112 APRIL 4-10, 2024 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC & VENUES | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | SHOPPING & SERVICES | CONTENTS | modest discount and some swag. Hops & Pie ditches the merch and amplifies the beer savings, making it the best deal around. As a member, you’ll get happy hour all the time, which includes $1 off drafts, slices of the day, wine and pizzas. Every Sunday, your third beer is free, and the second Sunday of each month, there are special fi fty-cent draft beers. Because a membership is only $75, you could show up six Sundays a year and make your money back. This ain’t your PBR-type beer spe- cial, either: Hops & Pie is one of the very best beer bars in Colorado, with fantastic brews from across the state and around the country. Best Brewery Expansion Burns Family Artisan Ales TapHouse 1236 South Broadway 720-379-7763 burnsalesdenver.com The original Burns location, on West Second Avenue, is now called the BarrelHouse,and it’s a destination-worthy spot where you’re likely to run into industry vets and beer lov- ers of all walks. But the fact that it’s in the middle of a warehouse district makes it a little less traffi cked. Opening a second loca- tion on South Broadway has given Burns a wider audience — and the fact that it took over the former Dos Luces space took away some of the sting of that loss. It’s also cre- ated a new brewery hot spot, with Mono- lith, Grandma’s House and Public Offering, among others, nearby. Best Suburban Beer Scene Lafayette Long anchored by Liquid Mechanics and Odd13, Lafayette has really come into its own in recent years. When Cellar West re- located from north Boulder and expanded its offerings to include fantastic examples of highly drinkable beers, it was a big plus for the area. Then Westbound & Down added a production facility and taproom, with a kitchen led by chef Casey Taylor. The town could also win an award for “best brewer- ies with fried chicken,” since both Mono Mono and the Post are located in Lafayette. Plus, Romero’s K9 Club & Tap House is a can’t-miss beer bar right in town, as well as a great spot to bring your four-legged friend. Best Brewery to Take Visitors Bierstadt Lagerhaus 2875 Blake Street 720-821-1571 bierstadtlager.com Exploring the local beer scene is a must for anyone visiting Denver, but if you only have time for one stop, make it Bierstadt. This RiNo favorite also becomes the unof- fi cial hangout for most industry folks when the city holds the occasional Craft Brewers Conference, or the yearly Great American Beer Festival. With three core German la- gers, several seasonal brews and frequent collaboration lagers with brewery friends from around the globe, the balance be- tween familiar per- Food and Drink continued from page 110 continued on page 113
