Gov. John Hickenlooper hops back into brewery to raise cash for the governor’s mansion

Hickenlooper plans to briefly start selling beer again Thursday during the fourth annual Brews and Bites.

Adrian D. Garcia

Aug. 10, 2017, 3:10 p.m.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper working on Uncommonly Colorado, a beer he hopes will raise money for preserving the historic Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion. (Courtesy of Lexa PR)

It may be hard to remember now with all the will he, won’t he run for president prattle, but Gov. John Hickenlooper was once in the brewery business.

The governor sold his shares in Wynkoop Brewing Co. in 2007 after being re-elected mayor of Denver. Hickenlooper plans to briefly start selling beer again Thursday during the fourth annual Brews and Bites.

Hickenlooper partnered with Denver-based Strange Craft Beer Co. last month to brew Uncommonly Colorado, a beer made with Colorado ingredients. Uncommonly Colorado is expected to be bottled Monday and served Thursday during Brews and Bites.

The annual event raises money for the Governor’s Residence Preservation Fund, the nonprofit that maintains the 108-year-old Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion in Capitol Hill. Tickets range from $55 to $75 for individuals. VIP tickets go for $250, admit 10 people and come with access to a private VIP tasting with Hickenlooper prior to the event.

Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion near the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue and Logan Street, 1968. (National Registry of Historic Places)

Hickenlooper does not live in the historic governor’s residence, but in 2014 he had three beer taps installed in the national landmark near the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue and Logan Street.

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Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at agarcia@denverite.com or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.

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Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper working on Uncommonly Colorado, a beer he hopes will raise money for preserving the historic Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion. (Courtesy of Lexa PR)

Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion near the southeast corner of Eighth Avenue and Logan Street, 1968. (National Registry of Historic Places)