It's surprising that it took this long, but a Colorado craft brewer has finally linked a beer tapping to the legalization of marijuana sales here, which went into effect January 1. West Flanders Brewing in Boulder has changed the name of one of its its beers from Woodshed Smoked Porter to Recreational Smoke and will tap it at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, January 4.

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The beer has no connection to pot, but since it is made with smoked malts, the tie-in works. The best part, however, is the statement from the brewery itself, which reads:

A homegrown, fully legal, American-style porter, Recreational Smoke is enhanced with beechwood smoked malts from Bamburg, Germany. These specialty grains are paired with an array of other baked and toasted malts to create a unique beer with notes of chocolate, brownies, and satisfying smoked flavors throughout. All rolled up in a heady beer with a mellow 6% ABV. "Since we opened last year," says head brewer Brian Lutz, "many of our customers have told us they wanted to be able to enjoy Recreational Smoke here at our brewpub. In light of recent events, we decided the time was right for us to make that happen." The beer is on sale at West Flanders Brewing for just 30 cents per ounce. West Flanders customers are allowed to purchase up to 16 ounces of the beer at a time inside the brewpub. Customers can take the beer home in quantities of 64 ounces in West Flanders Brewing's custom glassware. You must be 21 years or older to purchase Recreational Smoke. Out-of-state visitors can legally purchase West Flanders' Recreational Smoke. "But if you're traveling here by plane to enjoy it," note West Flanders co-founder Mark Heinritz adds, "be aware that Recreational Smoke is not permitted on the property at Denver International Airport. Possession of it there can get you into serious trouble." "We also want to remind our customers," Heinritz says, "that it's still illegal to consume Recreational Smoke in public here in Boulder or anywhere else in Colorado."

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