Before the Colorado Avalanche blue-line was ruled by Cale Makar, there was Tyson Barrie. Barrie was in many ways the prototype for the modern offensive defenseman. Barrie had a wicked slapshot and the kind of on-ice vision that made him a good quarterback for the Avalanche power play.
In eight seasons with Colorado, Barrie scored 75 goals and chipped in 232 assists. That adds up to an impressive 307 points total while wearing burgundy and blue. That might look modest next to Makar's all-world stats, but respect must be paid to the players who paved the way.
Barrie was the main trade chip, along with Alex Kerfoot, who brought Nazem Kadri to Colorado in 2019. The arrival of Makar by then had largely made Barrie a redundancy in the lineup. But that isn't to discount his value. In fact, Barrie went on to lead all defensemen in points in 2020, when he was with the Edmonton Oilers.
Barrie helped the Avalanche establish a style of play which evolved into their signature. Even in parting, he assisted the club in acquiring one of the key components to a championship in 2022. Barrie's greatest strength as a teammate was his ability to find the open man. Thus, it is only fitting that his new beer was born from the same spirit.
Chilly Ones is for the boys
The origins of Barrie's beer company are tied back to locker room lingo that caught on with teammates. As the website explains the story, Chilly Ones started with a name. But what makes it unique is how it's meant to be shared, and with whom.
Barrie saw the need for a good beer that wouldn't weigh you down. In both calories and ABV (alcohol by volume) Chilly Ones is crafted to be light and easy drinking. It clocks in at just 3% ABV and 80 calories per can. It can also be found in a completely non-alcoholic variety.
This kind of beer makes perfect sense for a pro athelete, or even just your average active adult on the weekend. Chilly Ones is ideal for just after a game of beer league hockey, or a relaxed round on the golf course.
As someone who frankly stinks at all levels of sports, my first thought was how it would work as concert beer. Dancing in a crowded venue is about as physical as I get these days. I can say that this is exactly the situation I would be psyched to see it.
I should maybe qualify this with a bit more about me; I am a certified craft beer nerd. As I am with all hobbies I enjoy, I get very in-depth with wanting to know everything. I like craft beer for the variety and flavor combinations it can offer. Some people might label me a snob, but I promise there is nothing superior about my taste.
I like a bit of everything as far as beer styles are concerned. Even though I don't typically reach for the 'big names' in beer, like Miller, Budweiser or Coors, I can appreciate that they are well-made. Chilly Ones is aiming to be an alternative to the familiar standards.
How does the beer stack up?
When compared to other traditional stright ahead lagers, Chilly Ones more than holds its own. There is a slight minerality to the taste, and a hint of sweetness as well. Importantly, there are no notable off-flavors or off-putting skunkiness that can occur.
Indeed, just as the can says, Chilly Ones is crushable. You could comfortably down two or three and hardly feel impacted in the gut or the head. *This is not an endorsement to hammer a six pack by yourself.* But it is a product delivering on the core promise of its premise.
Full disclosure, for the purpose of this article: I did have to pick some up on my last trip to Denver. Chilly Ones is not yet available everywhere. So far, the distribution covers Canada and select markets in Colorado.
Making Colorado the first US based market for Chilly Ones was a no-brainer for Barrie. Not only was it his first pro hockey home, Colorado is a booming craft beer hotspot. In fact, Denver is famous for hosting the Great American Beer Festival every year. The biggest and most highly regarded beer competition in the country.
What's next for Chilly Ones?
I think it's fair to assume that Chilly Ones will expand to more markets in the near future. Heck, they might even enter into the the aforementioned GABF, especially if there is a category for low-calorie beer.
Still, I thought it would be fun to cap off this mini-review with some free pitches for future beers. I had so much fun with my holiday article imagining Avalanche players as Christmas presents, I thought I'd do an abbreviated exercise like that here. Nathan MacKinnon is already the official brand ambassador for the non-alcoholic version. I think in keeping with the ethos of the brewery, everything should stay at low ABV and low calorie count.
All Hail Cale
A red ale, made with English yeast. So, you could get the flavor profile that tastes like red apple skin. Another easy drinker, that would remind us all of the best defenseman in the world and his rosy red cheeks.
Fore-Czech
A Czech style dark larger in honor of Martin Necas. Truly one of my favorite styles of beer in the world. I toasted one to Marty after a two assist night in these past playoffs. It really is a shame that most breweries seem to ignore dark lagers altogether.
The Lumberyard
A session stout that evokes the best tandem in net. Before I got into hops, I was all about stouts and porters. The roasted malts help impart chocolate or coffee notes. This one might be tough to nail and keep the sugar and calories down. But, it can be done.
Bedsy Blender IPA
Every brewery needs an IPA and the mix of hops is so crucial. Oftentimes brewers will have rotating IPAs because they are such a popular staple of the craft beer scene. With a name like Bedsy Blender, you could tinker with the recipe a lot until you get it just right.
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