Gray Line Wanderings Travel Blog

Image provded by Flickr user Sean Buchan - MacKinnon Photography

Friend: “Did you know Denver brews more beer per capita than any other city in the US?!”

Sonja: “Awesome! That would come in handy, if I liked beer.”

Friend: “Wait, what? That’s like saying you don’t like to snowboard”

Sonja: “I don’t like to snowboard”

Friend: “You, Sonja, are in the wrong state ”

This is a conversation I often have. Yes, I am very much a fish out of water living in the Rocky Mountain State. I am not a fan of winter sports. Why? Well, I am a huge klutz, my legs are constantly covered in bruises and the idea of strapping myself onto a board/skis and gliding down a mountain sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Now don’t worry, I won’t knock something til I’ve tried it… I’ve tried it and it’s not for me.

The same goes for beer. If I am handed a beer, I will take a few sips put it down, only to return to it 1 hour later when it is warm and flat… and who wants a warm, flat beer? Every time I inform someone that I don’t like beer they seem to take it as a challenge. As if no one has ever tried to convert me. It’s all well intentioned and who would I be to turn down a free drink? Crazy, that’s who.

Why is this so strange? So I don’t like beer, so what? Well I live in Denver, Colorado and went to college in Boulder. To say these two cities love their beer is an understatement. There are so many local breweries and microbreweries in the state that it really is odd that I have not found ONE beer that makes me crave it on a hot summer day.

I’ve decided that in 2012 I will expand my horizons, make a conscious effort to try new things, so I’ve decided that I will do my best to develop at least an appreciation for beer. You may never catch me purchasing a Growler but who knows I may surprise you and invite you out for a “cold one”.

So where to start?

1)   Check out this list of Top 10 Denver Area Breweries and Brew Pubs. Favorites include: Wynkoop Brewing Company – the oldest brew-pub in Denver, Great Divide Brewing, Del Norte Brewing, and of course Coors with their famous brewery tours.

2)   Boulder Beer Company: Colorado’s first microbrewery. Stop in to grab some grub and sample a few beers direct from the source.

3)   Avery Brewing Co: I actually used to attend deaf events here when I was an undergrad; it was a great way to practice my ASL.  American Sign Language Night is on the 1^st Tuesday of every month and is open to everyone. Don’t know ASL? That is ok; this is a great way to learn! ASL Night is on hold till August so you have time to at least get the alphabet down!

4)   Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery: There are 3 locations and they all offer great food, great brews, which equals a great time.

Even better, plan your visit around one of Denver’s famous festivals!

1)   Summer Brew Fest - July 27, 2012 – Held at Denver’s Mile High Station, this festival features 125+ brews from 45+ craft breweries as well as live music, food and more. If that doesn’t win you over, this is a great way to give back while getting your “swerve on”. Summer Brew Fest benefits the Swallow Hill Music Association which promotes the art of music in our community. Check them out!

2)   Oktoberfest - September 21-23 & 28-30, 2012 – Held in Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood, come celebrate German heritage through music, dance and of course beer! If you have kids, don’t worry, Denver’s Oktoberfest is an event with fun activities for the whole family!

3)   Denver Beer Fest – October 5-13, 2012 – Held at various locations throughout Denver, this is a great way to experience the “Suds City”. Get a taste of what each eclectic Denver neighborhood has to offer.

4)   The Great American Beer Festival - October 11-13, 2012 – Held at the Denver Convention Center, this isn’t a mere tasting, this is the mother of all beer festivals! Last year 466 breweries were in attendance. They poured over 2,000 types of beer to a crowd of 50,000 “tasters” packed into the Denver Convention Center, a space roughly the size of 5 football fields! If you don’t like beer after this event, well, there really is no hope!

Don’t live in Denver? Now you have a reason to visit! Come during any of the times listed above to attend a festival or come out and make your own! Just remember to be safe, be courteous and have fun! While you’re at it, why not take a break from drinking to get to know our city by taking a quick tour. Whether to get the lay of the land or to head up into the beautiful Rocky Mountains, you can find tours in and out of the city at grayline.com/denver.

What are your favorite breweries in the Denver/Boulder area? (Click here if you can’t see the Facebook comments field below: “Of all my favorite things to do, the utmost is to have a brew”)

Image by Kristal Kraft

When many people think of my hometown of Denver, they think of a cowboy boot wearin’, steak and potatoes eatin’, gone skiin’ or gone fishin’ kind of city. If you’re one of those people, you’re in for a surprise because Denver has a lot to offer culturally. We have an ever evolving, diverse and exciting downtown area. We also have a great art scene with several art districts and the impressive Denver Art Museum, or “DAM”. Architecturally inspiring, DAM also houses a wide variety of unique exhibits. We also have some pretty great things do in the great outdoors (gasp!). With places like Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Boulder Flat Irons and Hanging Lake to name a few, it’s not hard to understand why Denver is consistently rated one of the happiest and healthiest cities in America. Even if you’re less outdoors inclined, there’s a great Denver gaming scene. The options are endless!

Click here to read the full story featured on Gotsaga.com

As we take a turn towards spring, I have found myself dreaming up a road trip to the Southeastern United States in April to see the blooming spring flowers and to soak up some much needed warm weather. Something about Denver’s cool winter weather makes me wish I were on I-35 S with the windows down. For everyone who read Jenny’s blog post last week, you know that taking your adventures on the road can be an awesome time and rewarding experience. I have spent many hours on the open road and along the way I discovered my favorite way to travel.

For those of you planning your 2012 road trip, I’ve compiled a couple of interesting websites and blogs that could be helpful in the planning process. Even if you are a road trip savvy individual and you like to plan as little as possible beforehand, it can be beneficial to have a back up plan just in case “winging it” doesn’t work out.

Righteous Resources

• Road Trip USA is an awesome site for those planning a trip in the United States. Owner and blogger, Jamie, offers useful advice on where to travel depending on what month you will be road tripping. He also has a Q & A section, where you can reach out to him directly.
• BudgetTravel.com has some great tips and tricks to help while on the road.

Awesome Articles and Bodacious Blogs

• The fellows that wrote the article, The Best European Road Trips have it right, “there really is no better way to see Europe than by car”. Check out their article, where they list their favorite routes to take around Europe.
• Also check out Europe Road Ways – Travel for information on what other travelers are seeing and doing along the roads in Europe.

Still one of the best ways to get a feel for your destination before exploring on your own is to take a Gray Line sightseeing tour the day you arrive. Relax your legs and let one of our experienced tour guides do the driving for a day!

What tips and lessons can you help the community with from your last road trip? Tell us in the comments below! (Having trouble viewing Facebook comments? Click here)

Photo provided by Mackinnon Photography

Denver is quickly becoming one of the top places to support local breweries. If you are a beer connoisseur, then Denver is the place to visit! There are new brewing companies popping up left and right in this beer friendly city! These new breweries seem to all be following a common equation. The most important factor in the equation is to create an inviting, neighborly environment with community style tables, high ceilings and lots of natural light. Next step?

1. Let your customers be a part of the experience by sitting amidst the brewing equipment to smell the malts and witness the brew master stirring the wort. Reach out and touch the brew kettle from your seat, while sipping on a full sampler of seven different 6-ounce beers at the Lone Tree Brewing Company. Love the delicious, citrusy Puddle Jumper Pale ale like I did? Then take home a refillable growler fully equipped with a giant koozie and carrying strap!

2. Provide board games and a popcorn machine so people can hang out and enjoy themselves while tasting a flight of all the brews you have to offer. How about a competitive game of Connect Four paired with a Great American Beer Fest Gold Medal award winning Mexican Chocolate Stout from the Copper Kettle Brewing Company? Or invite your friends for a full on rummy tournament. There’s a deck of cards on every table!

3. No need for a kitchen! Support surrounding restaurants by providing menus to the hungry beer drinkers. Order wings from Wing Hut and have them delivered directly to your table at the Dry Dock Brewing Company. You can also browse the Brew Hut, “You’re One Stop Homebrew Shop” located inside the brewery, while enjoying a refreshing, six medal winning, Dry Dock Hefeweizen.

So put down your Budweiser and come find out what REAL beer is all about!

Of course the world is full of fun ways to enjoy a great beer like Amsterdam’s Pizza & Beer Cruise and the Munich and It’s Beer Tour. Tell us about the coolest beer pubs in your neighborhood in the Facebook comments below.
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