Denver History Through a Beer Glass

From the rough and tumble saloon days to 2009’s inaugural Denver Beer Fest, the Mile High City and beer history are intertwined through the ages.

Denver’s Early Years and Early Beers

Denver and beer go back a long way – right back to the city’s founding in 1859. The miners and pioneers who flocked to the new city after gold was discovered in the Platte River were a thirsty bunch – Denver’s downtown was thick with saloons and barrooms. The hub of all most activity was Larimer Square. In fact, the first city government was formed – where else – in a saloon called the Apollo Hall in Larimer Square, which you can check out for yourself at 1425 Larimer Street. Denver’s early residents might have been a little too thirsty in those days – one of the first laws enacted by that city government was an ordinance prohibiting the selling of liquor on the streets or from wagons or tents.

Coors Conquers Colorado

Beer history of monumental proportions was made in the area when a young German immigrant by the name of Adolph Coors (who came to America as a stowaway aboard a ship) founded the Coors Brewery in Golden in 1873. His amber concoction, brewed with fresh Rocky Mountain water from natural springs surrounding the brewery, became a favorite among locals, earning it the name “Miner’s Banquet.” Coors Beer didn’t remain a local secret for long. Over the years, it became one of the largest manufacturers of beer in the U.S., and was family-owned until 2006. But some things never change: Coors still uses the same 44 natural springs that dot the company property to brew its beverages.

Visit the MillerCoors Brewery in Golden, take a 30-minute self-paced tour through its malting, brewing and packaging processes, and sample some fine Coors beverages afterwards (if you’re over 21, of course). Get more info on the MillerCoors Brewery Tour.

Denver’s Dry Years

Prohibition first struck Colorado in 1916, then the entire nation in 1920. Even so, Coors found ways to survive for 18 dry years, including converting the brewery into a malted milk manufacturer. Denver, meanwhile, found ways to keep enjoying beer, albeit in a more discreet fashion. The Miller Building at 1401 Larimer St., was once Gahan’s Saloon, a legendary watering hole and poker hall for politicians, policemen and city hall reporters. During the dry years, Gahan’s Saloon became Gahan’s “Soft Drink Parlor” as a cover for the Denver’s hottest speakeasy, which operated out of the basement.

Oktoberfest Denver

Oktoberfest Denver, celebrating its 40th year in 2009 and one of the largest celebrations of its type in the nation, had some very humble beginnings. The original founder, Hertha Thomas-Zagari, had no plans on creating this festival when she emigrated from Germany to Colorado years ago. She was more intent on running her International Importers shop on Larimer Square and skiing as she did in her beloved Alps. However, one fall day in 1969, she began to yearn for her native Germany and decided to have a small "Oktoberfest" of her own. She, along with her husband, Fred Thomas, purchased a keg of beer and began selling it for 50 cents a cup near the Larimer Square information booth, where The Capital Grille now stands. Now, more than 35 years later, Oktoberfest Denver is attended by over a quarter-million people from the Denver Metro area, greater Colorado, and beyond! And more than just the people have changed. The event now features several hundred kegs, thousands of bratwursts (among other food and drink options), six days of live music, cultural dancing, and amusement rides. This year's event takes place Sept. 18-20 & Sept. 25-27. Get more info at www.oktoberfestdenver.com.

Microbrewery Explosion

Perhaps it was inevitable that Denver’s long beer history would give rise to a population filled with beer lovers – including some who would even begin brewing and selling their own beverages. As a result, Denver has become known as the “Napa Valley of Beer” – on any given day, more beer is brewed in Denver than in any other city in the U.S. Today, there are 15 brewpubs and microbreweries in downtown Denver including the two of the largest in the nation: the Wynkoop Brewing Company and the Rock Bottom Brewery. Interesting beer fact: Denver elected one of the Wynkoop’s founders, John Hickenlooper, mayor in 2006. Coincidence? With so many unique and tasty brews to try in the Mile High City, it’s no wonder Denver has become the go-to metropolis for beer connoisseurs all over the globe.

Great American Beer Festival

Great American Beer Fest 2009 According to the Guinness Book of World Records, there is no other place on earth where a beer aficionado can find more beers on tap than the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held each fall in the Mile High City for 26 years now. Over the course of three days, close to 50,000 beer-lovers tour America’s brewing landscape, one ounce at a time, by sampling more than 1,800 different beers from more than 400 of the nation’s finest breweries. The GABF, which is held annually in Denver’s Colorado Convention Center, gathers practically every type of beer from all of the regions of the country, arranged geographically on the festival floor. The 2009 festival, Sept. 24-26, promises to be bigger and better than ever. More info at www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.

Denver Beer Fest

A new chapter in Denver beer history is being written in 2009, with the first annual Denver Beer Fest taking place Sept. 18-27 at dozens of locations throughout the city. Beer tastings, brewer talks, fun interactive events and plenty of suds-centric activities will be held in brewpubs and restaurants, of course, but also in theaters, art galleries, museums, and other unconventional venues. Inclusive of both Great American Beer Fest and Oktoberfest, Denver Beer Fest promises to be a favorite annual Mile High City event. Get more info at www.denverbeerfest.com.

Denver Beer Fest