BIG double IPAs (DIPA) are some of my favorite finds. I love it when a brewery gets a little wild with their hops and punches me in the face with flavor. If you're a hophead too, then you know what I mean. Now that I'm a proud Colorado transplant, I've been on a mission to absorb as much local beer as possible. I'm even building a Google Map of all of the breweries within a 5 mile radius for when friends and family visit. Look... I'm from Georgia, and the state was just catching up to beer … [Read more...]
Big, Bold, and Fun: 14er Brewing Double Mt Massive IPA
One of my favorite things about Colorado craft beers is that most breweries truly embrace canning and the freedom it provides their customer. 14er Brewing, located in Denver, Colorado, is a hat tip to the Rocky Mountains west of the brewery. What's with the Name, "14er"? If you're unfamiliar with the term 14er, it's referring to mountain peaks that are 14,000' and greater. There happen to be about 58 peaks in Colorado that could be categorized as a 14er. Conquering all 58 14ers is kind of a … [Read more...]
Top Zip Lining Near Denver and What You Need to Know Before You Go
Views, high speed, thrills, and laughs. Can you think of a better way to spend your free time in Denver than zip lining through the mountains? No matter the season, zip lining offers year round fun around the mile high city. Zip lining is a rain/snow or shine activity that will take around 2-3 hours depending on the tour you choose. It's a perfect activity for friends, dates, or families. Finding a zip lining tour around Denver is easier than you think. There are a few really great … [Read more...]
Go Explore: Day Hiking Horsetooth Mountain Park in Colorado
Since moving to Colorado this summer, exploration and adventure has been a common theme in the Ekmark household. For my birthday this year, my wife planned an awesome weekend trip to Fort Collins, Colorado. Visiting the town of Fort Collins is great for any weekend adventurer. For now, I'll focus on those day hiker needs, such as finding some quick food and great beer. If you're looking for that info, you can skip to the bottom. Where Is Horsetooth Mountain Park? We left from downtown Fort … [Read more...]
Day Trip to Devils Head Fire Lookout Hike
A Quick Day Hike Near Denver, CO Our friend said, "this is one of the first places I recommend taking visitors when they want to go do something around Denver." One of the great things about living in Denver is the abundance of day hike opportunities, so we decided to check it out! Devils Head is located in Pike National Forest, just 45 miles south of Denver. It takes about an hour to get there, but that's mostly because of the dirt road you will have to drive for about 10 miles (I'll get to … [Read more...]
Day Hiking Saint Mary’s Glacier: A Quick Guide to Colorado Fun
When you live in metro Denver, Colorado, fun is just a short drive, hike, or train ride away. Saint Mary's Glacier sits at just around 1 hour away from Denver, so I couldn't pass it up this weekend for a quick day hike. I've only lived in Colorado for a few weeks now, but the theme is pretty consistent; Life here is pretty good. Even the morning weather reporters say cheesy things like, "well it's another beautiful day, because well, it's Colorado of course!" Quick Facts About Saint … [Read more...]
“Empty Trophy Case IPA” by Living the Dream Brewing Co
When you live within 10 minutes of 7 breweries, it's tough to decide where you visit first. We moved to metro Denver almost two weeks ago now, and to say that beer is part of the local culture is an understatement. It's everywhere. Living the Dream Brewing Company is the closest brewery, and it has one of my favorite names as well. That's why people move out here, right? We're all trying to live the dream. Our friends met us for a Thursday afternoon pint at our local dog friendly … [Read more...]