We’re catching up on some long overdue posts, and this one is a really overdue one. Consider it a #throwbackthursday post, because we’re taking you all the way back to last September. It was September 7th to be exact, and we were on our way back from Durango after attending the Ska Anniversary Party. We planned our route home to pass a few great craft breweries: Elevation Beer Co in Poncha Springs, and Eddyline Brewing in Buena Vista. We had never visited either before but we’re big fans of their beer, so it was worth a bit of a detour to pay them each a visit. Today we’re focusing on Elevation Beer Co; next Thursday we’ll bring you our review of Eddyline. Enjoy!
Visiting Elevation Beer Co
It was a long drive, nearly 3-1/2 hours, from Durango to Poncha Springs. Fortunately, it was filled with spectacular mountain views and field upon field of Colorado farmland, which kept us from getting too bored. This is truly the country where the buffalo roam, or at least graze, as we spotted this along our route:
Poncha Springs is known as the “Crossroads of the Rockies,” and that’s not just a marketing line. Blink and you may miss this tiny town, but it’s a fabulous central location to any number of Colorado outdoor adventures. In just a short drive from Poncha Springs, you can go skiing at Monarch, or dip your ties on the Arkansas Headwaters, or attempt to summit one of the 15 peaks over 14,000 feet that are nearby. Whether you’re a hiker, biker, fisher, skier, mountain climber, or just looking for a picturesque Colorado view, you can find what you need just a short distance from Poncha Springs. Do you know what else you can find there? Elevation Beer Co, where you can quench your thirst after your favorite outdoor activity. Or if drinking beer is your favorite outdoor activity, well then you’re really in the right spot at Elevation Beer Co.
The Elevation Beer Co’s location is pretty basic on the outside, in an industrial building that could pass for a warehouse. Inside the place is cozy but comfortable. We saddled up to the bar, quite literally, as the bar stools are the type of metal saddle seats you’d see on a tractor. At first, we felt a bit silly and awkward trying to climb into the seat (I’m short) but the friendly server immediately welcomed us with a smile and made us feel comfortable. We were alone in the taproom at first, but soon joined by more customers who were equally as nice, and before long it felt like we were meeting up with old friends. It must be a small town thing, or maybe it’s the Elevation beer, but everyone there was friendly and hospitable.
We decided on a flight of five beers: the First Cast American IPA, Third Base Belgian Tripel, 8 Second Kölsch, Signal de Botrange Farmhouse Ale, and the Fanboy American Oak-Aged Double IPA. They were all incredibly well-made, flavorful, delicious beers. Seriously, we would order any of them again, they were all great. When pressed to pick a favorite we both agreed it was a three-way tie between the First Cast, Fanboy, and Kölsch. The IPAs are typically our favorites, and we’re less fans of farmhouse and Belgian styles in general, so the one true surprise was the Kölsch. Not typically a style either of us favor, this one was just so light and easy drinking, it really hit the spot after our long drive.
Sadly we couldn’t stay for more than our sampler since we had to hit the road. We did purchase a few bombers of Elevation’s 7437 Double IPA to take home, so we could enjoy it on a day we wouldn’t be driving. It was a bit sad to leave the friendly folks and fine beers at Elevation Beer Co. If only they were closer, we know we’d be regulars. It looks like we need to plan more summer adventures near Poncha Springs so we can stop by more often.
If you haven’t been to Elevation Beer Co yet, we suggest you plan a road trip of your own, they are worth the drive. Or look for them in your favorite local craft beer store if you don’t want to make the drive. Elevation Beer Co currently distributes in various cities throughout Colorado.
About Elevation Beer Co
From the Elevation Beer Co website: Four friends: Carlin, Christian, Sheila, and Xandy, had a dream of starting a brewery that brewed the highest quality barrel-aged and specialty beers they could imagine, in an area of Colorado where they could sneak out of the brewhouse to fish, hike, or ski. In 2012 they made their dreams a reality by starting Elevation Beer Co in Poncha Springs, Colorado.
Elevation Beer Co
115 Pahlone Parkway
Poncha Springs, CO 81242
Elevation Beer Co on Facebook
Elevation Beer Co on Twitter
Elevation Beer Co on YouTube
Elevation Beer Co is open 7 days a week from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
This was our view on the way to Elevation. We took it as a good sign.Cheers!