Denver's Beer Lovers
We asked a few of the Mile High City's biggest brew experts why they can't get enough of Denver- and Colorado-brewed beer.
Todd Usry
Brewmaster and General Manager,
Breckenridge Brewery
Why, in your opinion, has Denver (and Colorado as a whole) become such a hotspot for beer making and beer-enjoyment?
I think the Colorado lifestyle, which embraces true quality of life, is a major factor in the adoption of craft beer enjoyment. I'm not the first to notice that this is a state where you see a $5,000 bicycle on top of a $500 car. Those same outdoors enthusiasts are the ones who see the quality in craft beer and are willing to pay a little more for interesting, satisfying beer. Our Colorado consumers are also willing to experiment and to share with friends. The fun-loving, open-minded, quality-seeking folks who live in this state created the environment for so many breweries to succeed here.
If you had to drink one Denver or Colorado beer for the rest of your days, which one would it be and why?
Our 471 Small Batch IPA would have to be my pick. Not only is it one of the most complex beers that I've had, it's also one of the most balanced. The food pairing opportunities are endless, and it stands well alone ... especially at the end of a busy day. At 9.2 percent alcohol, it doesn't take much to go to my happy place!
Patrick Doyle
Senior Associate Editor,
5280 Magazine
Why, in your opinion, has Denver (and Colorado as a whole) become such a hotspot for beer making and beer-enjoyment?
I think Colorado has become a hotspot because the entire state has a pioneer, self-sufficiency ethic that's made so many people interested in home brewing. Once you've made your own beer - or tasted a friend's - you recognize how much effort goes into craft beer and how many different varieties there are besides the light lagers from the brewing conglomerates. It also helps that we have some of the top brewers in the country, churning out batches of great beer.
If you had to drink one Denver or Colorado beer for the rest of your days, which one would it be and why?
Only one? I'd go with Dale's Pale Ale - it's a phenomenal, hopped-out beer that I drink year round. And I love the fact that it's canned-makes camping so much easier. Frankly, if I could only choose one beer in the world to drink for the rest of my days, it'd be Dale's.
What's your go-to spot (bar/brewery/otherwise) for drinking Colorado-brewed beer?
I go to the Great Divide Brewery in downtown Denver whenever I have the chance. Every beer Great Divide makes is dialed in, and the crowd that fills up the tap room and patio just has a great laid-back vibe. For a bar, I love going to Jonesy's in Uptown. They have an expertly curated, all Colorado craft beer list. You can't go wrong with anything you order.
Adam Avery
Founder of
Avery Brewing Co.
Why, in your opinion, has Denver (and Colorado as a whole) become such a hotspot for beer making and beer-enjoyment?
There is an entrepreneurial spirit in Colorado. Lots of passionate people who love their hobbies (skiing, climbing, hiking, boating). Just happened to be a handful of crazy, passionate homebrewers at the right time who decided that their hobby should become their profession.
If you had to drink one Denver or Colorado beer for the rest of your days, which one would it be and why?
I'd slit my wrists if I only had one beer to drink for the rest of my life. Especially if it wasn't one of ours!
Jonathan Shikes
Managing Editor,
Westword
Why, in your opinion, has Denver (and Colorado as a whole) become such a hotspot for beer making and beer-enjoyment?
In the same way that IBM acted as a breeding ground for future tech startups, I believe the presence of Coors inspired people to make beer that was bigger and badder than American pilsners. There is also something to the fact that we are at 5,280 feet here and a beer buzz takes you further at altitude.
If you had to drink one Denver or Colorado beer for the rest of your days, which one would it be and why?
Arghh. Only being able to drink one Colorado beer for the rest of my days might kill me. If I had to choose, though, I'd probably go with Gordon from Oskar Blues. It is a huge blend of a red and IPA that smells more like hops that hops themselves.
What's your go-to spot (bar/brewery/otherwise) for drinking Colorado-brewed beer?
For a taphouse, I really like the Rackhouse Pub because of its rotating selection of taps. As for brewpubs, I seem to spend a lot of time at Bull & Bush; I like the cozy, family-friendly vibe and the great beer they make there.
Taylor Rees
Head Brewer,
Great Divide Brewing Co.
Why, in your opinion, has Denver (and Colorado as a whole) become such a hotspot for beer making and beer-enjoyment?
I think Colorado, and the West in general, has always attracted people with an entrepreneurial spirit. This goes back to the early settlers and the days of mining. Those same types of enthusiastic, independent people are still making their way out west, but instead of mining for gold they're brewing delicious beer! As for the beer-enjoyment? That's an easy one. First, people in Colorado have impeccable taste. Combine this with the fact that we're always doing something that makes us thirsty (i.e. skiing, hiking, climbing, biking, fishing, etc) and you're going to see some serious beer drinkers.
If you had to drink one Denver or Colorado beer for the rest of your days, which one would it be and why?
That's almost an impossible question to answer with so many amazing beers being produced here in Colorado! But if I had to pick, it would be Great Divide's Hoss Rye Lager. It's a refreshing lager with great complexity and tons of drinkability.
What's your go-to spot (bar/brewery/otherwise) for drinking Colorado-brewed beer?
I've got a few: Falling Rock Tap House, City O' City, Jonesy's Eat Bar, and my newest spot, Star Bar.
