GILPIN COUNTY - The dogs were better behaved than the people.

That was the general consensus Saturday afternoon, September 13, as dozens of pups and their humans descended upon the Very Nice Brewing Taproom in Gilpin County for the Ales & Tails Fundraiser. 

The free festival was full of games, craft beer, and canine charisma. Rain threatened overhead, but spirits stayed bright.

Kaleidoscope Kitchen was on site, with a special menu that featured items like the "Golden Retriever"—a BBQ and slaw dog—and the "German Shepherd"—a beer brat with sauerkraut.

With the smell of hot dogs (both kinds) and hops in the air, the event served as a fundraiser for three local nonprofits: Old Soul Canine Rescue, Friends of Charlie’s Place, and No Animal Left Behind Search & Rescue (NALB). 

A silent auction ran from noon to 3 p.m., with more than a dozen gift baskets and local treasures up for bid.

Among the items were gift cards to Mountain Prime Steakhouse, a one-year subscription to The Mountain-Ear, and even a custom dog beer label design. Four lucky bidders would get their dogs featured on a limited run of Very Nice brews.

Musical mats 

After the weather cleared, organizers held a spirited round of musical mats, a clever twist on musical chairs where dogs had to sit on mats when the music stopped—no small feat when surrounded by distractions. 

Moses the dog earned cheers for his speed and manners, plopping down as soon as the music stopped. Shadow, a 15-year-old toothless chihuahua from Old Soul, calmly observed from the sidelines, perhaps reflecting on simpler times.

Puppies and prizes

Costumes and flair weren’t in short supply—dogs in sombreros, pumpkin hats, and one-eyed pirate getups paraded around the brewery. 

The prize baskets included everything from dog starter kits to booze-centric themes, with names like "Love to Drink Basket" and "Denver Sports Fan Basket." The "Your Dog on a Beer Label" prize drew excitement, with winners already dreaming of their pups as lager or IPA mascots.

A moment of gratitude came when the MC, Alex Wilcox, took to the mic to thank organizer Brittany Dickson from No Animal Left Behind, and the Very Nice team: “We live three minutes down the road, and I tell you, this place is the best blessing in my life. I love good beer, and they definitely have some good beer and good people here.”

A cheer went up for Friends of Charlie’s Place, for Old Soul, and for Dickson herself. 

Paxton and Dolly were already in Halloween attire, one in a festive pumpkin hat, the other in pumpkin shirt.

Paws-itively a success

While the event wasn't without its hiccups (a passing storm delayed some contests and dampened a few mats), the canine shenanigans were a hoot. As one volunteer put it, “The dogs know this event is for them. You can just tell.”

The event raised awareness for the local animal-loving groups—and over $2,200 to be split among them.

With money raised, several rescue dogs greeted, and countless treats gobbled up, Ales & Tails showed that when the Gilpin County community comes together for a cause, it does so with heart and joyously wagging tails.