They don’t need to add anything more to have a stellar pint. Basically, the decree limited the ingredients in beer to water, hops, malt, and yeast, so expect a tap list consisting of very traditional, unadulterated beers. The lagerhaus follows the strict Reinheitsgebot process, otherwise known as the German Beer Purity Law of 1516.
Given the sheer number of breweries in the Denver area, it makes sense that some turn to using pretty off-the-wall adjuncts (we’re talking Sour Patch Kids, Key lime pie, marshmallows, peaches, and beyond) to flavor their suds and, with any luck, make a name for themselves.īierstadt Lagerhaus, however, stands out for how simple its beers are. Don’t expect to be able to find a seat, though-all Oskar Blues locations are popular with visitors and locals alike, so they’re often busy. Swing through for classics like Dale’s Pale Ale and Mama’s Little Yella Pils, or opt for one of its many seasonal releases. While the first Oskar Blues opened in Lyons in 1997, today it also has outposts in Longmont, Denver, and Colorado Springs. Heard of these guys before? Oskar Blues is now the largest brewery in the state (after Coors and New Belgium, neither of which is technically still headquartered in Colorado). Over time, the inside of those foeders will develop their own unique flavor profiles, which will breathe funky notes into future concoctions. Rather than use the same stainless steel tanks as most other breweries, it uses wood fermentation vessels called foeders. What’s particularly interesting about Wild Provisions is its old-school brewing techniques, which call upon equal parts art and science. The latter are hard because the process involves inviting wild microbes into the beer, which goes against the grain of most brewing practices, and it’s harder to control the end result. The former are challenging because they need to be fermented at a consistently cold temperature, and they’re quick to show flaws in the brewing process. Wild Provisionsīorn as a side project of 4 Noses Brewing Co., Wild Provisions’ bread and butter (or maybe malt and hops?) are two particularly tricky styles of beer: Czech lagers and spontaneously fermented sours. After the final keg has kicked, all of the proceeds go to local Weld County nonprofits.
Roughly 50 breweries from across the country join bring their best stouts, porters, and Lambics. The brewery also hosts the WeldWerks Invitational Festival, a gathering of lovers of barrel-aged beer each summer. The beers are always imaginative, with a constantly changing cast of IPAs, sours, and Imperial Stouts that lean toward zany (think: a Watermelon Cotton Candy Sour or a Smoked Lager brewed with jalapeños and lime). One of its flagship beers, Juicy Bits, is often regarded as one of the best, if not the best, IPAs in the country (especially impressive considering IPAs are the most popular beer style in the U.S.). Since opening in 2015, it’s won numerous medals at some of the most prestigious brewing competitions around the world. WeldWerksįor beer nerds, WeldWerks Brewing carries a lot of weight. Throughout the year, different iterations of the Yeti come out, so keep an eye out for pumpkin spice, horchata, and peppermint bark infusion. One standout pour is the Yeti Imperial Stout, with a big roasted, caramel, and toffee flavor profile that feels tailor-made for sipping around the campfire. These beers are so beloved that today there are four locations in the Denver area.
Open since 1994, it has had a long time to work (and rework) its recipes, so it now wins GABF medals at a nearly annual clip. While there are hundreds of breweries in Colorado today, only a handful existed in the 1990s, including some that now have nationwide distribution, like Breckenridge Brewing, New Belgium Brewery, Odell Brewing, and Oskar Blues Brewery. Location: multiple Denver-area locations.