The name Oskar Blues brings to mind one thing: cans. These guys almost single handedly brought the aluminum can back as an acceptable container to the American beer market (craft not macro). They started their “Canned Beer Apocalypse” back in 2002 in the small town of Lyons, CO by using a single can table-top sealer. Before long, they had pushed their brightly colored cans of Dale’s Pale Ale into the face of every serious craft beer drinker in the Rocky Mountain region. They weren’t going to let those punks at New Belgium show them how it’s done.

Dale’s was soon followed by Old Chub, a Scottish strong ale at 8%, G’Knight Imperial Red/DIPA at 8.7%, GUBNA Imperial IPA at 10%, Mama’s Little Yella Pils Czech-style pilsner at 5.3%, and the ever-expensive Ten FIDY Imperial Stout at 10.5%. Other special brews that most of us don’t ever see like The Mutilator, Blackstrap Fever, and Velvet Elvis Stout can be found at the grill in Lyons.

Oskar Blues seems to be opening a new location every time I turn around and their newest hot spot, “The Old Chubway Expeditious Chow Dispensary”, is more like a malt shop than a brew pub. Specialty ice cream and flavored sodas go well with slow cooked meats and their 6 main beers are available for on-site enjoyment.

No visit would be complete without seeing the giant 30 foot tall silo painted to resemble a Dale’s Pale can at the Home Made Liquids & Solids grill and pub alongside Hwy 119. With plenty of Southern cooking to choose from, this location is a great spot to eat, drink and enjoy nationwide touring bands.

The brewery is located at 1800 Pike Rd in Longmont, CO, Home Made Liquids & Solids at 1555 S Hover Rd in Longmont, CO and the grill is at 303 Main Street in Lyons, CO.