Self-guided Brewery Tour of Five Points & LoDo Neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado

Historic Five Points, Denver

One of Denver's oldest neighborhoods, historic Five Points is located northeast of downtown Denver and is a fantastic place for an afternoon of craft beer!

In the early 1800s, Five Points was named in reference to the conjunction of Denver’s diagonal downtown grid with a rectangular suburban grid, which join at Washington Street, 27th Street, 26th Avenue, and Welton Street. Once a thriving African American neighborhood rich with jazz and blues clubs, Five Points is rich in culture and history. In 1868, Curtis Park, Denver’s first public park which was named for Samuel Curtis, was built. In the 1950's the population of Five Points declined and in the early 2000s Five Points was revitalized.

References and to learn more about the history of Five Points at:

• Denver Library/five-points-whittier
• Denver Library/blair

Though Five Points is currently a great place to enjoy craft beer, and you should CERTAINLY do this, while you are in the neighborhood, we encourage you to explore the history as well.

• Do a self guided tour of the area with your cell phone at Denver Story Trek: https://denverstorytrek.org/places;
• Visit the Black American West Museum at https://www.bawmhc.org/;
• Check out the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance at https://cleoparkerdance.org/;

 

History of LoDo, Denver

LoDo, short for Lower Downtown, has an interesting and diverse history. This 23 block area of Denver is original settlement of the city of Denver with some of the oldest buildings in the West.

The city of Denver was founded in 1858 after a small amount of gold was found there. This area had been the home to Native Americans, mostly Cheyenne and Arapaho, prior to this time. These Native American tribes had legal title to the land through the Treaty of Fort Laramie signed in 1851. In 1861, the United States took legal possession of the region, that eventually became Denver, with the Treaty of Fort Wise, which is still contested to this day.

The city of Denver, located where the South Platte River and the Cherry Creek join started as a frontier town and morphed over the years with the arrival of the railroad in 1870 and then economic difficulties throughout the late 1800's and early 1900's. After World War 11, the area went through an economic decline for many years. In 1988, the City and County of Denver recognized Lower Downtown a Historic District.

Today, LoDo's collection of late 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings are the backdrop and foundation for nightlife and socializing. Restaurants, breweries, sports bars, coffee shops, art galleries and high-end lofts now line the streets.

If you would like to learn more about the history of LoDo, please go to: Denver Library/lodo

Walking Brewery Tour

Hold on for BEER life...here we go!

Enjoy one of Colorado's over 300 days of sun each year with a walking... or biking...or even grab a scooter and take a ride.. through Five Points enjoying the many craft breweries this area has to offer.

River North Brewery

3400 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
https://www.rivernorthbrewery.com/
Start your afternoon at 34th and Blake Street at River North Brewery, which is located at the far North-West corner of Five Points.

River North Brewery first opened its doors in 2012 and opened the brewery in this beautiful brick building at this location in 2019. You can sit inside the tap room, which has an industrial vibe with a wood bar and metal accents. Garage doors open to the patio with picnic tables.

The patio is a lovely place to enjoy downtown Denver and the fantastic Colorado weather. Though they do not have food onsite, they do often have a food truck if you need lunch or a snack.

  

14er Brewing and Beer Garden

3120 Blake St Unit C, Denver, CO 80205
https://www.14erbrewing.com/

From River North Brewery, head two blocks South-west to to 32nd and Blake Street to 14er Brewing.

Owners, Andrew Kaczmarek and Nato Francescato, high school friends and Colorado natives, love the outdoors and enjoy cycling. With over 30 beers and seltzers on tap, and even some slushies, you are bound to find something, or a few somethings you like here. If you are hungry, grab a pretzel with cheese sauce, pizza or a hot dog -- All pair well with beer.

Sit inside the industrial, warehouse taproom at a wood table or head outside through the garage doors to sit on the patio under a huge artistic mural painted on the next door building, under an umbrella or a pergola. Maybe even challenge a friend to a game of corn hole.

   

Odell Brewing

2945 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
https://www.odellbrewing.com/locations/fivepoints/
Next, walk one block down the street to 30th Street and up to Larimer to enjoy a cold one at Odell Brewing.

Odell Brewing was founded in 1989 by Doug Odell, his wife Wynne, and his sister Corkie, opening their first brewery in Fort Collins. In 2015, the Odell family sold their company to their employees/co-workers -- the company in now 100% employee owned -- super cool if you ask us!

The brewhouse in 5 points is located in a beautiful, 2 story, red brick building built in 1917 and many of the historic features are preserved. Enjoy one of their 16 beer choices on at one of 2 bars, on the patio or on the rooftop patio. Nice, relaxing city vibe!!

    


Ratio Beerworks

2920 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
http://ratiobeerworks.com/

Are up for brewery number FOUR? If so, Ratio Beerworks is a hop, skip and a jump across the street on Larimer.

Co-founders Jason zumBrunnen and Scott Kaplan opened Ratio Beerworks in Denver in 2016. This large brewery has an industrial, warehouse vibe. There is plenty of seating inside or outside in the beer garden. Enjoy some live music. You can often grab a bite to eat at the food truck.

Our Mutual Friend Brewing

2810 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205
https://www.buyomfbeer.com/

Next on your brewery hop - Our Mutual Friend Brewing, just one and a half blocks down Larimer at 28th street.

This small brewery has been part of the community since 2012. The definition of a gathering place. This small, urban brewery has 20 beers on tap and a city vibe. There is a small amount of indoor seating and an outdoor patio with covered and uncovered seating. Grab a beer, enjoy the music, sit and relax with the locals.

   

Bierstadt Lagerhaus

2875 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205

https://www.bierstadtlager.com/

For the last brewery on todays brewery hop, walk one block up 28th to Blake Street and check out Bierstadt Lagerhaus.

Ashleigh Carter and Bill Eye opened Bierstadt Lagerhaus brewpub in 2016. Using the thirty-barrel copper brewing system built in 1932 which they bought in the Bavarian town of Ammerndorf, transported to the states and rebuilt for their brewery, they created an amazing brewpub. With 6 German style lagers on tap including their signature slow pour Pils and a traditional Dunkel, you can't help but enjoy your cold brew. In addition to beer, guests can order wine, cocktails and German dishes like schnitzel, sausage and pretzels.

This is a super fun place to have a beer, enjoy a traditional German meal and have fun with friends. Guests can sit at the bar or a bar table on the second floor and visit or play large yarn games in the game room on the first floor. 

   

Google Maps Denver Breweries

We hope you had BEER-tiful day...because life is too short to drink crappy beer.

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