by Mark Smiley | Oct 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
Silver & Gold: The Bull & Bush Brewery won gold for Ghoul Fuel – Rum Diaries Edition and silver for Temporary Paradise – Rum Diaries Edition, both in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category at this year’s Great American Beer Festival competition.
Happy Crew: The Launch Pad crew shortly after winning a gold medal for Silver Medal Worthy, a Belgian Golden Strong Golden Ale.
The Great American Beer Festival was held the weekend of October 12, 2024, at the Colorado Convention Center. The Brewers Association once again hosted one of the world’s most prestigious and influential beer competitions. And, two Chamber breweries, Bull & Bush Brewery and Launch Pad Brewery, brought home medals. Colorado breweries and cideries won 41 medals all together, topping last year’s haul of 40 for the centennial state.
The 38th edition of the GABF competition featured 8,836 beers judged among 1,869 breweries and cideries. There were 285 judges blind taste testing these beers and they awarded 326 total medals. The winning beers in more than 100 categories were announced at the Bellco Theatre in Denver on Saturday, October 12.
“The Great American Beer Festival continues its commitment to recognizing exceptional beverages from across the country in the 2024 competition,” said Chris Williams, competition director for the Brewers Association. “With the addition of five new cider categories, we’re pleased to recognize the best of the best in beer and beyond. Congratulations to this year’s winners.”
Among those winners were the Bull & Bush Brewery, who won gold and silver medals in the same category. This is a feat that experts don’t remember ever happening. The Glendale brewery won gold for Ghoul Fuel – Rum Diaries Edition and silver for Temporary Paradise – Rum Diaries Edition, both in the Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category.
“Brewing can be humbling, said Erik Peterson, owner of the Bull & Bush Brewery. “Aging beer in wood barrels is a singular and humbling exercise in passion, skill, and patience. The Bull & Bush Brewery team of Gabe, Josh, and Nick have each brought all of these skills together as a team. All together we celebrate a silver and GOLD in the Wood Aged Beer category!”
Different Layout: This year’s festival featured different sections which is different from layouts of years past. Photo courtesy of the Brewers Association
Gabe Moline, Head Brewer at the Bull & Bush Brewery adds: “The multi-year G.A.B.F. drought is over for the Bull & Bush crew. Two beers, same category, gold and silver … incredible. Maybe the secret is out after 27 years of brewing at the world famous Bull & Bush?”
Another proud Chamber member, Launch Pad Brewery, also won a gold medal at the competition. Silver Medal Worthy, a Belgian Golden Strong Golden Ale dry-hopped with HBC 586 hops, won a gold medal in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category.
“We always knew Silver Medal Worthy was something special, but to take home the gold at the Great American Beer Festival is an incredible honor,” said Paul Mahoney, Co-Owner/Head Brewer for Launch Pad Brewery. “It just goes to show that sometimes aiming for silver brings home the gold.”
The festival itself had a different layout with separate sections with breweries lined up alphabetically. The sections included Blast Off, Fright, Prost, and others which featured a different theme in each. Attendees were initially confused on how to find their favorite breweries or ones they wanted to try. Once they navigated through the convention entry hall, it became more obvious.
Next year’s festival is set for October 9-11, 2025. For more information, visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 18, 2024 | General Featured
by Mark Smiley
The summer months are behind us but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider a quality cooler to have in your inventory. There are still soccer tournaments, softball games, backyard parties, and other activities this fall. Plus, Denver weather has remained unseasonably warm. Having a quality cooler to keep the drinks and food cold is essential. Whether you are in the market for a new cooler, want to add to your fleet, or just want an upgrade, consider the BrüTank 35qt rolling cooler made by BrüMate.
The BrüTank 35qt has a capacity of 36 cans (12oz) plus ice, 25lbs ice, or 9 bottles wine/liquor wit
The BrüTank 35qt rolling cooler comes in a variety of colors including denim.
h the Drink Tank installed. Some premium coolers offer disappointing capacity considering how large they are on the outside. The BrüTank 35qt is exactly what you would expect when you open the lid.
The claim is that ice retention lasts seven days, but even though it was properly prepared with a sacrificial bag of ice and cold beverages added, the ice lasted three days with temperatures soaring into the 80s.
The weight is much more manageable than other premium coolers at this price point, which at time of press was $324.99. It comes in under 30 pounds, including the fact that it features premium all terrain wheels. Wheeling this cooler to a soccer game with the telescoping handle was a breeze, and when finished wheeling, easily slid back into place making it easy to store.
One of the unique features of this cooler is a removable 1.8-gallon drink tank with a built-in tap, providing easy access to your favorite beverages. This simplifies drink mixing and facilitates cleaning. Once mixed, the tank can be placed in the cooler for later use. Moreover, the tap is designed to be easily removed, allowing for effortless cleaning without the need to empty the tank beforehand. This feature makes the process considerably more efficient while maintaining the integrity of the drink.
The BrüTank 35qt is also comfortable to sit on as the foam seat top allows you have this cooler perform as an additional seat on your adventure. BrüMate thought of every detail, down to including a different cork when not using the drink tank. This cooler is well made, can easily be wheeled through tough terrain, and keeps drinks cold for days.
BrüMate also offers other products such as hydration packs and drinkware. Visit www.brumate.com for more information or to purchase.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 18, 2024 | Editorials
by Mark Smiley
BikaBahn step-thru ebike in red.
BikaBahn is a good option for those looking to commute in the city.
This publication has reviewed a few different electric bikes over the last couple of years. They have ranged from Class 1 with fat tires to Class 2 with regular tires and everything in between. The BikaBahn is the first brand to be located in Denver and they have burst onto the scene this summer and fall.
BikaBahn launched its first electric bike on July 13 and 14, 2024, at the Electrify Expo in Denver. BikaBahn introduced its commuter bike and they proclaimed it is “designed to make city commuting easier and more reliable than ever.”
The electric bike space is extremely competitive, so BikaBahn needs to set itself apart from the competition. They are focussed on one style bike and the rider’s experience. “We’ve poured our hearts into designing a bike that caters to the needs of urban commuters,” said Dharmin Dontamsetti, Founder and CEO of BikaBahn. “Our goal is to make commuting easier, more enjoyable, and more sustainable for everyone.”
Bikabahn loaned the Chronicle one of these bikes for 72 hours and it was put through the paces by three different people. One thing to note is that these bikes are a little smaller than other electric bikes on the market so they make it ideal for women and teenagers. With that said, the bike offered a comfortable, smooth, safe, and peppy ride.
BikaBahn launched in July 2024 at the Electrify Expo in Denver. They are Denver based and attempting to upset a saturated electric bike market.
It features an electric propulsion which is either pedal assist or a throttle for the difficult hills. “As a seasoned cyclist in a hilly area, I struggled with exhausting commutes until I discovered Bikabahn’s e-bike,” said Kimberly Read. “This bike has been a game-changer, allowing me to conquer any terrain with ease using its adjustable assist features. It’s not only ergonomic and stylish but also packed with innovative features like zero flat tires. My rides are now enjoyable and effortless, reigniting my passion for cycling. I highly recommend Bikabahn to enhance your cycling experience.”
As a Class 2 ebike, this bike tops out at speeds of 20 miles per hour. In our test, it did not make it past 18 miles per hour which is an attractive option for parents looking for their children to own an electric bike.
As mentioned above, Bikabahn has produced a smooth riding electric bike, in part because of the flat-free tires and its advanced front and rear suspension systems. The bike absorbed shocks and bumps with ease with the alloy wheels performing well. These aluminum alloy wheels protect the motor, ensuring a long-lasting and sturdy ride. These features make BikaBahn a great choice for anyone looking for a dependable electric commuter bike.
The handlebar and seat is height-adjustable and allows you to customize your riding position for maximum comfort and control. And, the basket and cell phone holder attached to the handlebars are included in the cost, which at time of press, is $1,550.
The BikaBahn electric bike also features an LCD display (which most electric bikes have) that keeps riders informed about their speed, battery life, and riding mode. There are five levels of pedal assist and manual riding using the 1/2 twist throttle. Bikabahn is not the lightest on the market at 55 pounds, but certainly not the heaviest. The regular tires help keep the weight down and allow for a more manageable storage solution.
“Riding the BikaBahn e-bike has been an absolute pleasure,” said Lori Pesola. “It’s smooth, powerful, and makes every ride so much more enjoyable and accessible. I highly recommend this bike to anyone looking to elevate their biking experience.”
For more information or to purchase, visit www.bikabahn.shop. Chronicle readers can take advantage of a $50 discount by using the code Cherrycreek50.
by Mark Smiley | Oct 18, 2024 | Glendale City News
Popular Event: Over 1,710 guests came to enjoy the perfect day for Trunk or Treat complete with a bouncy castle, haunted house, and food trucks.
Dedicated Performer: Lynn Taylor, Experience Director for the Glendale Sports Center, performed as Taylor Swift for the entire two hours.
The annual Trunk or Treat hosted by the City of Glendale and Glendale Sports Center was held on the festival plaza of Infinity Park for the second time on Monday, October 14, 2024. Denver Public Schools and Cherry Creek Schools children were on Fall break so there was a record turnout for this event. Plus, the weather was perfect as attendees were able to wander the plaza in comfort. Over 1,710 kids came to trick or treat and acquire over 37,000 pieces of candy, bounced in the bouncy castle, and walked through the haunted house.
“Trunk or Treat was a gigantic success with a new record breaking number thanks to the hard work of City of Glendale staff, YMCA staff, volunteers, and vendors,” said Kelly Legler, Program Manager, Glendale Sports Center. “The successful event exceeded our expectations and we’re excited to offer more fun opportunities in the future.”
In years past, the event was held in the P1 parking lot of Infinity Park. Again this year, the City of Glendale offered the festival plaza and played the movie Halloween Town on the big screen inside the rugby stadium to add extra flare to the event. “The event was a huge success thanks to the partnership between the YMCA, City of Glendale, and community partners,” said Legler.
One of those community partners was the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce. Barret O’Brien and Mark Smiley from the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors volunteered for the event. “The turnout was outstanding,” said Barret O’Brien, Chamber Board Member. “It’s great to see the community get so involved. I have volunteered for this event the last seven years and this is the most interactive and lively one to date.”
Attendees voted for the best decorated trunk as they went through the lines. There were eleven to choose from and the winning trunk was decorated by Infinity Park Event Center Facilities department with a Cars theme. For more information on the Glendale Sports Center, visit www.sportscenterglendale.com.
