It's a brilliant blue-sky day in Denver and we have an important mission: flying over the Rockies through mountain passes between 11,000 feet and 12,500 feet to Colorado's western slope where we will collect bags of fresh hops to brew a beer called Hop is My Copilot. There are eight aircraft, ranging from a Cirrus SR22 to a Cessna 185C Skywagon, flying with pilots who range from FlyteCo brewing company owners to Southwest Airline pilots and instructors and corporate pilots. We are a motley crew of all ages who share a passion for aviation and beer. The Pied Piper of this adventure is smiling Eric Serani (left with Billy Goat Hop Farm owner Audrey Gehlhausen), an enthusiastic former aerospace engineer turned entrepreneur who says this annual trek is his " favorite day of the year. " AOPA PILOT / January 2025 57