Like its Boulder counterparts -- Southern Sun, Mountain Sun, and Under The Sun -- Vine Street is a Denver staple and beer Elysium. And its appeal isn't dominated by the season: step in in the fall or winter, and you'll find a cozy place to linger; stop by in the spring or summer and you can enjoy the greenery of upper 17th Avenue from their spacious patio.

See also: Patio of the day: The Thin Man

Although the coveted tables might be hard to come by, complaints are few and far between: if you're waiting on a table, step up to the bar and sample some of the beers that come out the relatively new brewing system in back, or enjoy a game of cornhole on the sun-drenched side patio, where you'll find patrons huddled around outdoor tables, dogs tied happily to the fence.

Besides the ever-changing selection of original microbrews, the string of brewpubs is known for an intensely friendly and knowledgeable staff -- which helps if you find yourself glued to your seat for one beer after another.

Happy hour (two of them!) run Monday to Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close; and on Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. On Tuesdays, catch Burger Beer Monday, which includes an all-natural burger and pint of beer for $9.75.

• First Look
• Patio of the Day