110 MARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2025 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS & RECREATION | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | line, with modestly named styles like “bit- ter” and “mild,” is served at cellar tempera- ture (not exactly warm, but also not so cold that it dulls the beer’s fl avor) and using only natural carbonation to push the beer out of the casks, resulting in a rich, creamy head. The process accentuates just how fl avorful English beer can be, and the traditional styles tend to be lower ABV, allowing for a proper session of chin-wagging over a couple of Chin Wag ESBs without having to worry about the drive home. Best Stop for an Après-Ski Pint Off I-70 Westbound & Down Brewing Company 1617 Miner Street, Idaho Springs 720-502-3121 westboundanddown.com We love Westbound & Down in all its varia- tions and locations, but the original is the perfect spot for a cold one on the way back to the Front Range after a day shredding the gnar or cruising the groomers. Whether you’re coming from Grand County, Summit County, Loveland or farther afi eld, Idaho Springs is a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy one of Westbound’s many award- winning ales or lagers. Pair it with a burger or sandwich from the kitchen to refuel be- fore braving the last of the I-70 traffi c. Best Weeknight Brewery Event Monolith Brewing 1290 South Broadway 303-381-1222 monolithbrewing.com Monolith owner Stephen Monahan has a great deal of experience in opening brew- eries, but until recently, it was always for other owners. He leaned on that experi- ence when opening his own place in late 2023, in the former home of Black Project. Monahan put his own touch on the space, with wonderful murals and an assortment of creative lighting. Tuesday nights are a great time to visit, with a free jazz show featuring a handful of local musicians jam- ming for hours on end. Wine, cocktails and N/A offerings complement the deli- cious house beers along with soft pret- zels and tasty bites from neighbor Maria Empanada, so settle in and soak up the surroundings. Best Brewery to Bike To Raíces Brewing Company 2060 West Colfax Avenue 720-300-9725 raicesbrewing.com For a bike and a beer, it’s hard to beat the convenience of Raíces. The brew- ery is perched at the intersection of the 45-mile South Platte River Trail and the shorter 3.5-mile Lakewood Gulch. Both connect to a number of additional bike trails. The huge warehouse-like taproom and large AstroTurfed yard have plenty of seating, and the menu, with a wide range of beer, liquor and non-alcoholic options, caters to most palates. With so many trails, you could ride for hours, but one of our favorite short excursions is to start at RiNo Art Park, ride south through Confl uence Park, and end with a cold one at Raíces. Best Dark Beer Brewery River North Brewery 6021 Washington Street 303-296-2617 3400 Blake Street 720-236-8260 rivernorthbrewery.com Over the past year, River North racked up a long list of medal-winning beers. Whether it was the Denver International Beer Com- petition, the Brussels Beer Challenge, the European Star Awards, the World Beer Cup or the Colorado Cup, River North kept bagging medals — including many golds and a couple of best-of-show/best- brewery honors. What might initially be overlooked is that most of those winners were dark beers ranging from porters and brown ales to Nightmare Fuel, an imperial coffee stout. It’s no wonder this brewery holds an annual Porter Palooza and a Super Stout event. Best Brewery in Berkeley Call to Arms Brewing Company 4526 Tennyson Street 720-328-8258 calltoarmsbrewing.com Whether you need to work up a lather be- fore a show at the Oriental, already need cooling off from navigating the crowds of people and vehicles on Tennyson, or just need a really good beer that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Call to Arms is calling to you. The brewery has established itself as an institution in the Berkeley neighbor- hood over the past decade with a focus on fun and community. From light lagers and its fl agship IPA to more esoteric options, the beers are always rock solid, and even the most hardened craft beer pundit will crack a smile while ordering a glass of Go Go Sour Rangers or Janet Reno’s Dance Party. Best Independent Big Brewery Odell Brewing Multiple metro locations odellbrewing.com A Colorado institution for over 35 years, Odell Brewing is older than many of its fans. The independently owned brewery has successfully used the taproom model, ex- panding locally rather than nationally. This strategy keeps it close to its community and not as reliant on the lower-margin distribu- tion business. Each Odell taproom — there are locations in RiNo and Sloan’s Lake in ad- dition to the Fort Collins mothership — has a vibe all its own. The brewery maintains a high level of quality control, offering top- notch small-batch beers at every location. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to craft beer, there’s something for you at Odell. Best New Brewery Milieu Fermentation 2101 Ursula Street, Aurora 303-955-1035 milieufc.com Former Ursula Brewing employees Andrew Bergeron and Rob Food & Drink continued from page 108 continued on page 112
