Live Well Estes - October 2020

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2021

Craft drinks and good eats By Tim Mosier Trail-Gazette

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stes Park is known for its scenic views, amazing landscapes, a vibrant downtown and memorable lodging. In the last five years, visitors and residents have also come to know Estes for something else, and that’s its craft brewery and distillery scene. The first businesses to stake their beverage claim in Estes Park occurred long before the Estes Valley Development Code allowed such things. Estes Park Brewery opened in 1994, by Gordon Knight, who owned High Country Brewery in Boulder. Today it is owned by Tyler Lemirande. Snowy Peaks Winery was also one of the first in town. Founded in 2005 Candice Mohr grew a fine vinification facility. The majority of her grapes are grown on the western slope in Palisade, Colo. and a few come from Burlington, Colo. with 25 different wines and blends available including Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Riesling. Stop by to sample their award-winning, handcrafted wines along with charcuterie and sometimes even live music. In July 2014, the Estes Park Town Board approved an ordinance to allow breweries, distilleries and wineries to operate legally under the Estes Valley Development Code. Today, along with Estes Park Brewery and Snowy Peaks, there is also Lumpy Ridge Brewery, Rock Cut Brewery, Elkins Distillery

In the last five years, visitors and residents have come to know Estes for its craft brewery and distillery scene.

and Avant Garde Aleworks. “We love that there is a strong collaborative spirit among the Estes Park craft beverages producers,” said Candice Mohr, owner of Snowy Peaks. “Everyone is so supportive of each other and are willing to share information and ideas.” The breweries, distillery and winery in town are not just popular with residents and visitors; they are also a great year-round economic driver for Estes Park. This Rocky Mountain atmosphere is a great spot to brew or distill, but crafting beverages and selling at 7,255 does have its advantages. That is one reason why Joe Elkins started his whiskey distillery in Estes Park. “First and foremost was the confluence of the things that you need for making whiskey,” Elkins said to the Trail-Gazette in 2014 when the development code changed. “You need world class grains like barley and corn. Colorado has both of those. And, you need water

and we have Rocky Mountoo. But, the difference is tain water. Denver and Fort elevation. The higher elevaCollins have access to these, See DRINKS, pg. 21

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LIVE WELL ESTES | FALL EDITION • 11