Home of the Beer: Denver’s Craft Breweries
By Melanie Locke
If you’ve ever set foot in Denver you may have noticed the many bars and breweries that appear everywhere you look. Denverites are fond of all things beer — which explains the staggering number of breweries based out of Denver. With more than fifty craft breweries in the city, there’s never a shortage of beer on tap.
With Denver’s ever-expanding population and popularity, there’s no scarcity of thirsty customers ready to brew-hop throughout the city. The growing population, and Denver’s reputation as a mecca for young adults, caters perfectly to craft brewery culture. With environmentally-friendly modes of travel like biking, walking, and public transportation growing in popularity throughout Colorado (we’re looking at you bike-crazy Boulder and Fort Collins), getting home safely from the local bar is easier than ever before. And with craft breweries popping up everywhere you look, Denverites have more than one locale to choose from.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the coolest craft breweries in Denver. Whether it’s a quirky and cool environment or a long-standing craft beer powerhouse, these seven breweries deserve a taste.
Renegade Brewing Company
925 W 9th Ave
Est. 2011
The Renegade Brewing Company story begins with a home brewing kit. From there it grew to be a Denver beer-enthusiast favorite. With exposed brick walls and glass garage doors that open for warmer weather, this warehouse-style establishment is known for thinking outside the box with their “Offensively Delicious” taproom choices.
Beer to try: Hiatus — This oatmeal ale is infused with cold coffee for a dark and bold flavor.
Great Divide Brewing Company
2201 Arapahoe St
Est. 1994
This Denver craft-brewing landmark is known throughout the country for their flavors, and their environmentally and socially responsible business philosophy is an added bonus. With an awards list as long as your arm, Great Divide has been brewing award-winning beers since the beginning. Located in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood, stop by before or after a Rockies game for great brews and an open, friendly environment.
Beer to try: Orabelle — A Belgian-style ale brewed with barley, wheat, oats, and rye.
Wynkoop Brewing Company
1634 18th St
Est. 1988
Hailed as Denver’s first brewpub, Wynkoop is the brain-child of Colorado governor John Hickenlooper, Jerry Williams, Mark Schiffler and Russel Schehrer. They’re not afraid to experiment, with brews in the past that have included gummy bears and green chiles. Located in the bustling neighborhood of LoDo, this brewpub is a Denver institution. They have about thirty beers on an often-rotating tap and an extensive menu for American eats to compliment your beer.
Beer to try: Patty’s Chile Beer — A golden ale aged with Anaheim, Serrano and ancho peppers.
TRVE Brewing Company
227 Broadway #101
Est. 2011
This Denver brewery is for all the heavy metal lovers. Founded on the Summer Solstice of 2011, this brewery channels the Norse god of mischief and chaos with their creative brews. Embrace your inner metal head in this black-walled brewery.
Beer to try: Wanderlust — A Belgo-American Pale Ale.
Black Project
1290 S Broadway
Est. 2014
This craft brewery specializes in creating exciting ales through spontaneous fermentation. Their owner and brew master James Howat allows their microbe cultures to evolve between batches which creates varying flavors within the same beer flavor. With exposed brick and lighting, this Denver hotspot is a cool and classy exploration of craft brewing flavors.
Beer to try: Oxcart — A blend of 1-, 2-, and 3-year-old beers.
http://www.blackprojectbeer.com/
Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company
2810 Larimer St
With their giant techno-color mural adorning the front of the building and their open, airy environment, its no wonder Our Mutual Friend has become a gathering place for craft beer connoisseur. Located in the River North neighborhood, this brewery celebrates connection and craft with award winning brews.
Beer to try: Lux Unlimited — An Imperial Belgium wit on raspberries and blackberries.
http://www.blackprojectbeer.com/
Cerebral Brewing
1477 Monroe St
Est. 2013
A Doctor of Physical Therapy, microbiologist and international benefits consultant walk into a bar…And the punch line is Cerebral Brewing. By approaching craft brewing with scientific methodology they create memorable and refreshing brews in an open airy warehouse environment. And you can’t miss the giant brain mural adorning the front of their building.
Beer to try: Letters & Numbers: XJA2/436 — This experimental IPA is brewed with oats, wheat and spelt. It has an experimental hop from South Africa.