Immediately West of Foothills Parkway on Pearl, Sanitas Brewing is staking its claim in the Boulder craft beer scene. Tucked in by the train tracks near eastern Pearl’s evolving infrastructure, including the recently opened Hyatt Place hotel, the multi-tap brewhouse crafts an interesting array of offerings. The crew at Eat, Drink Boulder recently had an opportunity to sample their three flagship beers: a Saison, an IPA and a Black IPA.
The Saison, true to its namesake, sparkles a golden hue with a nose of banana, orange zest and a hint of clove. The noticeable “funk” you might find in an old world wine gives way to explosive citrus and mild hops. Easy drinking with a 5.9% ABV and 22 IBUs, this session brew makes for a great afternoon porch pounder. Throw in a rope swing over a river on a hot day and let the stories abound.
Mixed experiences on the IPA left us haggling about what was jumping out of the glass. Light amber and straw shimmer in the glass and make way for orange/lemon funkiness on the nose. Finishing with essence of pine and caramel, the hop profile holds its own as it surfs on its citrus with 7.0% ABV and 80 IBUs. Recommended as a drinkable IPA after cycling Boulder County or running the trail circuit – refreshing.
Unanimously, the Black IPA won us over. Malty dark color accentuated by a caramel colored water line, this session black breaks out with a nose of cedar, burnt caramel, lingering licorice and coffee. Balanced malt and medium hops allow this take on the black style IPA to be extremely drinkable at 6.5% ABV and 68 IBUs. Roasty and full-bodied with expressions of Crème Brûlée and coffee bring out the unexpectedly refreshing character. Throw some chocolate in to the mix with this fellow and watch your taste buds go into overdrive.
All three Sanitas beers are available in six-pack cans at Harvest Wine and Spirits for $9.99. Stepping away from traditional bottling, canned beer is making a big comeback, with its recycle-friendly composition. The Sanitas cans go a step further by adding some helpful graphics, displaying a sliding scale for hops, malt, color and body, so you can choose your to-go libations as desired.
Visit the Sanitas Brewery and sit outside on the patio, grab a couple tacos from the onsite McDevitt Taco Supply (deliciousness delivered on wax paper), wait for a train to come by and receive $2.00 off their “train beer” – a numbered session brew that rotates to something new once supplies run out. Past incarnations have included Pale Ales, an English Mild, Belgian Blondes, and a Patersbier – “Father’s Beer” in Dutch, brewed by Trappist Monks and with a lower ABV, allowing them enough lucidity to complete their heavenly, yet earth-bound responsibilities.
Just like your brew-testing writers at Eat Drink boulder.
