Believe it or not, winter is finally happening here in Colorado. The peaks I watch from the office are draped in white, and I’ve been sampling some fine Front Range pow the last week and a half. It’s funny how cruddy things get a rosy spin when there’s fresh snow. A disconcerting statement like, “oh, the rent’s due, and I spent all my money on beef jerky, lotto tickets, and take-out,” cease to be troublesome when it’s coda sounds something like, “snow’s good, shall we ski powder?”
With the new snow, I’ve decided to explore a few new zones I’ve had my eye on since last spring. This requires plenty of early morning touring but not so much skiing. Regardless, these exploratory dawn patrols are an excellent excuse to enjoy a good beer and watch the sun come up.
On my latest walkabout, I schlepped along a new beer from Odell Brewing Company: Lugene Chocolate Milk Stout. It was in my fridge at 4:30 in the morning so it seemed appropriate for this particular mission. Much to my surprise, Lugene made for a delicious sunrise beer. Brewed with milk sugar and milk chocolate, it tastes exactly like it sounds: rich, creamy, and choco-rific. At 8.5 percent alcohol, it’s like a refined and alcoholic Yoo-hoo. Sure, it’s got a hint of hops per the stout style, but Lugene is a glorious experiment in chocolate and beer. It’ll bring you right back to your elementary-school-cafeteria roots. Lugene Cocolate Milk Stout is a nice, sweet, sipping beer. It happens to be fantastic early in the morning, but I’d imagine it’s good at all times of the day. Just saying.
