Three days in Denver is just enough time to get a feel for what Denver is all about.
The National Western Stock Show, whose mission is to "serve producers and consumers throughout the world by being the premier Stock Show, Rodeo, Horse Show and center for year-round events" was in town for the weekend so we paid the 20$ entrance fee and had a looksy.
It is a very popular event here.
Coors Banquet Beer is a staple in Colorado. They have been brewing beer in the Rockies for 140 years.
Val and Damien and their adorable baby are the reason for Amy and my visit, not the snotty cow in the background.
Jazzercise sheep.
Great Divide is an environmentally responsable CO brewery. 100% of their spent grain is used by local cattle farms and 80% of their barely is grown in CO. While the average water to beer ratio is 8:1, theirs is 5.5:1. Not bad!
Union Station has been at this location on Wyncoop for 150 years, although rebuilt since a fire destroyed much of the building in 1894. The 1920s were its glory days, when 80 trains each day came through the station.
The 105th meridian (line of longitude) bisects the train station, and is the meridian that the Mountain Time Zone is based on.
The C.S. Morey Mercantile Building, built in 1896, is now the location of the Tattered Cover Bookstore, but there used to be a train that ran through its alley way, transporting the goods produced here (like snuff, cigars and writing tablets) to its customers.
Daniels Fisher Tower is an iconic Denver landmark. Built in 1910, at 325 feet high, the old department store was the tallest building between Mississippi and California.
Wyncoop Brewing Company was Colorado's first brewpub, founded in 1988 by Denver's Mayor, and Colorado's governor, John Hickenlooper. Hickenlooper and President Obama were here less than two years ago drinking beer (just missed it...).
I went with the ginger cider.
Denver is full of brick buildings, history, great beer, and great friends. I can't think of a better way to spend a three day weekend.
