New Belgium is one of my favorite breweries, out of Fort Collins Colorado, they have become well known around the country, growing to the third largest craft brewer in the US, so of course they have become a Colorado favorite. Their most widely known beer is Fat Tire, an amber ale, which you can get about anywhere now. Although my favorite libation from this very progressive wind-powered brewery is the 1554, an enlightened black ale. New Belgium was "born from a bike seat" when the founder, Jeff Lebesch travelled across Europe on his bike, touring the best breweries in the world, only to return to the US and brew fat tire simply as a home brew at first. Then six years later in 1991, he and his wife launched New Belgium, with that inspired brew as their staple beverage.So, fate has now guided my trip into a tour of breweries here in Grand Junction, only to be capped by the Oregon Brewers Festival the 24th-27th in Portland, which I am greatly looking forward to sharing with my friends there. But back to Grand Junction (BTW i have yet to find this actual "Junction" that everyone keeps telling me is so "Grand" but i digress. . .)
Josh and Bethany live in Fruita, which is right outside of Grand Junction and a little smaller, with mountains surrounding the whole valley. Absolutely Beautiful. However these cities here in the valley, while having multiple good brewers and other local flavors, doesn't seem to be as progressive as i pictured a Colorado town. Sound like they are doing well though. We had an amazing Pesto Pizza(Pesto, mozzarella, feta, tomatoes, and garlic) at the "Hot Tomato cafe"With mountains surrounding this whole area, this valley has become a kind of mecca for mountain biking. There seems to be a bike shop on every corner, and Fruita is home to the Fruita Fat Tire Festival (yes, sponsored and named after New Belgium),
as well as five other festivals throughout the year including "Mike the Headless Chicken Festival". This rather interesting festival is in honor of a chicken, whose body supposedly lived for two years after it had its head removed. But i have my doubts. There is even a statue in memoriam of this peculiar headless mcnugget. There is much more to say about this part of the trip. . .maybe ill add more next time, also to see the rest of the pics and breweries here in Grand Junction check out my photobucket album
