Photo courtesy of Barquentine Brewing
Here in Colorado, we have water issues.
Living in a land-locked state with a semi-arid climate that also happens to be in the throes of a mega-drought, water is not just a precious commodity - it’s a bit of an obsession. Coloradans are super-psyched when our reservoirs are full and we can pretend we live near a “lake.” When they’re not full, as has unfortunately been the case as of late, we shrug and camp out on the muddy edges pretending we live near the beach. We proudly fish in rivers that, anywhere east of the 100th meridian would simply be referred to as creeks. On a warm summer day, you’ll seek trucks and trailers with speedboats and jet skis headed out to find some navigable puddle to splash in, even if that means sailing around in small, tight circles for hours on end.
We love water! We need water! We’re sea-faring, ship-building mariners at heart! We’re…
Okay… we’re not. But we do find water a bit exotic around here, so it only makes sense that if you’re a landlubbing Colorado native with a penchant for beer (sailors love beer!) you’d open up a ship-themed brewery, right by a lake.
Photo courtesy of Barquentine Brewing
Such was the case for Kyle Knudson, owner of Barquentine Brewing located in the Edgewater Marketplace right near the banks of Sloan’s Lake.
Kyle, who owns Barquentine in conjunction with his father, Ed, was born and raised in Colorado as were his parents (a Colorado native born of a Colorado natives? Unheard of!) and his land-locked, semi-arid desert childhood naturally led to an infatuation with 19th century sea-faring history. Barquentines were old-world sailing vessels that, among other things, ferried beer making supplies among the brewers of Europe. Outside of the sea and his ship, there’s nothing a sailor loves more than his (or her) drink and Barquetine Brewing is here to ensure that all of us wanna-be sea dogs have a place to indulge in our waterlogged dreams.
Photo courtesy of Barquentine Brewing
Specializing in authentic Belgian beers, Barquentine draws its recipes from tradition, but their beer - and location - are definitely up to par for the modern-day Colorado beer nerd. Located in the trendy Edgewater Public Market, a beer-drinker can find plenty to explore for an afternoon, or even well into the evening. Cruise the adorable shops, grab a bite to eat, get a massage, take a yoga class, or attend one of the regular Edgewater Public market events: Monday night movies, monthly knitting groups, Bingo, necklace making, and more. There’s always a lot going on and with Barquetine around, there’s a brew for every activity and every mood.
Photo courtesy of Barquentine Brewing
Are you feeling fancy? Try the Sloan’s Lake Yacht Club Ale. You’ll feel high-class because you now belong to a yacht club, and you’ll know that you’re a discerning beer aficionado since that beer won them a sliver medal in the World Beer Cup this year. Had a rough work week and looking for a pre-noon beverage to kick off your weekend? Late to Brunch, a blood-orange ale will do the trick. Feeling feisty and want to pick an argument with your fellow beer buddies over something silly? The Opinionator Golden Strong Ale will help you, coming in at an argument-inducing 9.3% ABV!
Spunky beer names aside, however, Barquentine takes their brewing business very seriously. They had to, in order to survive. Barquentine is one of a number of Root Shoot supporting businesses that opened up right before the world closed down for COVID. They welcomed their first patrons on Leap Day of 2020 and two weeks later, the whole country shut down. As they navigated the craziness of those COVID times, they discovered the value of local supply chains.
“ We had committed to brewing with high-quality ingredients from the beginning,” says Kyle, “but when the international supply chains fell apart, it was Root Shoot that stayed true to customer service and quality, locally grown malt.”
Turns out that having your farmers (and maltsters) just up the road can smooth out some bumps in uncertain times. And here at Root Shoot, we are benefitting from the relationship as well. Not only do we get to work with a World Beer Cup-winning brewery, we see the potential for training up future farmers…well, one future farmer at least. Namely, Kyle’s four-year-old son who - upon seeing his first combine at our Field Day promptly climbed up into the driver’s seat and cried tears of joy. You go, little buddy! In 17 years or so, we’ll train you to drive that thing!
While we wait, we’ll hang out on Barquetine’s big summer patio, drink some Sea Bear Saison, and dream of the ocean. Maybe take a quick paddle around Sloan’s Lake. Savor these last days of summer on what water we can find, and enjoy some crisp Belgian brews.
We may not live on the beach, but with places like Barquentine around, Colorado in the summer is the only place that we want to be.
