The 15 Best Breweries in Denver

Great Divide is Denver’s oldest and largest packaging brewery with multiple locations. The central Denver tap room in the Ballpark neighborhood is the original, which is accessible via bike or car. Classics such as the Titan Pale Ale, Yeti Imperial Stout, Colette Farmhouse Ale, Denver Pale Ale, and a dozen more core varieties and seasonal rotators such as the Hoss OktoberFest Lager, Hibernation Ale and Lemonade Ale are offered up in the 100-plus-year-old brick building. There are public tours offered at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. every day. Other locations include the RINO (River Art North District) neighborhood, Lone Tree, Castle Rock, Denver International Airport, and a new Belmar location coming soon.

What started in 2010 as Chad Yakobson’s Master’s research has turned into a cult following. The Northwest Denver tap room is close to a bike path in the Sunnyside neighborhood and there is indoor and outdoor seating. The Juicy East, Juicy West, and Von Pilsner are most popular, and another half-dozen rotating options include petite sours and seasonal brews. The taproom is open Wednesday and Thursday 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday noon until 6:30 p.m. There is also a resident food truck, Egg Belly for nosh.

Aptly named for the former Denver Firehouse, the brewery is located in Central Park, a large planned community east of downtown Denver. Dogs and children join those of age on the patio and side yard for sunshine and snacks from the food truck. Classics such as their 303 Lager, Salt & Lime Lager, Tangerine Cream, and World Go Round Hazy IPA are most popular along with seasonal brews.

Located in the art-forward River North district, this brewery is one of Denver’s largest outdoor and indoor spaces in Denver. There are over 30 drafts on tap and like many Denver breweries, they have expanded beyond craft beer and into house-made seltzers and slushies. Inside, there are picnic tables and high tops to sample flagship beers such as Mt Massive IPA, Rocky Mountain Saison and Maroon Bells Guava. There are cans to go as well.

RiNo is brimming with breweries; therefore, craft concoctions truly need to stand out. This urban beer garden is easily accessible via Light Rail, and the taproom has a wide variety of entertainment in addition to award-winning beer. Space Jockey is their award-winning Hazy IPA and their Walnut Street is an award-winning Mexican Lager. The brewing company also has a robust food menu with salads, pizzas, and more.

Located in Northwest Denver, in the Berkeley neighborhood, Call to Arms is steeped in Colorado brewing history. Three former Avery Brewing Company employees, which is based in Boulder, wanted to bring their knowledge and passion for beer to Denver, that was their “Call to Arms” and the namesake for their beer. They’ve got it all on tap—blondes and ales to sours and seltzers. There is even a hard tea.

This brewer is a Denver staple and has numerous locations, including four in central Denver, one in Littleton, and one in Old Towne Arvada; it’s quite popular amongst the locals. To leave a smaller footprint, Denver Beer Co is 100 percent solar power and brewed with Colorado sun. The Lowry location has expansive outdoor seating and is dog-friendly. The Platte Street location is located on the border of two popular neighborhoods and is also dog-friendly. Denver Beer Co. is known for its Yum-Yum series, seasonal brews, year-round offerings, two non-alcoholic options, and seltzers.

More than just a brewery, this is one of the very few breweries that does coffee and beer. The Highland neighborhood is the home of the original location and guests can snag a breakfast bagel, lunch sandwich, custom coffee drink, or beer. There are rotating taps and plenty of good pours. And, the brewery opened a second location in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood at the recently revitalized former Stapleton International Airport Control Tower.

An import from Longmont, Colorado, Left Hand Brewing is a Colorado legend with 30 years of legacy. Closed Sunday and Monday, the Rino location is open 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, ideal for nearby Mission Ballroom events. There is an outdoor patio and food menu along with the legacy beers that helped bring Colorado’s craft brew movement to the Front Range. On tap look for a bitter, sour, IPA, stout, blonde, and many more.

What started as a New York pipe dream, turned into reality when three friends, and some canine companions, opened up Novel Strand Brewing Company in the Baker neighborhood. The mellow nature of the artsy area lends the backdrop to a more intimate, low-key brewery that focuses on sours and hoppy ales along with Colorado classics that the craft movement has demanded.

This brewery in the RiNo neighborhood pays homage to the 1990s punk scene. The brewers learned about the craft element in Germany and studied at numerous Colorado breweries before opening this pop-of-color and music-centric brewery in the artsy neighborhood.

Sure, they have Kolsch, Pale Ale, West Coast IPA, Extra Pale Ale, Pilsner, Maiback, Saison and so many more, but go for the award-winning King of Carrot Flowers, their 2023 gold medal-winning carrot elderflower saison. You can’t find this anywhere else.