Since moving to Colorado I have definitely found myself even more picky when it comes to beer and really appreciate the craft beer variety and commitment in Denver. I initially said I would try 10 new beers this year, but found that a little crazy easy...so I switched to 10 new breweries and have still crossed it off before many others...! Welp. I like beer. What else is there to say?! So I think I will share the breweries in order of who I liked, starting with my least favorite - not saying its bad, just less great ;)
10. Mahogany Ridge- Steamboat Springs, CO: The beer was just mediocre here. Lots of watered down flavors and nothing special to write home about. Still cool to try a new brewery in one of my favorite towns in Colorado and the food was pretty darn good!
9. Barranco Beer Co. - Lima, PERU: Super awesome that some folks are trying to create a beer scene in the capital of Peru. Barranco is an artsy, bohemian neighborhood and seemingly a perfect spot for such a place. Was not very busy when Cara and I visited and they only had 3 choices of beer, but exciting nonetheless!
8. Epic Brewing - RiNo, Denver, CO: I really wanted to move Epic higher in the list because of how cool the space is and the multitude of beers they offer. Maybe the more trips I make, the more I will appreciate! I tried their Brainless Fruit series in a flight because I wasn't impressed with the sound of my typical choices (their stout was imperial and the porter, smoked). The Brainless on Cherries was yummy but the other 2 were just okay. Wish they didn't charge $2 just to sample beer :-/
7. LowDown - Cap Hill, Denver, CO: LowDown is a great addition to the Cap Hill area of Denver. Not a lot of breweries in the neighborhood and the food is pretty good. The beers were tasty, but I was a bit disappointed the two times I visited that they were out of a number on their daily list. Maybe I just came too late in the day! They had a really great Amber/Pale that is no longer on their beer list (named Treason), hopefully it returns soon!
6. Mountain Toad Brewing - Golden, CO: Came here after a long hike with a friend and it was a very welcoming place with lots of other folks clearly having the same idea we had! We sat down at the bar and service was friendly and I got to try some of guest kombucha along with a few samples of what sounded yummy. Surprisingly, I went for the Wit beer and loved it. Had some nourishment in the form of street tacos from the food truck on the patio and all seemed right with the world ;)
5. Station 26 Brewing Co. - Park Hill, Denver, CO:
This is a fun brewery. They have a great outdoor space, they create
some interesting brews, and the actual brick and mortar is an old
firehouse. I went for a Bluegrass Brunch and it was busy with lots of
young families and friends. Definitely plan to return.
4. Funky Buddha Brewery - Oak Park, FL: Definitely the coolest thing I've done on a layover! Funky Buddha was having their One Year Anniversary party during a 14 hour layover on my way back from Peru and a fellow craft beer lover and I decided to make the trek to Oak Park from the airport and check it out. The list of beers was unbelievable and was scheduled so that new releases were announced and available every couple of hours which made the anticipation half the fun! They have crazy names (i.e. Bluth's Banana Stand, Vanilla Cream Abdul Jabbar Nitro, & Fire in Your Hole) and amazing sounding combinations/flavors (i.e. Nutella Porter, a Fluffer-Nutter Ale, Watermelon Gose, & French Toast Double Brown Ale). I'll likely never make it back, but so glad I got to experience such a cool day there!
3. Former Future Brewing - Platte Park, Denver, CO: I love this space. The bar stools swivel and they are leather with full backs. The bar itself is an old refurbished wing of a jet plane. They have some really delicious beers and the couple times I have been in the bartenders have been super friendly, knowledgeable, and quick on the tap pull! All around great experience AND close to home ;)
2. Our Mutual Friend Malt & Brew - Five Points, Denver, CO: Their Brown Ale is the best. They have also come out with some amazing sours this summer. The space is intimate and full of hipsters and a food truck is always hangin' out outside, but the reason to come here is for their space and their innovative brews. Yum. The company certainly didn't hurt ;)
1. New Belgium Brewing Co. - Fort Collins, CO: This brewery is really neat, lots of open space and a great patio with yard games! We stopped here on our way to a concert for Colleen's birthday and I hope to go back soon to get the full experience. The 'Lips of Faith' series is awesome. I had the La Folie (2014) which was a sour brown and it was fantastic, the Transatlantique Kriek (2013), cherry lambic was also stellar. Obviously, highly recommended and I am looking for more pals to head up to Fort Collins with me next time!
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| Mahogany Ridge |
10. Mahogany Ridge- Steamboat Springs, CO: The beer was just mediocre here. Lots of watered down flavors and nothing special to write home about. Still cool to try a new brewery in one of my favorite towns in Colorado and the food was pretty darn good!
9. Barranco Beer Co. - Lima, PERU: Super awesome that some folks are trying to create a beer scene in the capital of Peru. Barranco is an artsy, bohemian neighborhood and seemingly a perfect spot for such a place. Was not very busy when Cara and I visited and they only had 3 choices of beer, but exciting nonetheless!
8. Epic Brewing - RiNo, Denver, CO: I really wanted to move Epic higher in the list because of how cool the space is and the multitude of beers they offer. Maybe the more trips I make, the more I will appreciate! I tried their Brainless Fruit series in a flight because I wasn't impressed with the sound of my typical choices (their stout was imperial and the porter, smoked). The Brainless on Cherries was yummy but the other 2 were just okay. Wish they didn't charge $2 just to sample beer :-/
7. LowDown - Cap Hill, Denver, CO: LowDown is a great addition to the Cap Hill area of Denver. Not a lot of breweries in the neighborhood and the food is pretty good. The beers were tasty, but I was a bit disappointed the two times I visited that they were out of a number on their daily list. Maybe I just came too late in the day! They had a really great Amber/Pale that is no longer on their beer list (named Treason), hopefully it returns soon!
6. Mountain Toad Brewing - Golden, CO: Came here after a long hike with a friend and it was a very welcoming place with lots of other folks clearly having the same idea we had! We sat down at the bar and service was friendly and I got to try some of guest kombucha along with a few samples of what sounded yummy. Surprisingly, I went for the Wit beer and loved it. Had some nourishment in the form of street tacos from the food truck on the patio and all seemed right with the world ;)
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| Station 26 Brewing Co. |
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| Funky Buddha Brewery |
4. Funky Buddha Brewery - Oak Park, FL: Definitely the coolest thing I've done on a layover! Funky Buddha was having their One Year Anniversary party during a 14 hour layover on my way back from Peru and a fellow craft beer lover and I decided to make the trek to Oak Park from the airport and check it out. The list of beers was unbelievable and was scheduled so that new releases were announced and available every couple of hours which made the anticipation half the fun! They have crazy names (i.e. Bluth's Banana Stand, Vanilla Cream Abdul Jabbar Nitro, & Fire in Your Hole) and amazing sounding combinations/flavors (i.e. Nutella Porter, a Fluffer-Nutter Ale, Watermelon Gose, & French Toast Double Brown Ale). I'll likely never make it back, but so glad I got to experience such a cool day there!
3. Former Future Brewing - Platte Park, Denver, CO: I love this space. The bar stools swivel and they are leather with full backs. The bar itself is an old refurbished wing of a jet plane. They have some really delicious beers and the couple times I have been in the bartenders have been super friendly, knowledgeable, and quick on the tap pull! All around great experience AND close to home ;)
1. New Belgium Brewing Co. - Fort Collins, CO: This brewery is really neat, lots of open space and a great patio with yard games! We stopped here on our way to a concert for Colleen's birthday and I hope to go back soon to get the full experience. The 'Lips of Faith' series is awesome. I had the La Folie (2014) which was a sour brown and it was fantastic, the Transatlantique Kriek (2013), cherry lambic was also stellar. Obviously, highly recommended and I am looking for more pals to head up to Fort Collins with me next time!
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| YUM! |
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