Governor Hickenlooper mounts up, rides the beer wagon to his inauguration party

Jonathan Shikes

John Hickenlooper on the beer wagon.

While the party was just getting started at the Fillmore Auditorium, Governor John Hickenlooper arrived in the gritty parking lot of a Blockbuster store about a block away to begin the ride of a lifetime.

Or at least the ride of the night.

The Wynkoop Brewing Company, which Hickenlooper co-founded in 1988, has been delivering beer to a handful of clients around town via horse and carriage since April. And the brewery offered to give the old boss a lift to his inauguration party as it delivered kegs of a special beer, Hickenlooper's Inaugurale, for the festivities.

Jonathan Shikes

Giddyup.

Under the cover of dusk, Hickenlooper climbed aboard, and the wagon driver turned his team down Emerson Street, west on Colfax Avenue and north on Clarkson Street.

Short and sweet, yes, but with a smooth, malty finish.

Jonathan Shikes

See you at the Statehouse.