It’s not often a new event comes out of the gate, and is stellar in the first year. Definitely the case with Farm to Bottle at the Gaylord Street shopping district in Denver in October.
From the staff help to booths to walkways and vendors, this event was extremely well organized and run, a sure ticket to a better event next year. The afternoon and evening festival featured live music all day long, as well as a myriad of local distilleries and breweries serving some special libations. And, as expected, the local merchants on the street rolled out the carpet for those who needed a shopping break from the food and drink.
Patrons had two choices of tickets, regular and VIP. That upgrade got you an exclusive area with snacks and fresh cocktails, plus a comfortable spot to sit during consumption timeouts. However, the street has ample benches so sitting a spell here and there is possible all along the street.
The biggest attraction of the festival was the sufficient amount of drinks, breweries and distillers present, all made in Colorado. Cowgirl Lemonade was a definite hit with the crowd as it combined lemon juice and maple syrup in a proprietary blend. The Marble Distilling Company, just outside of Aspen, had one of the big lines with the Midnight EXpresso, a potent combination of a little caffeine in the coffee liquor. If that wasn’t enough fun, they also poured their Gingercello, a Colorado combination of fresh ginger and lemon. Marble Distilling also has their own inn, so you can stay and sip and then sack out for the night after multiple samplings.
Just up the road in Lyons is Spirit Hound Distillers, and who can’t like a product with a dog as the icon? One of their standouts is the White Dog Moonshine, which won silver in that division of the American Craft Distillers Association competition.
Beer was a featured drink, with one of the most popular booths that of Prost Brewing, a Denver brewery which does German beer possibly better than the Germans themselves! Winners of numerous awards, with a standout of their Märzen Oktoberfest.
Food vendors rounded out the festival to ensure that there was a balance between liquid and solid consumption. has a constant line-up of events and festivals. What really sets them apart is they are in the big city, but you feel like you are part of a small town celebration!
The constant success and reputation of the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs has at something to do with the incredible setting in the shadow of Cheyenne Mountain. The Broadmoor has expanded from primarily a summer resort to offer the same level of luxury experience in every season with a unique Colorado flavor. As a transition time, fall is a little quieter and a prime time to visit.
The Broadmoor has a reputation as a world-class hotel with one of the top ten golf courses in the world; the resort has purposely mutated programs and offerings to broaden the guest experience.
In terms of golf, the East and the West courses have not really changed. While not long by modern standards, they are challenging nonetheless with the courses following the natural contours of the foothills and terrain making most second shots an art form. It’s easy to get lost in the scenic beauty with the result a less than optimal second shot. The USGA picked this for the Senior Open in 2018. The course never closes, and from December 15 into March, guests can play the original 11 holes for no charge.
The Spa at the Broadmoor has also turned into a world-class operation that offers some very unique relaxation and rejuvenation options. For example, both the men’s and women’s area feature an oxygen room, which aids recovery and energy. Their signature massage individually adjusts Swedish, deep tissue and Shiatsu techniques for individual needs.
Typically, resort food rarely lives up to the other features of the resort. At the Broadmoor, the dining options are as exceptional as the rest of the resort. The 12 restaurants of the Broadmoor are extensions of their guest experience standards combined with mountain-vista inspiration. The Summit is just celebrating its’ 10 year anniversary at the Broadmoor. Quite an accomplishment for the French Bistro that combines inspiration and tweaks from American originality and regional high-country attitude.
Most hotel restaurants undergo some type of major re-do every three to four years. However, the Summit has stood the restaurant test of time both in culinary approach and decor. Chef Musial, has perfected culinary consistency with the Black Angus Hanger Steak and for those a little too calm upon their arrival from their spa experience, the Angry Trout. The Paupiettes De Porc will leave any foodie craving seconds, and when combined with the Lobster Mac n’ Cheese provide ultimate gourmet comfort food.
Fall and winter are usually quiet times at most resorts, yet the Broadmoor really gets geared up for the Holidays. Starting with the Spooktacular, the Broadmoor then adds a Thanksgiving Get A Way package. The ultimate may be the Classic Broadmoor Holiday. This features a stunning holiday show with Grammy winners, such as Melissa Manchester and others in the dinner/show combination. And, the Broadmoor lights just about every tree and shrub on the property, so a beautiful walk between venues.
In Denver, where the mountains meet the plains, the new West is the craft distillery business and how you explore this expanding landscape. Ten years ago, there was one craft distillery in Denver. By the end of 2016, there will be over 90 craft distilleries giving the mountain west a rich new history of vodka, gin, rum, agave derivatives, and whiskey.
These operations are spread from Colorado Springs to Boulder, in nooks and crannies best described as on the border of residential and light business/industrial.
The Denver area has a penchant for brewing and distilling, and per capita ranks in the top 10 in both craft beer and spirits making and consumption. Attempting a tour on your own is the ethanol version of a 90 proof scavenger hunt, because finding these operations and linking them to something that makes sense would drive you to drink.
Unlike any other place in the U.S., there is a tour that blends your particular cultural and historical interest with these libation purveyors. Centennial Specialty Tours lets you hop on the comfy shuttle bus and make your way through specific distilleries, breweries and even history and music. Moreover, of course, you can consume and sample while leaving the driving to the tour operator.
Rick Tyson, a former tour leader for distilleries and breweries, came up with the idea. In a few short years, Tyson has turned this into a menu of historical and beverage options that power pack your time with a 90-proof experience. A former Air Force Security Officer, Tyson lead tours for a variety of distilleries and cultural destinations in and around Denver for over eight years. Tyson notes, “I loved giving tours almost as much as I liked to imbibe, and if I could ever bring the two together, the dream job would finally be at hand.”
Like a two-fisted Phoenix rising to meet the need, Centennial Specialty Tours was formed as the catch-all for different tours that combine sights, history, and liquid libation. Tyson offers walking and chauffeured tours in the Denver metro area. Guests learn about the distilling and brewing process and enjoy craft spirits, cocktails, beer, and wine. Denver has much history, so these tours have options with live music, mountain vistas, and even a little dabbling into the city’s haunted past. Nothing might go better with a ghost story than a little liquid courage.
Tours leave from various locations, with a popular one starting on the east end of Downtown at Mile High Spirits, and then meandering to three other stops. Some of the notable distilleries include Downslope,State 38 and Rising Sun. The drive to the next location is just the right amount of time to let the ingestion of the last libations settle before rounds two, three and four.
While focused on distillery tours, Tyson is adding brewery tours and even adding in artisan coffee stops along the way to keep the participants awake. Their first tour was the Whiskey and History Tour, and still most popular. Tyson notes “more companies are using these tours as team building excursions and perks.” For the cigar lovers in the group, there will soon be an option to stop at the Robusto Room for a stogie and scotch pairing.
Oktoberfest can be a rowdy affair as the beer flows.
At the South Pearl Street version of Oktoberfest, yes there is libation and fun, but a little more of a relaxed atmosphere with families and dogs as revelers as well.
In its’ fourth year, the Oktoberfest on South Pearl Street in Denver provides all the usual beer booths and food items. Because it occurs on the main street, vendors and businesses there participate as well giving it a nice combination of German and local. So, you can roll into a bar or restaurant, then step right back out into the Oktoberfest activities. Depending upon the time of day, the festivalgoers are 30%-70% neighborhood locals.
South Pearl Street has regular events through the year including their ever-popular farmers’ market, music festivals such as the Blues and Brews, and the WinterFest.
One of the unique features is the beer vendor booths are run by volunteers to make money for their organizations. So, you are really drinking to boost up a charity or community group!
Food vendors abound with Helga’s Pies, a local operation that uses organic and local ingredients with their first claim to fame as apple pie, but now gaining notoriety for the strawberry rhubarb pie.
You could get a taste of New York with Sexy Pizza, a Colorado version of NY pizza. And they make everything in house. And, of course, what is an Oktoberfest without authentic pretzels, potato breads and strudel made by Styria Bakery.
Cigar smoking, despite any new regulations pending, is on the rise. The reasons? It is an activity you can do with friends that encourage conversation and comradery. In the case of golf, it can be done on the golf course.
VIP attendees get to relax and smoke their favorites in tents throughout the festival.
It is no wonder that events like the Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival, held at the Omni Interlocken Resort/Golf Club just outside of Denver on August 20th, has added both festival goers and vendors each year. In just four years, the festival has gone from 1100 to over 2100 attendees, and that was capped due to space constraints. Vendors for the 110 booths come from 38 states and 27 foreign countries and cover everything cigar to adult beverages, lifestyle products, and dining. Admission tickets include simple entry, VIP and Super VIP. Each level of ticket has its’ own perks including cigars, lighters and other goodies. And each cigar vendor packages special cigars for sale during the one day event.
Two of the festival goers take a breather in the VIP tent.
Cigars are the festival focus, and each manufacturer has a different angle on the stogie to appear to an increasingly diverse and sophisticated market. Cornelius & Anthony was one of the few American produced cigar companies at the festival. Steven Bailey’s family has been growing tobacco in Virginia since the 1860s. Their cigars demonstrate that an American cigar can appeal and develop a loyal aficionado following, especially with a product like the Cornelius.
This is an American cigar which goes back to the 1860s!
La Flor Dominicana is a meticulous cigar company as they control all facets of the cigar from growing to manufacture and packaging. Their intent is to bring a premium cigar that is always the same smoke because of the consistent process. For the 1994 cigar, they set aside tobacco for years in anticipation of this very special blend to commemorate their 20th-anniversary cigar. Their 1994 cigar has complex flavors that originate from the superb fillers and binder grown on their farm in the Dominican Republic. Cigars need a wrapper, and this one gets a sweet and savory Mexican San Andrés wrapper.
La Flor Dominicana was sold out well before the middle of the afternoon!
Accessories for cigar smokers are always interesting from Lotus. Their torch lighters are efficient and elegant, yet in cutters, they might have the latest and greatest. Enter the Jaws Serrated cigar cutter with serrated edges on the cutting surface, which grabs the cigar for a cleaner cut. The Jaws has been so successful; Lotus is likely going to place the technology in all their cutters.
The Jaws cutter will grab the cigar for a better cut!
Oliva Cigars remain wildly popular because they provide low-cost premium cigars. Their tobacco mantra is for the consumer to spend the least amount yet get the best products. They do not often introduce new products because they need a reason and want it to be a big deal. Their Oliva Series V Melanio gets a 95 rating, so why change success in cigars that are all under $14?
Oliva shows their special cigars for the RMCF.
If you can turn your hobby into your business, then success has been achieved, and so it is for John Way of City Star Brewing. Located in Berthoud, Colorado this bustling brewery just celebrated their four-year anniversary. Moreover, they did it with award winners all brewed to style. Just this year, their All American IPA won the silver medal.
City Star Pours the Award Winners!
Some cigars do not try to innovate unless they have a vision and theme, and that is the case with the Quesada Cigars operation in the Dominican Republic. With their cigars, you can get either tradition or innovation. The most recent example is they might be the first cigar company to offer a special cigar for Oktoberfest, which parallels the craft beer explosion.
Finally, a cigar that goes well with heavy German Beer!
Take 100% sugar, start the still and you have some superb Colorado moonshine from the 3Hunrdred Days of Shine Distillery. Just celebrating their second year, this operation is in Monument, just south of Denver. Their flavors include Apple Pie, Margarita Moon, Summertime Strawberry Lemonade, Firebomb, Peach Cobbler, and Colorado Honey.
This is gourmet moonshine!
Move over Mr. Potato Head, as Gorgeous Vodka is distilled in Montana from select potatoes. While the regular vodka is stellar and has a unique flavor, what sets this apart is one that was developed to pair with cigars. Enter the Cranberry Tea Vodka, which has just the right blend of sour, sweet and tea to pair well with any cigar.
Both regular and cranberry tea flavor!
Al Capone is a premium cigarillo that is carefully rolled for a long smoke for a shorter stick. Rolled in Honduras, it is infused with either cognac or rum flavors. This fills a market niche for the smoker who wants some character and something that doesn’t take two hours. However, due to popular demand, Al and the crew released the Big Stick last year to rave reviews.
Premium cigarillos when you don’t want an all afternoon smoke.
The festival also highlights the venue and nearby options. The Omni Interlocken Hotel and Resort is a nifty facility with meeting rooms, conference facilities, spa, extensive pools, and restaurants. The Omni Golf Club offers three distinct nine-hole courses best described as a mounded links experience that follows the gentle hills.
The view from the tee box on #2, Vista course.
Get off the property and festival grounds, and easily the most exciting new restaurant in the area is Kachina Southwestern Grill. This is southwestern dining that is inventive and taste-vetted before it ever hits the plate. The Controlled Burn Margarita will get the evening lit, while the smoked Bison Meatloaf rumbles with flavor and the Rajas & Calabacitas Enchilada proves a vegetarian dish can be meat-like hearty.
has a constant line-up of events and festivals. What really sets them apart is they are in the big city, but you feel like you are part of a small town celebration!
At the 
