Jason's Profile

This blog has two authors, Jason and Caleb. Here is the profile of the first.

1) Why are you attempting this crazy, drunken project of trying every brewery in Colorado?

I grew up in Fort Collins. I was still in elementary school when New Belguim and O'Dells were really getting their start. When I turned 21, I was already hooked on Fat Tire and rarely ventured beyond drinking local, tried and true beers. When I moved overseas for a few years, I began to realize how fortunate I was to grow up in the heart of American microbrewing at a time that the entire beer industry was changing. I got a chance to try beers that were brewed outside of Fort Collins. Some were excellent, some were barely more than cat piss in a glass. Whether they were good or bad, I always felt a longing for the beers of home. When I made the decision to move myself and my family permanently, I felt that one way to really connect with Colorado was to try to visit all of the breweries here. I love Colorado and I love beer, so what better way to reacquaint myself with my roots than to drink every beer I could in Colorado?

2)  What's your goal here?

My goals are twofold. First, I want to share with people the joy of microbrewing. I may be an amateur beer drinker (in that no one has ever paid me to drink beer), but I think that microbrews are really the future of beer. However, whenever I go into a store to buy beer, I'm overwhelmed by choice. Do I want a stout, a pilsner? Is this IPA any good or does it taste like dead skunk? The only way to figure that out it to try all I can. Second, I'm trying to reconnect with the things that I've really enjoyed of my life in Colorado. It's much more than friends and family. There is a genuine warmth exhibited by people in this state that I really want to experience. I want to see the beauty of this state with my best friend. Also, if I get him drunk enough, Caleb might be up for a little pinch and tickle, if you know what I mean.

3) Favorite beer?

Without a doubt, my favorite beer in the world is St. Bernardus Prior 8. It's a Belgian abbey ale that takes all the magic of stouts and brown ales and combines them into a nutty, caramely, 8% ABV nectar that is irresistible. Too bad it's a thousand dollars an ounce.

4) Favorite Colorado beer?

As I've said, I grew up in Fort Collins along with New Belgium, and so my favorite Colorado beer has to be Fat Tire, though the Sunshine Wheat in the can may be the best summer beer possible.