In June 2017, the Denver-Brest Committee led a cultural delegation of Denverites on tour through Brest and the Brittany region. Coordinated by Laurette Heppell, chair of the Denver-Brest Committee, and Sacha Heppell of Colorvoy, the eight-member delegation were welcomed at Brest City Hall with champagne and sisterhood before exploring the beautiful, unique area.
Members of the group, particularly Robert Lampereur and Sacha Heppell, learned that the craft beer movement had entered Brest through La Brasserie du Baril, its first craft brewery. Armel Guyomard, chair of Denver Twinning committee in Brest, connected them to the charming brasserie to meet the brewer, Benoit Corre. After sampling Benoit’s delicious craft, the idea was sprung that a collaborative bicontinental beer should be brewed to commemorate the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Denver-Brest Sisterhood. Rob and Sacha returned to Denver and pitched the idea to their friend Brian O’Connell, owner/brewer of Renegade Brewing in Denver’s Baker neighborhood, who enthusiastically agreed.
Benoit arrived in Denver on Sept. 20 as a member of the trade, governmental, and educational delegation from Brest. He, Brian, and Renegade’s head brewer Aimee Soete met to create this collaborative recipe, which will be brewed in Spring 2018. Stay tuned for information on the keg-tapping celebration of sisterhood — and thanks to Rob and Sacha for their citizen diplomacy that will soon lead to carbonated malted pleasure for people on both sides of the pond.
Lesson: Everyone can be a diplomat through Denver Sister Cities!