A sneak peek at Bristol's Ivywild expansion progress

The development of the old Ivywild School as a new community center, and expansion project for Bristol Brewing, is something that we've heard about for a couple years now. It's been about 11 months since the city gave the official go-ahead for the work to begin. There's a lot of excitement and mystery around what's going to happen to the space, what it will look like, and what sorts of community things will happen in there. Last weekend, we were able to get a tour from Mike Bristol, and he filled us in on the progress, showing us how the space is being filled. There's certainly a lot of work to do still, and I'm not sure there's an official open date yet. But I gotta say, this place is going to be awesome.

Before we dive into the details of the new Bristol taproom and brewhouse, I thought I'd share a little about some of the other businesses that will be a part of the space. When you walk in the main doors and head left you'll find The Old School Bakery, an extension of the Blue Star. You'll see the Meat Locker where you'll be able to buy all kinds of cured meats, sausages, and sandwiches. The Principal's Office, the original location of said office, will be converted into a coffee and pastry bar by day and a bar with Colorado-based alcohol by night. Pikes Peak Community Gardens will have a community hub here and there will be a CSA pick up spot. There are a couple lounges for drinking and working on your computer as well. There are also a couple rooms you can rent out. The old gymnasium will retain it's low hanging basketball hoops and will function as a stage for music and assembly. This room actually reminds me a lot of old and familiar places like McMenamins in Oregon, buildings that keep their historical significance but are also converted into movie theaters with full-service bars.

Recap: Pikes Peak Tap Takeover and Avery Beer Dinner

In the last week I've had a few memorable beer experiences and I'd like to share them. I'll mention my time at Brewer's Republic here and then at Blue Star below.

Brewer's Republic has been killing it with Josh as the new General Manager. Pretty much every week (often more than once a week) they have special tap takeovers, they've started selling some ridiculously good bottles of beer (Drei Fonteinen Oude Gueuze and others!) and they've even had some really great out-of-state beers on tap. I plan to head there tomorrow or Thursday to get a glass of the North Coast Barrel Aged Rasputin on tap.

2 Great Looking Beer Dinners From Coaltrain

We would like to direct your attention to a couple great looking beer dinners that Coaltrain is organizing. The first is on January 8th and is a five course dinner at Tapateria paired with Bristol beers. The second is on January 30th at The Blue Star and features a rare sampling of some of Avery's Barrel Aged beers. Details from Coaltrain are below:

A Belgian Kind of Night at the Blue Star

Last week, The Blue Star hosted a Belgian inspired beer dinner pairing delicious food courses with Belgian style beers from Funkwerks in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs' own Bristol Brewing Company.

The first course was a classic Belgian dish of mussels and frites. The mussels lay in a beautiful broth with apple tarragon compound butter and caramelized shallots all paired with the delicious Funkwerks Saison. If you haven't had a chance to try this saison, go out and buy it now. It is the perfect example of what a classic Saison should taste like, and we have it given it our own accolades Amazing spice and citrus character that has a nice dry finish.

An Evening at Blue Star with David Walker of Firestone Walker

David Walker (left) was available to answer any questions and sign a couple bottles.

The Blue Star hosted a six course beer dinner featuring the beers of Firestone Walker on July 25th.  There was more than the usual energy in the room because Firestone Walker's co-owner David Walker attended this very unique and special event accompanied by Colorado Firestone Walker rep, Elizabeth Kagan. British expatriot, David Walker kicked off the dinner with a brief overview of his brewery. He said some very nice things about the Colorado Springs beer scene and compared our community to the community surrounding Firestone Walker in Paso Robles, California. Walker then proceeded to talk about his beer.

We will present each course from two perspectives of the night. The beer portion is written by Isaac Grindeland, a regular FOTB writer, while the food portion is written by Erika Mullett, a food expert and writer who currently works at Blue Star. This is Erika's first post with us and hopefully not the last!

Photography from the Jolly Pumpkin Beer Dinner

Last week, Coaltrain and Blue Star threw what may have been the most mouth-watering-est and elegant beer dinner I've ever seen. Eight Jolly Pumpkin beers with a five course menu. I'm going to let the pictures do all of the talking in this post. And don't worry, you're not the only one who is jealous about the dinner, I wasn't able to make it because I'm out of state. If these photos are too much to handle, you better sign up for the Firestone Walker beer dinner that takes place this Wednesday, and the owner of the brewery will be visiting the restaurant from California, so it's really a nice treat.

Blue Star brings out the big guns for another beer dinner

Okay...Blue Star is awesome. Not only do they have that Jolly Pumpkin beer dinner but they've not got this pretty fantastic one with Firestone Walker Brewing from Colorado. Why is that cool? Well, Firestone continues to win countless (I do mean countless) awards at GABF, they have absolutely perfect beers, AND I've recently heard that FW owner David Walker is flying out and will be a part of this dinner. Yep, so if you go to the dinner you get to meet David Walker and get a few special beers. That's really cool.

Here's info for the dinner, you'll want to book your tickets now.

Firestone Walker Beer Dinner
At Blue Star / 1645 S. Tejon, Colorado Springs
Wed. July 25th / 6:30pm / $65 / RSVP 719 .632.1086

Beer Dinner with Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Jolly Pumpkin Artisinal Ales is a brewery in Michigan that specializes in open-fermentation, oak-aging, wild and sour beers. They are a phenomenal brewery, one of the very best in the country and one of the most reputable with brewers and beer geeks alike.

A couple weeks ago Isaac and I had the privilege of helping The Blue Star and Coaltrain pick out which Jolly Pumpkin beers should be a part of the next beer dinner and which order they should go in. It was one of my favorite drinking sessions ever, the beers were absolutely killer and I believe we all came up with a lineup that will totally knock your socks off. I just got word that the menu is finalized, so I'm sharing all the menu here. In all honesty, this beer dinner will be ridiculously good, I would recommend getting your ticket because this will sell out.




Jolly Pumpkin Beer Dinner
July 19th / 6:30 / 
The Blue Star / 1645 S. Tejon St. / RSVP 719-632-1086
$65 plus tax & gratuity

Coaltrain Beer Dinner at Blue Star on Feb. 1

Duvel Moortgat Beer Dinner at The Blue Star
Please join us at The Blue Star on Tuesday, February 1st at 6:30pm for a fantastic beer dinner. This event will feature the beers of Duvel Moortgat. They represent Duvel, Brewery Ommegang, Brewery D'Achouffe, and Maredsous.

Menu

Reception
Assorted beer inspired snacks
Duvel Golden Ale

Duo
Broiled shrimp with green papaya slaw, red curry vinaigrette
Lobster corndog in hush puppy batter, remoulade, wasabi mayo
Ommegang Hennepin Saison
Houblon Chouffe

Duo
Roast pork belly on brined cabbage with horseradish jus
Roasted smoked brisket, potato & leek hash, Abbey Ale sauce
Ommegang Rare Vos
Ommegang Abbey Ale

Duo
Onyx cocoa molten cake, ovaltine ice cream, Earl Grey ganache
Vanilla malt chiffon cake, cherry currant topping,
creme fraiche ice cream, coffee caramel
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
Ommegang Three Philosophers Quadrupel

Cost and Tickets
$45 plus tax & gratuity per person
Reserve a seat at 719.632.1086 x 0
Feb 1st, 6:30pm at Blue Star