Barrel-aged cocktails hit drink lists all over town

Six months ago, Eric Dutton, bar manager at Vesta Dipping Grill, unveiled a Vieux Carre he’d let sit in wood for a few weeks — the first barrel-aged cocktail we’d seen on a Denver menu. Since then, though, we’ve noticed barrel-aged cocktails popping up on a handful of lists, making…

Leopold Bros. Distillery keeps rolling with two new spirits

Brothers Todd and Scott Leopold have been distilling since 1999, but only in the last two or three years have they really had the freedom to exercise their creativity in the market. “We’ve been in the business for thirteen years, and it’s almost like there weren’t bars for the first…

Justin Lloyd creates a local gathering place at Star Bar

When Justin Lloyd inked the deal on Star Bar almost two years ago, he hadn’t been behind a bar for fifteen years. His bartending skills, he admits, were a little rusty. “I bought Star Bar because I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny, but without being on…

Wynkoop debuts two new versions of its flagship Rail Yard Ale

The beer-happy bunch at the Wynkoop Brewing Company has a New Year’s Resolution for 2012: put a few sacred cows out to pasture. “The goal,” says brewery spokesman Marty Jones, “is to rock the status quo and to shake up the beer list with new offerings.” To that effect, the…

Four small Denver breweries cooperate on a bigger purchase

In a show of solidarity (not to mention some penny-wise fiscal management) four small brewers are putting in an order for new brewing equipment and tanks in a move that will save them all a chunk of change and help them expand. Copper Kettle, Renegade, Strange Brewing and Caution are…

Stiff drinks and warm smiles Dazzle us at happy hour

Happy Place: Dazzle Restaurant and Lounge, 930 Lincoln Street, 303-839-5100. The Hours: Daily from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The Deals: $2 bottled beer; $3 draft beer; $4 martinis and well drinks; $5 wines by the glass, $5.75 appetizers. Were we happy? Flip the page to find out…