California brewer Firestone Walker forced to delay Colorado entry

Firestone Walker, the vaunted California craft brewer that was planning to enter the Colorado market next week with celebratory events in Colorado Springs, Longmont and Fort Collins, has suffered another setback that will delay its plans — at least for a while. “The licensing paperwork is not in place and…

Five Colorado wines (finally!) worth drinking by the case

Have you ever gotten the impression that Colorado wines kinda suck? If you’re really, really honest with yourself, you probably answered yes – and you’re not the only person who feels that way. A glance at the wine list of many of Denver’s top-rated dining destinations routinely reveals fewer Colorado-based…

Vietnam Grill goes for a liquor license

Vietnam Grill has been slinging pho and spring rolls from its Federal Boulevard strip mall spot for a few years, but now the eatery is hoping to add alcoholic pairings to the menu. The restaurant just applied for its liquor license, and if all goes according to plan, it’ll add…

Ask the bartender: Meet Evan Faber, Colorado Cocktail contestant

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour out both drinks and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Photos: Great Divide 17th anniversary party, 6/11/11

A few thousand of Great Divide Brewing’s closest friends came to a street party on Saturday, June 11, 2011 outside of the brewery at 22nd and Arapahoe for its seventeenth birthday celebration. “We like to close the street down so we can have a bigger party, and not just because…

TAG gets ready to unveil a summer cocktail list

Last month top-notch bartender James Lee gave up his Salida gig to return to the Front Range, taking over as the beverage director at TAG, Troy Guard and Leigh Sullivan-Guard’s flagship Larimer Square eatery. He’s spent the last few weeks getting his feet wet, learning the spirits list and board…

Green Tea Mint Julep and Cupp O Spring at Row 14

I stopped by Row 14 Bistro & Wine Bar, the stylish new restaurant in the Spire whose bar is stashed behind floor-to-ceiling, chain-link drapes, just before the Kentucky Derby — which was why the bartender’s suggestion of a Green Tea Mint Julep ($10) seemed like a sacrilege. Some things, like…

The Lancer Lounge gets up to code — and even gets a new window

One of Denver’s last classic dive bars is in the process of a remodel. What started as a project to bring the Lancer Lounge, and particularly its bathrooms, up to code turned into a much bigger beautification project, says owner Rebecca Conda. The most dramatic development? Last week the sliver…

Ask the Bartender: Meet Billie Keithley, Colorado Cocktail contestant

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour out both drinks and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Ask the Bartender: Meet Allie Geppert, Colorado Cocktail contestant

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour out both drinks and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Ask the bartender: Meet Amy Kempster, Colorado Cocktail contestant

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour out both drinks and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Ask the Bartender: Meet Alexandra Parks, Colorado Cocktail contestant

Sean Kenyon knows how to pour out both drinks and advice. A third-generation bar man with almost 25 years behind the bar, he is a student of cocktail history, a United States Bartenders Guild-certified Spirits Professional and a BAR Ready graduate of the prestigious Beverage Alcohol Resource Program. You can…

Hot Mess and Spicy Rico’s Rita at Machete

In Colorado, if you advertise that something is hot, it should be hot. Back east, hot may translate as tepid – but in Colorado, we’re tough, dammit. When we order something hot, we expect it to be frickin’ hot — especially at a Mexican restaurant. Last week I dropped by…