Saturday brought more Colorado sun and a day of sampling beer.

What better way to spend a Saturday with student-doctor son #2 who rarely if ever, has any time at all to indulge in such past-times.

Elk Mountain was the first stop, a relatively new brewery and one of the few son #2 had not tried.

Although the atmosphere is unique with snowshoe beer sampler racks and lots of Colorado-eria stuff on the wall (old photos and such) the beer, I am sorry to say, was not the best.

Being a resident of the Pacific NW and what is considered "beervana" by many, we invented hoppy beers and have come to know them well and be well-known for them. Almost too well because in many cases, too many cases, brewers at home tend to compete with each other over just how hoppy they can make their beer and it has become more a competition than good beer.

Elk Mountain folks might be taking a clue because all 3 of us; wife Persimmon, student-doctor son #2 and me, found all their brews a bit too bitter. Oatmeal Stout? Yes, hops are necessary but I don't want to taste them in front nor smell them in the nose. The IPA was good but actually less hoppy than the Pale Ale which was a delight to drink and a perfect beer to introduce the concept of hops to a novice craft beer drinker.

TV's abound here with the sound off (Thank you!) - what was playing was a Beer Radio Channel! Should be a staple in every brewpub! Fascinating to sip and listen to the "experts" discuss the latest beer they tried while sampling and eating free popcorn or shooting a game of pool.

Colorado, it could be argued, is the 2nd most populated beer "nation" with an incredibly rich variety of brews and breweries.

Elk Mountain can almost certainly carve out a name for itself in this beautiful area but I believe they will need to find and develop a unique receipe of their own.

Right now, to me, their beers are just mildly OK, nothing special.

reviewed on: 2011-05-08 12:03:23

Great atmosphere and a great selection of beers. The Brown and stout are exceptional.
Elk Mountain is a wonderful new place with superb beer made in the finest tradition of Colorado brewers and the atmosphere is terrific. On top of all this they are locally owned and operated for those of us who call Parker CO our home. We cheerfully accept those who are passing through but carefully support local business owners. Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific Terrific

reviewed on: 2010-07-26 17:23:15