What to get while I'm in Denver for two days?

Buy all the Melvin, also some Casey may still be on shelves.

For everything else, search for the other threads with great recommendations.

Cheers!

 

I'm born and raised in South Bend.

If you are a hoppy/low malt type of IPA guy then look for cans of:

LA Cumbre - Elevated IPA
Station 26 - single hop series (there are numerous and I think the most recent is mosaic). It's a green 12oz can with "S26" in a circle logo
Melvin Brewery - 2x4 DIPA, IPA, Hubert pale ale
Odd13 - Superman IPA or anything you see in the can by them

Not all put a canned date on the can, but look cause some do and freshness is always key!

 

There are a bunch of Denver threads that will cover your bases here. Just search this forum.

In Santa Fe, I'm guessing you'll probably be fairly close to the Plaza. That's the main tourist area. There you'll find taps (and bottles) from most of the local NM breweries. Those include Santa Fe Brewing, La Cumbre, Marble, Bosque, etc.
They're known for being masters of hops down there. Draft Station and the Blue Corn Cafe are good places to start. Blue Corn might seem like a random chain brewpub, but their IPA's are the real deal.
Draft Station specializes in NM beers and sells bottles to go as well. The San Francisco Street Bar is only a few doors down and will have some decent taps, too.
While more known for their food (and margaritas) than beer, the Shed also has a few good beer taps. In fact, most places tend to now. That wasn't always the case, but it is now. Elevated is ever-present.

For bottles, Susan's is more or less right on your way from I25 to the Plaza. I know some people have had issue there, but they've always served me well.

 

Not as trendy as some of those previously mentioned, but I don't think you people can get Odell in Indiana so I would get anything from them and enjoy the s**t out of it. Particularly the IPA and St. Lupilin cans that can be found at almost any beer store on the front range. You absolutely cannot go wrong with Odell IMO

 

Best beer geek shops:
Small Batch
Grapevine
Mile High Wine/Spirits
Molly's
Mondo Vino
Davidsons
Tipsy's (waaay the hell out there)

You'll find a wallet full, and then some, at just one of those places. But really, there are a ton of stores that have a ton of beer.