Beer in Denver: How to Enjoy Denver’s Delicious Beer Scene

Denver is known for beer and has some of the best breweries, coolest activities, and most fun tours for exploring the beer scene. Whether you’re a local or planning a vacation to Denver, trying out the locally crafted beer is a must. In this guide, we'll share how you can discover the best beer in Denver.

We'll take you on a tour of unique ways to enjoy delicious beer in the Mile High City, including a beer spa. Whether you want to give yourself a beer tour around the city or stop at a cool spot or two, we can help you make this happen with our Denver beer guide below.

The Best Beer in Denver: Breweries, Activities, and More

Denver is a beer lover's paradise with more than a hundred breweries and other cool activities for enjoying Denver's eclectic beer scene. If you’re not a beer enthusiast but enjoy memorable experiences, you’re in for a treat.

Denver Microbrew Tour

Denver Microbrew Tour offers a fun way to explore Denver's beer scene. They offer various tour options, each providing a taste of 10+ local craft beers. From a historical craft beer experience to enjoying craft beer with street art, there's something for everyone. Denver Microbrew Tour also has private tours for a personalized experience.

Crooked Stave 

Crooked Stave is one of Denver’s most unique breweries because of their unconventional approach to brewing. By mixing art and science, they make progressive beers that are perfectly delicious, including wild, sour, and barrel-aged beers. They’ve got “Crooked Tea” now, too, for a refreshing Peach Hard Tea!

You can find Denver’s Crooked Stave in the quaint Sunnyside Neighborhood. There’s indoor seating and a large outdoor area, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a cold beverage or a few. They also have regular food trucks.

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew

Oskar Blues Brewery is a popular, long-time brewery that makes a wide selection of delicious beer, including the iconic Dale’s Pale Ale. Not only do they have a taproom in Denver, but Oskar Blues is also located in Austin, TX, Brevard, NC, and Longmont, CO.

We love Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in downtown Denver for a laid-back, fun experience. Oskar Blues’ craft beer is paired with Southern-influenced American fare in a modern saloon. It's a great place to watch the game on one of the many TVs, and there's also an underground music venue downstairs.

Odell Brewing Brewhouse

Odell Brewery, in Fort Collins, is the 23rd largest US craft brewing company. They’re known for their hoppy IPAs and also make other noteworthy beers.

In Denver, you can enjoy Odell beers at Odell Brewing Brewhouse in the historic Five Points neighborhood. Their outdoor patio with fire pits is a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a cold one. It’s also pet-friendly!

Cerveceria Colorado

Cerveceria Colorado is a Denver favorite! Their motto is "bridges, not walls," and they believe beer is inclusive, collaborative, and celebratory. This is evident in their use of Mexican ingredients, flavors, and processes to make some of the most innovative beer in Denver. They also brew beer with a passion for sharing with everyone.

The brewery is located just outside downtown near many other great Denver breweries. Beer drinkers enjoy Cerveceria Colorado's relaxed atmosphere with board games, great music, and vibrant decor.

Wynkoop Brewing Company

For a bit of Denver beer scene history, Wynkoop Brewing Company is a must-visit. This was Colorado's first brewpub and has been around since 1988. Wynkoop has been brewing some of the rarest but most flavorful beers since opening their doors. They've even put gummy bears and Rocky Mountain oysters in their brews!

Enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner with a cold brew at Wnykoop's brewpub. It's located in a pool hall with, you guessed it, pool tables. There's plenty of seating – inside, at the bar, and outdoors. Wynkoop Brewing is conveniently located in Denver's popular LoDo district next to Union Station. 

Novel Strand Brewing Company

Novel Strand Brewing Company is known for laid-back vibes and hoppy, sour, and classic brews. This independently owned boutique brewery and taproom is located in Denver’s historic Baker neighborhood. 

You can enjoy good beer, cool decor, and indoor and outdoor seating at Novel Strand Brewing Company. They also have regular events and food trucks. Pets are welcome, too!

Great Divide Brewing Company

Great Divide Brewing Company is the oldest and largest packing brewery in all of Denver. They’ve grown so much over the years that they now have two locations in Denver.

Try Great Divide's unique and delicious beer in the heart of downtown at the Ballpark District or the Barrel Bar in the eclectic RiNo neighborhood. It's easy to check out both locations as they're only about a mile from each other.

Great Divide Brewing Company's original location and taproom is a lively spot with food trucks, patio seating, and plenty of indoor space. Great Divide Barrel Bar is a quaint, vibrant brewery and bar that offers free tours, lots of seating, and an event space.

Oakwell Beer Spa

Oakwell Beer Spa is a short drive from Great Divide in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood and offers one of Denver's most unique beer experiences. This new, modern-day spa combines beer and rejuvenation into one. It doesn't get much better than that!

Oakwell Beer Spa has a cozy taproom oasis with a self-serve beer wall. Every month, Oakwell partners with a local Colorado brewery and puts five of its best beers on tap. Guests can also enjoy other beverages, including wine, cider, and kombucha.

While you can visit Oakwell to hang out in the taproom and enjoy beer, you can also book a beer-inspired spa day. If you’re looking to relax differently while you enjoy beer, check out the Beer Bath Hydrotherapy, Infrared Sauna, and Zero Gravity Massage experience.

You can book your spa day online or stop in to relax in the taproom and enjoy beer.

The Great American Beer Festival

We can't talk about beer in Denver without highlighting The Great American Beer Festival. This annual beer festival is hosted by the Brewers Association, usually in late September or early October. We recommend all beer-loving locals and travelers attend this unforgettable event at least once.

The Great American Beer Festival represents the most extensive collection of US beer ever served, bringing together brewers and beer drinkers from all over the nation. Enjoy beer tastings and competitions for an entire weekend. The event takes place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

Red Rocks Beer Garden

Take a short drive from Denver to check out the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater. Whether you're attending a show or an event or not, we definitely recommend visiting the Red Rocks Beer Garden. Not only do they serve an excellent selection of beer, but they've also been voted as "top 10 patios."

Red Rocks Beer Garden supports the community by serving all Colorado-made food, beer, and wine. The beer garden is situated at the base of the amphitheater in an 1800s cottage with an open-air patio. It's the perfect spot to enjoy beer and pizza. Bring your pets, too! 

Note: The following three breweries are all located just outside of Denver, about 30 miles from the city center. We're including them because they're some of our favorites in the area, and they're all near each other, making for the perfect adventure and self-guided brewery tour outside the bustling city. 

Sanitas Brewing Company

"Building community through patios and pints." We love Sanita Brewing Company’s tagline, which showcases their inviting vibe and one of the best pet-friendly outdoor patios in the area. Enjoy good beer, tacos, and the occasional event at Sanitas.

Avery Brewing Company

Also in Boulder, Avery Brewing Co. serves a variety of beers, including offbeat styles. They've even earned several awards at brewing competitions and festivals for their year-round and seasonal brews. The brewpub offers a full food menu, a pet-friendly patio, and brewery tours.

Left Hand Brewing Company

Left Hand Brewing Company is just outside of Denver in Longmont and is well worth a visit if you're looking for a delicious, fun experience. They invented nitro beer in a bottle, and we highly recommend heading over to the brewery to try it for yourself. They also have a wide variety of other tasty brews.

The tasting room and outdoor patio at Left Hand have a relaxed vibe, perfect for enjoying a few beers. Check out the complimentary brewery tour, special events, and music at Left Hand for a memorable experience.

Enjoy Beer in Denver

The Mile High City's vibrant beer scene is one reason we love Denver so much. We hope this guide for enjoying the best of Denver's beer has inspired you to create your own self-guided tour or plan your next Denver beer scene activity.

To start planning your next beer adventure in Denver, book a beer-inspired spa day at Oakwell Beer Spa.