Beer, bikes bands … and more beer

by Chris Aaland

The 2015 Great American Beer Festival came and went last weekend in Denver and, per usual, Durango brewers were well-represented on the medal podium. Ska took home silver in American-Style or International-Style Pilsner category for Mexican Logger and bronze in Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer for Ska Face; while Steamworks won silver in German-Style Kölsch for its Colorado Kölsch.

Steamworks keeps the brewing festivities rolling this week during Firkin Friday with a Belgian Kriek dubbed Super Kriek, which gets tapped at 3 p.m. Friday. “Kriek lambic is a traditional style of Belgian beer made by fermenting limbic with sour Morello cherries,” said Director of Brewing Operations Ken Martin. Its name comes from the Flemish word for the type of cherry used. “For our version, we will take our Ale Diablo – a Belgian Strong Golden style – as a base and referment with tart Montmorency cherries from Wisconsin. We are also going to add some of our lactobacillus culture for increased sour/tartness.” His coconspirator, Spencer Roper, added that “the result should be a refreshingly tart fruit beer that is deceptively strong at about a nine percent ABV.”

Brooklyn-based trio The Lone Bellow plays the Concert Hall tonight, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m.

Not to be outdone, Ska hosts the Bikes, Bands & Brews event at its World Headquarters from 2-6 p.m. Saturday. It’s a fiesta that celebrates FLC cycling, Durango Daybreak Rotary and the goodness of people, bikes, beer and music. The Blue Hornets and the Afrobeatniks will play live and Ska will release its winter seasonal – Euphoria Pale Ale. There’ll also be some great beers from Steamworks. Participants are also asked to join the brewers in the Tutu Ride from Carver’s to Ska. A pig roast and bicycle carnival are also on tap. The $5 admission includes your first pint.

Speaking of Euphoria, if blue cans are in on the shelves at your favorite liquor store, that means the lime green cans are on their way out. If you’re a Mexican Logger fan, by all means snatch up that last case … Once this batch is off the shelf, you’re out of luck ‘til next spring. I bought my emergency winter case of Mexicans this past Saturday.

The Brooklyn-based indie-folk trio, The Lone Bellow, returns to the area to perform at the Community Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Thurs., Oct. 1) with singer/songwriter Anderson East opening. You may have caught the Lone Bellow at the Four Corners Folk Festival in 2013 or at Telluride Bluegrass the following summer. The trio of Zach Williams (vocals), Kanene Pipkin (vocals) and Brian Elmquist (guitar) have recently released their second album, “Then Came the Morning,” to rave reviews. East is a dynamic singer/songwriter who combines alternative rock, timeless Americana and no small amount of soul. He’s already being compared to Otis Redding, Ray LaMontagne, Ryan Adams and John Mayer.

The Community Concert Hall welcomes the Dustbowl Revival back to Durango at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. This octet merges old-school bluegrass, gospel, pre-war blues and New Orleans hot swing into a spicy roots cocktail. Formed in Los Angeles’ bohemian Venice Beach enclave in 2007, Dustbowl Revival has played sold-out shows at the Hank and the Summit in years past. Their success – and the recent release of their fourth album, “With a Lampshade On” – has led to their graduation to bigger stages.

KDUR gets Radio-Active during its annual fall membership drive, which kicks off Friday with members of Durango’s active, outdoors community pitching against last year’s Guest DJ champion, Nancy Stoffer. Opening day guests include Tom Whalen from Outdoor Pursuits, plus dignitaries from 4Corners Riversports, Durango Cyclery and Yogadurango. “We also celebrate the fact that listeners of KDUR are active listeners,” said Station Manager Bryant Liggett. “KDUR isn’t just background noise; the listener is involved.” You, too, should get involved. The fund drive runs through Oct. 9. Give on Monday and you’ll help Liggy celebrate his 46th birthday. Pledge by calling 247-7262 or online at www.kdur.org.

Ye olde festival season ain’t quite wrapped up. The Aztec Highland Games & Celtic Music Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday at Riverside Park in Aztec. Music includes headliners the Angry Brians, plus regional and local acts like Devil’s Dram, Knockabouts, Kitchen Jam Band and Westwind. Francis Brebner returns this year, bringing an in-depth knowledge of the origin and history of the Highland Games. He’s also enthusiastic about kids’ activities … and this festival is one of the best for little ones. Not only did Otto eagerly devour haggis when we attended two years ago, but he also competed in the kids’ version of the Highland Games. For true athletes, the weekend serves as the Four Corners Highland Games Regional Championship. Adults will compete in typical heavy events like the caber toss and sheaf toss.

The San Juan Symphony tackles Brahms’ Second Symphony and kicks off its 30th anniversary season at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Community Concert Hall. The program will also include Dvorak’s Carnival Overture and Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor. Cellist Inbal Segev will be the featured soloist, while the guest conductor is Blake Richardson, whose day job is the director of orchestral studies for the University of Alabama.

The Met: Live in HD opens a new season at 10:55 a.m. Saturday in the Vallecito Room of FLC’s Student Union with Verdi’s “Il Tovatore.” The opera had its world premiere in 1853 and premiered at The Met some 30 years later. Verdi’s turbulent tragedy of four characters caught in a web of family ties, politics and love is a mainstay of the operatic repertory.

And, finally, Moe’s this week is highlighted by First Saturdays with DJs I-Cite and Kid Consume. DJ Kaztro spins on Funked Up Fridays, while Alex Blocker performs at 8 p.m. Saturday.

This week’s Top Shelf list features a trio of upcoming concerts that have seen tickets go on-sale in the past week or so:

- Martin Sexton - Tues., Oct. 13. Presented by KSUT and the Henry Strater Theatre at the Hank. It’s the kickoff show for KSUT’s 40th anniversary. Available at henrystratertheatre.com and Southwest Sound.

- Halden Wofford & the Hi*Beams - Fri., Oct. 16 at the Durango Arts Center. Presented by Durango Acoustic Music. Available at Animas Trading Co. and Southwest Sound.

- Comedian, writer and director Kevin Smith – Fri., Dec. 18, Community Concert Hall.

Where the moon doth rise with a dragon’s face? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net