Trinity

I am fond of origin and meaning behind people, places, and words that I encounter.  Until very recently my understanding of this word, trinity, pertained exclusively to the dictionary definitions.

Trinity is defined as a spiritual union, biblically, including Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Trinity also means a group of three or a state of being tripled or threefold.

It was at a recent gathering (see also bottle share/concert/cookout) that I found a new meaning for trinity.  This was in a beer called Red Swingline.

Those with a matched affinity for the humorous, classic movie Office Space, will assuredly recognize the homage.  It was the reverence to this film that piqued my interest as the bottle was being rapidly drained by slack-tongued enthusiasts  at the fringe of my periphery.  I sampled the dregs of the bottle via a minuscule 1/2 oz swig.  Sadly, I was not overly impressed, and dismissed the brew and company as pop culture exploitive, as opposed to quality, beer-making,  focused.

As destiny unfolded its plans over mine, I procured two tickets to Colorado for a week, admittedly for the singular purpose of enjoying as much craft beer as a week would allow me, but mostly in Denver.  Having never been to these exciting new environs, I solicited advice from several of my beer aficionado acquaintances.  Resoundingly, Trinity Brewing Company was given high marks.  Despite the high praise, I was still reluctant.  And upon ascertaining Trinity’s location relative to our lodgings, assumed that I would not be making it to this brewery.

Yet coercion, or shall I admit, rational argument from my travel companion won me over.  It would be on our agenda to visit Colorado Springs, home to Trinity Brewing Company.

After a cog rail ride to the top of Pikes Peak, during which every imaginable form of weather occurred, and following a peaceful and slightly tense visit to Garden of the Gods, we proceeded to Trinity Brewing Company.

Admittedly, during the drive to Colorado Springs, I had looked at the website and became a bit excited.  The food sounded excellent, per menu descriptions.  The beer selection was quite unbelievable, truly, though I was confident many of the bottles and drafts mentioned on the website were not to be available.

Yet further surprises were to reveal themselves.

We arrived around seven-thirty in the evening.  We parked in an unpaved dirt lot across an alleyway from the building.  We walked up to the building at the end of an apparent strip center and I remained dubious.  And then I opened the door.

Trinity had me at first glance.  There was a doorway to the left lined with books.  From floor to keystone the literary archway led to, what I could only glimpse at, a barrel-aging room, and presumably, the brew house.  Semi-rustic accoutrements and sparse adornment rounded out my broad view of the, estimated, five-thousand square foot room.  A Large L-shaped bar on the left led to a kitchen with bathrooms in the rear.  To the right, comfortable, available, and well-spaced seating presented itself.   It was Monday, and patronage was sparse, so we seated ourselves at a small table in the back.

I sat down facing the front and, missing it upon entry due to shock, was greeted with the tap list. It was displayed above the bar along with the bottle selection.  My prior apprehensions were very clearly unfounded based on the display, but a lingering doubt remained.  Whilst waiting for our attendant, I surveyed the comical, artistic, and Office Space innuendo-laden t-shirt selection above the entranceway.

After friendly and welcoming discourse with our server Jake,  we ordered immaculately presented samplers complemented by a selection of cheese.   The samples were delicious and nicely varied to provide terrific differentiation between styles. I found that I enjoyed the Saison Man, Flo India Pale ale, Sunna Wit, and TPS Report most, and highly recommend all of Trinity’s beers in general.  I had light fare while the rest of our party enjoyed sliders which were extremely rich and filling despite petite portion presentation.  After a few samples I succumbed to pangs of hunger and ordered the calamari.

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I will freely say, the food prices at Trinity were a bit on the high side.  Yet, my eleven dollar calamari contained the largest and juiciest chunks of delicious squid I have ever had.  And after my “appetizer” I felt thoroughly satiated.  Our friend from Colorado Springs couldn’t even finish the sliders that he was confident would not satisfy.

The beer selection was amazing.  I have grown accustomed to local norms, and did not expect that the online menu and actual brew pub menu would correlate.  Trinity was the exception.  Aside from a few, less than three, offerings not available but on the menu, Trinity had copious options.  My singular regret was only having an hour and a half until the nine o’clock close to try the beers.

We carefully perused the bottle selection and asked additional questions about the offerings.  Jake was competent, willing and an extremely helpful cicerone(Though I’ve yet to have any of the bottles. Fingers crossed Jake).  Jake went to great degrees to offer his opinions on certain bottle selections coupled with rational background and confidence that sold my critical beer drinking palate.  He even went as far as suggesting a local bottle shop where we could purchase some of the sold out selections from the menu.

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A few of these bottles are also Office Space themed.  The Double Swingline and Damn it Feels Good to Be a Gansta I can’t wait to enjoy, along with the others.

Though it is quite far away, this would be an obvious local hangout if nearby. An unexpected treat sometimes graces our paths and I am elated to have experienced Trinity Brewing Company.

My senses will surely be adjusted as a result of my experience, and any time I hear the word trinity, I will surely hear a different definition.  Though it will likely still indicate triples.

Trinity – Exceptional craft beer, outstanding customer service, unparalleled experience.

Humbly yours,

J