I realize that there are a few Denver threads already, in part because GABF is drawing near. While there is some helpful information in them, my core questions aren't really answered. The food and activities for my trip are pretty much set, but my beer itinerary is not. For all practical purposes, I'll only be in Denver, not Boulder or Fort Collins (I'll also be in Colorado Springs for a bit, but I don't get the impression there are any must hit spots even if my schedule allows; if I'm wrong please correct me). What I'm particularly keen to hear some feedback on: 1) Right now the spots that strike me as essential visits are Black Project, Cerebral, Crooked Stave, and Strange Craft for breweries, and Goed Zuur and The Crafty Fox for bars. I'll also be hitting Yak & Yeti (and probably New Image given proximity), and possibly Odell. Should I be skipping any of these? And which spots should I be adding? Right now the other spots on my radar are: 4 Noses, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Black Shirt, Freshcraft, Great Divide Barrel Bar, Hogshead, Hops & Pies, Mockery, Our Mutual Friend, Ratio, River North, and Trve. Especially interested in places that serve flights/small pours or a strong bottle list, have compelling sours, and don't allow dogs inside. 2) I get the impression Casey is somewhat reasonably available within Denver these days. What I'm less clear on is the sort of pricing I ought to expect. The only prices I have for reference is the bottle list at Hops and Pies, which has prices like: Cherry Family Preserves - $49 Nectarine Bank - $49 Nectarine Fruit Stand - $33 Saison - $25 The Cut: Nectarine - $56 Is that about the pricing I ought to expect in bars? And, assuming that to be the case, how do bottle shop prices compare? 3) Any bottle shop recommendations in the Highlands? Especially interested in having access to Casey and Weldwerks. Bonus points if they happen to sell styro shippers so I can buy more than I'll drink while in town.
1) This is quite a list and should check all of your boxes. I enjoy Strange, but I'm not sure I would put it in your "essential visits" category, but that also depends on what beer styles/experience/ambience you're looking for in your itinerary. In regards to dogs, you should be okay anywhere within Denver city limits. There is a city ordinance which prohibits dogs inside restaurants/taprooms/etc (they can be outside). 2) I'm going off of memory, but you can probably shave off approximately 25% of the prices you listed for liquor store prices. If memory serves, a bottle of Saison is around $18. 3) I haven't been up to the Highlands in a while, but Mondo Vino off 32nd is likely your best bet.
Add Bierstadt, drop Strange Craft. For me, the essential Denver visits are Bierstadt, TRVE, BP, and then Cerebral for the haze-craze. Personally I would put Station 26 on that list since they have the state's best WCIPA and a great patio for enjoying beer in the fall, but I know that's more controversial around here.
While I could very happily not drink a single IPA this trip, I do greatly prefer WCIPAs to NEIPAs, so I'll look at adding Station 26. You're the second person to tell me I ought to skip Strange Craft. Tempted as I was by their wider apparent range of styles and low flight prices, that suggests to me that I ought to skip it given my limited time to drink. Thanks both of you for your input.
I'll also strongly agree that you should add Bierstadt. There are no sours in sight, but they are simply making some of the very best beer in the city right now and they are incredibly consistent. Their prices cannot be beat for crowlers of that quality. Speaking of sours (and since you already have Black Project high on your list): I would just keep heading down Broadway and hit up TRVE/Baere/Banded Oak probably in that order of "priority." They are all practically right next to each other. If you have any interest in brewpub places with solid food and a wide variety of offerings: Vine Street always has lots of choices with particular strengths in WCIPA and stouts/porters (and are quite underrated in my opinion), and Bull and Bush is a classic English pub that typically has several good in-house beers (particularly barrel aged stuff) and an interesting selection of guest beers such as Belgian sours that are hard to find elsewhere in the city. Plus they have a DYNAMITE selection of whiskey if that's of interest. In addition to the aforementioned Station 26, I'd say Comrade and Cannonball Creek are among the favorite IPA stalwarts in the West Coast style if you are willing to venture out a few minutes beyond Denver city limits.
I mean...if it looks interesting and appeals to you then go for it! Part of travelling, in my opinion, is making your own discoveries. I'm not not recommending it - I've had great experiences there and the service has always been top notch. Plus they now house Wit's End which was a popular nano-brewery.
Well, Bierstadt...again. Yak and Yeti is great. Clear Image and Denver Beer (Arvada) are close. So is Kline's Beer Hall. If you find yourself in Golden, Sherpa House is also really good Indian/Nepalese place Liquor stores in the Highlands: Small Batch, Highlands Liquor (they *might* have shippers) and Mondo Vino And since you're in that area, Hogshead is a must! Beer Bars: Falling Rock, Goed Zuur, Freshcraft. Not sure, but none serve smaller sizes. Then there's First Draft, where you pour your own beer and are charged based on volume. Just throwing this out there----For non-beer...but with beer: Bull and Bush has a nice bourbon selection. Pints Pub for scotch. Finn's Manor for rum and mezcal For tequila.......dunno.
If you're looking for great WCIPAs, you got to go to Comrade. Grapevine isn't too far away and they definitely have Casey and WW. If you're looking for some shippers, I'll give you one or two.
