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

Battle of the States!

The Who: Golden Road (CA) and Oskar Blues (CO)

The What: Craft Beer “Throw Down” between new can brewery, Golden Road, and pioneer can brewery Oskar Blues. PLUS the special release of Golden Road’s Burning Bush IPA — A Rauch IPA, Burning Bush uses the smoked malt characterized by a traditional German style Rauchbier, combined with the hops of a west coast IPA. According to its brewers, the Burning Bush undeniably delicious. The Kitchen party attendees get to try it first.

The Where: The Kitchen

The Address: 1530 16th St (Denver)

The When: October 11th

The Time: 3-6pm (before the Thursday GABF session)

The Beers:

• Burning Bush Smoked IPA
• Hudson Imperial Rye Porter (Brandy barrel aged)
• Golden Road Hefeweizen
• Point the Way (cans)
• Wolf Among Weeds (cans)
• Oskar Blues G’Knight Imperial Red
• Oskar Blues/Sun King Chaka collaboration Belgian-style ale
• Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale
• Oskar Blues British Knight

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

“It’s All About the Package” Launch Party

The Who: Oskar Blues

The What: The “It’s All About the Package” Launch Party after the Thursday night Great American Beer Festival session includes larger-than-life live music by Halden Wofford & the Hi Beams, gigantic giveaways, and big, badass beers. Come on down and be a part of some BIG craft beer history in the making!

The Where: Blake Street Tavern

The Address: 2301 Blake Street

The When: Thursday, October 11th

The Time: 9:30pm – 1am

The Cost: FREE!! Well, with the official ticket which you can print off from the Facebook Event page. If you forget, just grab one at the Oskar Blues event booth during GABF. OR, you can be lazy and show the event doorman a picture of the ticket on your phone

According to the beertastic crew over at Oskar Blues, it’s going to be a HUGE night – be sure to bring your party pants!

Follow @oskarblues on Twitter!

Behind the Twitter Avatar Series

Are you curious about the men and women “hiding” behind Twitter avatar of the world’s most beloved craft breweries? Well, you are not alone. The Wench has gone behind the scenes to reveal and introduce you to the individuals who possess the ever coveted social media positions in the craft beer industry.

Behind the Twitter Avatar: @oskarblues

Chad Melis

Brewery: Oskar Blues
Location: Longmont, CO

What is your “official” position with Oskar Blues?

Marketing Director

What is your favorite beer from Oskar Blues?

G’Knight Imperial Red

What is your favorite beer and food pairing?

Ten FIDY Imperial Stout with Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Ice Cream….told you I was easy.

If you were a style of beer, what would you be and why?

I’m sticking with that G’Knight Imperial Red with this one.  G’Knight is named in tribute to an important person in the Colorado craft beer scene that was a major influence on Oskar Blues Brewery.  Creating that tribute and celebrating that spirit is something that is important to me.  www.N3978Y.com  The beer itself is dry hopped with Amarillo hops so it has that organic and pungent fresh nose, followed by the strong malt backbone of the Red & has a surprisingly sweet finish for a beer of its size (8.7 abv).  I’d like to think I have strong roots and am complex enough to surprise people.

And last but not least, what does craft beer mean to you?

PASSION, LIFESTYLE, VIBE.

And in case you didn’t know, the very handsome and ever talented Chad Melis also made the list of the 20 Most Eligible Bachelors of Craft Beer in 2011. But sorry ladies, although he is not married, sources say he is taken. We will just be forced to stalk him via Twitter.

This Friday (Nov 18th), they are unveiling the Bonewagon, a food truck of epic proportions. According to Oskar Blues, the Bonewagon is “a barnstormin’ smokateria on wheels features a menu of “Rubs” (meats seasoned with Oskar Blues own rub recipes), “Tugs” (a side dish.  Not a whole plate, just a tug) and “Morning Chubs” (a chubby breakfast burrito inspired by the Oskar Blues Old Chubway location style fixins’).” Um can we say ahhh-maze-ing? And with a burrito named Morning Chubs, can you really go wrong?

Although it’s main docking point will be outside the Tasty Weasel Taproom at the brewery in Longmont, the Bonewagon will also travel to music venues, festivals, and northern Colorado parking lots upon request.

And if that wasn’t cool enough, fans of the truck can get a daily fix by following its adventures via @OBBonewagon on Twitter.

The only downfall is that legally (who makes up these silly rules, anyways?) Oskar Blues cannot sell it’s awesome beer aboard the Bonewagon. However, if you head to the tap room, you can get your fix for both.

Well played Oskar Blues, this is a FTW for sure.

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