Denver Physical Medicine & Rehab
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Winter Brew Fest Celebrates Craft Beer And Cocktails
by Mark Smiley
Bird’s Eye View: Winter Brew Fest capped the attendance which made for an enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Denver Winter Brew Fest was held on January 22, 2022, at Mile High Station. Over 40 craft breweries from around the state and a few from outside of Colorado were on hand each day to pour their winter beers.
Made Here: Amanda Kruczynski from Made Here Beer was in attendance at the Winter Brew Fest on January 22, 2022.
The event featured live music from Journey Girls during the afternoon session and Stone Beat Invasion for the evening session. These bands added to the already festive atmosphere. Food trucks flanked the event including Basic Kneads pizza which has been with the fest each Winter and Summer.
The first Denver Brew Fest by RightOn Productions was created in a parking lot near Coors Field. Since then, the Summer and the Winter Brew fests have developed into an annual Denver tradition at Mile High Station and now the celebrations have been expanded to Vail.
WeldWerks Brewing Company from Greeley had one of the most interesting and flavorful beers as they often do. They poured a Candy Cane White Chocolate Cheesecake Berliner which is a Berlin-style sour ale brewed with white chocolate, candy canes, cheesecake, vanilla, milk sugar, graham cracker and with natural flavors added.
Impressive Display: Made Here had one of the best displays of any brewery at Winter Brew Fest.
A newcomer to the fest was Reverence Brewing Company which just opened last year at 17th and Franklin in City Park West. They poured two standout beers, a Cherry Wheat and a Hazy IPA. Long lines upstairs told you everything you needed to know about those beers.
Made Here Beer was also on hand for their second time. They had all three of their beers: lager, American Ale, and IPA available, along with plenty of giveaways for each attendee. Made Here is an American beer brewed in Colorado using 100% American ingredients.
The Summer and Winter Brew Fest held at Mile High Station has become an annual pilgrimage for many as it is a great way to sample many beers in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. “The Mile High Station is such a great venue and we have done both the winter and summer festivals for the past year,” said Amanda Kruczynski, Made Here Brand Lead. “It is really well organized and staffed and we feel like it is great exposure to the entire front range area for us to showcase our beer.”
Proceeds from the event benefited Big Bones Canine Rescue. For more information on all of the fests including the Summer Brew Fest coming July 23, 2022, visit www.brewfestevents.com.
Remembering The Life Of Longtime Denver Neighborhood Advocate
By Jessica Hughes
Community Icon: Larry Ambrose was a revered member of the Denver community and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Longtime Denver neighborhood advocate and former INC (Inter Neighborhood Cooperation) President, Larry Ambrose, passed away quietly in hospice care after his battle with cancer, on January 28, 2022.
A Pueblo native, Ambrose began his education in business with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from CU, an MBA from UCLA, and a JD from the University of Denver. He started his career in the glitz and glam of Hollywood as a cabaret manager, producing a variety of shows and events, some of which made their way to CU Boulder.
For nearly 50 years, Ambrose had been involved in the formation and advocacy of Denver neighborhood groups when he and his wife, Jane, started Northwest Neighbors. Within those 50 years, he co-founded the Sunnyside Highland Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association, the INC Parks committee, and (with his wife) the Sloan’s Lake Neighborhood Association, where he served as Vice President.
With a passion for saving historic buildings in Denver, Ambrose was intrinsically involved with projects preserving Denver neighborhoods. One such initiative was a movement for citywide building height control back in the mid-1980s, where he co-chaired. He helped to preserve historic buildings in the Highlands, and most notably, he is known for moving the Golda Meir House at the Auraria Campus from total destruction to a fully restored structure now placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Many of his contributions came through during his time at the INC where he served on the board for nine years as Secretary, Vice President, and President. Ambrose also served on numerous city planning committees and task force groups, including his time as an INC representative to the Visit Denver Olympics Civic Engagement subcommittee. Plus, he served as Executive Director for Southwest Improvement Council, whose purpose is to improve living conditions for its residents through civic engagement, health and human service programs and affordable housing.
In 2021, Larry was awarded the Inter-Neighborhood Cooperation’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in the surrounding communities. With this award, the legacy of Larry Ambrose will live on with his “lifetime” commitment to tackle the betterment of Denver neighborhoods.
Those who knew Larry well, spoke of him with warm words and true admiration. Bridget Walsh, who was a friend and dedicated advocate alongside Larry at INC, remembers him fondly. “He was one of our public voices for the community,” says Walsh. So much so, he had been encouraged to run for Mayor. Walsh and Ambrose were partners in many community initiatives, one of which was to stop the Denver Zoo from giving recycled water to its elephants.
“He was so smart and able to present issues in an approachable way. Larry would say the most damning things with the biggest smile on his face,” recalls Walsh, “a true advocate for the neighborhoods he served.”
Another close colleague at the INC, Jane Lorimer, reminisces about Ambrose saying, “He was a positive force for parks and open space. His dedication to an institution that advocated for neighborhoods was sincere and passionate.” A cancer survivor herself, Lorimer recalls when he was diagnosed a few years ago, “We could talk through treatments and our feelings together. His optimism and positive attitude gave him extra time with those he loved. I will miss his humor, insights, leadership, and friendship.”
Toward the end of his life, Ambrose participated in clinical trials when conventional treatments were exhausted, leaving behind his own legacy not only in how he valiantly fought for his community but also for those suffering from a similar diagnosis.
Larry’s funeral was held at Fairmount Cemetery on Tuesday, February 1, 2022. A celebration of his life will be held in early March. Cards can be sent to 1750 Meade St., Denver, CO 80204, and donations can be sent to One Sky One World at P.O. Box 11149 Denver, CO 80211.
