Best Beer, Period, and the Best Place to Get It 2003 | Chimay RedAbove the Rim Fine Wines | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Beer, Period, and the Best Place to Get It

Chimay Red
Above the Rim Fine Wines

Chimay is brewed in Belgium by Cistercian Trappist monks who apparently have a direct line to God when it comes to the more ethereal matters of the beer-maker's art. This champagne of beers goes down smooth, follows its creamy head with a silky mouth-feel and fruity aroma, and packs a serious wallop. While full-sized bottles of the lesser breeds are stocked at a few shops around town, Above the Rim carries Chimay Red (the best of the best, in our opinion) by the four-pack. Sure, this great little shop stocks other stuff, too, and the guys who run it are wine-biz veterans who'd be more than happy to sell you fine bottles of other beer and wine. But when the choice comes down to Chimay Red or anything else, we'll take the Chimay damn near every time.

Best Beer, Period, and the Best Place to Get It

Chimay Red
Above the Rim Fine Wines

Chimay is brewed in Belgium by Cistercian Trappist monks who apparently have a direct line to God when it comes to the more ethereal matters of the beer-maker's art. This champagne of beers goes down smooth, follows its creamy head with a silky mouth-feel and fruity aroma, and packs a serious wallop. While full-sized bottles of the lesser breeds are stocked at a few shops around town, Above the Rim carries Chimay Red (the best of the best, in our opinion) by the four-pack. Sure, this great little shop stocks other stuff, too, and the guys who run it are wine-biz veterans who'd be more than happy to sell you fine bottles of other beer and wine. But when the choice comes down to Chimay Red or anything else, we'll take the Chimay damn near every time.

Best Keg Beer Alternative

The Party Pig

Serious beer nuts dream of a home draft box, but few can swing the space and expense. Quoin Industrial to the rescue! The Golden-based business invented the 2.25-gallon Party Pig, a plastic device that fits in the fridge and serves fresh drafts in premium condition. It's great for home brewers, too. Oink oink.

Best Keg Beer Alternative

The Party Pig

Serious beer nuts dream of a home draft box, but few can swing the space and expense. Quoin Industrial to the rescue! The Golden-based business invented the 2.25-gallon Party Pig, a plastic device that fits in the fridge and serves fresh drafts in premium condition. It's great for home brewers, too. Oink oink.

Best Export Cask Beer

The Painted Bench

Cask-conditioned beer remains a small niche treat, but the Painted Bench and the Wynkoop Brewing Co. have teamed up to change that. The Bench hosts Wynkoop's lone off-site hand pump, dispensing delicious pours of cask-style ESB for visitors to the restaurant's antique Fountain Room. The beer engine gives real ale lovers an extra option for old-school beer; it's a move more breweries should embrace.

Best Export Cask Beer

The Painted Bench

Cask-conditioned beer remains a small niche treat, but the Painted Bench and the Wynkoop Brewing Co. have teamed up to change that. The Bench hosts Wynkoop's lone off-site hand pump, dispensing delicious pours of cask-style ESB for visitors to the restaurant's antique Fountain Room. The beer engine gives real ale lovers an extra option for old-school beer; it's a move more breweries should embrace.

Best Brewpub

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery

Mountain Sun sets the standard for area brewpubs. Its homemade beers are some of Colorado's most adventurous creations, lofty wonders that cut no corners. To show how confident it is of its own brews, Mountain Sun also welcomes a roster of guest beers. Add a menu of low-priced/high-value bar fare, devoted regulars and occasional live entertainment, and you've got the making of a great pub.

Best Brewpub

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery

Mountain Sun sets the standard for area brewpubs. Its homemade beers are some of Colorado's most adventurous creations, lofty wonders that cut no corners. To show how confident it is of its own brews, Mountain Sun also welcomes a roster of guest beers. Add a menu of low-priced/high-value bar fare, devoted regulars and occasional live entertainment, and you've got the making of a great pub.

Best Brewery

Avery Brewing Co.

In a state rich with craft brewers, Adam Avery and his crew stand out by making no-holds-barred beers aimed at beer aficionados, not the masses. Avery's catalogue holds world-class everyday beers (India Pale Ale, ESB and Elle's Brown) and heady seasonals (Old Jubilation, New World Porter); better still is Avery's year-round roster of over-the-edge beers, including Hog Heaven and Belgian hybrids like The Reverend and Salvation. Avery is Colorado's true king of beers.

Best Brewery

Avery Brewing Co.

In a state rich with craft brewers, Adam Avery and his crew stand out by making no-holds-barred beers aimed at beer aficionados, not the masses. Avery's catalogue holds world-class everyday beers (India Pale Ale, ESB and Elle's Brown) and heady seasonals (Old Jubilation, New World Porter); better still is Avery's year-round roster of over-the-edge beers, including Hog Heaven and Belgian hybrids like The Reverend and Salvation. Avery is Colorado's true king of beers.

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