Brewmasters release limited edition beer

All of Golden’s microbreweries — yes, all five of them — have come together for the first time to create a special brew that will be released to the public in March.Golden’s expert brewers will be participating during Colorado Craft Beer Week’s Collaboration Fest, hosted by the Colorado Brewers Guild, a trade and advocacy association representing a majority of the state’s craft breweries and brewpubs.The Collaboration Fest held at Sports Authority Field will feature more than 70 projects from collaborating breweries within the state and across the nation, as some out-of-state brewers have partnered with Colorado craft beer makers.Batches are made especially for the festival, but in Golden, its brewers will present their beer to the public on Thursday, March 19, during a release party at the Foothills Art Center at 6 p.m.Afterward, the beer will be on tap at local breweries for the next few months.”It’s really fun getting everybody together,” said Abby George, owner of Barrels and Bottles Brewery. “We all have a good time. It’s all about networking and sharing stories.”Participating breweries decided on an “imperial Saison” for this year’s fest. The traditional pale ale will be given a kick of hops through a technique known as dry hopping, which enhances the hops aroma of the beer.”We’re getting a little bit loud and crazy with it,” said Mike George, head brewer at Golden City Brewery.Named the “Golden Gateway Saison” after the city and county’s location as the “Gateway to the Rockies,” the batch brewed at Golden City Brewery will make 20 kegs with an alcohol by volume at 7 to 8.5 percent.And it’s not just hops and barley that are brewing, it’s also good vibes and team work. George at Golden City Brewery said Golden’s participation in Collaboration Fest will now be an annual tradition.”Brewers are like a big giant family of brothers and sisters, and they don’t mind going out of their way to help each other all the time,” said Kent “Speedo” Reichow of AC Golden.For event and ticket information for Collaboration Fest, visit www.collaborationfest.com.