The Colorado Thread

[Ispeakforthetrees]

Alright, so since I'll be in the Denver area for a few days in early Denver, I have a few questions for the locals to help me finalize my itinerary. For all practical purposes, I'll only be in Denver, not Boulder or Fort Collins (I'll also be in Colorado Springs for a bit, but I don't get the impression there are any must hit spots even if my schedule allows; if I'm wrong please correct me). So:

1) Right now the spots that strike me as essential visits are Black Project, Cerebral, Crooked Stave, and Strange Craft for breweries, and Goed Zuur and The Crafty Fox for bars. I'll also be hitting Yak & Yeti (and probably New Image given proximity), and possibly Odell. Should I be skipping any of these? And which spots should I be adding? Right now the other spots on my radar are: 4 Noses, Bierstadt Lagerhaus, Black Shirt, Freshcraft, Great Divide Barrel Bar, Hogshead, Hops & Pies, Mockery, Our Mutual Friend, Ratio, River North, and Trve. Especially interested in places that serve flights/small pours or a strong bottle list, have compelling sours, and don't allow dogs inside.

2) I get the impression Casey is somewhat reasonably available within Denver these days. What I'm less clear on is the sort of pricing I ought to expect. The only prices I have for reference is the bottle list at Hops and Pies, which has prices like:

• Cherry Family Preserves - $49
  
• Nectarine Bank - $49
  
• Nectarine Fruit Stand - $33
• Saison - $25
• The Cut: Nectarine - $56

Is that about the pricing I ought to expect in bars? And, assuming that to be the case, how do bottle shop prices compare?

3) Any bottle shop recommendations in the Highlands? Especially interested in having access to Casey and Weldwerks. Bonus points if they happen to sell styro shippers so I can buy more than I'll drink while in town.

SpentBrain, Work & Class is on the itinerary. Several others you mentioned were considered (Hop Alley, Populist, Cart Driver), but wound up getting passed over for certain higher priority stops like Biker Jim's and Euclid Hall.

Man drop the BA crowd advice and get with the heros.

Biker Jim's is a joke.

Black shirt = gross. Mockery and strange are run of the mill.

 

[Ispeakforthetrees]

Also Crafty Fox is my go-to spot. Haters be damned Kevin is my boyyyyyyyyy

 

[souredstouts]

Black shirt = gross. Mockery and strange are run of the mill.

Black shirt brewing = BSB = Backstreet Boys

 

[reverseapachemaster1]

Also Crafty Fox is my go-to spot. Haters be damned Kevin is my boyyyyyyyyy

I'm not hateful. I like drinking there but it's usually not the beer list people fly several states to drink.

 

[beerindex]

Man drop the BA crowd advice and get with the heros.

Biker Jim's is a joke.

Black shirt = gross. Mockery and strange are run of the mill.

Well, that's why I'm asking here...BA was a starting point, not what I want setting my agenda.

Re: Biker Jim's, joke or not, they sell reindeer meat, so I can't see skipping it.

 

[Stubs]

Well, that's why I'm asking here...BA was a starting point, not what I want setting my agenda.

Re: Biker Jim's, joke or not, they sell reindeer meat, so I can't see skipping it.

Seems like you should go to the Buckhorn Exchange.

 

[user 308679]

I appreciate the insight. Didn't realize 4 Noses was that far afield, so I guess that won't make the cut. And I hadn't heard of Finn's Manor, but that sounds promising and conveniently located. Maybe I'll check out those bottle shops on the way into town to pick up a bit of Casey and cut down the bar bills. Thanks for your input.

Got my first taste of Summer Whimsy from 4Noses, which dropped in cans all over town this week. Highly recommend.

4Noses is right next to my office so I stop in often. The beers are great but easily attainable from stores like Small Batch Liquors, which is my go-to when I venture south.

 

[McNazz]

Welp Zwanze Day in Denver is officially ded. CS is moving it to taproom in The Source this year where no outside bottles are allowed on the premises. It's like those monsters took Christmas and turned it into Tax Day. #ruined

 

[agrippin]

Welp Zwanze Day in Denver is officially ded. CS is moving it to taproom in The Source this year where no outside bottles are allowed on the premises. It's like those monsters took Christmas and turned it into Tax Day. #ruined

Always curious as to what they will ruin next.

 

[chemman141]

Always curious as to what they will ruin next.

Pretty sure you will be able to add the shelton fest to that list once it's all said and done.

 

[TDBuck]

Is there anything worthwhile beer wise in the Durango area? I’ll be in CO at the end of the month and while I’ll be making stops in Denver, Ft Collins, and Colorado Springs, but I’ll be in Durango for a couple of days for a wedding and I’ve never been to that part of the state before.

Also as a complete Zwanze noob, isn’t it even worthwhile to stop in later in the day for scraps if there are any? I unfortunately don’t land until 2 or 3pm that day

 

[scramin85]

Is there anything worthwhile beer wise in the Durango area? I’ll be in CO at the end of the month and while I’ll be making stops in Denver, Ft Collins, and Colorado Springs, but I’ll be in Durango for a couple of days for a wedding and I’ve never been to that part of the state before.

Also as a complete Zwanze noob, isn’t it even worthwhile to stop in later in the day for scraps if there are any? I unfortunately don’t land until 2 or 3pm that day

ska's worth a visit for sure if you haven't been.

 

[thebandit1]

Is there anything worthwhile beer wise in the Durango area?

MordorMongo

 

[MordorMongo]

Is there anything worthwhile beer wise in the Durango area? I’ll be in CO at the end of the month and while I’ll be making stops in Denver, Ft Collins, and Colorado Springs, but I’ll be in Durango for a couple of days for a wedding and I’ve never been to that part of the state before.

Also as a complete Zwanze noob, isn’t it even worthwhile to stop in later in the day for scraps if there are any? I unfortunately don’t land until 2 or 3pm that day

Ska is not too shabby. Carver’s is decent though I think the food outshines the beer they have some decent stuff.

Complete disclosure I’m usually so high that it doesn’t matter.

Was not a fan of steamworks.

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

Also as a complete Zwanze noob, isn’t it even worthwhile to stop in later in the day for scraps if there are any? I unfortunately don’t land until 2 or 3pm that day

In past years I might have said yes because 2-300 people were there mostly for the bottle share outside in the lot. Stuff tended to last longer with that many drunk people. Guessing with no kind of share going on it's going to be people there just to get the Cantillon and get out. CS is the Cantillon distributor in CO so in the past it seemed like at least half of what gets distributed here is saved for Zwanze day sales at the taproom. That place is not big enough for the crowd that usually shows up. I'm not wasting my time heading into that crowd.

 

[thebandit1]

In past years I might have said yes because 2-300 people were there mostly for the bottle share outside in the lot. Stuff tended to last longer with that many drunk people. Guessing with no kind of share going on it's going to be people there just to get the Cantillon and get out. CS is the Cantillon distributor in CO so in the past it seemed like at least half of what gets distributed here is saved for Zwanze day sales at the taproom. That place is not big enough for the crowd that usually shows up. I'm not wasting my time heading into that crowd.

And that part of town is full of worthless hipsters.

 

[TDBuck]

In past years I might have said yes because 2-300 people were there mostly for the bottle share outside in the lot. Stuff tended to last longer with that many drunk people. Guessing with no kind of share going on it's going to be people there just to get the Cantillon and get out. CS is the Cantillon distributor in CO so in the past it seemed like at least half of what gets distributed here is saved for Zwanze day sales at the taproom. That place is not big enough for the crowd that usually shows up. I'm not wasting my time heading into that crowd.

Thanks. I had plans for Saturday night but now my buddy has to work the Oktoberfest and I’m trying to decide on some alternative plans.

 

[BeerandNoise]

Have a friend visiting Denver this weekend, what breweries should they be hitting up for bottles to pick up? I'm thinking saisons and wild beers and stouts/porters? But, open to other suggestions- just must keep well as I won't be able to consume them until December (so, IPA and lagers unlikely). Appreciate the insight! Figure the scene in Denver evolves quickly like it does here in Portland.

Cheers!

 

[chemman141]

Have a friend visiting Denver this weekend, what breweries should they be hitting up for bottles to pick up? I'm thinking saisons and wild beers and stouts/porters? But, open to other suggestions- just must keep well as I won't be able to consume them until December (so, IPA and lagers unlikely). Appreciate the insight! Figure the scene in Denver evolves quickly like it does here in Portland.

Cheers!

I know you said no lagers, but bierstadt $5 crowlers are impossible to beat.

 

[harrymel1]

Advice on good place in downtown Denver area for variety of IPAs and dinner?

And suggestions for unique grub? Or good places for whiskey selection (bottle and drink)?

Thanks!

 

[CITC3120327]

Looks like the wife and I will be making a trip out there in August. Hoping to touch some tips while out there. I'm looking at you scramin85 Cronkite11 ripps1 DenverBeerDrinker and anyone else who would want to bang.

 

[ripps1]

Looks like the wife and I will be making a trip out there in August. Hoping to touch some tips while out there. I'm looking at you scramin85 Cronkite11 ripps1 DenverBeerDrinker and anyone else who would want to bang.

 

[DenverBeerDrinker]

Looks like the wife and I will be making a trip out there in August. Hoping to touch some tips while out there. I'm looking at you scramin85 Cronkite11 ripps1 DenverBeerDrinker and anyone else who would want to bang.

Hopefully it's timed right and we can touch tips. Making a trip to the beer mecca of Tanzania some where around that time (dates not set in stone yet)

 

[CITC3120327]

Looks like the wife and I will be making a trip out there in August. Hoping to touch some tips while out there. I'm looking at you scramin85 Cronkite11 ripps1 DenverBeerDrinker and anyone else who would want to bang.

Confirmed now. Will most likely be there 3rd-10th but dates may change. Seeing OAR at red rocks for the first time on 8/8. Pretty pumped about that.

 

[ripps1]

Confirmed now. Will most likely be there 3rd-10th but dates may change. Seeing OAR at red rocks for the first time on 8/8. Pretty pumped about that.

As of right now I don't have any work travel that week, but that may change. I should be around for a beer and to touch tips.

 

[PurityControl88]

In Ft Collins for the evening if anyone wants to grab a beer. Cheers!

 

[dsigmon]

I've read through most of the thread...okay so like the first 10 pages and last 10 pages. I will be heading to Denver in late August 21-25 with the lady. This is our first trip to the area and I'm trying to determine the best game plan to get the most out of our trip. We will be doing the reggae festival at Red Rocks all day Saturday but would like to know if the trip to Durango (or other areas outside of Denver) would be worth the trip versus staying in Denver exclusively. I'm not as concerned with the brewery scene (you guys have plenty of info on that) as much as I am knowing what areas/pockets would be best to visit in/around Denver for the vibe/things to do as well as any dining suggestions or bourbon/whiskey bars with I shouldn't miss.

Thanks in advance!

 

[thebandit1]

I've read through most of the thread...okay so like the first 10 pages and last 10 pages. I will be heading to Denver in late August 21-25 with the lady. This is our first trip to the area and I'm trying to determine the best game plan to get the most out of our trip. We will be doing the reggae festival at Red Rocks all day Saturday but would like to know if the trip to Durango (or other areas outside of Denver) would be worth the trip versus staying in Denver exclusively. I'm not as concerned with the brewery scene (you guys have plenty of info on that) as much as I am knowing what areas/pockets would be best to visit in/around Denver for the vibe/things to do as well as any dining suggestions or bourbon/whiskey bars with I shouldn't miss.

Thanks in advance!

Durango is a solid six hours southwest of Denver so you’d need to plan a few days there. The drive down there alone may be worth it, thought.

I can see Red Rocks from my back yard and can confirm that there really isn’t anything to do around there for nightlife, so if you stay in Denver the whole time you are best being downtown and/or visiting Boulder. It is a great jumping off point for hikes/fishing/awesome outdoor stuff though.

 

[dsigmon]

Durango is a solid six hours southwest of Denver so you’d need to plan a few days there. The drive down there alone may be worth it, thought.

I can see Red Rocks from my back yard and can confirm that there really isn’t anything to do around there for nightlife, so if you stay in Denver the whole time you are best being downtown and/or visiting Boulder. It is a great jumping off point for hikes/fishing/awesome outdoor stuff though.

**** **** ****. I meant Boulder, not Durango. My bad!

 

[ripps1]

**** **** ****. I meant Boulder, not Durango. My bad!

Eureka in Boulder has good food and a nice drink menu.

Salt has good food and drinks as well.