If you love listening to Good tunes, having a Good time, and supporting Good causes (all at once) as much as I do, get your ticket now for the First Ascenders MoreRock benefit concert!

I feel so lucky to live in Denver and be able to do so many of the things I love in and around Denver.  We are surrounded by a beautiful playground in which we can do things like ski, rock climb, cycle, and kayak in a world-class setting, and I, for one, take full advantage of it.  Not only do I get a great thrill from my experiences in the outdoors, but they have also made a major impact on who I am as a person.  Rock climbing alone has taught me countless lessons on discipline, humility, trust, communication, and perseverance.  I’m guessing if you’re still reading this article, you’ve had a similar experience, too.

Unfortunately, though, we’re living in an era in which kids are being less active and spending less and less time outdoors (for a Good book on this phenomenon, read Last Child in the Woods).  There has never been a more important time to get kids out in the wilderness.  That’s why I’m so proud of a few Good friends of mine, Jonah Fruchter, Kevin Riley, and Yoni Geffen, for their work in co-founding a non-profit called First Ascenders.  First Ascenders takes inner-city kids on outdoor climbing trips, teaches them rock climbing skills, instills lasting values, and builds future leaders.  The program is in its early stages, but it has enormous potential and is already experiencing big success with students from the Denver School of Science and Technology.

First Ascenders is off to a promising start, but in order for the program to have the ability to continue to transport groups of kids to/from rock climbing areas, pay for professional rock climbing guides, provide the appropriate safety gear, and expand its reach, the organization needs money!  So, on Saturday February 18th, First Ascenders is putting on an intimate benefit concert at Lost Lake Lounge featuring four Good independent bands, a raffle with prizes, and, in case you’re hungry, the über delicious Über Sausage food truck.

The artists performing at show are below:

• Netherfriends: Featured artist at the Pitchfork Music Festival, this psych-pop project arrives in Colorado in the middle of an ambitious 50 state tour.
• DJ Ginger Perry: Winner of the Best Nontraditional DJ award at the Westword Music Showcase, Ginger’s tracks can be heard regularly at Table 6 and LipGloss.
• Dewi Sant: This group comes to MoreRock out of the independent folk revival in Minnesota. Their influences include Fleet Foxes, Blitzen Trapper and Bright Eyes.
• Small Houses: Michigan based indie/folk project featuring the songs and poems of Flint native Jeremy Quentin.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.  Get them while they last!  Show starts at 7pm.

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter!

The 2012 Denver Restaurant Week menus have been released, and, as always, they look Good!

Every year during Denver Restaurant Week, restaurants all over Denver offer delicious prix-fixe multi-course meals at $52.80 for two people or $26.40 for one person.  The meals typically include at least three awesome courses, and the event is a Good excuse to try new restaurants, treat yourself and your partner to a nice date, or just be a part of the burgeoning Denver culinary scene.  Denver Restaurant Week has been so popular in the past that it has been extended to be two weeks long (this year from February 25 to March 9), and it is still hard to get a reservation at many of the participating restaurants.

Accordingly, now is a Good time to read through the menus and book your reservations so that during Restaurant Week you are savoring the taste of the Good food instead of hearing about it from friends!  The list of Denver Restaurant Week menus can be found here.  If you don’t want to look through them all, I’ve highlighted a few meals that look particularly Good below, and you can also search the restaurants by neighborhood or by cuisine.  Bon Appétit!

* TRATTORIA STELLA ON COLFAX *
Course One – Choose two for the table:

• Cherry House- Mixed Greens, Gorgonzola Cheese, and Sun-dried Cherries with our Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing
• Tom’s Basil Salad – Baby Spinach, Fresh Basil, Tomato, House-Made Mozzarella, Red Onions, Kalamata and Sicilian Olives Served with our Mustard Balsamic Dressing.
• Tomato Basil Bisque Soup

Course Two – Choose one for the table:

• Fried Green Tomatoes – Thick sliced fried green tomatoes with a rosemary chipotle aioli & ricotta cheese
• Baked Brie – Brie cheese topped with roasted garlic & rosemary served warm with fresh bread & fruit
• Flash Fried Calamari – Flash-fried calamari served with a citrus chili aioli, fresno peppers, fresh limes & parsley

Course Three – Choose two for the table:

• Ricotta & Beet Ravioli – House-made raviolis stuffed with ricotta & goat cheese topped with red beets & candied walnuts in a marsala butter finished with baby arugula
• Spaghetti Bolognese – Italian sausage, ground beef & pork slowly simmered with carrots, sweet onion, plum tomatoes & white wine tossed with egg spaghetti
• Truffled Asparagus Spaghetti – Asparagus, wilted arugula, pine nuts, shallots & mushrooms in thyme butter tossed with Egg Spaghetti & finished with a drizzle of white truffle oil
• Creamy Sausage Tomato Rigate – House pork sausage cooked with cream & a touch of tomato sauce tossed with fresh beet rigate
• 32nd Street Pasta – Black tiger shrimp, roasted pecans & sun dried cherries tossed with spinach spaghetti in a spicy lemon aglio olio, finished with goat cheese
• Lasagna of the Day – Homemade Lasagna created fresh daily

Course Four – Choose two for the table:

• White Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Kahlua Bread Pudding – our house specialty!
• Tiramisu
• Key Lime Tart
• Chili Pot De Creme
• Sour Cream Apple Pie
• Berry Cobbler
• Flourless Caramel Chocolate Torte

* LE CENTRAL FRENCH BISTRO *
Hors d’Oeuvres (choose one):

• Feuillete de Queus d Ecrevisses, Sauce Nantua – Crawfish tails tossed with mushrooms and spring vegetables in a creamy crawfish sauce, accompanied by wilted spinach served on a light puff pastry boat.
• Galantine de Canard aux Pistaches – Juicy boneless duck breast, stuffed with a duck pate prepared with cognac and pistacios, poached in chicken stock and served with a lingonberry sauce.

Le Plat Principal (choose one):

• Koulibiac de Saumon – Wild salmon filet and wild mushroom hash wrapped in brioche, baked and enhanced with a dill cream sauce.
• Lapin aux deux facons – rabbit prepared two ways; stuffed and roasted rabbit saddle with a confit rabbit leg served on a bed of carrots, peas and Parisian potatoes.

Le Dessert (choose one):

• Nougat Glace – Creamy and honey meets nutty and frosty in this delightful frozen dessert.
• Baba au Rhum – A rich citrus scented brioche saturated with rum, garnished with pastry cream.

* LINGER *
Appetizer

• Spiced Chickpea Soup / Pistachio Butter, Roasted Cauliflower & Preserved Lemon
• Roasted Beet Bhel Puri / Puffed rice, Crunchy Lentil Noodles, Cashews, Fresnos, Raita & Apricot Chutney
• Pork Steamed Buns / Steamed Sesame Buns, Korean BBQ Pork, Kimchi & Scallions

Entree

• Thai Braised Short Rib / Coconut Milk Poached Baby Bok Choy, Black Sesame Rice Crisp & Sambal Oil
• Yucatan Huarache con Mahi a la Plancha / Seared Mahi, Black Bean Corn Flatbread, Pickled Chilies & Avocado, Achiote Creme Fraiche, Lime & Pepitas
• Chicken B’stilla / Crispy Pastry, Almonds, Apricots,Golden Raisins, Saigon Cinnamon, Harissa, Preserved Lemon Yogurt & Heirloom Salad
• Masala Dosa / Crispy Rice & Lentil Crepe, Masala potatoes, Brussels Sprouts, Black Mustard Seeds, Tamarind-Date & Coconut Chutneys

Dessert

• Soft Serve Ice Cream – Malted Bailey’s & Roasted Banana
• Mississippi Mud Pie – Miso-Butterscotch, Devonshire Cream & Walnut Tuile
• Peanut Butter & Jelly Cup – Cabernet Jelly Coulis, Whipped Cream, Brûléed Banana & Candied Peanuts

* ROOT DOWN *
First Course (choose one each):

• Organic Curry & Thai Red Curry Soup / Apple-Pear Chutney & Cilantro
• Organic Roasted Baby Beets / Arugula, Cana de Oveja, Toasted Hazelnuts, Beet-Sunflower Seed Pesto & Basil Vin
• Organic Butternut-Ricotta Gnocchi / Mushrooms, Spinach, Black Currants, Shallots, Chile Fake, Brown Butter, Sage-Hazelnut Pesto & Pecorino

Second Course (choose one each):

• Country Fried Tofu / Roasted Brussels, Cipollinis, Polenta Cake, Blood-Orange Chili Reduction
• Roasted Petaluma 3 Chili Chicken / Habanero, Chipotle, Jalapeno, Lemon Creme Fraiche, Green Chili Grit Cake & Carrot-Cucumber-Spinach Salad
• Pan Seared Barramundi / Smoked Prosciutto, Shallots. Roasted Brussels, Blood-Orange Chili Reduction, Miso-Vanilla Butter & Pumpkin Seed Crust

Third Course (choose one each):

• Chocolate Chip Croissant Bread Pudding / Sour Cream Ice Cream & Bourbon Sauce
• Chocolate Coconut Pie / Blueberry Gastrique, Coconut Caramel, Almond Ice Cream & Salted Chocolate Flakes
• Lemon Budino Cake / Pomegranate Sherbet & Toasted Merengue

Don’t live in Denver but want to experience Denver Restaurant Week?  Move here!  If you are moving to Denver, search all of the Denver homes for sale and let’s be in touch.

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter. 

Image source: http://www.denver.org/denverrestaurant/

As you probably know by now, I’m a big fan of Icelantic Boards.  They make Good innovative, hand-crafted, locally-made skis (and now a splitboard).  They also have teamed up with creative businesses, marketing/PR firms, and other winter sports companies to share a cool collaborative workspace called Battery621.  Battery621 fosters creative synergies between its tenants, serves as a “gateway to the mountains,” and happens to be the location of a Good party every first Friday.

Now, Icelantic is taking its innovation and love for a Good party to the next level by sponsoring the first-ever winter concert at Red Rocks.  Coinciding with the Snow Sports Industries of America (SIA) Snow Show Tradeshow, the concert they are calling “Winter on the Rocks” will feature successful hip-hop artists Atmosphere and Common, and up-and-coming artists Grieves & Budo.  I saw Atmosphere live at the Mile High Music Festival in 2010 and have been listening to his music since–he puts on an awesome live show.  You probably know who Common is, and maybe even saw him “controversially” recently read poetry at the White House, but in case you don’t know–he’s Good, too.

Winter on the Rocks should be an awesome concert and hopefully the start of a new season of shows at Red Rocks!  Tickets can be purchased online here (or at the Ogden to avoid Ticketmaster’s service charge).  Doors open at 6:30pm.  Below is a video of Atmosphere performing at Summer Jam in 2009 and Common performing “The Light” in 2007.  Enjoy!

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter. 

Thinking about buying or selling a home in Denver?  Click here.

The Denver Botanic Gardens is one of the attractions with free days in 2012

The Science and Facilities Cultural District recently released its list of 2012 free days at the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and the Denver Center for Performing Arts!

You’re probably aware that most museums and cultural institutions in Denver charge an admission fee, but you may not know that you already contribute to a special tax district called the Science and Facilities Cultural District, which helps pay for free days at some of Denver’s biggest attractions.  The SCFD is a 1/10 of 1% sales tax on purchases in the Denver metropolitan area, and it raises approximately $40 million dollars annually for hundreds of government and nonprofit scientific and cultural organizations.  It also helps fund free days at our biggest institutions to ensure that culture remains accessible to all.

Below is the list of 2012 free days at Denver museums and attractions!

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter.

Jalapeno poppers from Encore

If you’re looking for a meal your taste buds will remember, consider making a reservation at Encore on Colfax.  My girlfriend, Jessa, and I recently went there for the first time.  Located adjacent to the Tattered Cover at the corner of Colfax and Elizabeth, we’d driven by it hundreds of times but had never been in for a meal.  Not ever going in was a HUGE mistake–the food is spectacular.

We started out our meal with a two appetizers.  The first was a plate of Jalapeno Poppers stuffed with cream cheese, wrapped in apple smoked bacon, roasted, and served atop a spread of raspberry jam.  They were phenomenal–the kind of appetizer that you put in your mouth and instantly know the entire meal is going to be one to remember.  The second was the Roasted Potato Gnocchi.  Served with a chile relleno sauce, pumpkin seeds, a parsley pesto, and queso fresco, the gnocchi was delicious and perfectly cooked.

How we were able to decide on those two appetizers and our entrees, I have no idea.  I do not exaggerate when I write that I wanted to try literally everything on the menu.  In between our appetizers and our main dish we asked for bread, and it came quickly with a plate of jalapeno-infused olive oil.  I love spicy food, so I was excited that the olive oil was jalapeno-infused.  But, for those of you who don’t crave spicy foods, have no fear.  The oil really brought out the flavor of the pepper, but it wasn’t spicy (I think they must not include the jalapeno seeds when infusing the oil).  Even though the oil wasn’t spicy, it was still fantastic–so fantastic that we decided we had to make some at home (I’ll report back to let you all know how ours turns out–ours will have seeds!).

Mustard fries drizzled with warm mustard sauce accompanied the falafel burger

Anyway, the rest of the meal continued to be very Good.  We ordered the Roasted Beef Sauerbraten and the Falafel Burger.  The sauerbraten was a filet of beef served atop golden potatoes, bacon Brussels spouts, and a red wine pan sauce.  I’d have to say that while the beef was great, I think the Brussels sprouts might have stolen its thunder.  Mixed with chunks of bacon, they were a decadent delight.  The falafel burger was also great.  It came served with a side of french fries drizzled in warm mustard sauce that was super addictive.

We can’t wait to head back to Encore to try more of the menu.  Thankfully, next time we go we’ll also get $10 off because we bought the Eat Denver Dining Deck, one of the 10 Good Denver gift ideas I profiled here.  Thanks again, Encore, for an unbelievably Good meal!

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter!

A subscription to 5280 Magazine ($9.95): I’ve always enjoyed reading articles from 5280 online, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to subscribe to the printed version of 5280 Magazine.  It is chock full of timely, informative, interesting, and relevant articles relating to Denver.  The quality of the writing is consistently Good.  And 5280 is similar to National Geographic–it’s the kind of magazine you want to have stacks of lying around the house for friends and visitors to read through.  Those who are just visiting will want to move here, and people who already live here will find useful information on local food, activities, events, people, and more.  Right now the magazine is offering a special holiday rate of $9.95 for 12 issues–give it to a friend and subscribe for yourself, too.  You won’t regret it.

An “upcycled” accessory made from used Colorado microbrewery 6-pack containers ($10-$20): Mindy Humphrey takes used 6 pack containers that would normally end up in a dumpster or recycling bin and “upcycles” them into neat accessories such as wallets and purses for her shop on Etsy.com.  The shop already includes many products derived from Colorado microbrewery 6-pack containers, but if she doesn’t have one from your giftee’s favorite brewery, just send her a 6-pack box and she’ll custom-make the product you request…and mail it to you with free shipping.  A great gift for the beer connoisseur, or for your buddy whose wallet is falling apart.

A bottle of Leopold Bros. booze ($20-$35): If there’s a friend or family member you’d like to give a nice bottle of liquor to, consider something from Leopold Bros. Distillery.  Todd and Scott Leopold grew up in Colorado and, after a brief stint in Ann Arbor Michigan, are back home distilling award-winning liquor and liqueurs.  Leopold’s Gin is the best gin I’ve had in my lifetime, the Rocky Mountain Blackberry Liqueur is phenomenal, and their American Small-Batch Whiskey is quite Good as well (for more on what distinguishes them from the pack, see my recent article about Leopold Bros. here).  Hopefully your giftee will not only appreciate the quality of the liquor, but will also share some of the holiday “spirit!”

The Eat Denver Dining Deck ($50):  Eat Denver is an independent restaurant association made up of some of the best independent restaurants in Denver.  They believe that camaraderie and collaboration is essential to elevating the unique dining scene and food culture in Denver.  Eat Denver has put together a Dining Deck featuring 52 $10 gift cards to local restaurants such as Root Down, Steuben’s, Luca d’Italia, Olivea, H Burger, Snooze, Wynkoop Brewery, and more.  Talk about a Good deal, the deck is a whopping $520 value, and it only costs you $50!

A gift basket from the Women’s Bean Project ($10-$66.50):  I’m a big fan of the Women’s Bean Project.  Located in downtown Denver, the organization takes a small group of chronically unemployed low-income women and provides them with a steady job, job skills, and a supportive environment.  “Since 1989 we have been helping women break the cycle of poverty and unemployment.  We are a nonprofit organization that teaches job readiness and life skills for entry-level jobs through employment in our gourmet food production and handmade jewelry manufacturing businesses.  Women come with the goal of transforming their lives and moving toward self sufficiency.”  The Women’s Bean Project is a Good cause to support, and, what’s more, their products are delicious!

A gift certificate to Mile-Hi Skydiving Center ($209 tandem): Has your friend or loved one ever gone skydiving?  How do you think they would feel about jumping out of a plane 17,500 feet in the air and free-falling at 130 MPH next to Long’s Peak and the Rocky Mountains?  Hopefully pretty Good if you’re considering getting them this gift.  Located in Longmont, Mile-Hi Skydiving Center is the only full-time skydiving operation within 100 miles of the Denver/Boulder metropolitan areas.  For $209, they’ll take your giftee for a flight he or she will never forget!

A GoPro HD Hero 2 ($299):  GoPro video cameras can be attached to you ski helmet, your mountain bike, your car, your surfboard, your arm–pretty much anything, and they shoot incredible videos.  See this one of a skier setting off an avalanche as he skis off a cliff, launches a parachute, and is able to float safely to the ground and this one of a mountain biker in South Africa who gets rammed in the head by a gazelle while riding full speed down a single track trail.  I don’t know about you, but if I ever get rammed in the head by a gazelle while mountain biking or trigger an avalanche while skiing of a cliff, I want it on video.  This is the device to capture it.

A “gift that says you care” ($5-$300):  Nicholas Kristof recently posted an article in the New York Times highlighting organizations doing Good work all over the world that could benefit from a holiday gift.  For $5 you can buy a mosquito net that will protect people from getting malaria, for $25 you can buy a pair of glasses for someone in need, for $30 you can buy a flock of chickens for a hungry family, and for $300 you can stock a fish pond.  Why am I including these items on a Good Denver gift ideas list?  Because we, in Denver, care.

A dog…make that a BIG dog ($375 suggested donation): Denver is a dog city.  Everyone and their brother has a dog here, and if you don’t one, the holidays might be the perfect time to change that.  Two years ago I posted an article about Big Dogs Huge Paws, a local nonprofit that rescues, rehabilitates, fosters, and offers for adoption big dogs such as Great Danes and Mastiffs.  Similar to humans, the bigger and older a dog is, the harder it is to find someone to adopt it.  In spite of the difficulties associated with rescuing these dogs, Big Dogs Huge Paws is successfully implementing its program that ensures that their big dogs are given proper medical care, rehabilitated as necessary, placed with well-trained foster parents, and adopted by loving families that understand the unique needs of large breed dogs.  Right now BDHP has more than 50 big dogs awaiting permanent homes, such as Argent (see picture, above left), a seven year-old Great Dane.  Look at those ears!!

A pair of locally-made skis from Icelantic Boards ($475-$999):  Colorado is supposed to get between 100-115% of its average snowfall this winter, but that snow, needless to say, has been late to arrive to the I-70 corridor.  Though this is frustrating for all of us yearning for face shots of powder right now, it does mean that there is still time to get a friend or loved one a pair of locally-made Icelantic skis (or now a splitboard–see my article here) before the arrival of deep powder.  I have had a pair of the Shamans (see photo of this year’s version, left) since 2008 and can tell you with total confidence that few other powder boards would get your giftee more excited to shred the gnar.  If the new boards are out of your price range, look for boards from the ’10-’11 and ’09-10 lines online for steep discounts!

That’s all 10 Good Denver gift ideas, but I saved one more just for you since you read all the way to the bottom.  Give the gift of a Good home!  No, you don’t have to your friend a house, but if your friend or loved one is looking to purchase a home, I work full-time as a Denver real estate agent and would love to deliver an excellent homebuying experience to them.  Visit www.milehighpropertyguy.com for more information.

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter.

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter.

A tasting flight of craft beers from the new Renegade Brewing Company in Denver

I had a chance to visit the new Renegade Brewing Company in Denver the other day, and, wanting to get to know the brewery for all it’s worth, I ordered a tasting flight of each beer on the menu.  Eight four-ounce glasses later, I was quite happy with my decision.  All of the beers were Good; my favorites were the Ryeteous (a nice rye IPA), the Una Mas (a Mexican amber ale with a poblano pepper taste), and the Another Thrill (an imperial porter at 9% alcohol by volume).  While my taste buds were certainly pleased with my visit, I was even more excited by my sense of possibility of what microbreweries like Renegade can (continue to) do to enhance our city and our state.

In terms of quality beer, here in Colorado we’ve got it Good.  Our state produces more beer than any other in the country, we have the fourth-most microbreweries per capita, and we’re third in total number of breweries per state.  Our 124+ breweries run the size gamut: ranging from small microbreweries such as Renegade, to seasoned home-grown breweries with large distribution networks such as New Belgium Brewery, to massive operations with an international presence such as Coors.

We’re doing well as a state, but it gets even better.  The American craft brewing industry is rapidly expanding.  Last year, in spite of a shaky economy and a 1% decrease in overall U.S. beer sales by volume, the craft brewing industry grew by 12%.  Over the same year, microbreweries’ total share of the beer market increased from 4.3% to 4.9%.  And this year again, craft beer sales were up 15% in the first half of 2011.  (For more data on the beer industry see the Beer Institute for the 2011 Brewer’s Almanac and the Brewer’s Association for craft brewing statistics.)

I’m excited by the growth of microbreweries, and I’m excited that Colorado is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the growth of the industry and the new jobs and revenue that come along with it.  Many people already refer to Colorado as the “Napa Valley of beer,” and, while we’ve certainly established a Good reputation for our state’s quality beer, we should aim even higher.  I’d like to see Colorado not only be the top beer producing state in the country, but also have the highest number of microbreweries per capita and per state.  Wouldn’t it be great if there were a microbrewery in every Colorado town?  Perhaps, then, instead of being referred to as the “Napa Valley of beer,” we’d be referred to as “Colorado, beer capital of the world.”

It will probably take a bit of time (20 years?) to become the beer capital of the world, but here are five easy steps we can take in the mean time to speed up the process:

1. Restaurants and bars: offer local.  Many Colorado restaurants and bars already offer a wide selection of local beers.  Those that don’t, should.  Customers are seeking out craft beer more and more–why not give them what they want, recycle money into the Colorado economy, and make more bang for your buck?
2. Consumers: buy local.  Treat your taste buds and try out a new Colorado brew.  Chances are you’ll enjoy it, and the more success Colorado beers experience in Colorado, the more Colorado beers you’ll see in Colorado, in the rest of the country, and around the world.
3. Established brewers: collaborate.  Just as food trucks in Denver (while still being competitive) experienced unprecedented success in Denver through collaborating on initiatives such as Civic Center Eats, you, too, can find strength in numbers.  Identify ways to share resources, develop common supply/distribution channels, put on shared beer festivals, and try out other innovative ways to decrease your cost, increase your reach, add to your profitability, and help develop our state’s reputation as the beer capital of the world.
4. Homebrewers: keep it up.  Coloradans love to try out new craft beers.  Our sense of curiosity and appreciation for quality is what enabled Jeff Lebesch to take New Belgium Brewery from his basement twenty years ago to the incredible success story that it is today.  I was in St. Louis this past week and every bar I went to, without exception, served New Belgium beer.  Follow your passion, focus on quality, and success for you and our state will follow.
5. State and local government entities: harness the potential.  The largest ticketed domestic beer festival, the Great American Beer Festival, is held in Denver every year and sells out in a matter of weeks; this year’s GABF featured 466 breweries and 2,375 beers, and an estimated 49,000 people attended.  With the craft beer industry expanding while so many industries are on the decline–and with Colorado so uniquely positioned to take advantage of this industry’s growth–state and local governments would be wise to market, incentivize, and support the development of the Colorado craft beer industry in order to help provide Colorado with a more sustainable economic future…and support the continued production of new, delicious, Good beer.

Cheers to our microbreweries—and to the idea that 2031 is the year that Colorado is declared the beer capital of the world! 

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter.

—————————–

An additional note: Not only is Colorado home to many Good microbreweries, it is also home to a burgeoning group of Good microdistilleries and Good wineries.  I encourage you to read my post about Leopold Bros. Distillery, a recent New York Times blog post on Colorado microdistilleries, and Fulcrum Publishing’s Guide to Colorado Wineries.  You might also be interested in a Good craft beer blog written by Denver resident Billy Broa called BillyBrew.

I came across his blog about tasting burgers all over the country after being passed along his recent post on Steak ‘n Shake coming to Colorado.  Both of us grew up in St. Louis, and we both have fond memories of late nights at Steak ‘n Shake (I’m guessing the same one–Brentwood Blvd., right Benjamin?).  Ah yes, if you were in high school and it was late, all of the cool kids were at Steak ‘n Shake.

Anyway, I was going to write an article on the glory that is the arrival of Steak ‘n Shake to Colorado (especially for late-night cool kids from Centennial), but Benjamin’s article was so Good that there was no need.  After finishing his Steak ‘n Shake article, I checked out some of the other articles in the NBA (burger) series and found more Good ones (see Portland…Skinny Jeans and Fat Burgers, New Orleans Part I: Gettin’ Fat At Fat Harry’s, and Los Angeles Part II: In-N-Out Burger).  If you enjoy burgers or a Good laugh, head to Benjamin’s burger blog to read more from his National Burger Adventure.

I can’t help but think how much of a bummer it must be to be a Nuggets writer in the midst of an NBA lockout, but Benjamin seems to be taking it in stride.  In addition to his National Burger Adventure blog, he also started a mini-video series called “Tales from a Locked-Out Sportswriter,” in which he tries out things he’s never done before.  In the first episode he goes outside for a hike in Boulder, and in the second episode (see below), he makes a fledgling attempt at yoga.  After all those burgers, getting into hiking and yoga might not be a bad idea!

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter.

Richard Kallweit. The Ultimate Painting, 1966. Photographic documentation of a collaborative work between Clark Richert, Richard Kallweit, JoAnn Bernofsky, Gene Bernofsky and Charles DiJulio. Image source: mcadenver.org.

Two years ago the Denver Art Museum featured an amazing psychedelic art exhibit of over 300 concert posters from San Francisco in the late 60′s.  Tonight, the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art is opening an exhibit from the same era entitled “West of Center: Art and the Counterculture Experiment in America 1965-1977.  A Good friend of mine who works for the museum–who I trust regarding anything that even slightly relates to art–tells me that this is an exhibit you won’t want to miss.

Here’s an excerpt of the exhibit description:

In the heady and hallucinogenic days of the 1960s and ’70s, a diverse range of artists and creative individuals based in the American West—from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest—broke the barriers between art and lifestyle and embraced the new, hybrid sensibilities of the countercultural movement. The exhibition West of Center illuminates the unique works of these individuals through videos, photographs, drawings, ephemera and other original and re-created objects and environments.

The countercultural movement has typically been associated with psychedelic art, but West of Center presents psychedelia as only one dimension of the larger, artistically oriented, socially based phenomenon. The wider integration of art practices, political action and collaborative life activities is foundational for so much contemporary art and culture.

Co-curators Elissa Auther and Adam Lerner bring together a range of projects by groups and individuals such as the Drop City commune in southern Colorado, light show producers Single Wing Turquoise Bird, San Francisco’s extravagant theatre groups the Cockettes and the Angels of Light, modern dancer Anna Halprin, former Black Panther Emory Douglas, the Ant Farm collective, and the Womyn’s Lands of southern Oregon.

Expect tonight’s opening to be one to remember.  Museum visitors can see all of the amazing artwork included in the exhibit, many are expected to dress up in crazy outfits, part of the opening includes an incredible light show, and the 60′s psychedelic drag queen group, The Cockettes are expected to make an appearance…in full drag.  The schedule for tonight starts with a member preview from 6pm-8pm, and the public opening follows thereafter from 8pm-10pm.  Enjoy the opening!

The Denver Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 1485 Delgany St., Denver, CO 80202.

The Good Life Denver is written by David Schlichter.  To stay in the loop, like The Good Life Denver on Facebook and follow @thegoodlifeden on Twitter.