Breckenridge Brewery Improves With Age, Celebrates 20 Years

On November 15, Breckenridge Brewery and Pub celebrated its 20th anniversary in Denver with a party that had plenty of good beer. This is not surprising. However, being greeted with a Dirty Girl Scout — a mix of Frangelico, peppermint schnapps, and Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout — upon walking in the door was definitely a sign things had changed at the Blake Sreet brewpub. As a birthday present, Breckenridge has treated itself to a full makeover, breaking new ground with the food menu and beverage program while still being true to the tradition that has made them one of Colorado’s most well known places for craft beer.  

The new Breckenridge is noticeable before you walk in the door. A large sign announces Breckenridge Brewery and Pub is now called Breckenridge Colorado Craft. Inside, the entire interior of the restaurant has been renovated to incorporate more natural materials and cozy elements, including exposed brick and a wall of local whiskey barrels. The name change comes from the addition of 16 new taps behind the bar that now include great beer selections from local breweries as well as some award winning brews from outside the state. The re-opening beer list includes some hard to find favorites like Elevation Apis IV Quadrupel, Dad and Dude’s Dank IPA, and River North Wit. Add in the 16 taps of great Breckenridge beers that are available and it’s a good night for beer drinkers.

Great looks and good beer personality aren’t the only thing that stand out about the new Breckenridge Colorado Craft. Breckenridge/Wynkoop beverage director and local bar hero Ken Kodys was brought on four months ago to remaster the entire cocktail, spirits and wine lists to give guests even more quality options. “It’s great to be able to take it to the next level,” Kodys says. “This is a historical business so it’s great to stay true to that but also be able to offer some things we haven’t before.” Highlights of the new menu include an amazing barrel aged Manhattan (made with brandied cherries and aged for four months) and a handcrafted margarita on draft. Wine on tap from Infinite Monkey Theorem, a selection of beer cocktails and a list local and hard to find spirits round out the bar portfolio.  

Opening up the beer and beverage menu to many of the other great local brewers and distillers has been highlight for Kodys. “I can’t wait to continue to collaborate with all of the best people in the state and even the country, really, on the beer, wine and spirits we’re able to offer,” he says. During the renovation, Kodys worked personally with all of the bartenders and each member of the staff to train them on all of the new drink offerings and make sure they are consistent.

To accompany all of the new beverages, Breckenridge also revamped the entire food menu to include items above and beyond traditional pub grub and showcase locally sourced ingredients. In addition to quality versions of wings and nachos, you’ll also find house made empanadas, Colorado ale roasted lamb and mussels in white wine broth (fantastic with a beer!). The entrees include healthy options like salmon tacos, shrimp and avocado salad, and the chipotle turkey club as well as hearty fare like bacon mac ‘n’ cheese (which you can and should add local wild boar or bison sausage to) and country fried bison steak. The bangers and sashers plate also features local bison cheddar-jalapeno sausage in Avalanche Ale gravy with a choice of three kinds of house mustard, all made with Breckenridge beers. The philosophy behind the new menu is to offer something for everyone, so the bar can be a dining destination for more than just traditional beer drinkers.  

Breckenridge Colorado Craft stands out among the numerous beer bars in Denver with a great mix of casual and quality that’s more along the lines of an upscale gastropub. You can be comfortable no matter what you’re wearing and no matter what the occasion. Add in the friendly and knowledgeable staff and it’s a great place for a night out. Kodys sums it up, “It’s great to be able to welcome all of our beer friends and offer them something new.  It’s also great to be able to welcome all of our new friends, too, and offer them more of what their looking for.”

2220 Blake St.; 303-297-3644

Happy Hour
Monday–Friday 4–6 PM
Saturday & Sunday 11 AM–3 PM
Late Night Happy Hour
Sunday–Thursday 9:30–11:30 PM

$1 off Breckenridge beers, well drinks & house wine