Kyle Green
Looking for craft beer in the Rocky Mountains? Then you’ll want to make a trip to Denver, Colorado. This place is a Mecca for breweries and craft beer. I’m a pretty big fan of beer myself, which is why I’m happy to say that the city of Denver has some of the best breweries I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.
When you’re looking for breweries in Denver, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There are just so many of them! Of course, not everyone has the time to try them all, especially if they’re only in town for a few days. That’s why I compiled this list of the best breweries in Denver.
I love a brewery that’s friendly, clean, and ready to serve up a fantastic brew. All of the breweries on my list display all three of those essential qualities. If I didn’t like them, I wouldn’t recommend them. You can be sure of that.
Check out my list of the best breweries in Denver below!
Best Breweries in Denver
- Black Shirt Brewing
- Bruz Beers
- Great Divide Brewing Co.
- Cerebral Brewing
- Wynkoop Brewing
- Odell Brewing Five Points Brewhouse
- The Grateful Gnome
- Novel Strand Brewing Company
- Woods Boss Brewing
- Dos Luces Brewery
- Cerveceria Colorado
- Little Machine Beer
- Call to Arms Brewing Company
- Crooked Stave
- Briar Common Brewery + Eatery
- Denver Beer CoDenver Beer Co.
- Blue Moon Brewing Company
Black Shirt Brewing Co.
3719 Walnut St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 303-993-2799
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On the edge of the legendary Five Points neighborhood is a brewery that defies expectations. The Black Shirt Brewing Co. has an inspired tap list and fantastic food. You just can’t beat it!
The Laden Bough is a Norse Table Beer that really packs a punch in terms of flavor. With strong notes of ginger and sage, it was easily one of my favorite beers from the trip. I must say, the oven-baked beer-battered cauliflower was an unexpected treat. I loved it!
Shadowtackle, the house porter, was also breathtakingly delicious. If you love an excellent strong porter, you’ll love this one!
Bruz Beers
1675 W 67th Ave #100, Denver, CO 80221
Phone: 303-650-2337
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Bruz Beers is dedicated to the historic and inspired process of making Belgian-style beer. This dedication has helped the brewery come to be recognized by many as one of the most artisanal breweries in Denver.
Located in the heart of Denver, between the neighborhoods of Berkley and Twin Lakes, Bruz Beers produces such inspired creations as the Right Hand Man Pilsner to the Diablo Colorado. Both of which are excellent beers in their own right.
I also loved the fact that this brewery also features some great grub, including pizza and locally inspired snacks! This place was definitely worth the trip!
Great Divide Brewing Co.
8500 Peña Blvd, Denver, CO 80249
Phone: 877-672-7467
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Located right by the Denver International Airport, the Great Divide Brewing Co. really knows how to make a fine brew. My favorite beer here? The TITAN IPA! Although not everyone’s a fan of IPAs, these beers are certainly becoming more popular quite rapidly.
Looking for something more on the sour side? Then you’ll want to try the Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Ale. It lives up to its name and tastes fantastic! This place has been producing exceptional craft beer since 1994, and with seasonal varieties like Pumpkin Ale, it has stolen my heart. If you’re planning on visiting Denver, Colorado, and you love beer, you’ll want to stop here!
Cerebral Brewing
1477 Monroe St, Denver, CO 80206
Phone: 303-927-7365
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Located between several public parks and an upscale shopping district featuring retailers like Chanel and Nordstrom, Cerebral Brewing has proven to be one of the most rewarding breweries to visit in Denver. This unique combination makes for a unique location.
With an ABV of 6.8%, I would highly recommend trying Lucidity. This delightfully sour ale tastes of blackberry, black currant, and vanilla. Rare Trait was my favorite IPA in this particular establishment. Rare Trait is a rare beer in terms of quality, as beers like this are hard to find. I’m pleased to report that at 6.4 ABV, it was quite strong as well!
Wynkoop Brewing
1634 18th St, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-297-2700
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Next on my list is Wynkoop Brewing won a LOT of points with me for having some of the most unique beers I’ve ever tasted. If you’re looking for a unique craft beer in Denver, Colorado, you’ll want to try a glass of Patty’s Chile Beer at Wynkoop Brewing.
I also enjoyed their incredibly flavorful Über Lager with cheesy fritters and BBQ sliders. Then again, if you love a blonde ale, you’ll love their Teddy Orangeblonder. It has a rich and unique flavor that sent it straight to my list of top favorites! You should know that their Nashville Chicken Slider is insanely delicious, especially if you love spicy food!
Odell Brewing Five Points Brewhouse
2945 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 720-795-7862
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The Odell Brewing Five Points Brewhouse really impressed me in terms of quality beer and service. This place is located in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood which gives the brewery a lot of character.
My favorite beer here was Kindling, a flavorful Golden Ale that was irresistible to the palette. The Mountain Standard came in as a close second favorite. This beer has a tropical flavor for days. With strong hints of pineapple, mango, and oranges, the Mountain Standard proved to be a truly unique brew.
This brewery dates back to 1989, which means it’s full of great beers and great memories. Now it’s time to have some for yourself!
The Grateful Gnome
4369 Stuart St, Denver, CO 80212
Phone: 720-598-6863
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You haven’t lived until you’ve tried a brewery called The Grateful Gnome. This place has character, and it has it in spades! It also happens to have some of the greatest craft beer creations in Denver!
The Phil Fanning Porter was the best beer I tasted during my time at The Grateful Gnome. This beer went perfectly with the Hot Sausage Parm Sandwich. I also loved their Cheesesteak Sandwich with provolone.
Another thing you have to try at The Grateful Gnome is the Pizza Burger. This one’s an absolute monster, a monster of goodness. It’s incredibly delicious! Come on down and give it a try!
Novel Strand Brewing Company
305 W 1st Ave, Denver, CO 80223
Phone: 720-949-0246
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Novel Strand Brewing Company has created some of the most complex beers I’ve tried in Denver in terms of flavor. For example, the UNA FRÍA is their house lager, and my Lord, was it good! All 6 of them!
Another beer I enjoyed here was the Cool Smooth Like 2 Blue Suede Shoes. You won’t find beer like that anywhere else in Denver. I noticed that they take their beer very seriously here, and that’s a good thing. It means that they stand behind their passion, and it really shows in the beer’s flavors that flow through its halls.
Woods Boss Brewing
2210 California St, Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 720-642-7177
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Woods Boss Brewing is located in the heart of Downtown Denver which makes it a wildly popular place as far as breweries go. For those of you that thirst for a beer that’s as strong as it is flavorful and unique, you’ll want to sip on a glass of Form & Function. This beer sports a whopping ABV of 12.8%, which puts it in a high bracket.
The Earl was also delightful. This particular brew is a mild English ale crafted with Earl Grey tea. If you’re hungry, you’ll be glad to know that you can get meals from a variety of local restaurants delivered to your table.
Dos Luces Brewery
1236 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210
Phone: 720-379-7763
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Dos Luces Brewery is located near the Molly Brown House Museum, one of the most historic homes in Denver, Colorado! This place is one of the most magical breweries in the nation. The brewery draws on the ancient mythology and symbolism of South America and Mesoamerica, as evidenced in its signature brew, Chicha Inti. This beer is named after the Incan god of the sun.
As a beer brewed from corn in the tradition of Chichas, this beer has incredible flavor. Pulque Metztli is named after the Aztec god of the moon. Graced with hints of fruits, spices, and cinnamon, the Pulque Metztli is a beautiful beer unlike any other.
Cerveceria Colorado
1635 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 720-279-8248
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Just across the river from Commons Park, you can find a place that creates some of the most amazing beer in the world. That’s right. I’m talking about Cerveceria Colorado. While the flavors of the Señor Piña Pineapple Blonde caught my attention, it was the Churro Stout that really won me over!
I have a weakness for a good stout, and the Churro Stout at Cerveceria Colorado blew my mind. Another thing that you should know about this place is that it’s an enjoyable place to be. You won’t find another brewery quite like this anywhere near the city of Denver.
Little Machine Beer
2924 W 20th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 303-284-7893
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Little Machine Beer is situated near the Children’s Museum of Denver. Why not stop by the museum to entertain your kids and then have some adult time at this nearby brewery afterward? For a place called Little Machine Beer, it sure does produce a big flavor!
Concrete Paradise is an IPA with refreshingly tropical notes of pineapple. That pineapple flavor made this a unique beer that’s definitely worth trying, especially for all of you IPA lovers out there! Another great beer here was the Groove Juice. With a name like that, how could it not be great? This one features powerful hints of blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, and vanilla.
Call to Arms Brewing Company
4526 Tennyson St, Denver, CO 80212
Phone: 720-328-8258
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This brewery is located near Rocky Mountain Lake Park, making it a great place to stop and refuel after a stroll through the park. The Ballroom Beer is brewed with ice-cold Rocky Mountain water, adding a crisp and fresh flavor that’s hard to beat.
Looking for a beer that’s truly one-of-a-kind? Then you’ll want to try a big cold glass of Shirtless Putin Catchin Rays. I think it’s safe to say that they don’t make them like this anymore. This Old World lager has New World flavor. It’s a must-try! The founders’ goal was to make good beer and have fun doing it. I’d say they succeeded.
Crooked Stave
1441 W 46th Ave Unit 19, Denver
Phone: 720-508-3292
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Out of all of the breweries in Denver, Crooked Stave Offered one of the most unique experiences of all. You haven’t tried a Pilsner until you’ve tried their New Zealand Style Pilsner. This pilsner is unlike any other pilsner I’ve ever had before, and I’m proud to recommend it.
The St. Bretta Citrus Saison pays homage to St. Bretta yeast which is responsible for its complex flavor. The citrus flavor really stands out in this beer, and I love it! All-in-all, I loved the atmosphere here and was more than pleased with the service. This is a brewery that everyone should visit at least once.
Briar Common Brewery + Eatery
2298 Clay St, Denver, CO 80211
Phone: 720-512-3894
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I drank some of the best beer I’ve found in all my travels at a little place called Briar Common Brewery + Eatery. This place is not your average brewery. In fact, it’s an exception. You’d be hard-pressed to find another brewery in Denver that can offer the same incredible variety of both beer and food or equally impeccable quality.
Earth to Märzen was a fantastic beer, especially if you enjoy an excellent Märzen. Bramble in the Woods was easily the best Imperial Stout I’ve had in many years. Sour Seoul really got to me. This sour chile ale with guava is off the charts. My dinner recommendation? Steak and potatoes! The Green Chile Black Bean Burger was also super good!
This Denver brewery left a profound impression on me. I’d love to go back next time I’m in town. You’ve got to try this place!
Denver Beer Co.
1695 Platte St, Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-433-2739
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Denver Beer Co. has some of the most eclectic beer you’ll find in Denver. I couldn’t quite find anything that could top it. The Arryved Gose, for example, features flavors like grapefruit and Himalayan salt. The Denver Gold Amber Lager was another solid beer with complex flavors.
I wouldn’t feel right without mentioning Hey Pumpkin, which is arguably the finest harvest beer ale I found during my time in Denver. This beer restored my faith in the beauty and promise of the craft beer movement as a whole. Don’t forget to add this place to your list of breweries to try in Denver!
Blue Moon Brewing Company
3750 Chestnut Pl, Denver, CO 80216
Phone: 303-728-2337
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No discussion of breweries in Denver would be complete without mentioning Blue Moon Brewing Company. As one of the most celebrated beers in the nation, Blue Moon is a great beer indeed. Visiting their flagship brewery was a pleasure.
While I knew that Blue Moon was a fantastic and flavorful beer, I was surprised by how amazing the food was here at the brewery. The Pulled Pork Tacos and Ahi Tostadas were to die for! So was the Bison Chili, which was a refreshingly hearty meal.
Best beer in the house? My money’s on the Lemondrop Pilsner and the Light Sky Tropic Wheat, but I’ll let you be the judge.
Final Thoughts
By the time I left Denver, I had a strong urge to turn around for one more glass of Ballroom Beer from the Call to Arms Brewing Company. In the end, I opted to press on and drive back East. When you want a Denver brewery that you can count on for great beer and great memories, you’ll want to try one of the breweries from my list.
Not interested in these Denver breweries? Check out some of these places to get a juicy steak instead!
Did we miss anything? Leave us a comment below and we’ll take a look!
