by Mark Smiley
The 14th Denver Rare Beer Tasting was held on Friday, September 22, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the McNichols Civic Center with 63 breweries pouring some of the hardest to find beers on the planet. Pints for Prostates sponsored a free health screening before the event, which is a five minute blood test valued at $700.
The all-inclusive ticket included four hours of beer sampling, the opportunity to meet the people who brewed them, buffet lunch, collectible tasting glass, t-shirt, and program.
The brewery roster this year had many fan favorites from the previous 13 events, along with 22 first-timers and one other that previously only participated remotely during COVID. This year breweries from 24 states participated, including 18 from Colorado. The beers poured at the Denver Rare Beer Tasting represented a range of styles and many represented one-time small production runs or the last remaining supplies of a noteworthy brew.
“Not only is the event a chance for beer fans to get to try limited edition beers, it is an opportunity for them to take charge of their health,” said Rick Lyke, founder of Pints for Prostates. “The generosity of the participating breweries enables Pints for Prostates to reach people through the universal language of beer with an important health message. We’ve been able to provide free health screenings for thousands of men over the years because the craft beer community has made the Denver Rare Beer Tasting an annual celebration of beer passion.”
“We created the Denver Rare Beer Tasting to be a special experience for beer fans and brewers, with a mission,” said Lyke. “This is not only one of the top annual craft beer events in the country, it’s also a time to remind people about the importance of early detection in fighting prostate cancer. A simple blood test in 2008 saved my life and we want guys to understand that paying attention to regular health screenings can help them to take charge of their health.”
Learn more about Pints for Prostates and how they use the funds they raise by visiting pintsforprostates.org. The website has a transparency page that provides details on the 501(c)3 charity, including complete IRS filings.