Harry Dunne, Aspen Brewery, and the The Ludz with Sudz...

So as the Underdogs were on the way to Aspen I was thinking to myself, "what is up with Aspen?"  I only knew of it as a winter ski-haven for super-rich people, which basically meant that I had no connection to it at all.  Because the only time I’ve ever been “skiing” was when I was almost five years old and my family went to the Alps in Switzerland, but I was so young I basically spent the whole time sledding… and enjoying wearing a one-sie, I don’t know!!!  The only semi-connection I had with Aspen was through watching the Farrelly Brother's film Dumb and Dumber as an impressionable adolescent.  C’mon you remember it!  Instant classic!!  Remember 1994, when Jim Carrey was still at the height of his comedic powers (sporting the chipped tooth) and the immensely talented Jeff Daniels proved that he could match it?  Who could forget?  When Carrey, as Lloyd, says  “I’m talking about a place... where the beer… flows like WINE.  I’m talking about a little place called Aspen.”  And Harry quips back, “I don’t know Lloyd, the French are Assholes.”   It also features gems like: “Lloyd!  You drove a SIXTH of the way across the country in the WRONG direction!!!”  Followed by Harry saying,  “Oh, I’m sorry, mister PERFECT!!!  I forgot that you never ever made a mistake!”  Which naturally was preceded by Harry waking up in the passenger seat of his (sheepdog) van, looking out at the flatlands of Nebraska saying, “Hmmm… I thought the Rockies would be a lot Rockier than THIS.”  To which Lloyd casually responds, “Yea… that John Denver was full of shit, man.”

Harry Dunne and Lloyd Christmas, circa 1994

Ah, these are great moments in the history of American motion pictures right?  Well, I guess that depends on how you look at it, because I’ve heard that Jeff Daniels both reveres and detests that he agreed to shoot that film.  On the one hand, he got to work with Jim Carrey and be a part of a large-budget-world-wide-production comedy, on the other hand, college kids from 1994 until Jupiter will always associate him with the infinite loser Harry Dunne.  And trust me, these kids have no idea that this guy has recorded three albums as a singer-songwriter, has been on Broadway twice, nominated for a Tony, and has written twelve plays that have all been produced at his theatre, The Purple Rose..  Why?  Well, probably because most people don’t know or care that much about theatre… (ugh, it’s true)  But that's not the point.  I'm not trying to get all negative with this :)

As a tribute to the Underdogs, or as more likely, a complete coincidence all together, Jeff Daniels actually came out to see our show earlier this year in East Lansing, MI.  A town that is also home of the Michigan State Spartans, who are, as previously ascertained on this blog, still doing very well in the NCAA basketball department (Especially after Tom Izzo very wisely decided against coaching the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers… he somehow uncannily and prophetically predicted that LeBron was going to jump ship to Miami.  Hmmmm.  Smart man!!!)

Backstage with Rachel York.  Check that hair!

Anyway, Jeff Daniel’s son is a student at MSU, running lights on campus, and since he is a friend of Rachel York (our Cruella DeVil) he came on by to see the 101D.  After the show I got to hang out with him for a minute.  I told him that I loved him in The Purple Rose of Cairo, one of my favorite Woody Allen’s, while trying to ignore the obvious fact that he looked exactly like Harry Dunne; unkempt and awkward looking, with straw-like hair protruding from his homeless-man style toboggan hat.  He was completely cool with not saying anything at all so eventually I made my way out of there, but later in the month I had a chance to see the new play Gravity at The Purple Rose. in Chelsea, Michigan.  And it is a really nice spot.  So here’s to you for keeping theatre alive, Jeff Daniels… Harry Dunne.         

Ajax Mountain is a gorgeous spot, even without the snow.

Anyway, back to Aspen.  What a spot!!  So gorgeous all the way around that the Underdogs had trouble leaving.  First of all, coming into town through the Rockies via Independence Pass, which is only open during the summer months, is absolutely stunning, and only a precursor to the treasure that is this town within.  Even during the summertime this diamond-in-the-rough shines; it’s so vibrant, earthy, and fresh.   And the Lady Underdog and I had the best tour-guide possible to show us around.  Indeed, brother-in-arms (and Honorary Underdog) Jimmy Ludwig, truly gave us the royal treatment while we were in “his ‘hood.”  A frequent Aspen-er, Jimmy knows all of the great hikes around and out-of town, spots for tennis and hot-tubs (directly below his balcony in fact), and historical points of interest to check out.  And that's without even mentioning the tickets to the Aspen Music festival or his brilliant play, Same Time Next Year directed by Sit-Com legend Jay Sandrich (although, oops I guess I just mentioned them… curious.)  But really, Jimmy and co-star Joan Hess were absolutely wonderful in this charming two-character piece by Bernard Slade.  And I mean it!... trust me, I’ve heard over-zealous critics gush.  Well, maybe not, but check out TheatreAspen!!!  They are doing sublime work.

Jimmy and Lakisha walking the town.

Anyway, life with Jimmy Ludz is where it’s at; and I’m not just saying that because when we would finally reach the apex of each Rocky Mountain hike we would go on, Jimmy would traditionally break out some strategically packed and seriously good microbrews to share with everyone, (For which he has been honorarily dubbed the 'Ludz with Sudz' by his fellow neighboring hikers.  It is a fact.  This man knows his BEER!)  I’ve learned over this past year that this Happy Hour Guy is the pinnacle when it comes to loving life.  But we'll get to that later.  

First up on Jimmy’s A-List of must-visit spots is the Aspen Brewing Company; the craft brewery on North Mill Street, created by a few dedicated and creative hometown boys named Brad, Duncan, Rory, and Terry.  Now in its third year, these guys have become so popular they are almost unable to keep their local beer aficionados adequately supplied!  There isn’t even enough room at the bar, much less within their fermenting tanks in the brewery to satisfy all of the demand for this glorious grog.  Because of their growing popularity the guys are planning to expand to a bigger spot in town where, hopefully, all of the demand for their seven different microbrews can be more efficiently accommodated.  No promises though! :)

But, not to worry, the Aspen Brewery, right now, the way it is, is great.  If you are ever in the area, it is a must-hang!  I've never been to a place like this before.  The entire brewing process in all of its intricate steps is literally happening right around the corner from the bar.  One guy is brewing it, the other pouring it :) And they don't bottle or distribute this stuff yet.  The only place you can get it is on tap at the Aspen Brewery, either in a pint or a Growler, (which I learned is really just a fancy, or ScaaaaaRey, name for a big jug.)  And trust me as soon as they brew it... it's gone!

Another one of the advantages of rolling with Jimmy is that he knows all of these guys; through years of "work" and "research sessions" while visiting as the host of the vastly popular and brilliant webseries The Happy Hour Guys, so he gets carte blanche when it comes to exploring where the magic happens.  With a giddy exuberance that can only come from the truest passion, Jimmy brought the Underdogs along and showed us each of the brewing steps in complete detail; because that's the only way Jimmy rolls.  If you don't know, now you know.  We got the hands-on experience every step of the way, from malting, to mashing, to boiling, to sparging, to fermenting, to filtering, and then of course, to pouring. 

And finally, after meeting all of these diligent co-owners of Aspen Brewery and seeing the painstaking process of their routine on premises, it was finally time to reap the rewards of... well, their hard work.  I mean I figured we might as well enjoy it while pondering the universe's great mysteries at the bar... because after all, Rory says that "Brewing is Zen."  Good line right?  How come I haven't seen that on a t-shirt yet???

All in all, it is an extremely charming place and certainly not a bad way to spend an afternoon.  The company and the ambiance couldn’t have been finer, oh, and did I mention… their beer sampler… comes in a SKI!  :)  Of course it does!!!

And finally, if you do get a chance to visit this haven in the mountains, make sure to take some time to meet a few of the Brewery dogs (who are always on hand milling about the bar.)  These guys are awesome; they don't play, they chill.  Probably because they are so used to having people around, the stimulus that would usually put dogs into an excited frenzy, bounces off these pups like a soft breeze. They may have time for you, but they may not.  In other words, they're cooler than the other side of the pillow.  And since these guys pretty much live under the bar at the Aspen Brewery, I guess that really makes them the true Underdogs.

Youch!  Gotta love going out on a bad pun!

Next up.  We’re still in Aspen.  

I told you it’s hard to leave this place! :)
Thanks for reading!

Underdogs out