Palisade Brewing—Beer That Makes You Smile

I was on the Western Slope of Colorado and stopped by Palisade Brewing in Palisade, just outside of Grand Junction, Colo. Palisade Brewing, “Beer That Makes You Smile.” Now I like that. It’s true, beer does make me smile.

It was a fantastic 80 degree day, and just happened to be the day of the Palisade anniversary shindig. Live, outdoor music, smoked meats and of course good beer.

I tried a sampler to get a complete taste of Palisade beer. High Desert Red is a nicely hopped red ale at 5.8% ABV. This red has an earthy hop flavor and caramel flavors. It’s a great, refreshing ale, and of course a great red ale color. Dirty Hippie is a dark wheat. Typically I don’t have a taste for wheat beers, but the Dirty Hoppie is quite refreshing—probably because it has hints of chocolate and caramel malts…a light, dark beer, and I enjoyed it with a slice of orange. Also sitting at 5.3% ABV. Now I like this name, Laid Back Blonde (I wonder why?). Though, I’m not too much of a fan of light, lager brews, it is the lightest beer brewed at the Palisade, and a good ‘transitional’ beer for new beer drinkers.

Let’s get to my favorites. Paw Print Porter has typical flavors of porters: chocolate, coffee, caramel and hops. Great for late Fall or Winter, or just about any time, 6.85% ABV. On to the S’ O. B. Pale. I’m a hop lover. And the S’ O. B. is a true pale, nice and smooth and generously hopped, 6.1% ABV. And on to the best—On Belay IPA (which also feeds into my love of climbing). I don’t know what else to say, awesome IPA. 7% ABV.

Palisade Brewing Company

200 Peach Av.

Palisade, CO 81526

The Ale House

2531 North 12th