Written by Brandon Marcus, Christopher Birtch, and Julian Dahl
This Week’s Brewery:
Bristol Brewing Company
Bristol Brewing Company is another down-to-earth Colorado brewery just like Pikes Peak Brewery. Founded in 1994, Bristol has settled into the Colorado Springs area with one mission: to brew one of a kind ales for us Coloradans. To fulfill that mission, they live by three brewing principles: quality, purity, and sanity. They cherish the use of natural ingredients, and thus their product is high-quality. You know it was brewed fresh just down the street from where you are sitting.
This Week’s Picks:
Julian’s Pick: Red Baron Octoberfest
Not a regular in the Bristol Family, this fall seasonal beer is an exquisite example of an Octoberfest-style lager. The flavor, while not extraordinarily deep, is very clean. The vienna malts stand out in the flavor, yet are very modest. It has a very pure copper/ruby color, a bit of a grainy taste, and toasty/dry flavor. All of these componments attribute to why it is a great example of Vienna Style Octoberfest beer. It ranks about a 27 on the IBU and is 5.8% alcohol by volume. Get it while you can because this one will fly off the shelves this fall.
Topher’s Pick: Compass IPA
This American style IPA has some serious character. There is a beautiful amber golden color with some visible sediment. This beer has a citrus scent yet the flavors resemble a great IPA that keeps you coming back for more. There is a strong initial bitter hop burst that is short lived leaving you wanting another sip. This ale is brewed with a few different malts and hops including Chinook, Columbus, and Cascade.This ale has some zip and ranks a 55 on the IBU and is 6.5% alcohol by volume. While not the strongest IPA out there we seriously recommend giving this one a try.
Brandon’s Pick: Laughing Lab
The Laughing Lab has been a staple at the brewery since it opened its doors in 1994. It is a local favorite and has won many awards and medals over the years. This Scottish Ale is dark and clear in color. The malty, toffee, caramel scents are easily distinguishable off the pour. It is light in body but has full flavors including malts and a nutty finish. It comes in at a 19 on the IBU and is 5.0% by volume. Although it may look dark it drinks much lighter and we recommend trying this one out in the near future if you haven’t been able to yet. All three beers have very distinct flavors true to their styles, but have short lived tastes that do not overwhelm the palate. All great choices for sitting around with good friends and seshing great beers!
Other Bristol Beers to Check Out:
The Bristol family consists of five staples produced year round. These are the Laughing Lab Scottish Ale, the Red Rocket Pale Ale, the Beehive Honey Wheat, the Compass IPA, and the Mass Transit Amber Style Ale. Also available throughout the year are a selection of other delicious seasonals and new releases including the Yellow Kite Summer Pils, the World Peace Death Ray Imperial IPA, and the Knob Hill Station Imperial Rye PA to name a few.
Where to Buy and Drink Bristol Beer:
The best place to drink Bristol beers is on site at the Bristol Brewing Company in Colorado Springs. Located in the Old Ivywild School, 1604 S. Cascade Ave., this is a great place to both eat and drink.
While the vibe at Bristol Brewing Company is great, you can also find many of these beers on tap at local restaurants or in bottles at many of your favorite local liquor stores.