Oh, Denver! A city filled with more breweries than my liver can handle.
With only a limited amount of time to drink my way through a plethora of breweries, I accepted the challenge and begun the hunt for the best breweries in downtown Denver.
I chose to focus on the downtown Denver region mostly due to the convenience of brewery hoping. It gave me a chance to walk the city instead of driving, which if you didn’t know, I love my afternoon strolls.
After countless flights of beer and long conversations with beer lovers alike, here are the best breweries in downtown Denver. Bottoms Up!
[toc]
Great Divide Brewing Co.
Chances are you’ve heard and tasted the award-winning beers of Great Divide Brewery.
Sure you can get their beers all over the country, but nothing beats going to the mother-ship and seeing the brewery in action.
Come in, pick your beer from the chalkboard menu and enjoy. Be sure to take a brewery tour and learn about what makes this beer so great.
I like to think I left as a wiser beer connoisseur.
Location:Â 2201 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80205
What’s on the menu:Â Great Divide has plenty of beer options ranging from lagers to ales and everything in between.
They offer seasonal and year-round beers. You are sure to find one, or two, or three that you love.
Must-try beer:Â Oatmeal Yeti
Wynkoop Brewing Co.
I’m sure you have read about this legendary brewery in countless other blogs.
Believe everything that you hear. Wynkoop Brewing Co. has a lot of history and will feel it as soon as you walk in.
It feels and looks like an old school brewery, which is exactly what it is.
Yup, Wynkoop is dubbed Denver’s first brewery. Walk-in to creeky wooden floors, wooden tables, and industrial lighting.
Go up the wooden staircase to pool tables and more seating.
It’s a great place to let loose over a game of pool or chat it up with the bartenders and friends.
Location:Â 1634 18th St., Denver, CO 80202
What’s on the menu:Â Wynkoop has a rotating beer tap making every trip exciting.
You never know what you will get.
If you’re not sure what you want, the bartenders are happy to educate you on the different beers and give you some samples.
Also, be sure to try something off their beer-infused food menu.
Must-try beer: Monk-y Business Tripel
Rock Bottom Downtown Denver
Of all the breweries on this list, Rock Bottom is the most chain. I compared it to a Gordon Biersch, only much better.
The food was great and so was the beer.
This is the type of place you go to when you are in the mood to relax at a private booth, eat a full meal, and try some beers.
Perfect for large parties and when sports games are on.
This brewery is also located right in Larimer Square (a must-visit).
For more on Larimer Square, check out my Denver Travel Guide.
Location:Â 1001 16th St., Denver, CO 80265
What’s on the menu:Â Rock Bottom brewers focus on two things when crafting their beers: clean and classic.
They value the traditions of beer making and use only the finest ingredients when brewing.
You can say they’re “Brewfectionists”.
Try one of their many ales: red, Indian, pale and more!
Must-try beer: Wicked Elf Ale
Jagged Mountain Brewery
Jagged Mountain was the last stop on my downtown Denver brewery tour but by far number one on my list.
That’s why I saved it for last of course.
You can tell the beer masters love that they do because it shows in the quality taste of their beers.
Beer aside, I love the feel of this place. Small cozy tasting room with windows all around.
Everyone around playing cards, drinking beer and hanging out.
It was the perfect afternoon.
Location:Â 1139 20th St., Denver, CO 80202
What’s on the menu:Â Using locally sourced ingredients, Jagged Mountain brewery changes their menu all the time.
Be sure to check out their website for keg tapping release dates.
Must-try beer: Barrel-Aged Bike Built For Two
Denver is known as one of the best destinations in the U.S. to live. The quality of life (and good beer) shows. I encourage you to take a weekend trip.
Psst. . . Looking for more boozy getaways? Check out a few of these posts:
-
Where to Eat, Drink & Get Weird in Berlin
-
Top 3 Beer Garden in Prague for Brews, Views & Locals
-
Afternoon Tea at Sketch: A Pink Dining Daydream
To all my beer lovers out there, what do you look for in a good beer? Leave a reply in the comments below!
This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission (at no cost to you) when you purchase through these links, which helps me keep my lights on and order pizza from Dominos! I am extremely grateful. Thank you.
[mailmunch-form id="694818"]
Did you find this post helpful? Let others know and PIN!
There’s nothing better on a hot day than a crisp cold beer. And now I know where to go if I ever visit Denver. All these breweries sound like good choices, and the Monk-y business tripel is a good name!
Though I’m not much of a beer drinker, this list seems like a great guide to help navigate the expansive brewery scene that Denver holds. From the homegrown craft breweries to the more chain-like restaurants, there seems to be something for everyone. I just might have to grab a pint next time I’m in town!
Thank you. I appreciate the feedback 🙂
Well though I am personally not a beer drinker, but your post is just apt for a friend of mine who is both a beer fanatic and travel lover, I am sure he would love to explore this and try out these amazing breweries. Sharing with him 🙂
I’ve never been to Denver. However, I’m a self proclaimed Beer lover and would probably enjoy spending time at any of the great places you’ve recommended. Wynkoop Brewing Co. in particular sounds very enticing.
Yes please! To be honest, I dont drink very often but when I do it has to be on a good occassion and having a brewery hoping is a great occassion to drink right! I usually lik my beer blonde and light but I am open minded so perhaps during my visit to one of these beer brewery in Denver I will find a new favorite!
You have nailed it! it’s such a comprehensive list of choices for beer lovers. I really want to try the Oatmeal Yeti of Great Divide Brewery, albeit they all look good. Wish they ran a beer challenge on the lines of a chug-a-thon from time to time. Tee hee… 😉 Cheers!!
Thank you so much!
I love any beer that has flavor! I tend to like IPAs or stouts or sours. I am actually going to Denver in just a couple of weeks, so I’ll definitely bookmark this. Jagged Mountain Brewery sounds fantastic!
Oh you’re going to have so much fun. I still don’t have the care for IPAs.
OMG Denver is surely the place for me. I am a total Beer lover and I can spend days there to sample all of it. It sounds so much fun to go on a beer hopping and come back home happy high. Its a great list of breweries you have mentioned here. Great post.
Ah, this reminds me of my husband! I’m not much of a beer drinker, but he is, and he’d love to make the rounds at all of these lol. I’d enjoy tagging along to Wynkopp for the history and the creaky floorboards, though! Sounds like my kind of place.