Whistle Pig Brewing ~ Colorado Springs, Colorado

Latest visit: Feb 2023

First visit: Mar 2018

Whistle Pig was the first brewery Mrs. RJG and I went to on our return to Colorado Springs. We hadn't yet moved in (that would be another month away), but we had selected our new house on that day. We celebrated by going to Silver Pond Chinese (in this blog, but now closed) followed by a couple of beers. At that time Whistle Pig was the furthest northern brewery in the city limits, so it was more out of convenience than reputation. We enjoyed it and visited a couple of times more.

This is my first visit back since the pandemic, and they've since moved further south near Patty Jewett park. It's a much nicer shopping center and their location is very well appointed. You can sit inside or out - or a hybrid near an open window. Since we were still enjoying a warm winter weekend, I chose the hybrid option. No one was there on this Sunday afternoon, but I tend to enjoy going on off-hours anyway just to soak up the atmosphere and sometimes chat with the bartender. They once were a brewpub with a barbecue focus, but since moving they have partnered with Joey's Pizza, yet another place we have featured here in the RJG (different location). Their barbecue was good, but not exceptional. On this visit, the bartender was very friendly and my ESB was good. When running errands, I'm only good for one refreshing thirst beer these days or I'll get sleepy.

In brewer fandom circles, Whistle Pig has always struggled with reputation. Apparently they got off to a really bad start with negative reviews from those whose palate is far more trained than mine. Over time though, they won back many of them. However the stigma is still around, as recent reviews show more of a mediocre acceptance. The common complaint is that their beers are too malty and not hoppy enough. Of course the craft beer movement today is almost an IPA movement rather than taking all beers into account. As it turns out, I'm usually looking for more malty alternatives as I can get IPA's anywhere. So I guess I'm the perfect customer for Whistle Pig. I like this new location and I've always enjoyed my time with the brewery. I hope their reputation continues upwards.

3/30/18; 3/30/19; 2/6/23 (new entry)