Three Breweries to Visit in Denver are...?

Depends on what you're looking for. I know a lot of people want to hit up certain tap rooms to try one-offs and beers that aren't sold in stores. While GD is one of my favorite stops, they usually only have one oddball tap handle.
For straight-up beers with no concern for food (in Denver proper) I'd suggest Hogshead or Prost. Epic's tasting room is massive and they serve a zillion beers, although some of them can be hit or miss. Still, they win for variety.
If food is in the cards, Vine Street Pub, the Bull & Bush, and even Breck's 471 BBQ are my picks.
If you count the surrounding areas I still think Dry Dock beats them all. Tons of taps, plenty of new items showing up, loads of room, and never any obvious off notes.

 

What kind of beers are you looking for?

 

Do not miss Black Shirt Brewing. All their brews are spins off a red base (India Red Ale, Red Saison, Red Porter...) and they're absolute perfectionists. It's in the same area as the other two you mentioned so you won't spend too much on cabs. If they're pouring the Red Evelyn, you're in for a treat. My favorite of 2013 - it's an Imperial Red Rye IPA.

 

TRVE

 

Renegade

 

Crooked Stave and Great Divide for sure, after that flip a coin. Depends on where your looking and what you want to drink. I really like TRVE (interesting atmosphere and unique beer styles), Renegade (really good hoppy beers) and Prost (German styles). Never been to Black Shirt or Jagged Mountain. Also enjoy Wit's End and River North.

 

Epic would be my third. That's what a taproom should look like. The Baptist/Kriek blend is one of the best beers in Denver.

 

If you consider Boulder part of Denver, I'm a big fan of most everything that Avery does.

 

I agree, I really like their taproom a lot. I also agree with Domingo their beers are very hit or miss, but they offer so much on tap that you should be able to find some some solid beers on tap.

I am not a big Great Divide fan so that influences my opinion obviously, but if I were to come to Denver and hit up 3 taprooms I would probably do TRVE, Crooked Stave, and Epic.

 

Unfair question. I respond under protest!

German: Prost
English: Hogshead
English/American: Bull and Bush
Atmosphere: Denver Beer Co
Variety: Epic, Dry Dock, Brewery Rickoli, Vine St. Pub/Brewery
Solid Lineup: Renegade, Trve, Wits End, Strange, Caution:

 

If you have been to Great Divide and can get their beers where you are from I would choose something else. Like everyone is stating it depends on your taste buds/ what you are looking for. I would choose Crooked Stave, Epic (for variety and awesome tap house), and third...... hmmmmm...... choose from Mebuzzards list.

 

Oh man, Crooked Stave and Great Divide don't even make my top 3!

Prost, Renegade, Epic.

 

I echo the recommendations that say Great Divide shouldn't make the list; I love them, but if you are a beer nut who is only hitting three places, it shouldn't make the list. It's usually packed and the taplist isn't too exciting.

Transportation aside, hitting Copper Kettle and Dry Dock is a good trip, both great beer in the burbs. I like Crooked Stave, Epic, Denver Beer Co. (atmosphere+beer that is way better than it got a rep for on BA originally, especially in the barrel room+I'm a homer), and a bunch of others. Denver is hard to pick just three, especially if you are including the surrounding areas.

 

Epic or Renegade for breweries, or skip the breweries and ColoradoPlus, Falling Rock, FreshCraft or Hops & Pies. If you don't get Great Divide regularly where you're at, I'd jump on them, and if you like the styles of Crooked Stave, the Source is a great place to visit.

 

I would say if you're going with friends, the obvious 3rd choice is Epic b/c they have about ~30 beers on tap at all times and everybody will find something they like there, and all three are in the same 1 mile radius making it easy to cab it.

The other close ones would be Renegade, Prost, Black Shirt & River North or even Jagged Mountain. If you're looking for food, I'd go to Vine Street Pub, great food & beer.

TRVE, Hogshead, Caution, Strange, Wit's End while all good would be good for your 3rd/4th trip.

 

If you plan on being in Boulder hit up Backcountry Pizza too! They have good food, a great tap selection, and even better bottle selection that is fairly priced!

My vote for the 3rd would be Renegade. Cheers and have a great trip....you can't go wrong