Tag Archives: craft beer

Denver: The Modern Mile High City

Denver isn’t exactly the most conveniently located town. Far from any ocean, one must intentionally venture across the plains or deserts to get into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. For years, the Queen City of the Plains was written off as a forgotten cow town by flatlanders—when in reality, it was one of the west’s best-kept secrets.

These days, the secret is out. The city is rapidly evolving into a cultural breeding ground for chefs, entrepreneurs, artisans, and musicians. And thanks to an evolving food and beverage landscape, a flourishing marijuana industry, and a booming tech and startup scene, Denver is becoming a destination for those pursuing their own version of the post-modern American Western dream.

Chances are you know somebody who’s moved here in the past year or so. To help plan your trip to visit them, here’s your itinerary.

Workout

Denver loves its green…spaces, that is. In fact, the City and County of Denver maintain more than 200 city parks, 100 miles of trails, and 11 dog parks. That’s over 5,000 acres of urban parkland to explore. For starters, tie up your running shoes and head to Cheesman Park, just southeast of downtown. The quick 1.5-mile jog on the tree-lined paths will remind you you’re 5,280 feet above sea level, but at least the park’s dirt-lined perimeter is easy on the knees.

cheesman park denver colorado
Columns on the Pavilion in Cheesman Park

Be sure to stop at the Cheesman Pavilion—located on the park’s eastern border, just across from the Denver Botanic Gardens—and soak in the impressive westward views of the snowcapped Rockies.

Breakfast

Perennial favorite Snooze, an A.M. Eatery—a homegrown chain with outposts in California and Arizona—is just as great as people say it is. Try the breakfast pot pie, made with rosemary sausage gravy atop a flaky puff pastry, along with the Bangkok Bloody Mary, sure to waken your taste buds with ingredients like Sriracha and fish sauce, among others.

pot pie and bloody mary food
Breakfast Pot Pie and Bangkok Bloody Mary | Image courtesy of Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

If you want to pretend you’re a local, hit up newcomer Onefold, located in the Uptown neighborhood. The cozy, farmhouse-inspired haunt serves up a simple, yet surprisingly diverse menu that includes bacon fried rice (it’s just as good as it sounds), congee (a traditional Chinese savory rice porridge) with duck confit, and a massive breakfast burrito that includes green chili, duckfat fried potatoes, and your choice of local bacon or house-made sausage.

Be warned: The place is tiny. So if you’re put on the waiting list, walk a few blocks southwest to the Denver Bicycle Café for a cup of local coffee. The relaxed, friendly spot includes an in-house bike shop (hence the name), and a completely Colorado-sourced espresso and draft beer selection.

Denver Bicycle Cafe
Image courtesy of Denver Bicycle Cafe

See

Denver has a formidable art scene—and one that is growing exponentially as more and more transplants migrate to the increasingly progressive town. The Denver Art Museum, which opened the geometric, Daniel Libeskind-designed Frederic C. Hamilton Building in 2006, has established itself as the city’s go-to institution. One of the biggest museums between the Pacific coast and Chicago, the DAM boasts an impressive collection of American Indian and Western art, in addition to international displays, and rotating traveling exhibits.

hamilton building exterior denver art museum
The titanium-clad exterior of the Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Building | Photo by Kevin Hester | Courtesy of the Denver Art Museum

Just around the corner is the small but impressively comprehensive Clyfford Still Museum, which celebrates the life of the celebrated abstract expressionist painter.

clyfford still museum denver colorado
Photo by Matt Pangman

If you have time, and crave a more homegrown art experience, head a few blocks southwest to the Art District on Santa Fe, one of the city’s celebrated cultural gems. Vibrant storefronts, colorfully painted alleyways, and unique street art populate this micro-hood. Check out the Museo de las Americas—which pays homage to the arts and culture of Latin America—and choose from an assortment of contemporary galleries such as Michael Warren Contemporary, which celebrate local artists. 

Lunch

For a true Denver experience, head just outside the city to South Federal Boulevard. A long-time fixture for truly authentic cuisine, the thoroughfare contains some of Denver’s best hole-in-the-wall, family-run spots. In the mood for Vietnamese cuisine? Check out either Pho Duy for a wonderfully warming bowl of pho or Ba Le Sandwich for an outstanding (and super cheap) banh mi. How about authentic Chinese? Star Kitchen is a fixture for weekend dim sum as well as real deal Cantonese dishes. And in a city known for its Mexican cuisine, Tarasco’s New Latino Cuisine shines with its award-winning dishes, which run the gamut from mole to posole.

pho soup
Image via Stocksnap under license CC0

You may have to look extra hard to find some of these hidden gems, but it’s well worth the time. Trust us.

Shop

 Over the past few years, South Broadway has evolved into one of the Mile High City’s premier shopping destinations. And we can’t think of a better place to showcase Denver’s burgeoning artisan scene. Starting at the corner of Ellsworth and Broadway, hit up the legendary punk enclave Mutiny Information Café for secondhand books, comics, and vinyl. Walk three doors south to Ironwood, where succulents, terrariums, local art, and other oddities artfully clutter this distinct shop. Just blocks apart, local ski/surf lifestyle brand Steadbrook and Fancy Tiger—a boutique that carries both Colorado and international brands—prove that aesthetics do matter in Denver. 

Dinner

If you haven’t noticed already, Denver is in the midst of a cultural explosion—and perhaps no single building is a better representation than the newly revamped Union Station. The transportation hub, which was established in 1881, recently unveiled its $54 million renovations, and has since served as the crown jewel of downtown Denver. Make sure to come early to tour the station’s new digs and grab a drink at the opulent Terminal Bar, located in the Great Hall. Once your reservation is ready (you made one, right?), head next door to Mercantile Dining & Provision for acclaimed chef Alex Seidel’s take on elevated, seasonally-inspired comfort food.

Mercantile food denver colorado
Image courtesy of Mercantile Dining and Provision | Photo: McCall Burau

Between Union Station’s elaborate, lavish rebuild, and Mercantile’s expansive, open dining room—which doubles as an in-house, artisanal market—it becomes clear that Denver has never been this classy.

Imbibe

With an exorbitant amount of breweries in the greater metro area, it’s no secret that Denver is a beer town. And currently, nowhere in Denver is more representative of craft beer (or general redevelopment) than the River North Art District.

ratio beerworks
Photo by Matt Pangman

While you could easily start your tour on Larimer and its surrounding streets (and sample damn fine brews from Our Mutual Friend, Ratio Beerworks, Epic Brewing Company, and Beryl’s Beer Co.) save some semblance of sobriety and travel a few blocks north to Brighton Boulevard. Start your night at newcomer Mockery Brewing to try some of Denver’s most unique brews.

mockery brewing denver colorado
Image courtesy of Mockery Brewing

Next, walk a few blocks to the legendary Great Divide Brewing Company’s new 65,000 square-foot facility and sample their flagship Yeti Imperial Stout. End your night in the old 1880s building directly across the street at The Source, a hopping artisan food market that features 13 vendors including (you guessed it) a brewery in Crooked Stave.

great divide yeti stout beer
Yeti Imperial Stout | Image courtesy of Great Divide Brewing Company

10 US Destinations for Craft Beer Lovers

From Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon the United States has been undergoing a beer renaissance in the past decade. Once a humble brew of cereal grains, water, and yeast, a staple of the backyard barbecue and the corner bar, beer has become a star with chefs designing food pairing dinners around it and brew pubs rivaling wineries as weekend destinations.

But while many cities and towns are full of great breweries, there are many variables in making a city full of craft beer-lovers the ideal weekend- or even week-long destination. You need just the right number of craft brewers, and by that we mean independent breweries, and while wineries are often about the scenery, breweries have to be about the atmosphere. Some are cozy, some are laid back, some are glamorous, but all have a unique vibe. Here are 10 destinations for lovers of craft beer not to overlook.

 

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago was made to be a great beer city. Plenty of fresh water, a city full of foodies always waiting to try the latest thing, and lots of industrial space in which to brew have led dozens upon dozens of breweries to open within the past decade. You’ll find craft producers including Bell’s Dogfish Head and more in Chicago bars but you’ll also find plenty of local craft brews including La Guardia Rubia, made with local honey, DryHop Brewers, and Hopewell Brewing Company.

DryHop Brewers beer
Image courtesy of DryHop Brewers
DryHop Brewers beer
Image courtesy of Good Beer Hunting/ Michael Kiser
hopewell taproom beer
Image courtesy of Hopewell Brewing Co.

Try: Hopewell Brewing Company, DryHop Brewers, Beermiscuous

 

Denver, Colorado

The Mile High City is to beer lovers what Napa Valley is to wine lovers. Here, the city’s many brewery taprooms serve as the equivalent to the local bar and drinking al fresco be it on a rooftop, deck, or patio. Go in September for the Great American Beer Festival, which has been celebrating American craft brews since 1980s.

Great Divid Brewing
Image courtesy of Great Divide Brewing

Try: Great Divide Brewing, Ratio Beerworks

 

Missoula, Montana

Often overlooked as a tourist destination, Missoula, Montana should be on every craft beer lover’s must-visit. A variety of breweries offer plenty of options including a coffee brew, lightly hopped brews, and even gluten-free beers. Before sampling one or two, take advantage of the many other things Missoula has to offer, including outdoor adventures that include skiing in the colder months and water rafting in the warm ones, museums, art galleries, and restaurants that offer craft beer pairings.

Montana Ale Works
Image courtesy of Montana Ale Works

Try: Montana Ale Works, Bayern Brewing

 

Portland, Oregon

Festivals, beer dinners, and 85 breweries make Portland the ultimate destination for craft beer lovers. With many breweries within a few square blocks of each other it’s easy to visit multiple breweries in a day by foot. Outside of the breweries you’ll find even more options in gastropubs, dive pubs, and even Safeway growler stations. Visit in July for the Oregon Brewers Festival or December for the Holiday Ale Festival.

produce-row-cafe-bar-shot
Image courtesy of Produce Row

Try: Produce Row, Loyal Legion

 

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Soak up the sun in Albuquerque, explore Old Town, and take your pick of breweries. New Mexico’s craft brewery scene is booming and the state’s largest city has been driving the growth with nearly 20 breweries in and surrounding Albuquerque. See the action at Boxing Bear Brewing  Company where glass windows let you sneak a peek at the brewing process or head to Kelly’s Brew Pub and try to choose from the more than 20 in-house options.

Boxing Bear Brewing Co.
Image courtesy of Boxing Bear Brewing Co.

Try: Boxing Bear Brewing Co., Kelly’s Brew Pub

 

Boston, Massachusetts

Put beer and Boston in the same sentence and you’re likely thinking Sam Adams. The flagship brand of the Boston Beer Company has a more than 30-year-old history and a visit to the brewery should be on any list of things to do in Boston. In the past few years though, up and coming brewmasters have opened their own breweries in Beantown and many of the city’s bars showcase not only the local brews but ones from all over the country. Head to Sunset Grill and Tap and choose from more than 380 microbrews on tap or tour Cambridge Brewing Company and you’ll likely make a new friend as the locals are always willing to share their recommendations for the best brews.

Try: Sunset Grill & Tap, Cambridge Brewing Company

 

San Diego, California

Spring, summer, fall, winter – there’s never a wrong time to visit San Diego. Grab a spot on the beach or on a patio and raise a glass. Here the beers du jour tend to be bright, fresh brews often with hints of citrus, but with nearly 100 different breweries throughout the city there are plenty of options. Those that favor darker selections will want to try one of Alesmith stouts while sour beer fans should check out Societe.

pour beer

Try: Societe, Alesmith Brewing Company, Barrel Republic

 

Baltimore, Maryland

Plan a trip to Baltimore during baseball season. Camden Yards isn’t just home to the Orioles; it’s also home to several bars serving craft beers including Dempsey’s Brew Pub, a local favorite, which offers up some house-brews. After you’ve had your fill of sports explore the city’s other beer offerings which range from the swanky along the waterfront to dive bars, all of which are likely to be serving the city’s former craft beer National Bohemian which Pabst Brewing Company recently bought. Affectionately known as Natty Boh, the brew dates back to the 1800s and is still worth sampling even if it’s no longer a craft beer.

union brewing
Image courtesy of Union Craft Brewing

Try: Dempsey’s Brew Pub, Union Craft Brewing

 

Portland, Maine

Don’t think for a moment Portland, Maine is the “other Portland,” when it comes to craft brews. The city is arguably the birthplace of the microbrewery trend – thank you, Shipyard and Allagash and with about 17 microbreweries for every 4,000 residents there’s something for every type of craft beer fan. Go old school with a Belgian style brew from Allagash Brewing Company, organic with Peak Brewing Company or inventive with Urban Farm Fermentory, where brews use local ingredients and include ciders and kombucha tea.

craft beer

Try: Rising Tide Brewing

 

Kansas City, Missouri

The Midwest is full of great beer cities and with many in driving distance of each other you could almost plan an entire trip around them. If you can only visit one, though, pick Kansas City. The laid-back city is sometimes overlooked but Boulevard Brewery has quietly led the craft brew scene there for nearly 30 years paving the way for others to start up their own. Here you’ll find cozy taprooms, breweries with BBQ pits going outside, and a friendly atmosphere that will make you wish you could stay longer.

Boulevard Brewing Co.
Image courtesy of Boulevard Brewing Co.

Visit Boulevard Brewing Co., Cinder Block Brewery

*Featured image courtesy of DryHop Brewers