On Buying AC Golden's Beer
Earlier today I gave a recap on the Wild Beer and Wild Game beer dinner and I talked about an absolutely fantastic beer by Troy Casey of AC Golden called the Hidden Barrel Project Apricot. The beer, masterfully crafted had two pounds of apricots per gallon and had been aged for 10 months in Chardonnay barrels. The beer was tart, but not overwhelming, it was incredibly balanced and absolutely delicious. I want to drink that beer all the time.
In case you didn't know AC Golden is a part of Miller/Coors, operating in a 'small' 30 barrel brew house right down the hall from Coors in Golden, CO. AC Golden is most known for their Colorado Native brand. Troy informed us that this Apricot Beer will be bottled and sold at Mile High Liquor in Denver starting in March. It will be a limited batch and the people at the brewery are not sure how well the beer will sell because it will be priced at $22/bottle. Not only that, but the beer is sitting somewhere between 5-6% ABV so it's not a big beer at all. Troy wasn't sure if people who are used to paying higher prices for higher ABV beers, like for Avery special beers, would be willing to pay the same price for these. Well, let me assure you that the beer is of the highest quality and is an absolutely lovely 'sour' apricot beer. I do believe it's worth $22, easily.
For me the question isn't whether or not people will buy this because of the ABV, but rather because of a moral and/or philosophical question of whether or not they want to put their money in the pocket of MillerCoors, a joint venture with MolsonCoors, whose beer is not exactly known for being in favor with the craft beer crowd. Will people support AC Golden? The answer is clear to me, AC Golden is making damn fine beer and they are paying guys like Troy Casey to make these innovative beers. It's a clear yes for me.
Looks like it's also a clear yes for our Denver Off The Wagon buddies, who were somehow thinking the same thing as me at the same time. Collective consciousness!
- - -
To stay up to date with Focus on the Beer you can receive email updates and join us on our Facebook page.