Over the years, I’ve had the great fortune to try some of the best American craft beer on the market — in Brooklyn, in my home state of Michigan and across the country (and the globe — did you know there’s a booming craft beer scene in Madrid!?).
If you follow me on Instagram (or keep up with this blog), you know I’ve got a passion for all things spirits and suds, and I’ve even had the chance to cover the best new microbrews at sites like Maxim.com. In fact, you might say craft beer was my first love, at least before I dove into the world of fine American bourbon — and all that goes with it, of course.
Yes indeed, way back when I was covering the best gear for spring and summer at GearMoose, I also found that the same things I treasured — an expertly cut pair of denim or a well-fitting chambray shirt, for instance — also made for a nice uniform of sorts to wear to… a craft brewery!
It’s the little things that make the difference, and so I find myself once again with the chance to pursue my passions, cover the gear (and beer!) I love, and travel the country (and the world!) while doing so.
And that’s why, live from Denver, I’ve made yet another trek out West with iconic craft brewery Oskar Blues Brewery, makers of the excellent (and groundbreaking) Dale’s Pale Ale as well as a host of other deliciously crushable beers that tend to pair well with outdoor pursuits aplenty.
In fact, in a fun turn of events, the brewery is the official beer of U.S.A. Curling! And with next year’s Winter Olympics on the horizon, Denver is hosting the USA Curling Mixed Fours National Championship — I’ve seen curling on TV, you’ve seen curling on TV but the chance to check it out in person (all while also touring the iconic Oskar Blues Brewery) is too good (and too fun!) to pass up.
Now, Dale’s Pale Ale — a longtime favorite I first discovered when I moved to NYC more than a decade ago, as luck would have it — is far from the only beer Oskar Blues makes, but it’s among the finest and most accessible, with rich malt character and delicate hop spice. It’s a change of pace from the wine I recently sipped in the French Riviera (more on that below), but one I welcome as a return to form — who can turn down a fresh beer right off the canning line?
But enough about beer — for now, at least. I’ll be outfitting myself with rugged style favorites best suited for a brewery tour, like Flint and Tinder menswear from Huckberry. Those aren’t the only menswear selections I’ve brought with me out West, of course, as you know if you (repeat after me) follow me on Instagram.
Sturdy Blundstone boots and a great field watch are also top of mind. In the meantime, it’s the best of all worlds in my neck of the woods: Fresh beer, rugged menswear and a glimpse of fresh air and blue sky in lovely Denver. Again, keep up with me on social media to follow along with all the fun, and keep it locked here for two stylish spring blog posts headed your way on Saturday and Sunday. As ever, thank you for reading!
The Style Guide 