So this isn't exactly Beer related, but it deserves a mention. Yesterday afternoon we visited the Balistreri Winery on E. 66th Ave. It's a small place and the winemaker John Balistreri and his daughter Julie man the tasting room. John makes some really interesting wines such as his Chardonnay, which the label says in an "un-Chardonnay." If you taste this wine with a blindfold on, you would swear it was a red wine. That's because the Balistreris ferment the wine "on the skin" just like a red wine. Most white wine is fermented without the skins and stems.
John also makes some really interesting and strong dry Muscat, which take some getting used too.
Our favorite was the Colorado Syrah from Horse Mountain Vineyards. It's a very peppery wine from the front all the way to the finish.
The winery is a small place and Julie will give you a small tour if you ask. Both of them are very friendly, very knowledgeable and fun to talk to.
The tasting room is open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and a tasting of about a dozen wines is free.
There are a few other Front Range wineries that I'm going to try whenever I'm not trying new beers.
Check out Balistreri at http://www.balistreriwine.com/