all of his time goes to the park, furthering his own education and making sure the park is a great place to visit.”
By Katherine Weadley
Hiking, biking, kayaking, hunting, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fishing are some of the more popular things to do at Ridgway State Park, near Ouray. Just ask Montrose resident and Lyons High School graduate Johnathon Freeborn -- he’s a park ranger there. However, Freeborn’s not just any park ranger; he’s a Senior Park Ranger and was recently recognized as one of the top park rangers in the country.
A Web site dedicated to camping enthusiasts called Reserve America recognized Freeborn as one of the "country's top rangers who dedicate their careers to serving park visitors while preserving the country's public lands for future generations," according to one of the Reserve America web sites (www.thecampingclub.com).
Freeborn, along with four others received the silver medal. The national gold medal winner, the top honor for the year, went to Joseph Aniskiewicz of Darien Lakes State Park in the New York. Freeborn was nominated by another park ranger he worked with at Sylvan Lake State Park near Eagle before coming to Ridgway three years ago.
The entire states park division and the staff at Ridgway State Park should share the credit, according to Freeborn. “It’s the whole division that should get the credit,” he said.
Customer testimonials were included as part of the nomination process for the award. Camper Julia Parker wrote, "I have known John since he worked up at Sylvan Lake State Park as a park ranger. Johnathon Freeborn always followed the very necessary laws and rules of the park to a tee...but the exception to John is that he treats all people, including the people violating the rules with respect and compassion.”
Freeborn was born to Lois and John Freeborn in 1975. An only child he grew up in Lyons and graduated from Lyons High School in 1993. His dad said “He was always a leader. He played sports and took over the Christian Athletes program at the school. I’m not surprised at his success in the park system. He’s committed, determined.”
Freeborn always wanted to work outside. “One of the glories of the job is being able to be outside,” said Freeborn. Originally, according to his dad, Freeborn wanted to be a division wildlife officer, but instead he made his mark in the park system. After high school Freeborn went to college at Colorado State University and received his degree in wildlife biology in 2001. During the winters he worked at a camping and gear store in Ft. Collins and in the summer he was a seasonal park employee. “He almost starved to death going to college but he got it done,” said his dad.
Winning this award hasn’t slowed Freeborn down. This week he’s in Boat Accident Reporting and Investigating training in Pueblo. He’s also in the process of taking First Responder classes. First Responders are just shy of an Emergency Medical Technician designation. “He has had to attend several motorcycles versus vehicle accidents around here lately. The motorcycle never wins,” said Rhonda Palmer, Ridgway Park Visitor Services Manager.
In addition, he and several other rangers took an ESPN sports television crew off-roading to film in Grand Mesa. “You can’t really see me in the shots, I’m too far away,” said Freeborn. He was the only park ranger from Ridgway to attend the ESPN shoot.
At the beginning of November, Freeborn and another Ridgway Park Ranger, Scott Rist, took two physically challenged hunters out to hunt deer in Ridgway Park. “They both had their bucks by noon,” said Palmer. According to Palmer the mobility impaired hunters from Utah got into vehicles, drove to the designated hunting spots, then got into their wheelchairs and went as far as they could. Then they got out and crawled. Rist and Freeborn were on hand to help them through the entire process.
Palmer says that these hunts aren’t frequent. You need to have willing park rangers plus it is necessary to get permission a long time in advance from the Department of Wildlife. “Freeborn is a sweetheart, he’s really just great. He does so much,” said Palmer.
Freeborn’s dad credits Freeborn’s success to discipline. “He never got in trouble. He probably had more discipline than I did. Plus, he’s a single guy and all of his time goes to the park, furthering his own education and making sure the park is a great place to visit.”
Tis the season for seasonal beers
By Katherine Weadley
Beer lovers wait all year for this time of year because this is the time for seasonal beers. Seasonal beers are beers with limited production and are released during a particular time of year. Julia Herz, Lyons resident and spokesperson for the national Craft Brewer’s Association in Boulder says “Seasonal beers and special release beers are the gems of the brewing world. They can come and go in a cyclical fashion, but can also be a one-time release.”
Examples of seasonal beers are pumpkin ales, harvest ales and Oktoberfest beers. According to Herz, seasonal beers focus on seasonal ingredients and highlight flavors that harmonize with the faire of the moment.
To help thirsty folk navigate the world of seasonal beers the Brewers Association has a new Web site dedicated to seasonal beer releases: www.seasonalbeerandfood.org. This site is unique to most beer Web sites because all postings come directly from the breweries themselves.
Seasonal beers are the number one selling craft beer style right now. Despite the economy, in a recent Brandweek article The Nielsen Company stated seasonal beer sales were up 29 percent in dollar sales. “Craft [dollar sales are] up 14 percent year to date, but seasonal is up 29 percent. What that is telling you is there is interest in different beer styles and variety and consumers are willing to experiment,” said Nick Lake a director at Nielsen.
An example of a seasonal beer is “Snowbound Winter Ale,” produced by Longmont’s Left Hand Brewing Company. According to the description provided by the brewer it’s a spiced strong ale brewed once a year to fight cabin fever. It uses all natural ingredients, including crushed cinnamon, chopped ginger, organge zest, cardamom and cloves. The food pairing suggestion is turkey.
Another example of seasonal beer is “Winter Warlock,” produced by Bristol Brewing Company in Colorado Springs. It is an oatmeal stout and the winner of the Silver Medal in the Foreign-Style Stout category at the 1998 Great American Beer Festival. The brewery suggest pairing this seasonal beer with dark chocolate, blue-veined cheeses and hearty winter stews.
For more suggestions on seasonal beers distributed in Colorado and their perfect food matches go to the Brewer’s Association’s Web site www.seasonalbeerandfood.org.
By Katherine Weadley
Beer lovers wait all year for this time of year because this is the time for seasonal beers. Seasonal beers are beers with limited production and are released during a particular time of year. Julia Herz, Lyons resident and spokesperson for the national Craft Brewer’s Association in Boulder says “Seasonal beers and special release beers are the gems of the brewing world. They can come and go in a cyclical fashion, but can also be a one-time release.”
Examples of seasonal beers are pumpkin ales, harvest ales and Oktoberfest beers. According to Herz, seasonal beers focus on seasonal ingredients and highlight flavors that harmonize with the faire of the moment.
To help thirsty folk navigate the world of seasonal beers the Brewers Association has a new Web site dedicated to seasonal beer releases: www.seasonalbeerandfood.org. This site is unique to most beer Web sites because all postings come directly from the breweries themselves.
Seasonal beers are the number one selling craft beer style right now. Despite the economy, in a recent Brandweek article The Nielsen Company stated seasonal beer sales were up 29 percent in dollar sales. “Craft [dollar sales are] up 14 percent year to date, but seasonal is up 29 percent. What that is telling you is there is interest in different beer styles and variety and consumers are willing to experiment,” said Nick Lake a director at Nielsen.
An example of a seasonal beer is “Snowbound Winter Ale,” produced by Longmont’s Left Hand Brewing Company. According to the description provided by the brewer it’s a spiced strong ale brewed once a year to fight cabin fever. It uses all natural ingredients, including crushed cinnamon, chopped ginger, organge zest, cardamom and cloves. The food pairing suggestion is turkey.
Another example of seasonal beer is “Winter Warlock,” produced by Bristol Brewing Company in Colorado Springs. It is an oatmeal stout and the winner of the Silver Medal in the Foreign-Style Stout category at the 1998 Great American Beer Festival. The brewery suggest pairing this seasonal beer with dark chocolate, blue-veined cheeses and hearty winter stews.
For more suggestions on seasonal beers distributed in Colorado and their perfect food matches go to the Brewer’s Association’s Web site www.seasonalbeerandfood.org.
Fans flock to Paper Bird
By Katherine Weadley
If you ever meet the three charismatic vocalists of the band Paper Bird they seem like pretty objects that you want to put in your pocket and take out later to play with. However, when you hear them sing you want to set them free and let the world share in their ethereal talent. The crowd at the Wildflower Pavilion on the ranch at Planet Bluegrass agreed since the seating was nearly at capacity despite the downpour at the roofed but open-air pavilion.
The vocalists consist of Sarah Anderson, and sisters Esmé Patterson and Genevieve Patterson. Esme and Genevieve are sisters and both graduated from Fairview High School in Boulder. They are all in their early twenties. Last year they released their first album Nameless and Joymaking. Other members of the band include Tyler Archuletta on trombone; Caleb Summeril on banjo and harmonica; Paul DeHaven on guitar and Macon Terry on acoustic guitar
I didn’t actually hear them sing on stage but I did hear them warm-up backstage and if that was any indication of their talent, let alone the rest of the band, then this band is indeed a rarity. Brian Eyster, spokesperson for Planet Bluegrass, booked the band. “A friend of a friend randomly slipped me a myspace address for the band early last winter. I listened to 1 track and I was hooked – the vocal harmonies were totally locked, the songs sounded like nothing I’d ever heard, and they had a certain pazazz in their energy. Musically, they synthesize many styles – country, 1920s jazz, indie rock, Bjork – but it’s generally impossible to play “spot the influence.” he said.
Although two of the band members are actually sisters they talk about each other as family. “We really are like a family. We live together on our bus and there’s no room and we don’t care,” said Anderson. Eyster agrees “It’s refreshing to see a band that truly identifies themselves as a band. They won’t ever say who wrote what parts, or who arranged what. Everything they do was produced together as “the band.”
They all agree that the band came together easily. All of the vocalists had been in select choral groups in their high school choirs. “We came together as a band in one day. It was supposed to happen,” said Genevieve. “We just want to tell you to follow your heart.”
The bus Paper Bird drives around in is an artsy custom-built bus that runs on grease. They drive from town to town and call ahead to find out where their bus can fill up on grease. “We don’t have another place to call home. The bus is our home,” said Esme. The entire band is environmentally conscious about how they live.
Opening Act opens up
Gregory Alan Isakov lives just outside of Lyons and was the opening act for that night’s show, and I did get to hear him sing. Backstage he is a quiet and unassuming young man. He is comfortable with himself and smiles easily. Still, he doesn’t say a lot. “I don’t like to talk. I write songs and sing them. I get nervous in the grocery store,” he said. He did say, however, that he dislikes such musical labels as “folk” or “folk rocker” because he doesn’t write to any particular style.
He may be nervous in the grocery store but he’s not on stage. It’s as if his personality stores up as much energy as possible so he can give it all when he steps out in front of the microphone. He may even have two personalities: the quiet but happy easy-going fellow; and the intense, focused, emotionally laid-open performer on stage.
Isakov was born Johannesburg, South Africa, but grew up in the Philadelphia area with his family who immigrated there. He started touring at the age of 16 with his first band. He moved to Colorado in 1999.
Isakov garnered national attention when he won the 2007 Telluride Troubadour contest. On Sept.18th he’ll play E-Town, the live national radio show at the Boulder Theater that is heard on National Public Radio. Although Isakov has toured with such musicians as Rodrigo y Gabriela, Alexi Murdoch, and Fiona Apple he remains a local’s favorite. “Ask local musicians about Gregory and they light up,” said Eyster. Dan Rose, a local bassist who tours with his band Elephant Revival, says “Gregory really understands the moment of creativity – how to tap into it and how to preserve it.”
Isakov has toured both solo and with his band "The Freight.” They released an album called "That Sea, The Gambler" in 2007.
By Katherine Weadley
If you ever meet the three charismatic vocalists of the band Paper Bird they seem like pretty objects that you want to put in your pocket and take out later to play with. However, when you hear them sing you want to set them free and let the world share in their ethereal talent. The crowd at the Wildflower Pavilion on the ranch at Planet Bluegrass agreed since the seating was nearly at capacity despite the downpour at the roofed but open-air pavilion.
The vocalists consist of Sarah Anderson, and sisters Esmé Patterson and Genevieve Patterson. Esme and Genevieve are sisters and both graduated from Fairview High School in Boulder. They are all in their early twenties. Last year they released their first album Nameless and Joymaking. Other members of the band include Tyler Archuletta on trombone; Caleb Summeril on banjo and harmonica; Paul DeHaven on guitar and Macon Terry on acoustic guitar
I didn’t actually hear them sing on stage but I did hear them warm-up backstage and if that was any indication of their talent, let alone the rest of the band, then this band is indeed a rarity. Brian Eyster, spokesperson for Planet Bluegrass, booked the band. “A friend of a friend randomly slipped me a myspace address for the band early last winter. I listened to 1 track and I was hooked – the vocal harmonies were totally locked, the songs sounded like nothing I’d ever heard, and they had a certain pazazz in their energy. Musically, they synthesize many styles – country, 1920s jazz, indie rock, Bjork – but it’s generally impossible to play “spot the influence.” he said.
Although two of the band members are actually sisters they talk about each other as family. “We really are like a family. We live together on our bus and there’s no room and we don’t care,” said Anderson. Eyster agrees “It’s refreshing to see a band that truly identifies themselves as a band. They won’t ever say who wrote what parts, or who arranged what. Everything they do was produced together as “the band.”
They all agree that the band came together easily. All of the vocalists had been in select choral groups in their high school choirs. “We came together as a band in one day. It was supposed to happen,” said Genevieve. “We just want to tell you to follow your heart.”
The bus Paper Bird drives around in is an artsy custom-built bus that runs on grease. They drive from town to town and call ahead to find out where their bus can fill up on grease. “We don’t have another place to call home. The bus is our home,” said Esme. The entire band is environmentally conscious about how they live.
Opening Act opens up
Gregory Alan Isakov lives just outside of Lyons and was the opening act for that night’s show, and I did get to hear him sing. Backstage he is a quiet and unassuming young man. He is comfortable with himself and smiles easily. Still, he doesn’t say a lot. “I don’t like to talk. I write songs and sing them. I get nervous in the grocery store,” he said. He did say, however, that he dislikes such musical labels as “folk” or “folk rocker” because he doesn’t write to any particular style.
He may be nervous in the grocery store but he’s not on stage. It’s as if his personality stores up as much energy as possible so he can give it all when he steps out in front of the microphone. He may even have two personalities: the quiet but happy easy-going fellow; and the intense, focused, emotionally laid-open performer on stage.
Isakov was born Johannesburg, South Africa, but grew up in the Philadelphia area with his family who immigrated there. He started touring at the age of 16 with his first band. He moved to Colorado in 1999.
Isakov garnered national attention when he won the 2007 Telluride Troubadour contest. On Sept.18th he’ll play E-Town, the live national radio show at the Boulder Theater that is heard on National Public Radio. Although Isakov has toured with such musicians as Rodrigo y Gabriela, Alexi Murdoch, and Fiona Apple he remains a local’s favorite. “Ask local musicians about Gregory and they light up,” said Eyster. Dan Rose, a local bassist who tours with his band Elephant Revival, says “Gregory really understands the moment of creativity – how to tap into it and how to preserve it.”
Isakov has toured both solo and with his band "The Freight.” They released an album called "That Sea, The Gambler" in 2007.
Great American Beer Fest will be hopping
By Katherine Weadley
Put on your pretzel necklace and get ready to navigate 1,884 beers from 473 different breweries. That’s a lot of beer. However, 46,000 beer lovers are expected to help drink that beer at the 27th Great American Beer Festival at the Denver Convention Center on Friday and Saturday Oct. 10 and 11th.
The GABF is the American brewing industry's top public tasting and competition event. Held in the Denver-Boulder area every year since 1982 it was created by the Boulder- based National Brewer’s Association. Julia Herz of Lyons is a spokesperson for the Brewers Association and has attended the festival since the early 90s. “This is the preeminent beer event. Over 1,900 beers are available to taste by the public and many of the brewers staff their own booths,” said Herz. Each brewery gives out one ounce samples of their brew to attendees.
In April, a Times magazine dubbed Denver “the Napa of beer.” Beer plays an important role not only in the taste buds of Coloradans but in the economy as well. According to BeerServesAmerica.com the beer culture in Colorado contributes to 67,918 jobs and $3,051,014,419 in annual wages. Colorado is also the largest beer producing state with $12.4 billion contributed annually to the state’s economy.
While the biggest celebration of American beer is just a bus ride away to Coloradans people attend from a variety of places including Europe, Hawaii and Alaska. “This festival includes international brewers, international media, and of course international beer lovers,” said Herz. “We love traveling the 3,300 miles to Denver each fall to participate in GABF and share our "Liquid Aloha" with 46,000 beer aficionados,” said Rich Tucciarone, Vice President of Brewery Operations for Kona Brewing Company on the big island of Hawaii.
While internationals may attend, the festival itself is only for American brewers. Any American brewery making commercial beer can enter. This includes large brewers such as Coors and small craft brewers such as Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales of Dexter, Mich. Every year the GABF is the largest collection of American beer ever assembled.
Over 100 professional beer judges from the United States and abroad will evaluate more than 2,800 beers. Gold, silver and bronze medals in 75 beer-style categories will be awarded. “If a brewer gets a gold medal it means they make the best example of that beer style in the United States. It’s very hard to get a medal,” said Herz. New to this year’s event are three new styles of beer including: Fresh Hop Ale, American Belgo-style Ale, and Leipzig-style Gose.
Oskar Blues Brewery of Lyons is a featured sponsor of the GABF. Every year they sponsor a tasting booth as well as the popular silent disco. According to Marty Jones, spokesperson for Oskar Blues, the silent disco has become a surprise hit and a cult favorite of the GABF. “We used to sponsor live music but it would flood the convention center with music. So we thought of a way we could allow people to dance off some beer in a quiet but hilarious way that didn’t interfere with people’s discussions about the beer tasting,” he said.
This is the third year of the silent disco. Oskar Blues sets up a club atmosphere, complete with disco ball and roped-off dance floor. They hand out 50 headphones at a time. Once dancers put on the headphones they hear the music but the onlookers don’t. “This is one more way we have of fulfilling our main purpose at Oskar Blues, and that’s spreading joy. Beer is simply the primary tool we use to spread that joy,” Jones said.
Nancy Johnson, Brewers Association Event Director is in a new position this year of sustainability coordinator. “For years, we’ve recycled the glass beer bottles and run the lights at 50 percent (turning them up to 100 percent for last call). We purposely hold the event in an area with excellent public transportation access, and additionally we’ve requested that the venue use compostable or biodegradeable serviceware at all of the concession stands,” said Johnson. This year100 percent of the GABF energy will be offset with renewable energy credits according to Johnson. “All of these things are small steps we can take to do our part in minimizing the environmental consequences of the event,” she said.
Herz suggests purchasing tickets early. “Last year the event sold out in advance and we expect the same for this year,” she said. “It’s the best chance to try beers that aren’t distributed in Colorado. If someone appreciates beer and the finer things in life this is the event for them.”
By Katherine Weadley
Put on your pretzel necklace and get ready to navigate 1,884 beers from 473 different breweries. That’s a lot of beer. However, 46,000 beer lovers are expected to help drink that beer at the 27th Great American Beer Festival at the Denver Convention Center on Friday and Saturday Oct. 10 and 11th.
The GABF is the American brewing industry's top public tasting and competition event. Held in the Denver-Boulder area every year since 1982 it was created by the Boulder- based National Brewer’s Association. Julia Herz of Lyons is a spokesperson for the Brewers Association and has attended the festival since the early 90s. “This is the preeminent beer event. Over 1,900 beers are available to taste by the public and many of the brewers staff their own booths,” said Herz. Each brewery gives out one ounce samples of their brew to attendees.
In April, a Times magazine dubbed Denver “the Napa of beer.” Beer plays an important role not only in the taste buds of Coloradans but in the economy as well. According to BeerServesAmerica.com the beer culture in Colorado contributes to 67,918 jobs and $3,051,014,419 in annual wages. Colorado is also the largest beer producing state with $12.4 billion contributed annually to the state’s economy.
While the biggest celebration of American beer is just a bus ride away to Coloradans people attend from a variety of places including Europe, Hawaii and Alaska. “This festival includes international brewers, international media, and of course international beer lovers,” said Herz. “We love traveling the 3,300 miles to Denver each fall to participate in GABF and share our "Liquid Aloha" with 46,000 beer aficionados,” said Rich Tucciarone, Vice President of Brewery Operations for Kona Brewing Company on the big island of Hawaii.
While internationals may attend, the festival itself is only for American brewers. Any American brewery making commercial beer can enter. This includes large brewers such as Coors and small craft brewers such as Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales of Dexter, Mich. Every year the GABF is the largest collection of American beer ever assembled.
Over 100 professional beer judges from the United States and abroad will evaluate more than 2,800 beers. Gold, silver and bronze medals in 75 beer-style categories will be awarded. “If a brewer gets a gold medal it means they make the best example of that beer style in the United States. It’s very hard to get a medal,” said Herz. New to this year’s event are three new styles of beer including: Fresh Hop Ale, American Belgo-style Ale, and Leipzig-style Gose.
Oskar Blues Brewery of Lyons is a featured sponsor of the GABF. Every year they sponsor a tasting booth as well as the popular silent disco. According to Marty Jones, spokesperson for Oskar Blues, the silent disco has become a surprise hit and a cult favorite of the GABF. “We used to sponsor live music but it would flood the convention center with music. So we thought of a way we could allow people to dance off some beer in a quiet but hilarious way that didn’t interfere with people’s discussions about the beer tasting,” he said.
This is the third year of the silent disco. Oskar Blues sets up a club atmosphere, complete with disco ball and roped-off dance floor. They hand out 50 headphones at a time. Once dancers put on the headphones they hear the music but the onlookers don’t. “This is one more way we have of fulfilling our main purpose at Oskar Blues, and that’s spreading joy. Beer is simply the primary tool we use to spread that joy,” Jones said.
Nancy Johnson, Brewers Association Event Director is in a new position this year of sustainability coordinator. “For years, we’ve recycled the glass beer bottles and run the lights at 50 percent (turning them up to 100 percent for last call). We purposely hold the event in an area with excellent public transportation access, and additionally we’ve requested that the venue use compostable or biodegradeable serviceware at all of the concession stands,” said Johnson. This year100 percent of the GABF energy will be offset with renewable energy credits according to Johnson. “All of these things are small steps we can take to do our part in minimizing the environmental consequences of the event,” she said.
Herz suggests purchasing tickets early. “Last year the event sold out in advance and we expect the same for this year,” she said. “It’s the best chance to try beers that aren’t distributed in Colorado. If someone appreciates beer and the finer things in life this is the event for them.”
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