How Denver Became the Napa Valley of Craft Beer (and What to Try There)

“As much as people like to knock on big macro breweries, Coors definitely had a huge influence on the culture of beer, the acceptance of beer, and the knowledge of beer,” says Chan. And Coors’ decision to launch what would become one of the world’s largest beer companies in Denver was no accident. “Coors decided to start here because of proximity to the snow melt water,” Chan explains. “Snow melt from the mountains is generally very high quality water.”

That unique natural asset—and Coors’ success—helped cement Denver’s beer identity early on. But that was just the beginning. In 1978, homebrewing trailblazer and educator Charlie Papazian founded the American Homebrewers Association in nearby Boulder, helping to spark a homebrewing revolution. As Chan explains it, the combination of Papazian’s passion and Coors’ resources “allowed this fertile ground to flourish.” Today, the greater Denver region (including Fort Collins and Boulder) boasts both hyper-local craft breweries as well as nationally recognized brands such as Great Divide Brewing Company, Avery Brewing Company, and New Belgium Brewing Company.

Chan says Denver stands out from other cities with strong beer scenes (like Portland, Oregon or San Diego, California) because of local producers’ ability to perfect certain styles of beer, including sour or wild beers or lagers. He points to places like Bierstadt Lagerhaus that have really invested in their craft and then passed on their knowledge to other local brewers, helping grow the scene beyond their own specific contributions.

“They flew out a German brew system and really dedicated their whole approach towards German beers and the process … That attention to detail—in terms of replicating truly authentic German styles—has allowed them the opportunity to mentor many brewers in the area,” he explains. “Now, you're seeing more and more local breweries doing true German styles and adopting some of the approaches that they've taken.”

For those interested in exploring Denver’s beer scene, Chan recommends visiting beer-centric neighborhoods, so that you can get the widest possible array of Denver craft beer without having to drive all over town. And the best one to start with, he says, is the River North Art District (RiNo).

“The RiNo neighborhood is a huge driving force for the craft beer scene,” Chan says. The neighborhood is home to over a dozen breweries that Chan recommends, including Bierstadt, Our Mutual Friend, Ratio, Great Divide, River North, Mockery, O’Dell’s Denver location, New Belgium, and Stem Cider. “I think that’s one of the higher concentrations of breweries within a 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) radius of any area in the entire country,” he explains. “You can be a fan of virtually any type of style and find something there.”

He also recommends visiting the areas of Baker, South Broadway, Tennyson Street, and Lower Highlands (LoHi). “The neighborhood aspect is a great way for someone who's visiting the city to say, ‘Hey, I'm going to dedicate one specific day to this neighborhood’ and be able to try virtually anything and everything that they would want.”

Best breweries with food: If you want great beer paired with delicious food, Chan says Goed Zuur is a must-visit spot. “They’re probably the best in terms of high-level food with high-level beer,” he explains, pointing to their renowned cheese pairing program and sour beer selection. Other top choices include Hops & Pie, Briar Common Brewery + Eatery, and LowDown Brewery + Kitchen.

Best breweries for families: Danico Brewing Company in Northeast Denver is a great option for families and adult travelers alike. “They’re incredibly thoughtful in the things they do,” promises Chan, pointing to their “Kids Corner” stocked with games, art supplies, and cozy bean bag chairs. Another gem is FlyteCo Brewing, which boasts a mini-golf course, a full arcade, and even a bowling alley. Finally, he says the first Latinx-owned and operated craft brewery in Colorado, Cheluna Brewing, is popular with locals, thanks to its accommodations for guests of all ages at this family-run operation (including an outdoor patio that allows furry friends) and a convenient suburban location in Aurora’s Stanley Marketplace.

Most inclusive breweries: Denver’s well-established LGBTQ+ culture means there are a number of breweries that specifically cater to diverse crowds. Women- and queer-owned Lady Justice Brewing Company in Aurora is one such equitably-minded brewery. They incorporate social justice into every aspect of their operations, including charitable donations to nonprofits that support women and non-binary people and even naming their beers after influential pioneers, such as Sandra Day IPA. Goldspot Brewing Company in Northwest Denver, another woman-owned brewery, hosts events like drag bingo as well as open mic nights, providing fun for everyone.

Most innovative breweries: There’s no shortage of breweries pushing the envelope here, Chan promises. He points to New Image Brewing as one of the more cutting-edge breweries in the Denver area, as well as Latinx-owned and operated Raices Brewing Company. “Raices is unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” he says. “They truly do invest in the Latino community and do a lot of programming that you would never see at any other brewery.”

“If you’re a true beer geek, late September to October is the best time,” says Chan. Not only is it when Denver hosts the annual Great American Beer Festival, it’s also when breweries host Oktoberfest events—and it’s fresh hop season. Summertime is also a no-brainer, because the warm months are the most glorious season to be outdoors here.

While Denver’s schedule of beer-centric events runs all year round, Chan notes that one of the city’s annual events is his personal favorite: “Big Beers Belgians and Barleywines is the best festival that I’ve been to,” he says. “It’s a little bit of a hidden gem, but once you’re there, you want to go back every single year.”