Friday, June 6, 2014

Revolution Brewing in Paonia

It only takes a couple hours to tap in (pun intended) to the magic of Paonia. They live gently on the earth, and leave it more beautiful. I've always loved the place, and it just keeps getting better and better. In addition to the local wineries, they now have a crackerjack microbrewery. The ambiance is like walking into Paonia's living room - one local after another stops by to check in. They're friendly townsfolk, and you can have a great conversation with either regulars or travelers who've found Revolution along the way. We talked to a nice family from Boulder, and a couple traveling the country for two years in a Winnebago. The couple who own Paonia's Wiseheart B&B were also great company. We love meeting such wonderful folks as we explore Colorado's byways. Revolution's beers were subtly crafted; nothing outlandish or extreme, and very likeable. The apricot blonde was a pleasant surprise with enough earthy hops to keep it interesting. The stout had lots of deep, rich coffee - just the way I like it. This one was my personal favorite.--Rose IPA is for real hop lovers,the red is a sweet Irish red, not too generic, has a hint of brown sugar, and I ordered an extra pint. The nut brown is also very likeable and mellow. Great to watch a mix of a few tourists and mostly locals dropping in. Beer is a club anybody can belong to.--Bob