First trip to Denver - beer recs

Discussion in 'Mountain' started by mpak, Sep 4, 2017.

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  1. mpak

    mpak Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2014 Illinois

    Hi guys,

    I am making my first trip to Denver at the end of September and would love some recommendations for breweries and beer bars.

    I'm only going to be there for three days, and with a ton of beer options I was hoping some locals and/or frequent visitors could share their "must check out" spots.

    Thanks for your assistance!
    -mpak
     
  2. tylerstravis

    tylerstravis Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2014 Colorado

    The Search Bar is my favorite :wink:
     
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  3. dauss

    dauss Pooh-Bah (1,730) Aug 9, 2003 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Got to check out Comrade if you love IPAs
     
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  4. FLBeerGuy

    FLBeerGuy Pooh-Bah (2,714) Feb 6, 2007 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Where are you going to be? Downtown, burbs, do you have transportation?
     
  5. mpak

    mpak Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2014 Illinois

    Staying in the Five Points neighborhood. Yes I plan to get a rental car. Thanks!
     
  6. stevefenster

    stevefenster Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2016 Colorado

    Walter's 303 and Denver Bicycle Cafe will be very close for walkable places.

    Bars: Freshcraft, First Draft and Falling Rock are all great. I haven't been to Goed Zuur yet, but if you're into sours, I've heard great things.

    Breweries: There are a million of them, so you'll get 10,000 opinions on this, but Cerebral, Station 26, and Comrade are probably your best bets for IPAs in the city. Black Project is making some amazing beer, but I would check out what they have on tap/bottle pours before driving over there.

    If you are going to venture out a bit, Weldwerks and Odd 13 are both awesome and well worth the drive... and If you've never been to the Avery Taproom, its definitely a great destination (although probably a ~45 min drive).
     
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  7. dauss

    dauss Pooh-Bah (1,730) Aug 9, 2003 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    If you're in Five Points, head to the Rackhouse Pub and get some Bierstadt Slow Pour Pils. They'll have their Oktoberfest on by then too.
     
  8. Mebuzzard

    Mebuzzard Grand Pooh-Bah (4,216) May 19, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Hogshead is the place for English cask ales. Not many places do a whole lineup of casks. Bierstadt is the place for German-style beers.
    For tap houses with lots of options:
    Falling Rock
    Craft Fox
    Freshcraft
    Colorado Plus
    First Draft (self serve)
    ....
     
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  9. dauss

    dauss Pooh-Bah (1,730) Aug 9, 2003 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Spangalang is also in the heart of Five Points, definitely worth a stop
     
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  10. SFACRKnight

    SFACRKnight Grand Pooh-Bah (3,274) Jan 20, 2012 Colorado
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    With GABF just around the corner keep your eyes peeled. There are a lot of beers that only show up then. Last year Surly sent a bunch of stuff out in cans, and the kegs that show up can border on whale territory.
     
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  11. ManBearPat

    ManBearPat Pooh-Bah (1,813) Dec 2, 2014 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I'm surprised we don't talk about Spangalang here more often... have been in there about 5 or 6 times and still haven't had a dud
     
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  12. denver10

    denver10 Grand Pooh-Bah (4,081) Nov 17, 2010 New Mexico
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Not yet mentioned, TRVE.

    Everytime I return to Denver, I hit them up. Never been disappointed.
     
  13. mpak

    mpak Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2014 Illinois

    Ha! Thanks for the help guy!
     
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  14. mpak

    mpak Initiate (0) Sep 6, 2014 Illinois

    Thanks so much for the tips!
     
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  15. CWzach

    CWzach Initiate (179) Aug 2, 2016 Colorado

    If ya make it up to Boulder, stop by and visit us at Cellar West Artisan Ales. Brett, farmhouse inspired, oak barrels, saison, etc.
     
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  16. Dan_K

    Dan_K Initiate (0) Nov 8, 2013 Colorado
    Trader

    I'll say the same thing I say in the bi-weekly "where in Denver".

    I love the Great Divide Barrel Bar, and Crooked Stave. They are very close to each other. Cerebral is a must-visit.

    Black Project and Odd 13 are a bit further drive, but worth it.

    But honestly, if you have the time, you should really visit Weldwerks and Avery. Weldwerks is about 1 hour drive (each way) from downtown Denver. I think Avery is about 45 minutes, I'm not sure.
     
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  17. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,206) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah Society

    To be pretty honest, you're going to find good beer in the vast majority of places these days. That wasn't the case even 2-3 years ago. Now I can count the places I'd tell people to full-on avoid (in/around Denver) on 1 hand. Even most of them have at least one gem, too.

    I'd make decision based upon what styles you dig and how far you're willing/able to travel.
     
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  18. beeeeeeeeeeeer

    beeeeeeeeeeeer Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2010 Colorado

    Yep. I try to get in for a beer every time I am in Denver.

    Also been loving Baere lately. Their farmhouse and sour game is quite strong.
     
  19. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    Hey all, I have been to Denver quite a bit but never really found the best bottle shop to go to. I'm usually just brewery hopping. If I am hitting one bottle shop for a small amount of quality bottles/cans, where should I go in your opinion. I'll have a car and am staying in Highland area, but can definitely go to another area. Thoughts?
     
  20. tylerstravis

    tylerstravis Initiate (0) Feb 14, 2014 Colorado

    Highland - Mondo Vino, Toast

    Worth a drive to Mile High Wine & Spirits and Grapevine (make sure you enter the cooler at both places)
     
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