When John Hickenlooper and his buddies opened the Wynkoop Brewery back in 1988, they probably had no idea how their little brewing operation would not only help change the landscape of Lower Downtown but lay the foundation of how great beer should be brewed.

Of course, it’s also doubtful he ever imagined himself as a U.S. Senator.

Now, over 30 years later, there are hundreds of craft breweries in Colorado and we are happy to provide our admittedly biased list of best breweries in Denver 2022.

In addition to brewing its own beer, Wynkoop Brewery helped change the language and definitions of the beer brewing process. According to the Brewers Association:

• There are 428 craft breweries in Colorado. Of those,  around 70 are microbreweries (producing no more than 15,000 barrels/year).
• Colorado ranks 5th in the nation in the number of craft breweries.
• “Craft” beer refers to a brewery that produces no more than 6 million gallons of beer/year andless than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer.
• Production of craft beer in Colorado ranks 8th in the nation (946,370 barrels).

Last summer, five Colorado cities were among the top 20 in the nation in breweries per capita, according to a study by C+R Research. The marketing firm ranked more than 500 cities across the United States by the number of breweries, and Boulder, Fort Collins, Loveland, Denver, and Longmont all made the top 20. Denver was 18th.

The proliferation of breweries has expanded beyond little wannabe startups and has become a major driver of Colorado’s economy. According to the Brewers Association, in 2021 Colorado’s small breweries and craft brewers had a total economic impact of $2.451 billion. The craft brewing industry employs 17,226 people in Colorado.

Below is a very biased selection of the Best Breweries in Denver 2022 in no particular order by some of the Usaj Realty realtors and taff members.

Station 26

Picked by Jenny Usaj, Employing Broker

As the head honcho of Usaj Realty, Jenny Usaj names this iconic brewery as her favorite. Jenny’s husband Anton is a former Denver firefighter so it’s only appropriate that Station 26 is close to her heart. Situated in a former firehouse,  this truly unique brewery has an amazing ambiance and a delightful menu of beers.

It’s a pretty simple philosophy from this Park Hill brewery. “Serious beer, not people. We love to drink beer – all types of beer. When it comes to good beer, we don’t discriminate. Light, dark, hoppy – there’s a time and a place for them all. We also love making beer. So much so, that we decided to start making it in an old Denver fire station.“

People arrive by car, bike and foot to enjoy the chill vibe. There’s a great patio and a small side yard, perfect for families. Try the Tangerine Cream and find yourself transported back to the days of enjoying creamsicles as a kid (but even better now that you’re an adult!).

Denver Beer Company

Picked by Jenny Usaj, Employing Broker

You absolutely cannot go wrong with a visit to Denver Beer Company. We swear all of their beers were specifically designed to be crowd-pleasers so if you have some picky drinkers in your bunch, this is the place to go. Their location at 2425 S. Downing St. features a magnificent patio, perfect on a warm day and very family-friendly. Play some lawn games, sit by a firepit, or snuggle with your dog on the spacious grounds. Check out their other locations at 1695 Platte Street, 5768 Olde Wadsworth Boulevard (Old Town Arvada), and 7070 E. Lowry Blvd.

Blue Moon Brewing Company

Kristin Boritzke, Broker Associate

Their food might be just as good as their beer so come here hungry. Located at 3750 Chestnut Place in the RiNo neighborhood, this spot has quickly become a neighborhood staple with its event space, 20+ rotating beers on tap and open concept seating.  The Blue Moon story began back in 1995 at the Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field.  Founder Keith Villa had returned to the United States after earning his Ph.D. in brewing from the University of Brussels and pursued his goal of brewing well-crafted beers inspired by Belgian styles, with a refreshing twist.  Not only are the brews truly remarkable, but the surroundings are also fabulous. From the delightful patio to the huge bar to the unique seating, you’re sure to return time and time again. Usaj Realty associate broker Kristin Boritzke encourages you to try the Mango Wheat.

Epic Brewing

Kristina Casinelli, Broker Associate

In 2013, Epic Brewing Company ventured to the RiNo district of Denver. In doing so, Epic Brewing expanded its reach outside of Salt Lake City to better serve the Rocky Mountain region. The River North district has been made famous for its artistic diversity and maintained its status with an influx of breweries, restaurants, and coffee houses alike. It’s no wonder, Usaj Realty’s associate broker Kristina Casinelli is drawn to this brewery. Epic boasts two spacious patios; one on the left, guarded by an olive green fence, and the other taking over the sidewalk right along Walnut Street. You can often catch a ton of sun in the morning, a beautiful sunset at night, and a terrific Denver skyline at night. Location: 3001 Walnut St.

Odell Brewing

Tori Bradley, Broker Associate

Ready for some incredible views? There no better rooftop patio than Odell Brewing’s Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse in Edgewater. Tori Bradley enjoys a “Sippin’ Pretty” draught while taking in the gorgeous vistas of Sloan’s Lake and the Rocky Mountains. The brewhouse features a 10-barrel R&D system where they brew experimental beers available exclusively at Sloan’s Lake.

Founded in 1989, Odell Brewing was started by Doug Odell, his wife Wynne, and his sister Corkie. Decades later, the culture of family and collaboration still thrives, fostering a brewery full of beer-centric people. It is this passion for beer that inspires Odell Brewing to create quality, hand-crafted, innovative brews. We think you’ll adore their brews! For those of you looking for a downtown Denver venue, check out the Five Points Brewhouse! Located on the corner of 30th & Larimer in Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, enjoy outdoor patios, firepits, and one of the many Five Points exclusive beers brewed onsite with our 10-barrel pilot system.

Odd 13

Andrea Henderson, Broker Associate

A brewery with an unusual name but boasting lots of character.  Andrea Henderson gives this brewery based in Lafayette a big thumbs up. If you’re looking for ultra-cool names for their brews along with incredible graphics on the bottles, Odd 13 will not disappoint. Enjoy their inviting patio and outside heaters while drinking their tasty array of IPAs, ales, sours, stouts, and lagers. The trip up to Boulder County will be worth your while! Location: 301 East Simpson St.,
Lafayette.

Prost Brewing

Amy Pobar, Employee

This gem displays a trendy vibe but serves up traditional German Beers. Prost Brewing Co. is a Colorado craft brewery focused on crafting only the finest German-style biers. They honor German heritage by sourcing only the highest quality ingredients directly from Germany and by following traditional brewing practices and lagering techniques. The results? A cleaner, more refined bier that is approachable, yet layered with complexities. These are biers that taste like bier. Here’s to a fresh taste of tradition. Prost! Usaj Realty staff member Amy Pobar enjoys sitting on the fabulous patio with either a Weissbier or Kolsch. “Take in the amazing views of Denver while sipping an equally amazing beer.” Location: 2540 19th St. And don’t forget their Highlands Ranch location at 53 Centennial Blvd.

Other Staff Favorites

Woods Boss

Located at 2210 California Street, Woods Boss is centrally located and within walking distance of downtown and RiNo. It’s the perfect destination for a day out in Denver. Their taproom definitely hits the “woodsy” theme on the head, and be sure to check out their jam-packed events calendar. 

Hogshead Brewery and Tap Room

According to their website, this Slo-Hi location near Sloan’s Lake was developed to provide a local clientele, beer aficionados and lovers of good times a central spot in Denver to enjoy a proper pint and have a chat. You will find three to four great beers on tap via CO2 pressurized kegs and properly conditioned real ale from naturally carbonated casks.

They specialize in cask beer, which offers less carbonation. One of the favorites is the Chin Wag (the brewery cautions that one too many may cause you to talk smack). It combines a chewy malt, forward mouthfeel, balanced by a moderate hopping rate delivered by challenger golding and fuggles hops. Dangerously quaffable at 38 IBU. It’s a beer to savor over the good conversation on their great outdoor patio. Location: 4460  W. 29th Ave.

Ratio Beerworks

Here are the accolades of Ratio: Located in RiNo at 2920 Larimer St., this microbrewery has a state-of-the-art 20 barrel system and more than enough beer to go around. And the taproom will be as eclectic as the community that it’s built to support. The scene at Ratio is all about beer, but they also host special events that will ensure all of the senses are stimulated. 

The outdoor space is dog-friendly and perfect for a game of bags on a sunny day. The mural art outside also provides for a great ambiance. We must give them props for having some of the best food trucks to be found in Denver routinely parked outside the brewery in case hunger strikes while you are sipping their top-notch beer. In addition to the RiNo location, you’ll also find them at 2030 S. Cherokee St., in the Platt Park/South Denver neighnborhood, right off Evans Ave.

Oasis Brewing

This Highlands Square gem is definitely worth a visit. Their beer selection is unique and delicious, the outdoor patio is great, and the indoor space is full of architectural details. Take a walk around Highlands Square after to top off a great evening or afternoon! Location: 3257 N. Lowell Blvd., Denver

Our Mutual Friend

The skinny on Our Mutual Friend: An award-winning brewery and taproom located in RiNo. “Brewing beer began as an excuse to gather with our friends and ruminate on life, philosophy, music, food, and of course, beer. Once they got started, they grew more curious about the brewing process, honing the craft and experimenting with different methods and techniques. Along the way, a fundamental question to the process was, ‘How can we do more of this ourselves?’ ” The desire to participate in every step of the grain to glass process led them to open Our Mutual Friend. Part of what they love about beer is its power to bring people together (hence the name!). They are happy to be a gathering place in the RiNo neighborhood where locals and visitors alike can meet in camaraderie alongside a quality pint. They believe in the power of neighborly acts and the spirit of neighbors taking care of one another within the local community. This spot features a great atmosphere and vinyl music on the airwaves. Location: 2810 Larimer St., Denver.

Wynkoop

The Granddaddy of them all is still an epic sudsy place. Beer drinkers across the state braved the sketchy ghost town that was LoDo in the late 80’s for billiards and pints of unexpected beer styles. Decades later, Wynkoop is a Denver institution, still known for innovative concoctions, and brewers who put just about anything in their beer, including  chiles! From the novice to the expert connoisseur, they view patrons as friends and aim to provide an open, carefree environment for all to enjoy. Location: 1634 18th St., Denver.

Little Machine Beer

(Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in March of 2019, and has been revised and updated).