Posted By: Micki Sievwright

Beer and pizza. As American and manly as football and Sundays. But when the Ladies of Craft Beer took on the pairing, pizza was transformed into art and beer into craft.

Denver’s newest hot spot focuses on just that: Hops & Pie. Owners, spouses and long-time restaurant folk, Leah and Drew opened their “dream” spot that combines Drew’s skills in the kitchen and their love of craft beer (heavy on the California brews because they hail from San Diego). When tasked with a pairing event, these two knew their stuff. A group ranging from learned homebrewers to wine gals, we gathered to devour six craft beers paired with six tastes of gourmet cuisine.

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*ABV: alcohol by volume, *IBUs: international bittering units

1) Ace Perry Cider, California Cider Company – notes of jolly ranchers, gluten free
5% ABV
Roasted bosc pear and Haystack Mountain goat skewers

2) Damnation, Russian River – strong golden ale with Belgian hops and a nice transition for wine drinkers. Hops & Pie will always have a handle of Russian River, Leah said.
7% ABV, 25 IBUs
Blackberry BBQ and pulled chicken pizza with house pickled jalapenos, black eyed peas and goat cheese

3) Brown Ale, Upslope – smooth malty flavor with bitterness
6.7% ABV, 40 IBUs
Pan seared skirt steak, Colorado potato puree, mushrooms, caramelized onions and Gruyere cheese pizza

4) West Coast IPA, Green Flash – hoppy! and very distinctive bitterness, a Beer 301 course for newbies
7% ABV, 95 IBUs
Il Mondo Vecchio pepperoni and Linguica Silcilian sausage pizza

5) Smoked Porter, Alaskan Brewing – dark, robust and full of malts. Uses glacier-fed water from an ice field.
6.5% ABV, 45 IBUs
Smoked chicken and sausage gumbo

6) Oak Aged Yeti, Great Divide – Imperial stout, roasted chocolate notes and subtle vanilla taste
9.5% ABV, 75 IBUs
Yeti & vanilla float (topped with Strange Brewing’s Cherry Kriek)

Thanks to Leah, Drew and the Hops & Pie team. Follow their tap list on Facebook. And thanks to our intimate group of eaters and drinkers: Billy, Emily, Kathie, Dan, Amanda, Bill and Dane.

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