Colorado Beer Thread (Grand Junction, Lafayette, Lone Tree: live, restaurant, marketplace)

[delta07]

Originally Posted by headingtoDenver

Something else I am noticing is that some of the breweries are also doing good things with food. Twisted Pine in boulder for example, has great food.

This is one of the things I feel is lacking in the Colorado breweries. I remember a few good brew pubs in Fort Collins when I attended CSU that we would go to specifically because they served food (Coopersmith's and one other that I can't recall the name of now). After living in Bend, OR for almost 6 years now, I am still shocked that many of the Colorado breweries don't tap into this market.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by delta07

This is one of the things I feel is lacking in the Colorado breweries. I remember a few good brew pubs in Fort Collins when I attended CSU that we would go to specifically because they served food (Coopersmith's and one other that I can't recall the name of now). After living in Bend, OR for almost 6 years now, I am still shocked that many of the Colorado breweries don't tap into this market.

It seems like a lot of them are trying to pair up with food trucks because they don't have to make the capital investment in a kitchen.

Breckenridge is certainly big on the food piece. I'm excited to see how this project turns out: Breckenridge Brewery building $20 million brewery project in Littleton - The Denver Post

Avery is also building a new facility in Boulder that will house a restaurant, but they had to get the city to change an ordinance that forbid breweries in industrial zones from having restaurants. The new facility should be awesome. Avery Brewing breaks ground on new Boulder brewery - Boulder Daily Camera

[headingtoDenver]

Originally Posted by delta07

This is one of the things I feel is lacking in the Colorado breweries. I remember a few good brew pubs in Fort Collins when I attended CSU that we would go to specifically because they served food (Coopersmith's and one other that I can't recall the name of now). After living in Bend, OR for almost 6 years now, I am still shocked that many of the Colorado breweries don't tap into this market.

I do agree. That's one big thing I've learned from the show Bar Rescue. Food keeps people in their seats and generally gets them to order more drinks. The minute you have a drink and are hungry, you finish your drink and leave.

[delta07]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

It seems like a lot of them are trying to pair up with food trucks because they don't have to make the capital investment in a kitchen.

Breckenridge is certainly big on the food piece. I'm excited to see how this project turns out: Breckenridge Brewery building $20 million brewery project in Littleton - The Denver Post

Avery is also building a new facility in Boulder that will house a restaurant, but they had to get the city to change an ordinance that forbid breweries in industrial zones from having restaurants. The new facility should be awesome. Avery Brewing breaks ground on new Boulder brewery - Boulder Daily Camera

I definitely understand the capital investment part. My mom owned a restaurant in the Denver area for 20 years. It's tough! But I also feel like the breweries that serve food always do so well. I'm sure there are ones who don't, but they probably have bigger problems. Anyhow, glad to hear of a few more. I will have to check them out next time I come to Colorado to visit family.

Originally Posted by headingtoDenver

I do agree. That's one big thing I've learned from the show Bar Rescue. Food keeps people in their seats and generally gets them to order more drinks. The minute you have a drink and are hungry, you finish your drink and leave.

Absolutely! Usually, if I'm going to go out and have a few beers, I really want to eat something to go with it. These craft beers are heavy on the alcohol after all.

[Timmyy]

I completely forgot I created this thread. Good bump.

[Timmyy]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

It seems like a lot of them are trying to pair up with food trucks because they don't have to make the capital investment in a kitchen.

Breckenridge is certainly big on the food piece. I'm excited to see how this project turns out: Breckenridge Brewery building $20 million brewery project in Littleton - The Denver Post

Avery is also building a new facility in Boulder that will house a restaurant, but they had to get the city to change an ordinance that forbid breweries in industrial zones from having restaurants. The new facility should be awesome. Avery Brewing breaks ground on new Boulder brewery - Boulder Daily Camera

I toured Avery in the summer. They are well hidden so they definitely need to expand.

[headingtoDenver]

Originally Posted by Timmyy

I toured Avery in the summer. They are well hidden so they definitely need to expand.

First time I tried to find them was at night. That was a big mistake. Their sign wasn't lit up and I had no clue that they were way in the back of that industrial area. So, we left and went somewhere else. Came back another day while it was daylight and found it easy enough. I know they had a food menu at that time, but I think they partnered with a catering company across the alley because the food came from them.

Why give those profits to someone else when you can keep them for yourself.

[Timmyy]

The tour we did started at Avery then took us to Oskar Blue's and finished at Left Hand. It is a beer bus and I think it was $40 per person for them to drive us around for the entire day.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by delta07

I definitely understand the capital investment part. My mom owned a restaurant in the Denver area for 20 years. It's tough! But I also feel like the breweries that serve food always do so well. I'm sure there are ones who don't, but they probably have bigger problems. Anyhow, glad to hear of a few more. I will have to check them out next time I come to Colorado to visit family.

I know that a lot of them seem really happy with having a food truck park outside. The food truck scene is getting pretty good in Denver so you can have both great food and great beer even though the breweries don't have a kitchen.

[headingtoDenver]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

I know that a lot of them seem really happy with having a food truck park outside. The food truck scene is getting pretty good in Denver so you can have both great food and great beer even though the breweries don't have a kitchen.

I also know that a lot of these new breweries are in relatively small places. Having a food truck out front instead of having a full kitchen, saves a LOT of space. It truly is a win win, the brewery gets you to stay there for another drink or two, and the food truck gets a steady flow of customers.