14 APRIL 2-8, 2026 westword.com WESTWORD | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Hop to It THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DENVER’S BEST BREWERIES. BY RYAN PAC HMAYER Denver is known as a destination for craft beer, and with so many breweries specializ- ing in so many different styles, any fan of craft beer will fi nd a lot to love in the Mile High. While our lists, including the recently released 2026 edition of Best of Denver, typically explore options across the metro area, this time, we focused on breweries within city limits. As many food and drink businesses are making moves outside of Denver proper these days, we want to cel- ebrate the beer makers fi nding success in the city, where the environment has been more challenging in recent years. Here are our picks for the best breweries in every part of Denver right now: Central Denver (Downtown, Ballpark, RiNo, Five Points) Bierstadt Lagerhaus 2875 Blake Street Bierstadt Lagerhaus opened in RiNo a de- cade ago and has become a mecca for lager beers in America. Its three core brews are Helles, Dunkel and its iconic Slow Pour Pils. Seasonal beers include a corn lager, as well as a Czech Dark Lager. Regular collaborations with some of the best lager breweries across the country can be found on tap, alongside cocktails, wine and spirits. Guest taps, es- pecially Amalgam’s in-house-made hoppy creations, are top of the line. The food: German-focused with schnitzel, fries and giant pretzels. The vibes: Open, industrial space with lots of games. It’s a younger vibe on the weekends, with plenty of events. A long patio out front pro- vides an opportunity to soak up good weather. Our Mutual Friend 2810 Larimer Street OMF has been a longstanding fi xture in the neighborhood, pumping out a wide variety of beers from lagers to IPAs to stouts. It also produces less popular niche styles, such as saisons, as well as some of the most aggressive, phenol-laden smoked beers that you can fi nd. The food: Neighboring Pit Fiend BBQ is one of the best spots for ‘cue in the city. The vibes: Nights and weekends can feel like a house party in the cozy, upbeat taproom. The brewery doesn’t accept bachelor parties and beer pedal groups, so that makes it a reason- able spot to hang out on the weekends and not be overwhelmed by the ridiculousness that can spill over from the Ballpark neighborhood. Ratio Beerworks 2920 Larimer Street Founded in 2016, Ratio Beerworks is a key pillar of the RiNo beer scene. Brews like King of Carrot Flowers Saison, Cityscapes Mexi- can-Style Lager and Domestica Golden Ale are crowd-pleasing winners time and again. The food: There’s no food on-site, but the block is fi lled with eateries. The vibes: Ratio is perhaps the largest brew- ery supporter of live music and the arts in Denver. The result is a great mix of folks, young and old, from casual drinkers to craft beer regulars. Full Frame Beer 1139 20th Street Started by former Jagged Mountain head brewer Alyssa Hoberer and former Our Mu- tual Friend brewer Jacob Kemple in 2025, the duo has breathed new life into the former Jagged Mountain space. Both the space and the beer offerings have been updated. Expect refreshing, bright, hop-forward pale ales, plenty of collaborations with local homies and an assortment of other modern beers. The food: A $5 hot dog and chips lunch deal is always available, along with occasional food trucks. The vibes: Bright and welcoming, matching the beers. Photography buffs will especially appreciate the decor. Events range from book clubs to workshops. South Denver (South Broadway, Baker) Monolith Brewing 1290 South Broadway Long-time industry brewer Stephen Mona- han took over the former Black Project space in 2023, adding fun murals and funky lights to the space. Monahan brews small batches on site, offering a wide range of typical beer styles that are constantly rotating. The food: Empanadas from neighbor Maria Empanada will keep you from going hungry. The vibes: Plenty of music-focused events, including free jazz and bluegrass nights throughout the week. A feather bowling club adds a unique element. With wine, cocktails and N/A beers being served, a wide range of both neighborhood and destination custom- ers regularly fi lls the space. Novel Strand Brewing 305 West First Avenue Co-owner and head brewer Tamir Danon is at the forefront of new hop varieties, con- stantly tinkering and releasing new hoppy ales. Don’t sleep on the lagers though – this is one of the few breweries regularly making German-style Altbier. Both the pilsner and Schwarzbier are delicious as well. The food: A limited selection of paninis and pastries are available, delivered fresh daily. The vibes: Brick walls and street-facing win- dows make this cozy space feel just right. Wine and cocktails are newly added to the menu, making this a true neighborhood brewery bar. West Denver (Highland, Sloan’s Lake, Sunnyside) Diebolt Brewing 3855 Mariposa Street Come because of the silly Instagram reels, stay for the quality beers. Father-son duo Dan and Jack Diebolt have been running Diebolt for over a dozen years. The tap list is fi lled with the expected – IPAs and easy drinking lagers, but with some less common beers as well. The Diebolts have a French heritage, and they honor that with several French-inspired beers, like Anton Francois, an amber ale with French ingredients. Those in the know seek out Vladislav, the brewery’s annual imperial stout and GABF winner. The food: Limited deals like free hot dogs, but you’ll largely rely on the surrounding area’s restaurants here. The vibes: It’s a homey atmosphere, with an intimate, brick-walled taproom. This is the type of place where you might meet some new friends or chat with the bartender for a couple of hours. Hogshead Brewery 4460 West 29th Avenue While there are plenty of CO2 options of- fered, including some low-key delicious lagers, the star of the show here is the wide range of traditional, English-style cask ales. Nobody in Denver is serving as high a quality, nor as many cask beers as Hogshead. The food: Quick pizzas with special toppings CAFE FIND MORE FOOD & DRINK COVERAGE AT WESTWORD.COM/RESTAURANTS Cohesion Brewing is one of the top spots for craft beer in Denver. Seedstock Brewery is a great place to relax with a lager. JESS BL ACKWELL PHOTOGRAPHY SEEDSTOCK BREWERY
