It's hard to imagine a brewpub with an ethos that better fits its community than that of Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery. From the amiable and eclectic staff members to the trippy decor, from the big, chewy beers, brewed right on site, to the menu specializing in fresh ingredients and new takes on old classics, Mountain Sun has a vibe that defines Boulder. Show up at 4:20 p.m. (yeah, that 4:20) and you're likely to find a new beer being tapped, but don't bring your credit card: Mountain Sun and its sister pubs, Southern Sun and Denver's Vine Street Pub, don't take them, although they'll let you mail your money in later if need be. And this year, Mountain Sun will get even more experimental when the company shifts most of its brewing operations to Denver, allowing the Boulder brewers to free their minds — and their suds.
Readers' Choice: Wynkoop Brewing Company