Tag Archives: beer

July 28, 2017 · 10:45 am

Who’s up for a drive?

 **ETA – Open as of August 11!!!! **

Let’s be honest, when you move to a new place (or back to an old place,) and you have to put yourself out there and find new places and new people who can tolerate your level of weird you can connect with, it sucks.  Finding a great place to eat where they love your kid like you love your kid, a brewery where the beer AND the people both rock, neighbors who feel comfortable breaking in to your back yard when they see the fire pit going, and coworkers who make you maybe NOT want to work from home every damn day can be a real bitch, yo?

It takes time… there are false starts, there are strange vibes and weirdos (and not the good kind,) and all kinds of potential potholes you can’t always avoid.

But you get there.  You find your folks.  You land at a spot or two where, eventually, your conversation AND your wifi both connect automatically when you sit down after a long day.

You settle in.

And then they leave your ass.

Ok, that is 100% over-simplifying it, but I am prone to drama, so whatever.

When we arrived back in this sleepy little hamlet (seriously Keri?  I just eye-rolled at myself with that one,) one of the first times I remember thinking “hey, we are going to be ok here after all,” was the first time I opened the door of Broomfield’s 1st Brewery, Big Choice Brewing.  Social Distortion blasted through the speakers, and it smelled deliciously, invitingly beery.  And holy shit, was the beer GOOOOD.

YAS, people, just YASS.

For the past 5 years it’s been where we go.  It just has.  Jr learned to climb stairs one quiet weekend afternoon there as we waited for an early dinner to come off whatever BBQ food truck happened to be parked outside that day. My coworkers and I toasted great news with pints of Disconnected Red, and commiserated in mutual exhausted silence with Peppermint Stout during end-of-year craziness. Faces around the tasting room became familiar and every visit became a chance to check-in, catch up, and connect.

Together we celebrated 5 anniversaries of their awesome beer and awesome-er (totally a word) community spirit with them. We got to watch the brewery grow into itself, and the owners turn from being “really friendly people” in to being just our very good friends.

But here is the thing about being really great.  The best kinds of greatness always grow WAY beyond whatever level of great you could have imagined.

And so last month – in a final blaze of Broomfield beer-serving glory, Big Choice said goodbye to it’s original home and hometown, and the Big Choice family started renovations on an amazing new space in Brighton – a town about 15-20 minutes away. (The Mr states it is 17 minutes from our door to theirs.)

It isn’t really FAR, per se.  It’s just not “in the same city as home and office close” anymore.  Which means it will be a weekend afternoon destination now, rather than a last minute wanna grab a beer any given weekday spot.

And believe me – our ugly mugs will be there OFTEN, the beer is great, the new space is SO COOL, and the chance to see old friends and meet some new ones in Brighton will be awesome too.

It’s just…  different.

And even if it was a little teary for me to imagine them anywhere else at first, I am so proud of how they have grown in these 5 years, and so excited to see what happens next for them.

The new space is ALMOST complete – the actual opening date is not decided yet, but you KNOW Keri will be blasting that all over here and every social media site she can when they pin one down.  (*ETA* Open as of 8/11!!!)

Hey Brighton – you are SO FREAKING LUCKY!  I’ll see ya soon at the brewery.

Soooo Broomfield… I know a place with some beer that is SO worth the trip….  Who wants to share an Uber?

Big Choice Brewing – 21 S. 1st Ave, Brighton CO

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July 30, 2014 · 2:39 pm

(Semi) Local Love: Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

Thank you, North Carolina, and thank you, Good Times.

Why for, Keri, you say?

For bringing Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar into Colorful Colorado -first in Cherry Creek, early this year – and now right into “easy Keri lunch commute” distance with the opening of the 2nd Colorado location in the shiny new Webster Lake Promenade at I-25 and 120th ave in Northglenn.

The smarties behind Colorado native burger chain Good Times saw the delicious genius in the North-Carolina-founded Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, and boom – direct to Colorado came the GINORMOUS and creative burgers served in a rock-n-roll industrial setting. (Andplusalso, the best fried pickles I have ever had. And I have had my share of fried pickles… and your share… and the shares of many others as well. Trust Keri.)

I am not usually one to go tooting the horn of chain-y restaurants – but I was busting down the door to get inside when this location opened on Monday July 28th.   It isn’t THAT chain-y yet, but it will be, because it is just too damn good not to grow and grow. (You can’t keep a good burger down, people.)

Whatever the number of locations, the local connection and AHHH-MAZINGLY good food had me sold on this joint as soon as the Cherry Creek location opened. It is like North Carolina’s tasty gift to the Centennial State.

But here is the REAL reason I am writing about it and not just gobbling up bunless Frenchies and hoping it doesn’t get too crowded:

The staff at Bad Daddy’s is beyond just being “well-trained.” Each and every one of them is as knowledgeable as any staff member could ever hope to be about the Bad Daddy’s concept and menu, and that is awesome. BUT – on top of that, they are warm, genuine, inviting, and exude a true attitude of hospitality that isn’t fake or forced.

Breath. Of. Fresh. Air.

Tie the great food and stellar people up in a package that includes lots of great craft beer on tap (All three Broomfield breweries are currently representing – WOOP WOOP,  Big Choice,) and put a big “we have a sweet roof patio” bow on top of it, and you have a place that feels right at home in Colorado.

Check out their story and peruse the menu – which features not just burgers and bar fare – but also some tasty salads ,(or build your own with plenty of fixings to choose from,) and can we talk about the “Emilio’s Chicken Sandwich?” Because BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN, is where it starts, my friends. Seriously.

So….

Who’s ready for lunch? (Or happy hour. Or mid-afternoon snack. Or dinner. Or whatever – it’s burger time ANY time, just get me to Bad Daddy’s.)

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Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar Northglenn

100 East 120th Avenue, Bldg B, Unit 120

(Located in the Webster Lake Promenade)

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March 24, 2014 · 1:49 pm

Local Love – Colorado Plus Brew Pub

It’s Colorado Craft Beer Week!

How can we possibly be so lucky as to live in the most beautiful place (ok, native bias MAY play a part in that statement, but come on,) AND have so many amazing craft breweries to enjoy too?

There are a wealth of Colorado beer-centric events happening this week, and I encourage you to let your fingers do the walking and Google away to get the best of those – as tastings, tappings, pairings, and full-on multi-course dinners abound.

YAY, Beer!

OR (or actually maybe and, because it is Craft Beer WEEK, and that leaves plenty of time to mix it up and get in on lots of fun,) you can point your navigation system toward Wheatridge and the Colorado Beer-a-poolza that is Colorado Plus Brew Pub.

56 taps adorn the bar of this large pub, and from every last one flows goodness that is brewed right here in Colorful Colorado. Even with the choice to build-your-own flight (3 oz of 5 beers for 9.00,) option anxiety is a gloriously unavoidable issue here.

They have all our front range favorites well-represented, but it is also an opportunity to see what breweries from other areas in the state are up to (and there is so much goodness to be explored.)

Additionally (because all of those alternatives just aren’t enough,) Colorado Plus brews its own beers, with head brewer Adam Draeger keeping things very creative.

Oh, and FOOD!!   Let’s face it, beer is good, but for Keri FOOD IS KING!

I have kind of a pork belly problem (well, the problem is how much I love the pork belly, actually,) so any place with “Pork Belly Fries” on the menu is going to get a visit from Keri.

Again, option anxiety is a delicious inevitability here. I  know I will leave with to-go boxes every time, because I can’t pick just one thing from the mouth-watering menu (or 2 for that matter. Shameless!)

The afore-mentioned Pork Belly Fries are an “always order” for me – chunks of pork belly fried along with the fries get crunchy-crisp on the outside, but stay buttery and salty on the inside. Have them with the Chipotle Roasted Garlic Mayo for fry dipping.

Other highlights include the Bison and Pretzel Skewers , anchored to the plate with a spoonful of the German Potato Salad, which it is imperative that you fight your table-mates for, just FYI.  (Ok, or just order a side, but where is the sport in that?)

The Beer Battered Fish and Chips are somewhat of a no-brainer here, because they have a glorious wall of beer options to experiment with in pursuit of the perfect golden crispy batter . (Also, the Chipotle Roasted Garlic Mayo for chip dipping. Possibly for finger dipping, or spoon eating, or anything else you can get down into the condiment cup to get the last bits of that goodness out.)

Parental sidenote for those toting the toddlers – the kids menu here is (giant sigh of relief,) very “typical kid” friendly. Chicken Fingers, Mac and Cheese, and other easily accepted alternatives mean that a meal out for the fam won’t be a fight. (Since Jr is 3, we are experiencing a bit of food stubbornness that hit by surprise, temporarily replacing my tiny culinary adventurer with someone eating only jello and chicken that doesn’t look like chicken. Sigh.)

There is no better way to buy local then to buy local beer, so go put together a flight of Colorado goodness and start finding some new faves while raising a glass to Colorado Craft Beer Week.

:::raising pint:::

Here’s to  Sun, Blue Skies, Mountains, and Great Beer!  (Seriously, how spoiled are we?)

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Colorado Plus Brew Pub

6995 West 38th Ave, Wheatridge 80033

720-353-4853

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December 9, 2013 · 9:59 am

Local Love – Big Choice Brewing

We love craft beer.

Well, The Mr. LOVES craft beer.  I like a good beer, and I LOVE the craft beer community in Colorado.  It is an industry full of people who support and encourage their fellow craftspeople; the vast majority of whom are genuine, laid back, friendly, and wonderfully generous about sharing information and educating their consumers regarding the process and the product that they love.

Jr’s first family days out, when he was just a wee little doodle cozied down in his bucket carseat, were to Golden for brunch, a little window shopping, and some sun soaked relaxation in the Golden City Brewery beer garden.   We are very lucky in our beautiful state to have so many fantastic breweries to explore.

HOWEVER, Keri is a “where everybody knows your name” kind of gal when it comes right down to it, and we were sorely lacking a home base our first few months back in the old hometown.

Then we stumbled upon Big Choice Brewing’s booth at the annual town festival. BEER? In  BROOMFIELD?  And at Broomfield Days?  Things were looking up, yo.

Big Choice had actually opened their doors right around the time we were making our move into the burbs in spring/early summer 2012. (Divine intervention or just awesome timing?  I can’t say for sure…)

The Mr was hesitant as I instructed him through the industrial area where BC is located.  I, however, was sold instantly when I opened the door and Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies filled the space, followed by some old school Social D. It was like the place said  “slide off the tattoo-covering cardi and stay awhile, Keri – you are among your people now.”  Ahhhhhh.

For more about the back story on the awesome people who own and operate Big Choice, check out their website here, I will let them tell you their story.

Along with their affinity for the punk soundtrack of my teens and 20s, this place is also super  Jr. friendly – and not just because my kid’s wardrobe of pop punk band shirts is mad deep.  Every other Sunday they show a kid friendly movie on their big TV upstairs so kiddos can sprawl on the sofas and enjoy some popcorn and animated faves,  with trivia downstairs for the grown ups.  When we bring Jr’s booster seat and strap it to a chair and spread out the juicebox and goldfish crackers we have never felt anything less than 100% welcome.   They know their audience here.  Heck, they ARE that audience – Nathaniel and Andrea’s two bright, friendly offspring can be seen around the brewery, and sometimes even the family dog, Kenosha. (Who I want to snuggle, but won’t because nobody wants to be THAT girl.)

Here’s the thing that REALLY matters though.  The beer is good.  Like GOOOOOOOOD good.

I call the Disconnected Red my favorite liquid on the planet.  (A very big deal considering how I feel about wine.  And dirty martinis.  And Dr Pepper.)  I confess that when we go to a brewery for the first time, we leave the growler in the car, just in case we aren’t really feeling it after we sample a few.  Big Choice has consistently outstanding beers, from their regular repertoire to great seasonal beers (they are tapping a keg of Peppermint Stout every Friday in December.  Served in a glass rimmed with crushed candy canes.  Tasty stuff.)  Their motto is “Choose Wisely,” but you can’t go wrong with anything here.

These days the joint is hopping, and there are big things to come for and from this deserving team.

Disconnected Red and West Portal Colorado Common are both available in cans locally now, but with the friendly environment and great people at Big Choice, grab your growler(s) and take a field trip over to see them.

(I’m the blonde girl with the dice tattooed on her arm who is probably talking too loud while trying to cuddle Kenosha with my eyes.  Say hi.)   😉

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Big Choice Brewing

7270 W 118th Pl, Broomfield, CO 80020

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