Rockies Brewing Company - Rockies Igloo Ale

Don't be fooled by Chilly Willy and his brother on the label, this beer is nothing to laugh at. It's won both the gold and silver at the World Beer Championships in the Strong Ale category. This full-bodied ale, offering a deep, hearty red color, is brewed with British dark, caramel, and 2-row pale malts. David balances it nicely with Nugget, Willamette, and Cascade hops. And giving this beer its unique 'holiday spice' flavors is the brewmaster's secret blend of spices. Look for some roasted, caramel sweetness in the aroma along with a good balance between the malts and spices in the flavor. Save a couple for your Holiday festivities!

The Rockies Brewing Company was established in 1979 under the original name of the Boulder Brewing Company. It was Colorado's first microbrewery and one of the oldest microbreweries in the country, receiving the 43rd brewing license ever issued by the federal government. Originally started by two college professors, David Hummer and Stick Ware, their primary goal was to produce beers in the traditional style of the robust European ales. They did so by originally introducing Boulder Bitter, a classic ESB, Boulder Porter, and Boulder Stout.

In 1990, the publicly traded Boulder Brewing Company changed ownership to the privately held Boulder Beer Company, owned by Gina Day and Diane Greenlee. These two local women, along with their Brewmaster David Zuckerman, decided to upgrade the entire brewery ' from the yeast management program all the way to the on-site pub, which includes a full menu and bar. And in 1993, the brewery's name was changed to the Rockies Brewing Company to reflect the regional popularity of its beers.

The Rockies Brewing Company now brews six different year-round ales along with three seasonals. The six year-round brews are the Buffalo Gold Premium Ale, Boulder Pale Ale, Singletrack Copper Ale, Boulder Amber Ale, Boulder Porter, and Boulder Stout. The three seasonals are Cliffhanger Amber Ale, Boulder Fall Fest, and our favorite, Boulder Igloo Ale. Our panel had a hard time this month trying to select the best of all of these beers, but after many hours of dedicated research, we finally narrowed it down to their Porter and their holiday seasonal, Igloo Ale. We know you're gonna love them both!

For more information about the brewery and scheduled tours, call (303) 444-8448 or check out their web site at http://www.boulderbeer.com/.