Saturday 10th of September 2016 11:37:04 AM

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Cruising around the Colorado plains Iwaiting for the 2016 GABF to begin in early October) wife Persimmon and I decided to take a day trip to Longmont and Boulder.

Since we're on the road, living out of our Jeep for a year (but taking a "time-out" with #2 son and needing to offer him privacy from his invading parents!) we have nothing but time and freedom to just "go."

Longmont is the home of Oskar Blues as evidenced by the "Grub-burgers" restaurant as you enter town and as a result, over-shadows the other breweries in town.

We sampled and moved on toward Boulder, looking to check off the Best Hippie Town in Every State, thanks to Thrillist.

But we were diverted our goal suddenly. Literally.

Driving down State Route 119, I happened to glance to my left and saw what appeared to be a small town main street with old buildings, just the kind of "back street" Persimmon and I swore not to pass up on this adventure. So, fish-tailing across 2 lanes of highway and crossing the median (where the sign said I should not), careening out into on-coming 65 mph traffic, I managed to safely make it to the stop-light (the only one in town...a very good sign!) and park under a mighty big oak across from the Gunbarrel Import Auto Sales. (Gunbarrel apparently is the catch-phrase here as there was a Gunbarrel Feed Shop, restaurant and pet care center.)

Welcome to Niwot, or as our Samantha-voiced Garmin called it, "idiot."

We walked up on side of the 2-block old town and when we were about to cross the street, what do you suppose we see but the Powder Keg Brewing Company.

A huge corner lot, this building appears to be recently built or renovated yet fits in well with the other architecture, a turn-of-the-century feel.

9 beers on tap, a nice selection with 2 IPA's, a Saison, an Oatmeal Stout, 2 coffee stouts and a seasonal; Coconut Telegraph Russian Imperial at 14%.

Just one word for that one; WOW!

Full of vanilla and coconut in a typical Russian Imperial base, a bit bitter but the 80 IBU rating is completely over-whelmed by the many layers. This beer is the work of a master. Hard to brew by itself, to get the incredible flavors of vanilla, coconut, chocolate and fruits to stand out requires many, many mistake batches.

But this....this was...magnificent.

I asked the bartender how much remained; he went into the cooler to "shake the keg", returned and replied, "it's almost full." Good. I suspected as much (everybody will be drinking the IPA's) and returned the next day (an hour's drive.)

My only complaint? They only pour 5 ounces and charge $6. That's a bit spendy. And I do resent this new idea of "high alcohol, less beer, charge more." I've been drinking beer for some time now and, as a responsible adult, know my limits. So please, don't presume to be establishing this policy for my safety.

Dinner in Boulder was approaching so didn't have time to sample the other beers but we will - after we kick the Telegraph keg.

To quote Sinatra, set 'em up, Joe.