I would never call myself a beer connoisseur – far from it, in fact.
One (I) could even say that I usually like my mimosas with 90% orange juice, just like how I enjoy my coffee with 75% creamer, and I’m not ashamed to admit that truth.
So naturally, when my newfound work family suggested I go to the Wyoming Brewers Festival and give my two-cents, I thought “Why, yes, there’s not a soul more qualified than me to do that.”
Jests aside, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Had I not, I probably wouldn’t be writing this column for you right now.
And guess what? If you missed Brewfest Friday night, it’s no biggie! The event is still going on again Saturday.
That’s why I’m here to guide you to the right ales to quench your yeast-loving taste buds.
Here were the breweries and "beertenders" I think you should DEFINITELY check out (even though you might as well make the most of your money and check out every booth):
1. Melvin Brewing: Killer Bees – Alpine, WY
Melvin Brewing
Sales Representative Leah Whitelaw picks up a can of Melvin Brewing’s Killer Bees, an American blonde ale, during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
Starting in the back on a Thai restaurant in Alpine, Wyoming, Melvin Brewing took me by surprise with its most popular ale, Killer Bees. "You get just a touch of sweetness that makes it the perfect patio crusher," said Leah Whitelaw, Melvin Brewing's sales representative.
And she was right. Every flavor was subtle, the cereal, honey and clover, but also quite light and refreshing for a hot summer day.
2. Wiley Roots: License To Dill – Greeley, CO
Wiley Roots Brewing Company
Beertender Sara Myers pours a glass of Wiley Roots Brewing Company’s License to Dill, a sour ale with pickled cucumber, pickle brine, dill and sea salt, during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
Described on its website as a sour ale with pickled cucumber, pickle brine, dill and sea salt, this drink is bound to impress anyone who prides themselves in being a pickle lover.
To me, this tasted and smelled like straight pickle juice, which might sound unappealing to some, but I loved it. It also was just impressive to me how they seemed to absolutely nail the flavor. Along with using the "slush" base they use for their other beers, owner Miranda Carbaugh said they like to be experimental and play around with recipes.
They make around 120-140 new beer flavors a year and release around two a week, cycling through many "exclusive" flavors.
3. Snowy Mountain: Naked Seltzer with Syrup – Saratoga, WY
Snowy Mountain Brewing
Blueberry Lemonade syrup is added to Snowy Mountain Brewing’s Basecamp Seltzer during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
Based in Saratoga and Cheyenne, this brewery knows how to make the drinking experience fun. Starting with a base seltzer, you can add any syrup of your choosing (I recommend blueberry lemonade) to entirely change the drink you're having, all while having a fun time doing it! If you're ever around at Westby's, hop on in and ask for one of their naked seltzers.
4. WYOld West: Jalapeño Ale – Cody, WY
WYOld West
Head Brewer Steve Samuelson holds a glass of WYOld West’s “That ?#@! Jalapeno Ale” during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
It smells and tastes exactly like a jalapeño, but won't give you any of the heat. It's almost scary how accurate this flavor is to an actual jalapeño. They go through an extensive process to de-seed all of their peppers and made sure to refine the recipe to turn into a mainstream beer.
5. Rule105: Coach Ken's Kolsch – Greeley, CO
Rule105 Brewing
Assistant Brewer Rick Scheffing pours a glass of Rule105 Brewing’s Coach’s Honey Kolsch during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
This beer totally took me by surprise. It even won an honorable mention in a Colorado statewide taste test, so we knew we had to try it! However, it wasn't just the beer that I loved, but the story.
This beer was inspired by "Coach" Ken Perry, a man who ran a cancer foundation and wanted a beer made for him that was light, crisp, refreshing, but also tasted good. That's exactly what this was to me, a total breath of fresh air without the bitter aftertaste of other ales.
6. Odell Brewing: Juicy Tempo IPA – Fort Collins, CO
Odell Brewing Company
Odell Brewing Company’s Juicy Tempo IPA photographed during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
This one is pretty popular among non-beer drinkers. Containing hints of pineapple, peach and berries. For me, they were very subtle, but I appreciated the lack of bitterness in this particular IPA (and the design of the can looked cool, I mean c'mon).
7. Breckenridge Brewery: Palisade Peach Wheat – Breckinridge, CO
Breckenridge Brewery
Volunteer Kellie Brinson pours a glass of Breckenridge Brewery’s Palisade Peach Wheat during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
Palisade peaches are an absolute staple in Wyoming for the summer, so you can't pass up this beer. It's definitely a lighter one, with crisp and refreshing notes, but the peach flavor is strong.
8. Black Tooth: Denim Vest – Cheyenne, WY
Blacktooth Brewing
Beertender Bailey Johnson pours a glass of Blacktooth Brewing’s Denim Vest, a seasonal citrus wheat ale, during the Wyoming Brewers Festival at Cheyenne Depot Plaza on Friday.
Denim Vest is a seasonal beer available only in the summer because of its lighter notes. The most prominent flavors in this beer were citrus and vanilla. In my opinion, the citrus hits first, and then you get a nice, refreshing vanilla aftertaste.
I also want to throw out an honorable mention to Athletic Brewing Co. They were serving non-alcoholic brews for any sober friends out there coming to Brewfest. It still eerily tasted like an actual beer (how? I have no idea) with a hint of fruitiness, but it's guaranteed to ensure everyone gets home safely while still helping you feel included.
So there you have it, Cheyenne folk, Cheyennians … citizens of Cheyenne (whatever we call ourselves). (Editor's note: You're a Cheyenneite now, Taylor.)
I just moved here a week ago, and instead of holing up with a pint of ice cream watching "Bridgerton" or "The Masked Singer" on a Friday night, I cracked open a couple of cold ones with my new community.
So if you read this and you’re anything like me, I implore you to get out. Get out of your comfort zone, try things you don’t necessarily like, talk to people you don’t know … just embrace what the city you live in is trying to do for you.
Also, huge shoutout to all the volunteers out at Brewfest Friday night. None of this would've been possible without you!
