Okay, so I haven’t been going to the Great American Beer Festival for nearly as long as most of my colleagues in the beer industry — but, this doesn’t mean that I don’t have the scoop on the best events surrounding the big fest. Some events are more exclusive than others, and some events are definitely more expensive than others. But, it is my mission to share the wheres and whens to be during GABF with my fellow beer geeks.

GABF Event Radar

Pucker Up Poker Run

The Who: Avery Brewing Company & Denver Off The Wagon

The What: Crazy bar to crawl five of Denver’s premier pubs! At each stop, you will get a 4oz. pour of a rare, barrel-aged sour beer, a 6oz. pour of a palate cleansing beer, and a playing card. Best hand at the end of the crawl will win a super kick-ass prize.

The When: Friday October 12th 11am-5pm (ish)

The Where: Start at Falling Rock Tap House at 11am, and split up into groups to visit Lucky Pie Pizza & Tap House, Highland Tap and Burger, Euclid Hall, and finish at Star Bar.

The Cost: $45

The Tickets: http://www.ticketalternative.com/Events/20628.aspx

After months of research & development, a team of craft beer and mixology experts across the U.S. has finally unveiled its new and exciting project, BeerMixology.com — the Internet’s most comprehensive and collaborative resource for beer cocktails.

In its most basic definition, beer mixology is defined as the art or skill of crafting and mixing cocktails that use beer as an ingredient. One of the newest and most innovative trends in both the spirits and beer industries, beer cocktails have begun to appear on the most prestigious of bar menus, and some unexpected places, in many of the major metropolises — especially in the cities boasting the largest craft beer cultures (San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Denver, etc.).

“Beer Cocktails are taking the country by storm! Whether you’re into craft beer or your simply a fan of a good mixed drink, I think this trend touches people from all over the board. I’m excited to see where this takes us!” Tatiana Peavey, founder of FugglyBrew.com

Although mixing cocktails with beer is an emerging trend, it is slow to grow. Most mixologists and bartenders are hesitant to experiment with beer as an ingredient. Beer Mixology’s cross-drinking founder, Ashley Routson, attributes this problem to lack of resources on the subject, “Most traditional cocktail books and classes train people how to manipulate spirits with the use of bitters, syrups, juice, herbs, spices and even other spirits. Virtually none of them talk about using beer as an ingredient.”

It is also possible that the large spectrum of beer styles is also intimidating to the non-expert. Perhaps the real issue is not the lack of talent, but the lack of education. Routson notes, “Expecting a mixologist to know everything about beer would be like expecting a beer expert to know everything about wine. Not all alcohol is created equal, and it is extremely hard to be an expert at them all. This is why I think it is crucial for beer experts and professional mixologists to work together in crafting beer cocktails. A confluence of the minds, if you will. Beer mixology is what I consider to be a beautiful hybrid of both beverages and their cultures.”

With the goal of answering the need for a beer mixology resource, Routson sought the help of friends who were already successfully developing and executing beer cocktail recipes and events. She roped in some of the most talented mixologists and beer connoisseurs, all from major food & beverage capitals in the U.S. The founding team, all whose bios can be found on the BeerMixology.com website, includes Ryan Conklin, Jess Hunter, Tatiana Peavey, Rocky Yeh, Angelo De Ieso, Bradford Knutson, Justin Lloyd, Nat Harry, and Routson.

The team of beverage misfits expects to hit some road bumps with the launch of its innovative website. Many beer purists argue that beer is already, in itself, a perfectly crafted cocktail of barley, hops, yeast, and water. And why would anyone want to upset that balance?

Although already loaded with talent, BeerMixology.com is still seeking additional talent to join the team. BeerMixology.com will post and credit any bar or spirits brand that wants to feature their own beer cocktails on the site, and will gladly promote all beer cocktail events. Send all contributor requests and media inquiries to beermixologist@gmail.com.

About Beer Mixology
Beer Mixology was founded by a group of craft beer and cocktail experts from all over the United States, all with different backgrounds in the wonderful world of booze. Some are renowned and experienced mixologists, others brewers and craft beer aficionados, some come from both worlds, but all share a common passion for the art and science of beer mixology.

Since the men were all judged on three separate measures (please read the rules and criteria on my previous post), we decided it was appropriate to award the winner of each measure a special title. Something special for the man who scored the most on the personality scale, the most on the talent scale, and the most on the appearance scale, and so on.

But that’s not all folks. Why not ride this wave out as long as we can, right? Miss Jess Hunter, Assistant Editor and Staff Writer at Denver Off The Wagon, and I decided to add a fun twist to the competition by adding a few superlatives… super high school style (oh come on, you know, the things you vote on for the senior year book).

Enough with the words… on with the show!

THE “SPECIAL” AWARDS

Mr. Craft Beer: NOAH REGNERY

Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? According to the results, this guy is the complete package. He walks the walk, he talks the talk. He has the look, the swagger, and now the bragging rights of “The Most Eligible Bachelor of Craft Beer.”

Runner-up: Matt Bryndilson

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Mr. Congeniality: MATT BRYNDILSON

Brewers are not exactly known for having the best social skills, that is why they work all day in a brewery, after all! This award goes to the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational “contestant”. This person scored the highest on the “personality” measure.

Runner Up: Jamie Floyd

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Mr. Photogenic: KELLY RYAN

Let’s face it, brewers are not the most glamorous men in the world. And the pretty ones definitely stand out. This award goes to the winner of the beauty pageant. This person scored the highest on the “appearance” measure.

Runner Up: Matt Dauffenbach

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The Rockstar: GREG KOCH

There are all sorts of levels of talents in the craft beer industry. Brewing skills, marketing, public relations, sales… all are very important to the success of a company. This award goes to the one who rocks the Casbah. This person scored the highest on the “talent” measure.

Runner Up: Garrett Oliver

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THE SUPERLATIVES

Best Dressed: GARRETT OLIVER

Don’t get us wrong, brewers boots, dickies workshirts, tie-dye and plaid are all adorable in their own respects. But there are only a select few men in the beer industry worthy of the adjective: dapper. And we think Garrett Oliver is the swankiest of the swank.

Runner-up: Matt Bryndilson (the man makes lederhosen look sexy…)

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Sexiest Brewers Beard: JASON YESTER

Ladies don’t deny it, beards are sexy. Being badass enough to sport an epic beard in addition legendary dreadlocks = pure WIN. When it comes to facial hair, Jason Yester is the cat’s meow.

Runner-up: Eric Salazar

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Best Pearly Whites: DYLAN LINTERN

Never trust the men with killer smiles (you know the kind: glimmering white teeth, adorable dimples), because they can con you into about anything… including drinking Schlitz out of a can in a dive bar at 4 am… but I digress.

Runner-up: Matt Dauffenbach

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Best Twinkle Eyes: ADAM AVERY

Pictures do not do this man justice (Come on Adam, when you gonna get better press photos?). One look into his eyes, and you will be captivated for… well, hours. And probably days. Maybe even months. But not like I would know…

Runner-up: Tyler King

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Class Clown: JAMES WATT

There is a saying that goes: Don’t take life too seriously, you’ll never get out alive. The dynamic duo over at Brewdog definitely live by this motto, as evidenced by their rather brilliantly insane marketing gimmicks and feats in brewing. Oh and penguin costumes? ‘Nough said.

Runner-up: Matt Dauffenbach

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Biggest Jock: CHAD MELIS

Working in the beer industry can be a slippery slope. Consumption of beer everyday, typically with copious amounts of food, can be quite detrimental to one’s girlish figure. But, there are some men out there dedicated to fitness and keeping their body beach-ready.

Runner-up: Adam Avery

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Biggest Flirt: COLIN FERGUSON

Don Juan, Casanova, Dracula, George Clooney — they all have it. The word is CHARISMA. We are talking about the snake charmers who can talk the pants… errr boots off just about anyone. And Colin is one heck of a Ladies Man.

Runner-up: Dr. Bill Sysak

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Most Plaid-Tastic Flannel-i-cious: JASON OLIVER

Plaid is the new black. And it takes a real man to pull off the plaid-flannel combination. In fact, it takes a really burly manly mountain man. That or a brewer. Either way, it is one heck of a fashion statement.

Runner-up: Joe Mohrfeld

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Biggest (Internet) Geek: Shaun O’ Sullivan

They may be worshiped by many, but let’s not kid ourselves here. Brewers are geeks. And their fans are geeks. And the winner of the biggest geek award goes to Sully, the man rarely ever seen NOT on some sort of technological device doing something on the Internet.

Runner-up: Greg Koch

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Well folks, thanks for playing. And thanks for getting excited about brewers that get some of us ladies in the beer industry excited. Now… who wants to help make the calendar?