Taking the shelf road into Yankee Boy Basin in the Jeep. Dad (owns the Rubicon) would have been on edge.
Mining out of Silverton
A lead-copper-zinc mine located about 10 km South of Ouray. Features the Treasury Tunnel. Ultimate closure was 1978. Extends into the Red Mountain district in Ouray county.
Odell 5 Barrel Pale Ale
Appearance: Pours a fairly clear honey color with a rocky head that coats the pint glass
Smell: A bit grainy, with subtle floral tones and an earthy hop aspect
Taste: Starts out with a very different flavor that seems to be a combination of tangerine and earthy fruit flavors
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation
Drinkability: Tastes great; really interesting brew that is quite different from what I was expecting
Serving type: bottle
Odell Easy Street Wheat Beer
Appearance: Pours out a cloudy, straw-colored body with a frothed, white head.
Smell: Opens with a noted lemon character and light, background floral tones.
Taste: Lightly sweet maltiness tasting of crisp wheat crackers with a hint of grain. Touch of lemon peels. Floral hop character with a faint balancing bitterness. Crisp, dry finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-plus carbonation.
Drinkability: Though simple, it’s nicely refreshing and easily drinkable.
Serving type: bottle at Kips in Pagosa Springs
Purgatory Mountain 2012
Across the entire state, Colorado is nothing short of scenic. From the crisp vivacious waters of the Animas River and the breathtaking serenity of Chicago Basin, Purgatory Mountain shares its own wonders. During our summer 2012 vacation, Adam and I spent an afternoon seeking the thrills of summer sports on Purgatory Mountain. Thanks to 2nd Avenue Sports in Durango we were outfitted with mountain bikes to prepare us for the exhilarating rides ahead. YETI mountain bikes have been a large part of the fully suspended carbon frame movement in racing, and this was our opportunity to try them out!
We began our ascent by riding the twilight chair lift up the mountain. With the sun shining brightly on this picturesque bluebird day, the all-downhill trails were in full view. The “Diggler” was the first trail we chose with a starting elevation of 9,930 ft., stretching out over 1.8 miles. As fate would have it, I took my first [notice I say first rather than only] fall into the sandy terrain. Back up as quickly as I went down, we continued winding quickly yet carefully through the trail. Living up to its name, the Diggler was a wide track intermediate route. Not my favorite type of trail, being that the terrain was mostly sand and rock which can be problematic for maintaining speed and control simultaneously.
My favorite course of the day was the “World Cup” with a starting elevation of 8,950 ft. and a top elevation of 9,860 ft. I prefer single track riding over wide track because it forces you to be in control of even the slightest movement. A lengthier course with a couple small climbs, and some absolutely gorgeous views! I will admit I got off of my bike once because it was just a little bit too sketchy for me but the boys rode it out! If ever in the Durango area during the summer season, do not miss the fun and excitement Purgatory Mountain has to offer. A shout out to our friend Tyler who works for Durango Mountain Resort for hooking up the lift tickets! Definitely a ride to remember!
Silverton Brewery Ice Pick Ale
A: Pours amber in color with a finger of white lace.
S: Hops in the smell, mild pine notes. A dirty smell to it, very earthy
T: The usual grassy hop taste with a balance of malt thrown in. A hint of caramel sits on the tongue. Bitter, but pretty mildly. Earthy
M: Pretty crisp and a little light, but overall medium bodied. Starts to stick around mid-glass in the back of the throat.
There are better IPAs, this one is very earthy and almost has a dirt taste to it. The carbonation was off a bit too the cans were either gushers or almost flat.
Hold the Line APA
A: Pours a deep copper amber color with a good three fingers thick of persistent tan rocky foam head. Some large bubbles form sticky globs of lace all the way down the glass. The carbonation could be a bit much.
S: Nice dank and pine notes up front with some light suggestions of citrus and an underlying sweet pale malt aroma. Pretty nice nose on it, will dry hop this with some Cascades next time.
T: Has a nice caramel full body with some hop notes in the end. Its still pretty green, I have a feeling it will get better with some age on it.
M: Lighter body nearing Medium thickness. Creamy with a real dry and crisp finish.
D: A bold and hoppy APA. Time will tell on this one.
Odell Myrcenary DIPA
A: Pours a golden color with a finger or two of white head.
S: Citrus hops with a touch grassiness to it. A little bit of bready and pale malts along with a little bit of fruit. Light pine notes coming in as it warms
T: A really nice fruitiness to the flavor. Plenty of citrus, particularly grapefruit and tangerine. Mild grass notes and a decent amount of pine, a moderate bitterness to go with it. Some decent bread flavors round out the beer.
M: Medium in body with a medium to high carbonation.
O: Pretty solid IPA. Nice hoppiness and not really sweet at all.
Caldera IPA
A: Pours a clear, orangey-copper body with a small, bubbly white head.
S: Aroma of caramel malts with an herbal, citrus hop presence.
T: Mild caramel malt flavor and sweetness. Zesty citrus hops and the taste of fresh herbs. A pinch more of those caramel malts reemerge for the overall bitter finish.
M: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation. Slight stickiness to the mouthfeel.
D: A fairly good IPA.
Serving type: can at Homebrew club meeting.
Mother Brewing Lil’ Helper
A – Poured out a clear copper color with a one-finger, off-white head of bubbly foam. It left some sudsy lace on the glass.
S – It smelled piney with some nice floral notes. A touch of caramel, too.
T – It tasted very yeasty with some piney bitterness. A touch of citrus zestiness and some sweet caramel.
M – It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A light to medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.
O – This is a nice American IPA. Curious to try more from Mother’s in Springfield, too bad they dont distribute here.
Serving type: bottle at a homebrew club meeting
The Road Worth Traveling 