by Mark Smiley | Oct 16, 2024 | Travel
Annual Beer & Brunch hosted by Boston Beer Company on October 11, 2024
By Mark Smiley, Jeff Stiglic, and Mike Turk
Boston Beer’s annual Great American Beer Festival Beer & Brunch event was held on Friday, October 11, 2024 at West of Surrender. The annual media brunch featured the introduction of Samuel Adams’ American Light as well as pouring familiar favorites such as Oktoberfest. Dogfish Head, a part of the Boston Beer portfolio also had their popular beers on hand including the 60-minute IPA.
Jim Koch, founder of Samuel Adams and Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head Brewery addressed the capacity crowd on a beautiful Friday morning. They talked about the history of the Great American Beer Festival as well as talking about the future of the craft beer industry.
Samuel Adams, which is always looking for ways to innovate and provide what customers seek introduced the launch of Samuel Adams American Light. This light craft lager is a crisp, refreshing, great-tasting, easy-to-drink beer perfect for everyday drinking occasions. Koch likens it to a Miller Lite or Coors Light but with more flavor. 
The brewers behind Samuel Adams spent countless hours perfecting the American Light recipe. With an ABV of 4.2% and 115 calories, Samuel Adams American Light is made with all American ingredients and is designed to be an easy-drinking beer that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
“We know beer lovers are seeking lighter, easier-to-drink options that they can enjoy throughout the day – whether it’s at the beach, at a friend’s party, or at a happy hour,” says Lauren Price, head of brand at Samuel Adams. “For those times they want to ‘upgrade’ those occasions with a great-tasting light beer, American Light is the answer.”
Samuel Adams American Light will initially be available in 12 oz. can six-packs, 12-packs, with national distribution expected in March 2025.
Dogfish Head also had Covered in Nuggs, an IPA that was introduced back in 2018 and is now available on a national scale. With notes of pine and citrus, Covered in Nuggs is an IPA that is delicious, with a sturdy base of Golden Promise malt. They piled on the Citra, Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial hops.
For more information about Samuel Adams American Light and where to find it, please visit samueladams.com or follow @SamuelAdamsBeer on social media. For more on Dogfish Head, visit www.dogfish.com.
by Mark Smiley | Aug 23, 2024 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
With specialty coffee drinks approaching $6 without tip, many consumers are turning to brewing their own at home. There are a plethora of options depending on your budget. If you want one of the best on the market that money can buy, consider the Terra Kaffe TK-02.
The retail price comes in at $1,595 so it isn’t for everyone. But, the savings add up if you brew your own lattes and cappuccinos at home. In fact, the app you can download that syncs with the machine provides a running total of the money saved by brewing at home.
The TK-02 is easy to set up out of the box and takes less than 15 minutes to assemble and prepare for brewing. When asleep, in our tests, it took less than 3 minutes for the machine to wake up from the previous day’s brews. In fact, the app can wake the machine so you can tap “wake” from bed and let it warm up. Also, the TK-02 can brew your favorite drink the same time every day with its programmable settings. It also allows for you to name the drinks with what seems to be an infinite amount of options.
How does the regular drip coffee taste? With the ability to add coffee beans to the hopper, the drip coffee is one of the best ever tested on a home machine. You are getting an authentic coffee house experience as the machine grinds the beans with every cup. Also, you can add ground coffee to a separate hopper. Just don’t forget to press the “pre-ground” option on the display.
The TK-02 includes a 30-day/150-brew trial and a 2-year/5,000-brew warranty. It also includes a simple to use milk carafe for lattes. You add the milk and then connect the hose to the machine and the TK-02 produces a latte in less than one minute. We recommend playing with the temperature settings because the default setting likely won’t be hot enough for the average latte fan.
The TK-02 also does a good job of brewing iced coffee which is a new feature on this model. Set your cup of ice under the chute and the drip coffee will brew directly into the cup, eliminating the need for a 24-hour cold brew in the refrigerator.
Speaking of the chute, make sure you lower it to the cup/mug before brewing as it can get messy without lowering. The TK-02 also intuitively knows when it is time to add water to the carafe (which includes a filter), empty the water tray, and empty the ground coffee bin. It is one of the simplest to use yet best tasting coffees from home you can find.
For more information on the Terra Kafe TK-02, visit www.terrakaffe.com/products/tk-02.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 18, 2024 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Bacon: The Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival celebrated its 13th year in June, 2024.
The 2024 Keystone Bacon and Bourbon Festival brought a dozen different food vendors, alongside four bacon companies, and 15 bourbon and spirits attendees to the mountains. Pairing with all this bourbon and bacon, guests were treated to an impressive band line-up. Twelve rock bands played over the festival weekend including Summit’s own CB3 and O’Connor Brothers Band, the world’s premier KISS Tribute Band STRUTTER, and the Bacon and Bourbon Festival staple AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles. In total there were three festival stages placed throughout River Run Village.
This year, the festival featured more bacon, bourbon, and beer than in years previous. More partners joined the bourbon tour tradition with 15 bourbon suppliers showcasing numerous brands for Hungry Hog ticket purchasers to enjoy. Local mountain man, Bacon Bill, made his debut heading up the event’s kid-centric Camp Bacon.
“After 13 years of a festival you’d think it may be tough coming up with new ideas.” says Maja Russer, Director of Events and Marketing for the Keystone Neighbourhood Company. “The highly creative events and marketing team at the Keystone Neighbourhood Company sat in a room and threw every idea at the wall. The new Harley the Hog mechanical pig, as well as a revamped Camp Bacon were just two of the many items that will make the weekend all about the bacon. A 2023 Festival guest provided feedback in a survey saying, quote: “Draw in the crazies, draw in the committed. Blow me away with bacon.” We are doing our best to fulfill this guest’s and many more enthusiasts’ visions.”
Hell’s Belles: The all-female AC/DC tribute band Hell’s Belles closed the fest with an over 90 minute show that had the crowd dancing and singing the entire time.
The 13th Bacon and Bourbon Festival supports the Colorado mountain community by featuring local businesses, restaurants, and supporting the non-profit Friends of the Dillon Ranger District, the Festival’s beneficiary. For 2024, organizers are working with another prominent community partner, Climax Molybdenum, who this year is helping to power the entire summer festival series volunteer base.
Upcoming festivals in River Run Village include Bluegrass & Beer, August 3-4, 2024; Mountain Town Music Fest, August 17, 2024; and Oktoberfest, August 31, 2024. Visit www.keystonefestivals.com for more information and to purchase tickets.
Photos from KNC Events
by Mark Smiley | Jun 20, 2024 | Travel
2024 Summer Events Calendar Packed With Events
by Mark Smiley
Kickoff Event: Caroline Matz enjoyed the kickoff party for the Cherry Creek North In Bloom summer season on the rooftop of the Jacquard Hotel.
Cherry Creek North unveiled a calendar of events for the 2024 Cherry Creek In Bloom summer season. This year, Cherry Creek North In Bloom offers a destination for a summer filled with more than 70 days of music, arts, and culture.
“Cherry Creek North’s summer line-up will bring together local musicians and performers on our tree-lined streets,” said Lisa Voss, VP of Marketing, Cherry Creek North. “Visitors look forward to our summer events as a way to connect with the Colorado art and culture scene with their friends and families. This year we are excited to host Bastille Day, a three-day festival July 12-14th, that embraces and celebrates French culture, along with a long-time favorite, the Cherry Creek Arts Festival.”
Cherry Creek North is bringing back some long-time favorites this year, including the popular Cherry Creek Sidewalk Sale, now in its 53rd year. Additional events scheduled include:
Smash Fine Arts Festival
The summer Smash Fine Arts Festival returns for two weekends this summer, June 8-9, and again on August 10-11, on Cherry Creek North’s Fillmore Plaza. This festival features top national artists as well as live violin, piano, and guitar music.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
The annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival takes place Friday, July 5 – Sunday, July 7. This free festival features 250 national and international juried artists, 13 performing artists, Creation Station with children’s activities, food, and interactive art experiences throughout the district. The Cherry Creek Arts Festival is one of the country’s largest and most respected arts shows.
Bastille Day
Cocktails: The cocktail menu at the Jacquard Hotel is impressive.
Bastille Day is a free three-day festival the weekend of July 12-14 that celebrates French culture. With 40-50 local vendors offering the “la creme de la creme” of French and French-themed products, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Cherry Creek North Sidewalk Sale
On Thursday, July 18, to Sunday, July 21, Cherry Creek North’s famous boutiques bring their racks to the sidewalks for CCN’s 54th annual Sidewalk Sale. With over 16 blocks of discounted high-end fashion, style has never felt so good.
Top Of The Town
5280 magazine’s annual, all-inclusive bash celebrating the best in and around Denver is back at Cherry Creek North on Thursday, July 18, from 6-9 p.m. This will be an evening filled with tasty menus from Top of the Town. Tickets allow all-inclusive access to the event, including the food vendors, bars, spirit sampling stations, enter-to-win giveaways stations, photo activations, and more.
Photos courtesy of Cherry Creek North
by Jessica Hughes | May 20, 2024 | Travel
by Jessica Hughes
With the rising cost of living and the grip of inflation on monthly budgets, coupled with the potential loss of Social Security, affording retirement is becoming an increasingly distant prospect for aging Baby Boomers and Millennials alike. Compounding this challenge is the continued escalation in the cost of assisted living facilities, and the dwindling number of such facilities accepting Medicaid. This combination makes finding a quality, yet affordable, assisted living facility for seniors an ever-growing challenge, underscoring the immense value and significance of places like The Argyle in Denver.
The Argyle is a well-known non-profit senior living facility in Denver that works to provide affordable, high-quality living accommodations and services to low- and moderate-income seniors in Denver. This long-time legend in senior assisted living just celebrated its 150th anniversary last month.
Coinciding with this historic occasion, the facility unveiled its latest renovations, a promising indicator that it will continue serving the community for years to come. With an unprecedented demand for assisted living care on the horizon — statistics suggest that 7 out of 10 individuals will require such services in their lifetime — and projections estimating an additional one million beds will be needed by 2040 to accommodate the growing elderly population, establishments like The Argyle take on heightened significance in meeting the escalating need for quality care.
Over the years, the Argyle has maintained its non-profit status, which Executive Director of the Argyle, Tom Carlson, explains is why they can offer affordable, high-quality living accommodations and services to its seniors.
Renovated dining room at The Argyle.
“We are a non-profit. We don’t have a large corporation or investment company that we need to make large payments to every month like most other Senior living communities do. We have been in this location since 1900 and to my knowledge, we don’t have a mortgage,” says Carlson. “We have a board of nine members who are non-paid volunteers, some of which are in the accounting field. They oversee us to make sure we are being good stewards of our money.”
As a non-profit senior living facility, the Argyle offers high-quality care for lower to moderate-income seniors at an affordable monthly rate. Current monthly costs for assisted living residents of The Argyle start at $2,800, while the median cost of a private, single-bedroom unit in an assisted living facility in the U.S. is $4,803 per month.
“A non-profit is not sending money to an investment company or a large corporation. Non-profits are just that, non-profits; they have to use their money by putting it back into the community, their staff, or their residents,” says Carlson. “As a result, non-profits usually pay their staff higher, ensuring they have better more qualified staff resulting in, my opinion, better care.”
Renovated lobby at The Argyle.
The facility’s mission to offer quality care for moderate-income seniors is a “tradition” that extends back to its original roots in 1874 when two women, Mrs. Ann Figg and Mrs. Vincent, met with their friends at Trinity Methodist Church in Denver to address the growing homeless population, affecting mostly women. They came together to create an inclusive retirement community that felt like home, regardless of financial circumstances. So, in 1875, The Old Ladies Home opened its doors to elderly women in Denver.
“In the 1870s, this was a very revolutionary idea. Things were very different then and women were not given the same opportunities as men, especially older women. And the thought of caring for seniors who are not your loved ones during that time was unheard of,” says Carlson. “They saw a need and brought it to the community to help this underserved population.”
By 1900, the facility relocated to its current location in the Berkeley/Highlands neighborhood, inspiring its name change to the Argyle. Beyond its name change, the Argyle evolved into assisted living for all seniors in need, not just women.
“In 1984 we started letting men live here,” says Carlson. “We have also reached out to our other underserved populations including the black community, the Hispanic community, and the LGBTQ community to let them all know they are welcome here and will be treated with dignity and respect while keeping our core mission of serving seniors.”
The Argyle in 1979
In 1988, the original building was demolished and in 1990, a new building was constructed to enhance the quality of the facility while providing more rooms for residents. Carlson explains the much-needed renovations kept the old-world charm but gave the facility a fresh look. The historic front facade was saved, returning the building to its original design, and more than 200 pieces of furniture and artwork were restored.
Beyond its restored aesthetics, the Argyle offers a wellness center with trained physical therapists on staff who create a personal one-on-one training session for each resident who wants one. “This is free to all, no insurance is billed. This is just one example of the many benefits of The Argyle,” says Carlson. “We have many activities and outings, including Rockies games and shows at the Buell Theater.”
But for aging Baby Boomers and Millennials, the cost for high-quality assisted living will have to come down to affordable retirement in facilities similar to the Argyle. “I see the Baby Boomers and Millennials wanting to move to senior communities when they are at the right age. Maintenance-free lifestyle, someone to make your meals, do your laundry and have a full activities calendar of things to do with your peers,” says Carlson. “The issue is going to be the cost. It is said that the boomers have far less in savings at this stage in their life than the prior generation and with millennials, the verdict is still out if they will be able to afford senior living.”
Photos provided by The Argyle
by Mark Smiley | Apr 19, 2024 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Lazer Urbanize MIPS: The Lazer Urbanize MIPS helmet has a panoramic lens that protects from debris and an LED taillight.
This publication has recently reviewed electric bicycles and it goes without saying how important a quality helmet is when riding these or any bike. Bicycle helmets are crucial safety gear designed to protect cyclists from head injuries in the event of a crash or impact. Some helmets feature MIPS technology (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), which is designed to reduce rotational forces on the brain during certain impacts.
With improvements in battery capacity and packaging, it isn’t surprising to see the rise in E-Bike popularity. Battery assisted bikes are now available in everything from high-performance carbon fiber bikes to urban cargo bikes. One challenge with E-Bikes is the fact that they typically have higher sustained speeds compared to standard bicycles.
The following four helmets are ones to consider when shopping for a helmet.
Lumos Ultra E-Bike Helmet
Lumos is known for its smart helmets designed for cyclists, featuring integrated lights and turn signals to enhance visibility and safety on the road. It also has an integrated eye shield which is a nice feature to protect you from debris on the road. The Lumos Ultra E-bike helmet retails for $199.95 and features additional impact absorbing EPS material and is certified to NTA-8776 standards. This means that while it still looks like a bicycle helmet, it protects against higher impact speeds and covers a larger part of the head.
“After researching smart helmets, I was sold on this particular helmet based on the ease of functionality and high level of safety it provides me,” said Ralph Meder. “I like the weight for long rides and the adjustability for a proper, secure fit as well as the added bonus of the flip visor for night rides. I highly recommend this helmet.”
This helmet not only protects, which is most important, it also keeps you visible to others on the road. The Lumos Ultra has a front-facing white light and two rear red lights that provide extra visibility in all directions. The lights are easily controlled using a Bluetooth remote control and can even be controlled with hand gestures from a device such as an Apple watch.
The Lumos Ultra also offers an optional automatic brake light feature, available with the Lumos Remote. This feature alerts drivers behind you when you slow down or stop, adding an extra layer of safety to your rides.
With all of the bells and whistles, one might ask about comfort. All of the components are balanced in a way where it is a comfortable piece to wear. With 22 vents to keep your head cool and wicking pads to prevent sweat build-up, it is one of the most comfortable helmets on the market.
Lumos Ultra has customizable lights, sleek design, long battery life (for the lights), and innovative features, making it a solid helmet for group rides, exercise rides, and night rides. For more information or to purchase, visit www.ridelumos.com/products/lumos-ultra-e-bike.
Sena R2X
Another helmet to consider
Sena R2X: The Sena R2X’s claim to fame is the built in Alexa feature and the capability to speak to other riders while in transit.
is the Sena R2X. Sena’s product range includes a variety of communication systems, Bluetooth intercoms, helmet accessories, and other related devices. The wheelhouse for this company is the commitment to innovation in the field of helmet communication technology.
This helmet features Alexa built in which is a unique concept. The integrated speakers and microphone allow users to use the R2X’s communication features and speak directly to Alexa. It also allows you to connect to your phone to listen to music and for phone calls. In addition, Sena’s Mesh Intercom allows riders to communicate hands-free with any other Mesh user (R2 EVO, R1 EVO, M1 EVO) within a half-mile range. Expect the battery to last eight to 12 hours. These electronics have a two year warranty.
The Sena R2X will also work with Google Assistant and Siri just like any other headset connected to your phone via Bluetooth. The Sena R2X has an aerodynamic design with 12 intake vents for cooling/airflow and three exhaust vents. The inside is well padded and the chinstrap has a pad that velcros over. A dial at the back of the helmet adjusts tightness and fit.
Speaking of the back of the helmet, this helmet also has an integrated rear light with three brightness settings.
For more on the Sena R2X, visit www.sena.com/product/r2x
Thousand Chapter
Thousand is a brand know
Thousand Chapter: The Chapter MIPS helmet is backed with a one-year warranty and has one of the most stylish designs on the market.
n for its stylish and safety-focused bike helmets, and MIPS. Thousand started in 2015 when they launched a Kickstarter campaign and have been shipping helmets ever since. The name came from a goal of helping to save 1,000 lives by making helmets people actually want to wear.
Chapter MIPS Helmet retails for $145 and, in our opinion, is worth the money. It includes a 30 lumen taillight that magnetically attaches to the helmet or multi-use adapter, premium visors to reduce glare and increase your field of vision, and one of the most unique features, a secret poplock.
The poplock has access to a hidden channel behind the logo mark. Simply thread your U-lock or chain lock through. If your helmet is ever stolen while locked to your bike, Thousand will replace it for free. Also, if you are involved in an accident and your helmet is damaged, Thousand will replace the helmet for free. In addition to added security, it has eight vents which we felt kept a cool and comfortable ride.
As commuter helmets go, the Chapter model checks all the boxes especially when it comes to safety. The light runtime is about what a standard commute would take. According to the company the taillight has a one-hour runtime on solid and two hours on flashing.
For more information, visit www.explore thousand.com/products/mips-helmet. Thousand offers a one-year limited warranty and accident replacement.
Lazer Urbanize MIPS
Lazer is a well-known brand that produces helmets for various activities, including cycling. One of the most stylish helmets we reviewed was the Lazer Urbanize MIPS helmet which retails for $169.99. It is an E-Bike rated helmet with eye-shielding panoramic lens.
Lazer Urbanize MIPS: The Lazer Urbanize MIPS helmet has a panoramic lens that protects from debris and an LED taillight.
The removable clear panoramic lens protects from debris on the road as well as wind chill. The lens attached using integrated magnets on the lens and the helmet itself, making it easy to remove or place in a flipped stowed position.
Additionally, a rechargeable LED taillight on the rear provides nighttime safety. Lazer has also made the rear taillight removable allowing the large vent hole where it mounts to be used to slide a lock through to secure the helmet. These features combined with the included winter kit that protects your ears from the cold, make the Urbanize a compelling helmet for commuters or E-Bike riders.
Lazer has also incorporated a MIPS liner inside the helmet which can reduce the chance of injury for certain impacts. The MIPS liner in the Urbanize is nearly a single uncut piece that wraps around the interior of the helmet.
The Urbanize includes a winter kit. With this kit you receive two ear covers and a foam vent blocker. Combined with the lens, the winter kit keeps you protected from cold wind chill while riding without the need for a beanie or additional headwear. For more information, visit www.lazersport.us/products/urbanizemips.
