On April 23, 2020, the Denver Zoo welcomed two new African lion cubs to the pride. Nature waits not for a pandemic, nor does a charitable naming contest. The winners: Araali (Swahili for “strength of thunder”) for the little lady, and Oskar for the boy. Why? Because Oskar Blues Brewery was born in Lyons. One turn deserves another, and Oskar Blues responded with Oskar the Lion, a sour ale brewed with guava and tangerine. The brew pours a pale hazy yellow, kicks up aromas of ripe pear, and delivers a mouth of bright tartness and zesty acid. It’ll slice through a sweltering summer afternoon like a hot knife through cold butter. Even better, $1 of each four-pack sold will benefit animal health and wildlife conservation at the Denver Zoo. That’s something even a little house lion can get behind. Pick ’em up at Oskar Blues’ Longmont and Boulder taprooms.
