Proof: the trail of medals he’s left at Colorado breweries including Ska in Durango, Oskar Blues in Longmont, and town’s own Aspen Brewing Company, where he hatched a seasonal line and founded a small-barrel aging program. Last November, Engel poured his heart into a recipe all his own: Roaring Fork Beer Company (roaringforkbeerco.com). Each First Friday, the Carbondale-based taproom unveils a limited-edition concoction, sent to a select group of craft curators valleywide. April delivered Oatmeal Pale Ale, and a lemongrass-infused saison created for a Phat Thai beer dinner was such a smash that Engel unleashed a full batch in May. Joining RFBC’s flagship Freestone XPA is summer-special Slaughterhouse Lager; find both in tallboy cans at local grog shops and on taps spanning from Mezzaluna to Matsuhisa to Belly Up.