Jake FosterA friend of mine has been dreaming of opening his own bar, so naturally, Denver’s vibrant brewery scene became our weekend playground.
With hops in the air and pints at hand, we started exploring the city’s best breweries, each offering something that captures Denver’s proud craft beer culture. Some amazed us with experimental flavors, while others wowed us with perfected classic brews.
After everything, we were reminded why this city is often called the beer capital of the Rockies. The more we explored, the more we realised that every taproom here tells a story.
So, whether you’re scouting for inspiration or simply chasing your next favourite pint, here are the top breweries in Denver serving bold flavours and local brews.
Reverence Brewing Company
– Media credit: reverencebrewingcompany
Address: 1604 E 17th Ave
Contact details: +12184225926
Operating hours:
- Monday – 4 to 8 PM
- Tuesday to Wednesday – 4 to 9 PM
- Thursday – 3 to 10 PM
- Friday – 3 PM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 2 to 8 PM
Cost: $$
Reverence Brewing Company feels like one of those neighbourhood gems that make Denver’s beer scene so special. It’s small, relaxed, air-conditioned, and instantly makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into your favourite local hangout.
The vibe is friendly without trying too hard—just genuine people and good drinks. You’ll find a solid mix of beers here, from crisp IPAs to rich stouts, all brewed with care and balance.
If you’re not into beer, their house-made sodas, like the root beer and orange cream, are worth trying too. The best part? You can order different pour sizes, so it’s easy to sample a few without going overboard.
| Pro tip: Visit on a weekday afternoon if you want a quiet chat with the brewer—he’s often behind the bar and loves sharing the story behind each beer. And don’t skip the ginger ale if you like a little spice, as it hits just right with salty bar snacks. |
Woods Boss Brewing Company
– Media credit: woodsbossbrewing
Address: 2210 California St
Contact details: +17206427177
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 2 to 8 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 2 to 10 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12 to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12 to 7 PM
Cost: $$
Woods Boss Brewing Company is one of those spots that gets everything right when it comes to craft beer variety. With 20 taps rotating regularly, you’ll find something that fits whatever mood you’re in—whether it’s a crisp lager, a bold IPA, or one of their funky barrel-aged Belgian Quads.
The lineup changes often enough that every visit feels like a new experience. Their hazy IPAs tend to be the bestsellers, packed with flavour but still smooth enough to sip on a hot Denver afternoon.
You’ll also love the space itself—it’s warm, rustic, and full of character, decorated with woodsy touches that nod to its mountain-town inspiration. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to suggest a pour that matches your taste.
| Pro tip: Stop by on a weekend evening when they’ve got live music—it pairs perfectly with one of their hazy IPAs. If you’re into dark beers, ask what’s on tap from the barrel-aged collection—it’s where they really shine! |
Cohesion Brewing
– Media credit: cohesionbeer
Address: 3851 Steele St Unit 1388
Contact details: +13039977016
Operating hours:
- Monday – 2 to 9 PM
- Tuesday to Thursday – 2 to 10 PM
- Friday – 12 to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 12 to 9 PM
Cost: $
Cohesion Brewing has mastered the art of Czech-style lagers, and it shows in every pour. They focus on quality over quantity, offering a small but flawless lineup of beers that stay true to Czech tradition.
If you’ve ever wanted to taste what authentic European craftsmanship feels like in Denver, this is where you go. Their standout is the Tmavé 14, a dark lager that balances roasted notes with a clean, smooth finish—it’s the kind of beer that keeps you coming back for another round.
Every batch is brewed with precision, and the team here can tell you exactly how each beer is made, right down to the serving temperature. The schnitzel food truck parked out front is the perfect companion to a cold pint, adding a little extra authenticity to the experience.
| Pro tip: Order a side-by-side flight of their lagers to taste the subtle differences between each style. And if the schnitzel truck is on-site, don’t skip it—the combo of crispy pork and Czech beer hits perfectly every time. |
Renegade Brewing
– Media credit: renegadebrewing
Address: 925 W 9th Ave
Contact details: +19839994105
Operating hours:
- Monday to Tuesday – 2 to 9 PM
- Wednesday to Thursday – 2 to 10 PM
- Friday – 2 to 11 PM
- Saturday – 12 to 11 PM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 9 PM
Cost: $
Renegade Brewing is the kind of spot that proves Denver’s craft beer scene still knows how to keep things bold and unpretentious. Located right in the heart of the Art District on Santa Fe, this brewery mixes creative flavour profiles with a neighbourhood charm that keeps people coming back.
Their tap list is always rotating, so there’s something new to discover every visit. Their hazy IPAs, especially the CO Strong and Loose Stock, are bestsellers that are packed with citrus and earthy hops that hit just right.
If you’re into darker brews, the Smore’s Stout is a must-try, with toasty notes of graham cracker and marshmallow that make it dangerously easy to sip. They don’t run a kitchen, but the rotating food trucks in markets and nearby eateries more than make up for it.
| Pro tip: Go for a flight if it’s your first time, and the variety here is something that you’ll enjoy! And if you see their triple IPA on tap, take it slow; at over 11% it’s as strong as it’s smooth. |
Novel Strand Brewing Company
– Media credit: novelstrandbrewingco
Address: 305 W 1st Ave
Contact details: +17209490246
Operating hours:
- Monday – 7 AM to 3 PM
- Tuesday – 7 AM to 9 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday – 7 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 7 AM to 8 PM
Cost: $
Novel Strand Brewing Company has built its reputation on doing two things exceptionally well—beer and coffee. Sitting in the heart of the Baker neighbourhood, this place manages to pull off a perfect balance between a chill cafe and a serious craft brewery.
Whether you’re here for an early latte or a late pint, you’re in good hands. Their unfiltered pale ales and IPAs are where they truly shine—crisp, aromatic, and brewed with precision that beer lovers will appreciate.
The Funk Shwei and Sour Krush are standout choices, both packed with flavour but still easy to drink. And if you’re not in the mood for alcohol, their house-made syrups and hibiscus teas are surprisingly refreshing!
| Pro tip: Visit in the morning for their coffee and come back later for a pint—the day-to-night experience is part of the fun. And if Barbosa’s BBQ truck is parked outside, grab a plate because their smoky brisket pairs perfectly with any hoppy beer. |
Hogshead Brewery
– Media credit: hogshead54
Address: 4460 W 29th Ave
Contact details: +13033964240
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 12 to 9 PM
- Thursday to Friday – 12 to 10 PM
- Saturday – 10 AM to 10 PM
- Sunday – 10 AM to 9 PM
Cost: $$
Hogshead Brewery is one of Denver’s best-kept secrets for anyone who truly appreciates traditional beer craftsmanship. Known for their cask-conditioned ales, they’ve nailed the art of brewing British-style pints that are smooth, full of flavour, and perfectly balanced.
It’s the kind of spot that rewards slowing down and enjoying what’s in your glass as if you’re in a nightclub. Their Giplin Black Gold Porter is a standout—rich, roasty, and easily one of the best porters in town.
If you’re into something lighter, the Mind and Ching Wag ESB show off just how good real ale can be when it’s brewed with care. They also pour a few lagers and keg beers for variety, but it’s the cask ales that keep locals coming back.
| Pro tip: Order your beer in a proper pint glass for the full cask experience because it’s how the flavours open up. And if you’re visiting on a weekend, ask for the brewer, and he’s often around and loves sharing the story behind each ale. |
Black Shirt Brewing Co. and Craft Pizza Kitchen
– Media credit: blackshirtbrew
Address: 3719 Walnut St
Contact details: +13039932799
Operating hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $
Black Shirt Brewing Co. and Craft Pizza Kitchen is one of those spots where great beer meets seriously good food. Sitting right in the RiNo district, it’s got that perfect mix of laid-back energy and creative flair that defines Denver’s brewery scene.
They don’t just pour quality beers—they pair them with pizza that’s easily some of the best in town. Their Space Jockey hazy IPA and Negative Creep West Coast IPA both stand out, each delivering hops and clean finishes that make you want another round.
But what really seals the deal here is the pizza—thin crust, perfect char, and toppings that go way beyond the usual lineup. The cream chees addition has become a local legend, and you’ll get why after one bite.
| Pro tip: Try to catch one of their live music nights for the full experience—it’s when the place comes alive! And if you’re grabbing takeout, call ahead instead of using delivery apps, so your pizza will come out hotter and fresher that way. |
Full Frame Beer & Coffee
Address: 1139 20th St
Contact details: +17207625608
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 7 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – 8 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $$
Full Frame Beer & Coffee nails the blend between quality brewing and great coffee without overcomplicating either. Their New Zealand Pale Ale is crisp, hoppy, and smooth—one of those beers that’s easy to drink but full of flavour.
If you prefer something lighter, the Japanese Rice Beer is another standout with its clean finish and subtle sweetness. Their coffee side deserves just as much attention, for the cappuccinos are rich and perfectly balanced, while their cold brews are strong enough to wake you up without tasting bitter.
It’s clear that everything here, beer or coffee, is made with intention, and the team behind the bar genuinely takes pride in what they pour. The sours and hard seltzers are worth a try, too, especially if you like something a little different from the usual IPA lineup.
| Pro tip: Pair the green chili hot dog with New Zealand Pale Ale—it’s a perfect balance of heat and hops. If you’re coming in early, grab one of their specialty espresso drinks; they treat coffee like it’s brewed art. |
Zuni Street Brewing Company
– Media credit: zunistreetbrewing
Address: 2355 W 29th Ave
Contact details: +17203284681
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 3 to 10 PM
- Thursday – 3 to 11 PM
- Friday to Saturday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Sunday – 12 to 9 PM
Cost: $$
Zuni Street Brewing Company keeps things interesting with one of the most diverse beer lineups in Denver. They’ve got everything from rich, malty porters to bring, fruit-forward sours—and somehow, they nail each one.
With over 20 beers on tap, you’re guaranteed to find a new favourite every time you visit. The Portly Porter is very unique with deep notes of coffee and chocolate, while Gingergrass Ale hits the perfect balance of refreshing and slightly spicy.
Their sours are top-tier too, especially the Samwise, which has just the right tart kick without overpowering your palate. Every pour feels thoughtfully made, and the quality stays consistent across the board.
| Pro tip: Order a flight if it’s your first time; it’s the best way to explore their range of styles. And if they’ve got the Samwise sour available, don’t hesitate because those small-batch runs disappear fast! |
