We’ve done the research to bring you the best breweries in Denver! Welcome to our Exploring Denver Series where we cover the best places around Denver to enjoy and bask in the culture of the Mile High City—follow this series to stay up to date on the hottest spots in our beautiful city. Check out our most Instagrammable spots in Denver blog post and learn how to tour Denver like a local!
In Denver, it seems that you can’t throw a stone without hitting a brewery. Almost every block of the city is home to some sort of tap room, brew house, or bar. As Coloradans, the love and appreciation of a good beer flows through our veins, uniting transplants and natives, frosted pint glasses in hand.
Here are some of the best breweries in Denver where locals can go to defrost after a day on the slopes, cheer the Broncos to a victory, or simply savor the flavor of innovative, tasty brews. All in some fun, up-and-coming Denver neighborhoods.
If you’re looking to move to or within Denver—reach out to AptAmigo so your search for your dream apartment is stress-free and maybe even a little fun!
Related: Denver Apartments Near the Light Rail
Top 5 Best Breweries in Denver
Lowdown Brewery + Kitchen
Since 2014, Lowdown Brewery in the Golden Triangle neighborhood has gained a dedicated following of beer enthusiasts. Owners Phil Phifer and Scott O’Hearn wanted to create a neighborhood brewery where nearby residents could gather after work or on snowy Saturday nights to catch up in a laid back setting, over great beer and quality food. The pair combined their professional brewing experience, partnered with a stellar culinary team, and set out to create just that.
Stroll by any afternoon and you’ll see friends, families, and coworkers gathering on the dog-friendly outdoor patio, playing cornhole or snacking on punnily named menu items like “Margh-Simson” or “I’m Greekin Out Man”. LowDown’s rotating tap features everything from pilsners to milk stouts to sours, so there’s something for every suds-sipper to enjoy.
Denver Beer Co.
This mile-high brewery quickly became a household name and now ranks as one of the best breweries in Denver. Denver Beer Co. was born in the garages of homebrewers, with love, passion, and cold beverages fueling the cause and spurring the creation of this awesome brewery. Their beers have won national awards and are stocked well beyond Colorado bars and liquor stores. Lucky for us, we just have to pop out our backyards and stroll down the street for a taste of DBC’s seasonal selections.
DBC’s founders wanted to recreate the communal experience of Bavarian beer gardens. Both the Arvada and Downtown locations foster this social vibe meaning guests may just make a new best friend over a shared love of craft beer. The staff at each is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and inclined to dish out a bunch of free samples so you can taste all the beer you want.
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
The group behind Rock Bottom Brewery takes special care in crafting beers that meet their “ridiculously high standards”. For Rock Bottom, any beer they brew that doesn’t adhere to a certain set of requirements gets poured down the drain and it’s back to the drawing board. This esteemed brew pub and restaurant doesn’t let its beers sit for months at a time – each is guaranteed fresh and delicious.
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery is conveniently located just off Curtis St., in the heart of Denver’s bustling downtown. The outdoor patio, live music, and friendly atmosphere make this the perfect happy hour spot before a night where you may or may not burn the candle at both ends.
Great Divide Brewing
What started as a little-known Baker neighborhood joint has turned into a fully-established brewery with distribution throughout the country. Located in an old dairy processing plant, Great Divide used to host intimate happy hours on the cheap. Baker residents would pack the house after work and not leave until close. Its beers are reminiscent of a Colorado style, with whimsical label designs reflecting our state’s natural beauty and adventurous attitude.
Now, Great Divide boasts an awesome patio, free tours, and 99% of its waste is diverted away from landfills. Their central location in Baker means patrons can grab a beer and a six pack for later, then stroll around the Sante Fe Arts District during First Friday.
Prost Brewing
You don’t have to travel overseas to enjoy authentic German-style beers and yell “Prost!” when clinking glasses with neighboring tables. Prost offers some of the best German-style bier in the mile-high city and has won numerous awards for its Weissbier and Altbier. In addition, the lively brewery creates tasty, crisp Kolschs, smooth Helles, and fragrant, light Maibock.
Kick back with family and friends in the biergarten during all seasons and take in Denver’s glistening skyline. Don your finest lederhosen and head down to this Highlands brewery where everyday is Oktoberfest.
There you have it, the best breweries in Denver. We hope this guides your next brewery adventure and we know you’ll have a blast at any of these unique brew pubs. If you’re looking to find an apartment within walking distance of these awesome breweries, reach out to AptAmigo and we’ll find the perfect one for you in the location you love! Just let us know what your dream apartment looks like and we’ll set up all the tours and personally assist you to each apartment!
Abigail is a freelance writer who loves exploring new places - especially in the southwest - and moved into her van full time last fall. When she's not working on writing gigs to support her #vanlife endeavors, she loves packrafting alpine lakes, floating lazy rivers, and trail running.
