Boulevard tour, beer hall a beer lover's dream

The 10,000 square foot Beer Hall on the second floor of the “Tours & Rec Building” is urban industrial chic, with great views, a balcony, play spaces, beer snacks and more than 20 beers on tap — many experimental.

The free tour is a 60-minute walk through the production facility. You start in a small pub room for a sample of the unfiltered wheat, safety advice and a bit of history. Then it's off to the original brew tank, up and over to the new facility with another educational and hip video, a few moments on the outdoor patio, admiring the skyline and massive fermentation vessels next to the iconic smokestack of the original 19th century warehouse, then to the packing facility where a third video gives you all you need ot know. Along the way a tour guide provides more details and answers questions, then return you to the tour sample room for two 4- or 5-ounce tastes (and more if you're lucky).

You can also pay for a special Smokestack tour, arrange a private tour and rent facilities.

Free brewery tours are now offered seven days a week on a no-reservation, first-come, first-served basis. Tickets can only be claimed in person; the free tours are not recommended for children under the age of seven and the other tours require you be 21 or older.

Boulevard is part of a major distribution group now (thanks to its new owner Duvel) and can go wherever it needs to go on the planet. Their top beers (currently) are the original Unfiltered American Wheat, Pale Ale and Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale. The brewery offers 10 year-round brews, 12 seasonals, the ever-evolving Smokestack Series and — at the brewery — an amazing range of beers that are being tested for inclusion in the Boulevard pantheon.

I toured the facility with my partner Andrew Houchins, which netted us four unique samples. In the main beer hall we had even more options, for a price, depending on sample or full pour.

It was great fun! Learn more at boulevard.com.

The Calling

8.5% abv 75 IBUs

The Brewer says: The Calling is an undeniable IPA we were driven to make. It's our tribute to like-minded dreamers, adventurous spirits, and glass half-full optimists. It's also our most heavily hopped beer ever, bursting forth with unmistakable tropical fruit and pine hop aromas and flavor supported with a slightly sweet malt character, tapering to a crisp, dry finish. Heed your call and enjoy.

The Gazette says: An India Pale Ale, it's grapefruity, and more floral-hoppy than hoppy-hoppy. I usually have allergy issues with excessive hops and this was not the case with The Calling. The tour guide said she was not a fan of IPAs, but The Calling has changed her opinion to the positive.

Early Riser Coffee Porter

5% abv 28 IBUs

The Brewer says: We start with a smooth, dark, rich and roasty porter, then add Colombian Cajibio Estate coffee supplied by our local friends at Maps Coffee Roasters to create an eye-opening marriage of our two favorite brewed beverages.

The Gazette says: The porter was very dark with ruddy glints. The coffee is prominent, with a chocolate edge. The texture is light even with a creamy mouthfeel. It finishes with a toasted bread taste.

Dry Hopped Porter

The Brewer says: Diddly. It's that new. It may not make the cut.

The Gazette says: This porter was pitch black with heavy lacing. There was less coffee and more hop than the Early Riser however it was hard to put a description to. Not a Guinness, not a milk stout. Probably should have grabbed an extra sample to be fair.

Ginger Lemon Radler

4% abv 12 IBUs

The Brewer says: Boulevard's Unfiltered Wheat Beer is blended with lemon juice, lemon extract and freshly-juiced ginger.

The Gazette says: This radler was unfiltered, a dark gold with thin cap heavy lacing. Quite hoppy and tart, the ginger added quite a bit of spicy heat. Straight-from-the-root ginger, not candied ginger. This would be great on a hot, tiring day — it's a kick in the pants!