U is for GUanella Pass Brewery

Here we are ... already up to "U" on round 5 of the A to Z Denver Breweries series of posts.

As I mentioned in T is for Tilray Beer Brands, Littleton, I had no idea what we'll do for a "U" brewery. U was tough for rounds 1 - 4. 

I've used U is for Ursula Brewery (which doesn't exist anymore), U is for oUter Range Brewing Company (which isn't in the Denver area), U is for Upslope Brewing Company (which isn't in the Denver area), and U is for BlUe SprUce Brewing Company.

I was really struggling to see anything for this round.

Luckily my intelligent (and beautiful) wife (aka, the SheppyBrew Beer Model) came up with a genius idea ...

U is for GUanella Pass Brewery

Recent BBQ Photos

I have not posted much about my BBQ adventures recently.

I've been posting about Brewing and local breweries and biking.

Just no BBQ.

I believe the last time I posted about BBQ was over a month ago with Pork Butt Burnt Ends.

Of course, I have been cooking BBQ between then and now.

I thought I'd share pictures from some of those cooks.

On Sunday, August 11, I cooked some spare ribs on the weber kettle.

2024 Tribute Day Photos

We're getting close!! In September, I'll be cycling 1,200 miles in September to help raise awareness and money to fight childhood cancer.

It is called the Great Cycle Challenge.

If you'd like to help out, head to my "Rider Page" at 

https://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/EricShepard

 

Hail Storm Summer Saison

Style: Saison

ABV: 5.8% 
IBU: 27
SRM: 4.3

Description:

Hail Storm Summer Saison is a refreshing and complex farmhouse ale that captures the essence of summer in every sip. Brewed by industrious gnomes in the majestic Colorado mountains, this saison pours a hazy golden hue with a frothy white head that lingers beautifully. The aroma is an enticing bouquet of fruity esters, with notes of ripe pear, banana, and a hint of spicy clove, courtesy of the French Saison yeast strain.

T is for Tilray Beer Brands, Littleton

Honestly, you'd think that we'd have plenty to choose from the letter "T" on our A to Z Denver Breweries series of posts.

And, yes, according to the Colorado Brewery Map & List there are quite a few Denver area breweries starting with the letter "T".

However, we've already used T is for TRVE Brewing Company, T is for Two22 Brew, T is for Tivoli Brewing Company, and T is for Tommyknocker Brewery, and most of the other "T" breweries on the Colorado Brewery Map & List are too far away for just a brewery visit.

There is another local brewery I could use, but honestly, I've never thought this brewery makes very good beer, and I didn't really want to subject myself to beer I don't like.

So ... I am taking a little "artistic license" here ...

T is for Tilray Beer Brands, Littleton

S is for Seedstock Brewing Company

Remember when in A to Z Denver Breweries Round 4, I wasn't sure if there would be a "Round 5"?

Shortly after that, I posted A is for AC Golden Tank Room to begin our Round 5.

That was about a year ago as I type this post.

Well ... obviously we have been actively continuing our A to Z Denver Breweries series of posts, and as you know if you follow along on this blog, just a couple of weeks ago, we checked "R" off the list with R is for Reverence Brewing Company.

Obviously, this means the letter "S" was up next and this past weekend we hit the S brewery ...

Big S. Little S. What begins with S?

S is for Seedstock Brewing Company

GCC Hero Jerseys

If you follow me at all on this blog and/or Facebook and/or Instagram, you know I've been doing the Great Cycle Challenge for several years now (since 2016). 

Not too long ago, I posted photos of myself wearing my GCC Jerseys 2016 -2024. By raising at least $500 anyone doing the challenge earns these each year.

Well, I wasn't wearing the 2016 jersey because it is too small and I gave it to my wife. In 2016, I had never owned a bike jersey before and didn't realize they are not just sized like tee-shirts.

Anyway, in addition to the "Regular" jerseys in GCC Jerseys 2016 -2024, I also own four "Hero" jerseys, which are earned by raising at least $2,500 in that year.

I also have earned an "All Star" jersey, which I got when I had raised a total of $10,000 over all years of the challenge.

N.T.S. Faux Pilsner (Batch 360)

It's been pretty hot here in the Denver area the past couple of weeks.

Really hot this past weekend.

You might have noticed (I've probably actually said that on this blog) that I've been attempting to brew all the "SheppyBrew Seasonals" in 2024. I only brewed 9 out of 12 of the 2022 Seasonals and 8 out of 12 of the 2023 Seasonals.

My "August" Seasonal actually uses Kveik yeast, and as you probably know if you're familiar with Kveik yeast at all, it loves fermenting at hot temperatures. 80's 90's even up into the 100's

Well, all yeast likes fermenting at hot temperatures, but Kveik yeasts actually make nice tasting beers when you ferment hot.

Since it was hot, and I wanted to brew a "Seasonal" that loves hot temperatures, Sunday was a great day to brew.

N.T.S. Faux Pilsner

GCC Jerseys 2016 -2024

So, if you follow me at all on this blog and/or Facebook and/or Instagram, you know I've been doing the Great Cycle Challenge for several years now (since 2016). 

Every year, I pledge to ride a number of miles through out the challenge month. (originally in June, but it has been September since 2020).

I get donations for this pledge to raise money for the Children's Cancer Research Fund. If you'd like to donate, you can do so on my Rider's Page.

Everyone who raises at least $500 gets a "Free GCC Jersey", and I have one for each year that I've done the challenge.

Recently, I've been riding with all these jerseys (except 2016, which is too small for me) and taking selfies. I thought I'd share what they all look like in a blog post.

So ... here we go:

July #7100MilesIn2024 Progress

Thanks in a large part to all the training I've been doing for the Triple Bypass Ride, I'm running way ahead of the pace I need to accomplish my 2024 Strava goals ... #7100MilesIn2024 and #11EverestsIn2024.

In fact, I'm on pace to blow away my new Strava elevation goal, 348,384 (which is 12 x 29,032 feet).

If I continue on my mileage pace, I should be able to get more than 7,200 miles.

I have my Great Cycle Challenge coming up in September, so I probably won't slow down any time soon.

I also extended my #MetricCenturyEveryMonth streak with a couple of rides (including my Triple Bypass Ride).

Since July of 2021, I've ridden at least one 100 km (62.2 miles) ride. This makes the streak 36 straight months.

I'm sure I'll extend the streak in August as well.

Shotgun Shells

Lately, I feel like I've seen quite a few posts / videos about Smoked Shotgun Shells, and it is something I'd never made before.

Every post seems to do them slightly differently, but basically, shotgun shells are typically made by stuffing pasta tubes with flavorful fillings, wrapping them in bacon, and then cooking them to crispy perfection.

At least one of my sources suggested cooking the noodles (manicotti) for 4 or 5 minutes before hand.

Most others I saw suggested not doing that.

For my first attempt, I decided to pretty much follow Hey Grill Hey's recipe, and she did suggest pre-cooking the noodles.