Zephyr Brewing, which has held down a garden-level space at the corner of 26th Street and Walnut since December 2014, will become the second brewery to move out of the ever-tightening River North Arts District. The brewery, founded by Brian Wood and Rich Wisniewski, will host a moving party on Saturday, July 8.
The owners posted on Facebook that they are moving, but haven't said why, where or when. They also said they plan to have more than one location in the future: "Although RiNo will always be our true home, we have received an opportunity that we cannot pass up. Details on our new locations will be announced shortly."
Zephyr, named for the former Minor League Baseball team that used to play in Denver, is located in the same building as Osaka Ramen and Biju's Little Curry Shop. Although it was one of the first breweries to open in the neighborhood, it has had trouble finding a niche over the past two and half years.
There are currently twelve breweries in RiNo, with more on the way. River North Brewery, which had to move last year to make way for a luxury condo complex, announced in late June that it is returning to the area.
Now, here are the best craft-beer events and tappings through July 28.
Wednesday, July 5
"This is not a drill," Copper Kettle Brewing says. "We have ice cream!" In fact, the brewery will showcase ice cream and beer pairings every Wednesday this month, and based on today's heat, that's a good thing. Today's pairing is Sweet Action's Strawberry Lime Sorbet with Copper Kettle's Blood Orange Sour. There is also vanilla and chocolate ice cream to pair with their craft sodas for kids. Mama Said Eat is there as well.
105 West Brewing in Castle Rock is tapping a new IPA every Monday and Wednesday throughout July; each one will stay on until it's gone, but some will last longer than others, so if you want to try a specific beer, get there on the release day just to be sure. Here's the tapping schedule after today: July 5 is Raspberry Full Metal Jacket IPA; July 10 is White IPA; July 12 is Blueberry Full Metal Jacket IIPA; July 17 is Coffee Hopped and Loaded IPA; July 19 is Jelly the Elder IIPA; July 24 is Denali IPA; July 26 is Grapefruit Rocky Juice NE IPA; July 31 is "Every IPA We Have Left." In addition, 105 West will have three other IPAs — Hopped and Loaded IPA, Rocky Mountain Juice NE IPA, and Black IPA — on tap all month.
Thursday, July 6
Join Black Shirt Brewing at 6 p.m. when it taps a rare collaboration firkin. Dyadic Rational ESB, which was three years in the making, was put together with Elevation Beer Company in Poncha Springs. You can also catch a free show in the beer garden from Elk Tongue, a “psychedelic desert rock" band.
Friday, July 7
Renegade Brewing has tapped another keg of Covfefe, an oat IPA first introduced at their anniversary party last month. Don't remember what Covfefe is? Ready up.
Freshcraft will tap another First Firkin Friday cask from Station 26 Brewing at 5:30 p.m. This time around, it's a lightly tart, 4.1 percent ABV gose brewed with pink Himalayan sea salt and fermented on watermelon purée. "The cask received a healthy addition of fresh English cucumbers and chopped mint leaves, brightening an already vibrant and refreshing beer. At the last Firkin Friday, Freshcraft kicked the firkin within an hour.
Join Ratio Beerworks for the return of Major Nights Lime Gose, a summer seasonal that "blends tart, savory, acidic flavors into one beautiful easy drinking summer classic," the brewery says. Major Nights Lime Gose, which was originally called the Knew Schmew, was a collaboration with Denver band the Knew. "This mildly tart, mildly salty, traditional German-style wheat beer, received the “dry hop” addition of nearly 400 hand-zested limes. Major Nights is an explosion of unique savory flavors brought on by the use of coriander and red gold Hawaiian sea salt, as well as the bright refreshing tartness of fresh limes."
Lone Tree Brewing will host its annual Brews for CancerBlows dinner and will pour CancerBlows Coffee IPA, which was brewed in collaboration with Broken Compass Brewing. The dinner consists of five courses from chef Paul Worley paired with five beers. There will be live music by the H2 Big Band and trumpet players from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Proceeds from this event will go to CancerBlows and the Ryan Anthony Foundation. To make the beer, the breweries used Kenyan Thaita AA roast from Denver’s Boxcar Coffee. "This beer’s light grain bill — comprised of 2-row malt, biscuit malt, crystal malt, and oats — makes way for bold and juicy Mosaic hop additions and lightly roasted, fruit-forward coffee," Lone Tree says. "Lactose is added to convey a coffee-and-cream mouthfeel." Attendees will get welcome goblets of the beer during a private tour of Lone Tree Brewing with head brewer Josh West. Tickets are $70 and can be purchased at squareup.com.
Saturday, July 8
After two and a half years in the River North neighborhood, Zephyr Brewing is moving — although the brewery hasn't revealed the new location yet. To mark the occasion, Zephyr says it plans to host "one helluva moving party," adding that "although RiNo will always be our true home, we have received an opportunity that we cannot pass up. Details on our new locations (yes, more than one) will be announced shortly." Get $2 off each beer before 7 p.m. (when the Rockies play). There will be games, raffles, food and live music.
It's time for "Jorts of July," says Baere Brewing, which will celebrate its third anniversary "in this beautiful strip mall with Jorts, beer, ice cream and good times." The beer ice cream was made just for Baere by Sweet Action Ice Cream down the street, and there will also be live T-shirt silk-screening in four different colors by INDYINK from noon to 5 p.m. As for the beers, there will be fifteen of them, along with special tappings throughout the day. They include a 4.3 percent ABV anniversary Brettanomyces beer dry-hopped with Eureka, Columbus and Mosaic, and two bottle releases: Reciprocity B1, a golden sour brewed with rye, Reciprocity B2, which is a golden sour aged in a Laws Whiskey House barrel.
Bruz Beers is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a full day of festivities planned, including a car show from 7 to 10 a.m., a farmers' market starting at 10 a.m., live bands (including Denver Meatpacking Company) from 4 to 10 p.m., numerous special beer releases all day, yard games and the Park Burger food truck. In addition, the brewery will release its new summer seasonal, Colorado Blond, a Belgian-style blond made with Colorado pilsner malt from Root Shoot Malting in Loveland, hops from Highwire Hops on the Western Slope and a Belgian yeast cultured in Denver.
Goldspot Brewing will host its first-ever farmers' market from noon to 5 p.m. Drink beer while you shop for fresh local produce and goods, "grown and made by folks you know," the brewery says. Vendor list TBA.
River North Brewery will tap the second rendition of its hazy, New-England-style IPA. Brewed with barley, wheat, oats, and "copious late additions" of Citra, Simcoe and Idaho 7, "this juicy delight will only be available on draft and in Crowlers to go ($10 each)," the brewery says.
Great Divide Brewing will host a giant block party from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Square on 21st, the newly created temporary urban green space on 21st Street between Larimer and Lawrence streets; the party takes place around the same time as Great Divide's annual anniversary party, but the brewery doesn't want to call it its 23rd anniversary party this year because the format will be different, a spokeswoman says. In the past, Great Divide held anniversary block parties on Arapahoe Street, but moved them to its five-acre property in River North a few years ago. This one returns to the Ballpark neighborhood and will have three different ticket structures. "The city of Denver and the Ballpark Neighborhood Association have supported Great Divide since day one,” Great Divide founder Brian Dunn explains. “With this in mind, we want to celebrate where it all started." There will be lots of live music, lawn games and lots of beer, depending on what kind of ticket you buy. There are $6, $12 and $46 options. You can buy them and find ticket category details at greatdivide.com.
Bierstadt Lagerhaus will tap its monthly Second Saturday Fässer, when it pours one of its unfiltered, naturally carbonated lagers directly from the lager tank. For July 8, the beer is Vienna Lager, which will tap at noon.
Fort Collins Brewing will say goodbye after fourteen years with a daylong party in its tasting room. "We will be pouring outrageous pint deals, discounted merchandise and food specials all day long," the brewery says. Fort Collins Brewing was bought out by Canada's Red Truck Brewing in June; Red Truck plans to shut down the brand and reopen in August under the Red Truck name and brand.
The Colorado Brewers Rendezvous, hosted by the Colorado Brewers Guild, returns to Riverside Park in Salida for its 21st annual celebration of independent Colorado craft breweries. Enjoy more than 300 samplings from 75 breweries at this mellow fest, which takes place alongside the Arkansas River. Long a favorite of breweries and attendees because of its small-town, outdoorsy vibe, the fest has changed over the years as Colorado's craft brewing scene has grown, but it still retains some of that feeling. Tickets start at $40 and are available at twoparts.com.
Sunday, July 9
The Bluegrass Brunch returns to Station 26 Brewing, featuring bluegrass tunes from Wood Belly, barbecue from Turn-In BBQ, doughnuts from Glazed and Confuzed and, of course, lots of beer.
Monday, July 10
East meets west when Cho77 hosts Ratio Beerworks for a special Dim Sum Beer Dinner. Cho77 chef Ryan Gorby and Ratio co-owner Jason zumBrunnen will present a five-course dinner "celebrating their innovative take on both traditional cooking and brewing techniques," Ratio says, with seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m. Pairings include: Red Chili Pork Dumplings, Crunch Shallots, Chinese Vinegar and Chili-Soy with Dear You French Saison; Lamb & Lentil Dumpling, Paneer and Cilantro Yogurt with Domestica American Standard Ale; and Cobia Poke, Strawberry, Cucumber and Crispy Rice Cake with Handwritten Belgian Abbey Ale. Tickets, $49, and more information are available at nightout.com.
Tuesday, July 11
Pizzeria Locale will host a Crazy Mountain Brewing happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. at its restaurant in Highland Square. Each guest can snag one free flight of Crazy Mountain beer — no food purchase necessary.
Thursday, July 13
Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings in the Highland Square area will cede its taps to Cerebral Brewing tonight. The tap list includes Rare Trait IPA; Strange Claw IPA; Tandem Jetpack Double IPA; and Local Traffic Saison.
Friday, July 14
Odell Brewing in Fort Collins will offer fans the first taste of Green Coyote tomatillo sour in its taproom. The beer "has had a long journey from the pilot system to package," the brewery says.
Saturday, July 15
Intrepid Sojourner Brewing, 925 West Eighth Avenue, will honor French National Day (which is actually July 14) with a party called the Bastille Day Celebration of Saisons. The brewery, which takes its inspiration from ingredients found all around the world, will convert its parking lot into a giant beer garden, or jardin a biere, and welcome in Resolute Brewing, CO-Brew, Cannonball Creek Brewing and Black Sky Brewery, who will all be pouring tasty French- and Belgian-style offerings. Intrepid Sojourner will tap a new Imperial Saison of its own, as well as other special releases every two hours starting at 2 p.m. In addition, there will be live music from Mikey and the Pikeys at 4 p.m. and food from Maine Street Barbecue.
Joyride Brewing will toast three years on Sloan's Lake with a block party on 25th Avenue between Sheridan Boulevard and Benton Street that will include live music from seven bands, three food trucks (Burgerchief, Turn-In BBQ, Johno's Food Truck), outdoor beer tents, a kids' zone and several beer releases. The fest begins at 11 a.m. when Flying Splash Kicks take the stage in the parking lot across the street from the brewery. They'll be followed by Johnny Tarr at noon, Full of Mirrors at 1:30 p.m., Dirt at 3 p.m., Coambient at 4:30, Wandering Natives at 6 and Funk at 8 p.m. As for beer, Joyride brewed three different collabs to celebrate its three years, with Elk Mountain Brewing, Little Machine Beer and Hogshead Brewery. If you buy a pint of each of the collaboration beers, you'll receive a special-edition commemorative glass. There will also be a rare-beer tent with some aged specialties, including five different versions of Tour Time Barleywine.
Call to Arms Brewing has enjoyed two years of "Quality. Community. Camaraderie," as its motto says, and plans to host a blowout second anniversary Fun Fest from noon to 11 p.m. to thank its customers and fans. Activities include carnival games and prizes and live music from the Sparkplugs from 3 to 7 p.m.; there will also be food from the Burger Chief food truck, Mas Kaos and Raleigh Street Bakery. In addition, a variety of vendors will be on hand to break in the brewery's new patio. As for beer, there will be fifteen on tap, plus special releases and a noon bottle sale of Zany Razzy Winey Thing, a Brettanomyces IPA aged in white wine barrels with raspberries.
Join Alpine Dog Brewing for a day of live music, limited-run beer releases, food and fun. Summer Sessions Volume 2 begins at 1 p.m. with a new Belgian-style Honey Blonde Ale and a limited Chocolate Banana version of the same beer. Alpine Dog will then tap Pineapple IPA at 3 p.m.; Blackberry Wild Saison at 5; and the Dyatlov Pass Incident, a Bourbon Barrel Coffee Russian Imperial Stout with Death Wish Coffee, at 7 p.m. There will be live music from Random Temple and a food truck.
Living the Dream Brewing will celebrate its third anniversary today and tomorrow with a variety of beer releases, VIP events (tickets required), live music and other activities. Some of the beers include: BA Russian Imperial Stout; Belgian Quad; German Chocolate Cake and Smoked wheat with peaches. For all the beers that will be on tap, as well as much, much more information about the festivities, go to the brewery's Facebook page.
Odd13 Brewing in Lafayette will host Robot Uprising, an event highlighting the return of Robot Librarian, a New England-style IPA collaboration from Odd13, Cerebral, Fiction and Weldwerks. It will be in cans and on draft, but will not be distributed beyond the brewery. This time around, the brewery will also tap robot-themed beers from the other three breweries. More details are TBA. Doors open at noon.
The Lagers for Lumber festival, a charity fundraiser featuring only lagers from thirty different breweries, takes place from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wibby Brewing in Longmont. There will also be live music from four bands, a silent disco, 2 DJs, a pool party, silent auction, halo photo booth, dog/family interactive games, bobbing for hot dogs, tie-dying, life size Jenga, water slides and cornhole. Proceeds benefit local charities through Foothills United Way, Safe Shelter of the St. Vrain and Left Hand Artist Group. For tickets, $40, and more information about the breweries and activities, go to the Lagers for Lumber web site.
The Jailhouse Craft Beer Bar on East Main Street in Buena Vista is celebrating its first anniversary with a mini beer festival and live music from 2 to 6 p.m. Baere Brewing, Black Project Spontaneous & Wild Ales, Cerebral Brewing, Elevation Beer Company and Melvin Brewing will be pouring during the fest. Live music will start on the outdoor stage at 3 p.m. with Boulder-based rock band Augustus followed by Denver-based bluegrass band the River Arkansas at 6. The Jailhouse recently extended its liquor license to include the lot next door, which houses an outdoor stage called the Watershed BV – a shared community space – where all the live music will be taking place. There will be food from the Bearded Lady food truck, and the Jailhouse will be open before, during and after the fest, with service as usual and a special selection of beers filling its ten taps.
Wednesday, July 19
The beer-soaked activists behind Makin Noise: A Pussy Riot Beer are back with new beers, new breweries and new causes today. Six breweries — Factotum Brewhouse, Colorado Plus, Grandma's House, Baere Brewing, Black Sky Brewing and Goldspot Brewing — will all tap beers made with Kveik, a ancient Norwegian yeast strain used in farmhouse-style beers. In the past, some of the money from the sale of the beer has been donated to a variety of charities that serve causes that are in particular danger because of the Trump administration's goals. These have included nonprofits benefiting LGTBQ groups, women's heath, the indigent and the environment. Here are details for this round: 11 a.m. at Black Sky Brewing (charity is NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado); 11 a.m. at Colorado Plus in Wheat Ridge (Colorado Water Trust); 2 p.m. at Baere Brewing (the Reciprocity Collective); 3 p.m. at Goldspot (Girls Rock Denver); 3 p.m. at Factotum (the Women's Foundation of Colorado STEM); and 4 p.m. at Grandma's House (Swallow Hill Music).
Friday, July 21
Launch Pad Brewery in Aurora kicks off its three-day third-anniversary celebration by tapping four barrel-aged beers, including a 2016 reserve. On Saturday, the brewery will host a Hawaiian-style pig roast (courtesy of Nokealoha) and release its Anniversary Brew-Archer's ALE (an imperial blueberry honey blonde). And on Sunday, Launch Pad will release its Birthday Cake Soyuz Stout and another top-secret beer. There will also be a brunch food truck and free cake.
Saturday, July 22
The Colorado Let's Talk Craft Beer Facebook group brings back its periodic Beer Mob event, to shower some love on a deserving brewery — but for the first time, they will mob a non-brewery. Instead, craft-beer lovers will descend on Southside Bar Kitchen on east Colfax Avenue at 4 p.m.. Owner Dave Cleland "is a huge supporter of the local brewery scene/culture. It's time for CLTCB to turn the tables and show some support to a fantastic local craft beer bar," CLTCB says. But that's not the only thing going on at Southside. Read below...
Southside Bar Kitchen will host a Makin' Noise Tap Takeover featuring all six of the beers brewed recently as part of the Makin' Noise: A Pussy Riot beer program, which supports local charities. Baere Brewing, Black Sky Brewery, Colorado Plus, Factotum Brewhouse, Goldspot and Grandma's House all brewed Kveik style farmhouse beers using the same strain of Norwegian yeast but with their own unique ingredients.
To The Wind Bistro will host a five-couse beer dinner with Ratio Beerworks featuring dishes from To the Wind Chef Royce Oliviera and beers from Ratio's Jason zumBrunnen. Seating starts at 5 p.m. but dinner will be served throughout the night. Tickets, $59, can be reserved by calling the restaurant at 303-316-3333. The first course is Kanpachi Crudo, lime chip, lime cucumber gastrique, micro radish paired with Major Nights Lime Gose. For the rest of the pairings, go the Facebook page.
Friday, July 28
To celebrate seven years of brewing German-inspired beers, Grimm Brothers Brewhouse in Loveland will turn its parking lot into a biergarten at 4 p.m. and will host live music, games for the kids and face painting. Also included will be Blood Orange Griffin Ice Cream, food by the Loveland Kiwanis Club, and specialty beer tappings: Bourbon Barrel Aged Master Thief and a mystery barrel-aged sour. Live music from Blind Alley Troubadours starts at 7. The festivities begin again on Saturday, July 29, with more live music, burgers and brats and drinking games like hammerschlagen. And finally, the brewery will tap Snow Drop as well as the "seven dwarfs" — seven fruited versions of Snow Drop.
Saturday, July 29
Denver Beer Co. cools things down with its second annual Ice Cream Shandy Social featuring treats from Little Man Ice Cream and Rocky Mountain Soda Company. The brewery has concocted five new shandies (half beer, half soda) with five different Rocky Mountain Soda flavors, while Little Man has paired five unique ice cream flavors for the pairing. Tickets are $20 and include five four-ounce shandies and five mini ice cream scoops.