Chain Reaction Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

V-Chain Reaction is located in a small industrial building in a neighborhood south of Downtown Denver, not too far from the Platte River. The space is friendly, but definitely not fancy. Overhead doors open to the parking lot which doubles as a patio and few tables sit in front of the 12-seat bar which sits in front of the brewing equipment. Not exciting, but it feels authentic and friendly.

Q-I tried three beers and all were well made, if not spectacular. No off flavors or oddities that I could detect, and the peppercorn saison ranked well above average for me.

Ser-The bartender was friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable. He could talk about the hops used in Chain Reaction beers, as well as make recommendations for other breweries to visit around town for the new-to-Denver-guy sitting on the bar stool next to me. My only gripe is the glassware (saison in a nonic glass?), but that is minor.

Sel-Chain Reaction had maybe a dozen beers on tap. All were Chain Reaction creations and they varied in style from IPA to pale ale to stout to a 14.3% ABV monster. No growler fills on the day I visited, but I was told that is changing.

O-I really like the feel of this place. The patrons and bartender were friendly and the place was a marked departure from the "scene" in RiNo and elsewhere. Beers were solid too.

 

 

 

Atmosphere - large patio, garage doors, a fun mining type there and LOTS of room to expand. While it is off the beaten path I enjoyed the place for sure. Food trucks can pull up into the parking lot as well.

Quality - the beers ranged quite a bit, but being small batched and brand new I would expect that. I hope with how often they plan to churn out beers that Quality does not lack like other places.

Service - one of the owners was going around talking to people. you could see an actual interest in what you had to say. I brought a group of 35 people into the place and it didn't seem to phase them. job well done.

Selection - 14 different beers to try, so you could find something you would like. I only hope the quality does not take a back seat to the quantity.

Overall - I look forward to what this place can do. I was impressed on my first visit.

easily my favorite of the recently opened breweries in denver. this one is just west of broadway and just south of highway 25 at that junction. beautiful expansive taproom, quaintly decorated, and with plenty of room to expand from their one barrel brew system when the time comes, and based on the quality of their beer, that time may not be real long from now. an impressive spectrum of beers for a new operation. maybe 12 on tap, with a sorachi ace lemon ipa taking the cake of the ones i tried. it was unique and top notch, very good by any standards, but unreal for such a new operation. others were good too, and the place was packed, but comfortable. the service was incredible, everyone working came by our table to introduce themselves, and could not have been more engaging and friendly, it was a real treat to have such down to earth folks at the helm for once. no pretension here whatsoever. i expect this to become a hot spot for the south denver community, the beer is just too good and the place is too cool to not be a regular stop. cant wait to watch them evolve!