About
In 1994, just as the fledgling craft beer industry was starting to gather steam in Colorado, Mike and Amanda Bristol settled comfortably in the lap of Pikes Peak and started hand-brewing fresh, distinctive ales for the locals in Colorado Springs.
Today, our beers are available on draught and in six packs, four packs, and bombers across the state. And Mike and Amanda have been joined by a cast of characters that make magic happen at Bristol every day. Collectively, we are a family of smart, friendly people who really love beer. We love the glorious flavor. We love the global tradition and history. We love the art and science of brewing. And the pure contentment of enjoying a pint at the end of the day.
In 2013, we moved lock, stock, and barrel into a former elementary school, where we happily ignore school rules by brewing and serving beer in the classrooms, including our onsite pub. Built in 1916, the building’s hardwood floors and brick walls, former gym and student artwork radiate charm and a hip but super-friendly vibe.
Today, our beers are available on draught and in six packs, four packs, and bombers across the state. And Mike and Amanda have been joined by a cast of characters that make magic happen at Bristol every day. Collectively, we are a family of smart, friendly people who really love beer. We love the glorious flavor. We love the global tradition and history. We love the art and science of brewing. And the pure contentment of enjoying a pint at the end of the day.
In 2013, we moved lock, stock, and barrel into a former elementary school, where we happily ignore school rules by brewing and serving beer in the classrooms, including our onsite pub. Built in 1916, the building’s hardwood floors and brick walls, former gym and student artwork radiate charm and a hip but super-friendly vibe.
5.6/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 4
Overall 5.5
12oz bottle from Supermarket Liquor
Pours slightly cloudy golden with a small off-white head, some lacing. Aroma is grainy, straw and cereal. Taste of cereal, straw and spices
Bland
Pours slightly cloudy golden with a small off-white head, some lacing. Aroma is grainy, straw and cereal. Taste of cereal, straw and spices
Bland
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Nov 2015
at 01:23
5.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 4
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Bottle. A- Dry cocoa, watery, dusty, tobacco. A- Black color, dark liquid, light brown head. T- Cocoa, smoke, tobacco, dry, dusty. P- Medium body, thin texture, average carbonation, dry finish. O- Okay, but it felt almost dusty. Very dry and no sweetness at all. Mostly cocoa and tobacco rule this brew.
Tried
from Bottle
on 14 Jul 2015
at 21:56
6.5/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 6
Draft. Dark brown color, tan head. Aroma of nuts and light toast. Taste is caramel with a nutty edge. OK.
Tried
from Draft
on 18 Jun 2015
at 08:01
5.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 6
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 5.5
Tap - clear dark gold - a clean, medium-sweet maibock, with a medium to high.bitterness for the style, along with some toastiness on the tail end - finish of honey and light huskiness - oily texture - lacks any depth of character - it’s just kind of "there" - meh.
Tried
from Draft
on 31 May 2014
at 14:07
7.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7
Light brown, little bit of haze. Aroma is caramels and toffees, not to intense, and it’s clean. All stuff I want out of an old ale. Taste is similar. The hop/alcohol balancing points are quite mellow but on point. Finishes balanced, with a sweet accent. It’s good - the best examples throw some extra nuance in there - Old Peculiar from the wood being my classic - but this is s tough style to nail and they did a pretty good job here. 4 7 7 4 14
Tried
on 27 May 2014
at 12:18
6.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 6.5
22oz bottle picked up at Supermarket liquors
Pours clear dark mahogany with a small beige head and some lacing. Aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Taste is sweet malts, cinnamon, ginger and herbal bitterness
A good Christmas ale, lots of aroma but the taste is kind of muttled together.
Pours clear dark mahogany with a small beige head and some lacing. Aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Taste is sweet malts, cinnamon, ginger and herbal bitterness
A good Christmas ale, lots of aroma but the taste is kind of muttled together.
Tried
from Bottle
on 27 Mar 2014
at 21:32
6.8/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7
750 ml bottle shared at the RBNG by Josarah. The Label was missing but he marked it with a tag. 2007 vintage. Aroma is sour and not the way I like, shows vinegar.
The flavor is in line with what I had hoped it wouldn’t be. Taste is moderately sour with a strong amount of acidic fruits, wood and vinegar. The fruit helps balance out the vinegar but not enough for this guy. Sour oak with a dry texture. Glad to have tried it but I’m not sure I’m ever going to like this style. But I keep on trying!!!
The flavor is in line with what I had hoped it wouldn’t be. Taste is moderately sour with a strong amount of acidic fruits, wood and vinegar. The fruit helps balance out the vinegar but not enough for this guy. Sour oak with a dry texture. Glad to have tried it but I’m not sure I’m ever going to like this style. But I keep on trying!!!
Tried
from Bottle
on 18 Mar 2014
at 14:12
7.1/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 7
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
2007 750ML, Unlabeled bottle enjoyed with some friends.
A - Dark, minor gold appearance, minor head. Slight haze.
S - Cherry pie, some raspberry and balsamic vinegar with a hint of vinegar.
T - Well, it’s sour. vinegar, balsamic, fruity with papaya and mango. Very sweet finish. Holy moly.
M - Oily and thin but with a sweet finish
O - This is really nice. Maybe too sour for me, hint of butter but a solid beer.
A - Dark, minor gold appearance, minor head. Slight haze.
S - Cherry pie, some raspberry and balsamic vinegar with a hint of vinegar.
T - Well, it’s sour. vinegar, balsamic, fruity with papaya and mango. Very sweet finish. Holy moly.
M - Oily and thin but with a sweet finish
O - This is really nice. Maybe too sour for me, hint of butter but a solid beer.
Tried
from Bottle
on 15 Mar 2014
at 18:00
7.6/10
—
Appearance 10
Aroma 8
Flavor 7
Texture 6
Overall 7.5
Bottle at BeerDig 2011 on 03/06/2011. Dark brown/mohogany body with a thin off white head. Big roast chocolate and soy aroma. Coffee and ash flavor with roast chocolate and creosote. Medium full body with moderately low carbonation.
Tried
from Bottle
on 01 Jan 2014
at 07:14
6.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 6
Texture 6
Overall 7
Bottle with thanks to Eric! Pours nearly opaque dark brown with a very small instantly dissipating beige head. Some lacing sticks around for show. Aroma is roasty, smoky, coffee grounds and ashtrays. Flavor is light plus sweet and noticeably smoky. A touch of astringence but not much bitterness. Fairly light bodied, but not a bad beverage in all.
Tried
from Bottle
on 21 Oct 2013
at 16:20