“Why is everything made in China?”

– A Durango 6-year-old who recently learned to read

The tipsy tour

More than a dozen hopped-up cyclists will make their way from Boulder to Durango next week for the inaugural brewers’ Tour of Colorado. The numbers are staggering – 13 brewers, 426 miles and 42,000 vertical feet of climbing.

On July 20, the brewer-cyclists will climb into the saddle at the Avery Brewing Co. in Boulder and start pedaling south. During the five-day, 426-mile odyssey they will cross nine mountain passes on their way to the Ska Brewing World Headquarters in Durango’s Bodo Park. But that’s not all. En route, the 13 beer bellies (including Dave and Arlo from Ska – “best of luck, gents”) will stop off at microbreweries and brewpubs, sample their wares, carbo load and Colorado craft brewers together.

The ride will be marked with a kickoff party in Boulder on Sun., July 19, and conclude with the tapping of Wheelsucker Wheat Ale at Ska Brewing on July 24. The Wheelsucker is a collaborative beer between Avery and Ska to commemorate the ride. The July 24 party will benefit the Safe Roads Coalition of La Plata County.

“The passion we put into our beer is the passion we have for life,” said Adam Avery, president and brewmaster. “We’ve always brewed big, challenging beers, and so we’re choosing to challenge ourselves in the same manner. Most people think we’re nuts, but all the brewers are OK with that.”  

The Breckenridge Brewery, Buena Vista’s Eddy Line Brewpub, the Eldo Brewpub in Crested Butte and Ouray’s Ourayle House will also have riders on the trek.

Dog days

In one for the weird file, “Dog the Bounty Hunter” could be putting down roots in Durango. Frequent “Dog the Bounty Hunter” guest star Bobby Brown (not to be confused with the drug-addled pop star and former Whitney Houston spouse) plans to open an  office in Durango.

Brown currently operates a bail bonds business in Colorado Springs and is also planning a bounty-hunting school in Grand Junction. Brown makes frequent television appearances with the eccentric “Dog” and is credited with bringing the television show “Dog the Bounty Hunter” to Grand Junction a year ago.

Could Durango be next in line for some television time?