Revival, n, 1) renewed attention to or interest in something; 2) to bring back from lifelessness; 3) a raucus event punctuated by shouts of joy and a reaffirmation of all that is good!
Colorado's First Microbrewery is throwing another big old party this Saturday, and we'd like you to join us. We call it
We're toasting 26 years of craft brewing in Colorado. Since it started with Boulder Beer, what better place to have it than right here? Our Second Annual celebration of all things Boulder Beer is Saturday, August 27 from 1 - 8 pm in the parking lot of our brewery.
For more on last year's whacked-out party, click on the link below:
http://www.boulderbeer.com/GoatshedRevival2004.htm
Fine. But what's with the Goatshed?
Well, sit right back and you'll hear a tale...In 1979 there was revolution in the air: Disco was waning, The Sex Pistols were raging, and the federal government had de-criminalized homebrewing. So, two professors at the University of Colorado in Boulder -- Stick Ware and David Hummer -- decided to test the entrepeneurial waters with a little project called a "microbrewery." As with most truly innovative ideas, there were objections from family and zoning inspectors, so the basement was out. The chosen location then was a building northeast of town sharing occupancy with at least one goat -- which came in handy when testing the first few pilot brews.
But, goats and college freshmen will drink anything, so a few experts were brought in. Michael Jackson, a British journalist and Scotch connoisseur who'd carved something of a niche for himself writing books and magazine articles about beer all over the world, joined Fred Eckhardt, a writer, homebrewer and good-beer-missionary from the Pacific Northwest, along with Charlie Papazian, brewing guru and founder of the recently established (in 1979) Association of Brewers in Boulder. They had a party at the goatshed.
(pictured above: BeerHunter Michael Jackson, Otto Zavarone -- original Boulder Beer brewmaster, Charlie Papazian -- founder of the Brewers Association and Great American Beer Festival, five other guys that we'd be glad to tell you about, and Fred Eckhardt -- Beer Writer and craft brewing guru).
Well, it couldn't have been too bad, because the three of them not only had more than one, but they're all still alive to tell the tale. If they can remember it.
We can't, but we can throw a party of our own -- and we're bringing back The Goatshed!
Yes, things have changed a bit since 1979: we've moved to a significantly larger site and even added onto it, where we brew our award-winning recipes in a fifty-barrel brewhouse, ferment in quantities of 200 barrels, and package our longnecks with a state-of-the-art 130 unit per minute Krones bottling line. But we still have the passion that got us started, and the desire to throw ourselves a great party.
OK, So what about The Goatshed Revival this Saturday?
We'll have live music on our very own "keg stage," starting at 1:30 with Kutendara. Our friends from 97.3 KBCO will be coming down in the middle of the afternoon with tunes and cds to give away. At 4:15 - 4:20 or so, we'll raise a cup of cheer for the annual toast and photo, and at 4:30 dance to the music of The Tripping Griswolds until 8 pm.
There will be plenty of tasty culinary diversions including pizza, falafel, funnel cakes, shaved ice, ice cream, and even cotton candy. Visit our pub and back patio for more formal dining, and fantastic view of the Boulder Flatirons in the shade of freshly grown hops. Take a tour of the facility led by one of our top-rate brewers. Hob-nob with hopheads and taste the special "Nit-Wit" ale brewed specially for the party. Try some of the fun interactive ways to help us raise funds for Flatirons Habitat for Humanity, including Bean the Bartender in the Dunk Tank, Beer Bottle Ring Toss, and more.
Of course, there will also be plenty of brewery-fresh beer to help quench your thirst and satisfy your tastebuds.
Who's got tents? How's this?
Band Merchandise and CDs from Kutendara,
Traveling Griswolds
Bella Trading Company
Blue Dragon Amusements
Boulder Beer Company Rolling Hazed Schwag Tent
Brewers Association
Cherry Creek Concessions - Funnel Cakes, Nacho's, Hot Dogs
Cotton Candy - goes great with beer!
Discovery Toys
Falafel / Gyro's (Cathy)
Flatirons Habitat for Humanity
Glacier Ice Cream
Beautiful Bodies - Henna Body Painting
Kathy Thompson Jewelry
KBCO World Class Rock
Kim's Korn
Madagascar Hats & Purses
Mary Kay
Old Chicago Rolling Pizza Oven
Old Style Sausage featuring Planet Porter Brats
Princess House
Redstone Meadery
Sista's Jewelry
Toy Balloon & Novelties
We hope you can join us as we look forward to another twenty-six years of great beer brewed by great people in a great brewery.
Wonder what it'll be like? Click here for a photo gallery of some memories from 2004. Sorry, there are no pictures of the Naked Bike Riders, but they did pop by. This year, who knows?