Beer Aficionado's Guide to Denver

Chug-a-lug? Not in Denver. Thanks to its wide array of microbreweries, brewpubs, and taverns discerning beer drinkers are making pilgrimages to The Mile High City to sample some of the world's greatest brews.

Here's a look at Denver's must-visit destinations for beer aficionados, almost all within walking distance of each other!

Denver Breweries

Wynkoop Brewing Company

Denver's first brewpub, Wynkoop Brewing Company (co-founded in 1988 by former Denver Mayor and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper), produces more than 4,000 barrels of fresh beer annually, earning it a place among the largest brewpubs in the country. Housed in LoDo's 1899-built J.S. Brown Mercantile building, Wynkoop is packed with 22 pool tables, multiple dart boards and other bar games, but the beer is the main attraction for suds aficionados. Start with their flagship brew, the Rail Yard Ale, a smooth, amber beer that combines the malty goodness of an Oktoberfest lager with the slight fruitiness of an ale.

Tip: Ask what's on the cask-conditioned rotator tap. Wynkoop rotates cask-conditioned ales such as Quinn's Scottish Ale, the Churchyard Ale and the Splatz Porter, each with its own cult following among in-the-know beer drinkers.

Rock Bottom Brewery

The minds behind Rock Bottom Brewery, with locations on the 16th Street Mall and in the Denver Tech Center, believe that the best beer is the freshest beer. All of Rock Bottom's beer (40,000 barrels yearly, the highest volume of beer in the restaurant brewery category) is handcrafted on-site by dedicated brewmasters with a reverence for the rich traditions of brewing. As a result, beer experts have piled on the accolades, naming it the "Brewpub Group and Brewpub Group Brewer of the Year" at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival®. Try Molly's Titanic Brown Ale (so named for Denver's famed "Unsinkable" Molly Brown), an English-style ale that finely balances malt flavor and hops.

Tip: On Friday evenings in the summer, Rock Bottom on the 16th Street Mall hosts a rockin' outdoor concert series, featuring beloved local bands.

Farm House at Breckenridge Brewery

Like so many brewpubs, Breckenridge Brewery started out modestly in a home brewer's basement. Today, Breckenridge Brewery satisfies the thirsts of discerning beer drinkers at two locations in Colorado with such unique brews as Agave Wheat (created using the nectar of Salmiana Agave), Avalance Ale (a classic American amber ale boasting hearty amounts of pale, chocolate and caramel malts) and Oatmeal Stout (a bold, smooth-bodied concoction that magically combines dark-roasted coffee aromas and flavors of espresso and semi-sweet chocolate). Opened in 25015, the Farm House is situated on a 12-acre stretch of land just south of Denver that was once a carnation farm.

Tip: Hungry? You'll also find delicious eats at the Farm House, including dishes made with the brewery's beers. Try the Sausage Board with Nitro Irish Stout Mustard, the House-Smoked Chicken Wings brined in Avalanche Ale or the Low & Slow Pulled Pork with Hop Peak BBQ sauce.

Great Divide Brewing Co.

Eighteen Great American Beer Festival® medals. Five World Beer Cup awards. Fourteen spots on BeerAdvocate‘s “Top Rated Beers: Colorado.” Named "Top Brewer in Colorado" by RateBeer.com in 2013. Yes, Denver's Great Divide Brewing Co. has racked up its fair share of awards and acclaim since its founding in 1994 — so many that it has become a must-visit destination for beer lovers worldwide. At Great Divide's Tap Room in downtown Denver, sample any of their beers on tap or in bottles, as well as the occasional Tap Room-only special release. Grab a seat on the patio and toast Denver's beautiful skyline with some of Colorado's finest beers. Or get some Great Divide to go: choose from a full selection of bottled beers, or bring in a growler and the brewers will fill it to the brim.

Tip: Great Divide's Barrel Bar in RiNo features a state-of-the-art packaging facility, canning line and barrel-aged and sour beer storage, as well as a tap room where you can try anything on the current lineup.

Blue Moon Brewing Company

Ice-cold brews and baseball — a match made in heaven. Just behind right field at LoDo's Coors Field (home of the Colorado Rockies) sits the Blue Moon Brewing Company at the Sandlot. A bit of a contradiction in terms, this is a microbrewery that's run by a mega-brewery: MillerCoors. But the beer served is mainly of the craft variety, centered on Blue Moon beers, which were first brewed right here in Denver. Their Belgian White Ale was their first claim to fame when it took top prize at the World Beer Championships. It's an unfiltered Belgian-style wheat ale with deep flavor and a uniquely cloudy appearance. The brewers suggest you try it with a slice of orange to bring out the natural spices and subtle fruit flavor. Blue Moon's newest location is in the River North Art District (RiNo).

Tip: Every summer, Blue Moon makes a handful of special brews that are exclusive to Coors Field. Ask the brewers what's on tap, and enjoy a cold one while the Rockies play.

Thirsty Lion Gastropub & Grill

If you haven't yet visited the revived Union Station neighborhood, Thirsty Lion should be your first stop. In addition to offering a worldly menu with local and seasonal ingredients, their taps have over 50 brews flowing — roughly half of which are from Colorado.

Tip: After dinner and drinks, take a stroll through the restored Union Station and stop into another neighborhood hot spot, like Terminal Bar, located inside the train station's former ticketing office, for a nightcap.

Denver Beer Co.

Good beer is best enjoyed with friends, fresh air and a bit of adventurous spirit to sharpen the palate. Located in the Riverfront neighborhood just west of downtown, Denver Beer Co. is thought to be one of the best breweries in Denver and specializes in artisan and seasonal varieties of premium ales and lagers made from the best ingredients around. The tap list is constantly changing — you may get the fan-favorite Graham Cracker Porter, the delectable Peach Saison or the hoppier-than-thou Fresh Hop IPA. They're all fantastic examples of great Denver beer. The patio is always a happening place to enjoy great beer and some Mile High City sunshine.

Tip: Keep an eye on Denver Beer's website for future Beer Dinners, when the brewery teams up with a local foodcart, providing them with four hand-crafted brews to use as ingredients, as well as partners for the dishes.

Ale House at Amato's

The first thing you'll notice is the view. Located in the Lower Highlands neighborhood west of downtown, Amato's rooftop patio boasts a stunning panorama of Denver's skyline. Next, of course, you'll notice the beer. A collaborative effort by Breckenridge Brewery and Wynkoop Brewing Company, Amato's is a tribute to Colorado craft brewing, with 42 Centennial State beers on tap. The beer lineup changes daily, so stop in often to try the Colorado craft industry's latest and greatest.

Tip: Beer is just the beginning. Amato's boasts a handcrafted cocktail list, with drinks that are built with small-batch, Colorado-made liquors and other local ingredients.

Renegade Brewing

Maybe Denver's Art District on Santa Fe should change its name to the Art (and Beer) District on Santa Fe. Renegade Brewing is that good. Founded by Brian and Khara O'Connell in the summer of 2011, the brewery's "offensively delicious" brews were homebrewed initially. But friends and family encouraged the O'Connells to take their beers to the people! One sip of their flagship brew, Redacted Rye IPA, and you'll be a believer, too — the citrusy hops and spicy rye are irresistible.

Tip: Renegade brews up laughs on Saturday nights with their weekly Open Mic Comedy Night. Grab a beer at the bar and then stake out your spot for the 7 p.m. show.

Denver ChopHouse & Brewery

Housed in a beautifully restored historic building just across from Coors Field, the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery offers outdoor decks, live music and fine dining. The beers the ChopHouse brews are fantastic, too. There are twelve craft beers on tap, including German favorites like a Dopplebock, a Dortmunder Lager and a Dark Munich Lager. Cuisine ranges from burgers to filet mignon — meaning anyone's tastes will be satisfied here.

Tip: The ChopHouse also has a location at Denver International Airport, in case you're in need of a great craft brew before (or after) a flight.

Black Shirt Brewing Co.

This family-run brewery was founded with one maxim in mind: "Do one thing and do it better than anyone else." In Black Shirt's case, that one thing is the red ale. But if you think that means this brewery's lineup lacks variety, think again. This RiNo staple has a red ale for every palette, from red saisons and kolshes to red porters and IPAs. Every beer is handcrafted in small batches. Raise your glass in the taproom, on the patio or in the beer garden.

Tip: This "music-driven" brewery doubles as a concert venue, with a one-of-a-kind stage made from wooden pallets and barrels. Check the calendar for upcoming shows.

Pubs and Tap Rooms

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

2907 HURON ST.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot buzzes with an impressive selection of 90 whiskeys, 30 beers on tap and whiskey-forward cocktails, plus a menu that elevates simple tavern fare to inventive, crave-able dishes. Fan favorites include the fried chicken with a honey-Sriracha drizzle and the glazed Brussels sprouts. The rooftop deck is a go-to spot on sunny days, while vinyl booths and a retro vibe make the inside dining room a cheery gathering place year round.

Don't Miss: Stop in on Saturday 1-7 p.m. or Sunday 1 p.m.-2 a.m. for Whiskey Weekends — $1 off all whiskey, whiskey cocktails and whiskey flights.

Scruffy Murphy's Irish Pub

2030 LARIMER ST.

Scruffy Murphy's is easily one of the most authentic slices of the Emerald Isle you'll find in Denver. Just minutes away from Coors Field, Scruffy's is the perfect place to grab a pint or enjoy some traditional Irish pub fare - shepherd's pie, bangers & mash, and much more. While you're there, say hello to Andrew Toole, the pub's owner, who is often manning the bar or chatting up the locals.

Don't Miss: On Wednesday and Sunday, Scruffy's hosts a traditional Irish music session beginning at 7 p.m.

My Brother's Bar

2376 15TH ST.

My Brother's Bar is a Mile High City institution known for its Beat Generation clientele - this was renowned Beats Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady's watering hole of choice in the 1950s. Today, not much has changed at My Brother's - you can still get a pint and a burger for under $10 and enjoy one of the city's coolest spots.

Don't Miss: The sunny patio in the back of My Brother's.

The Irish Rover

54 S. BROADWAY

Amidst the indie rock clubs and cutting edge boutiques of South Broadway, you'll encounter the Irish Rover, a relaxed and friendly pub. Enjoy a pint or two, chat with the locals, sit by the fire place or on your high stool at the bar. International sports fans love the Rover for its six large televisions, playing rousing football (European-style, of course) games.

Don't Miss: The Irish Rover's huge rooftop patio - one of the best places to chase a sunset view in Denver.

Pints Pub

221 W. 13TH AVE.

While there are plenty of Irish pubs in Denver, the city also has a fantastic British-style pub in the shape of Pints Pub, located just down the street from the Denver Art Museum. At Pints, you'll find the charm and personality of the "local," a place that serves as a crossroads for society, where good beer, good food and good conversation are on the bill of fare.

Don't Miss: The extensive selection of single malt whisky — the menu is 16 pages long!

Guided Tours

Denver Microbrew Tour

Find out why Denver has been dubbed the "Napa Valley of Beer." The Denver Microbrew Tour is a 1.5-mile guided walking tour in downtown Denver's historic LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood. The tour includes 10 samples at four of downtown's best breweries and tap rooms, including Wynkoop Brewing Company and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. The guides are bona fide Denver brew aficionados, so you'll come out of this tour knowing more about beer than you ever thought possible.

Aspire Tours' Denver RiNo Craft Brewery Tour

In no other neighborhood is the Denver craft beer culture more visible than in the River North Art District (RiNo). Located just north of downtown, RiNo has transformed from an industrial landscape into one of the hippest spots in Denver, featuring art galleries, innovative businesses and a variety of craft breweries. Aspire Tours highlights a few of the microbreweries that stand out for innovation, quality and their unique perspective on craft beer, including Epic Brewing Company and Black Shirt Brewing Co.

Denver Brews Cruise

Being driven from brewpub to brewpub, from microbrewery to microbrewery, with VIP treatment at every turn? Not a bad way to spend a few hours! On the Denver Brews Cruise, you'll start at Pints Pub and then experience the distinct tastes and styles of three of downtown Denver's fine craft breweries. From porters and stouts to Belgians, pale ales and lagers, Denver Brews Cruise is sure to satisfy everyone's craft cravings.

Drink RiNo

With 15 craft breweries, cideries, wineries and distilleries in a one-mile radius, RiNo is the craft beverage epicenter. Take a DRiNk RiNo tour on an electric-powered, completely modernized eTuk rickshaw.

Mile High Bike Tours

See some of the city’s best attractions by bicycle on the Bike & Brew Tour, then head to RiNo to sample some of Denver’s finest craft beer on this three-hour, fun-filled excursion.

Good Things to Know About Denver's Beer Scene

The Biggest Brewery in the World

With production of more than 17 million barrels of beer a year, the Coors Brewery in Golden is the largest single brewery in the world. Located 12 miles from downtown Denver, the brewery experience includes a 30-minute, self-paced tour through the malting, brewing and packaging processes, generous samples in the hospitality lounge and shopping in the Coors & Co. gift shop. Samples are available only to guests 21+ with a valid ID. Non-alcoholic beverages are also available. Tours cost $10 for non-Colorado residents and $5 for Colorado residents; tours are free for active duty military.

The GABF® + Denver Beer Week

For decades, Denver has been home to America's largest beer festival — the Great American Beer Festival® (GABF®). Over 800 American brewers participate in the festival, serving more than 4,000 different beers, ales, stouts, porters and lagers, all competing for the most coveted medals in the industry. Around 60,000 beer-lovers come to the event each year, taking place each fall at the Colorado Convention Center.

Coinciding with the Great American Beer Festival® every year, Denver Beer Week, a celebration of all things beer, includes beer tastings at local Denver restaurants, beer-paired dinners, "meet the brewer" nights, beer tappings, Denver brewery tours and a variety of entertaining beer events throughout the city.

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