Beer taps installed in Colorado Governor’s Mansion

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is really tapping the Rockies, installing three beer taps in the Governor’s Mansion to commemorate the beginning of Colorado Craft Beer Week.

Hickenlooper, who co-founded a Denver brewpub more than 20 years ago, now has a "draft beer system" in his home that can serve up IPAs, pilsners, ales and stouts.

“It just seemed appropriate,” Hickenlooper told FOX31. “I think it’s a symbol of Colorado; I think it stands for freedom, having a lot of choices. The mansion is another symbol of Colorado. It’s where we entertain. It’s where we kind of show off Colorado, and beer has become a big part of what Colorado is.”

The Colorado Craft Brewers Guild helped foot the bill for the taps.

“With more than 200 different breweries in Colorado, we’re probably brewing several thousand beers in a year,” said Steve Kurowski of the Brewers Guild. “These are some of the freshest, some of the most world-class beers being brewed around; to have these on showcase at the mansion is very exciting for our industry.”

The Colorado craft beer industry employs about 5,000 state residents.

“Craft beer doesn’t fit into that notion with the legalization of marijuana that Colorado is a party state,” Hickenlooper said while addressing critics who have called him the “state bartender.”

“If you’re going to get drunk, you’re not drinking craft beer. Craft beer is really about drinking less and partying less to some extent, but really enjoying it more. It’s about the flavor and bouquet of the beer.”

[FOX31]