Best Mexican food in Boulder and Denver

Huevos rancheros at Casa Alegre in Louisville

 

Metro Denver seems to have a bit of a rough rep when it comes to great Mexican food, but there *are* some very good options around town…

 

Metro Boulder/Denver

Lafayette

Lunada Eatery & Cantina – Try the spicy chicken tacos and local craft beer on tap from Front Range Brewing.

Taqueria La Esperanza – Quick, authentic, and inexpensive – no frills.

Taco Wagon – Lafayette’s staple for breakfast burritos.

Efrain’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina – Quote from a local: “If I was allowed just one more meal, it would be Efrain’s Chili Verde.” (additional locations in Boulder and Longmont; Note: Per one of our readers – “Efrain’s locations in Boulder and Longmont are owned and operated by Efrain himself. The Lafayette location is owned/operated by another family member.”)

Santiago’s (25+ Colorado locations)

Louisville

Casa Alegre Mexican Restaurant – Huevos Rancheros are fantastic.

La Revolución Taqueria y Cantina (La Rev) – Locals love the mole sauce and house margarita.

Old Santa Fe Mexican Grille – New address @ 592 McCaslin Blvd.

Loco Hermanos – Regulars dig the huge burritos and green chile (aka chili).

Pica’s Mexican Taqueria (expected Spring, 2016 – see Boulder notes below)

Longmont

Antonio’s of Longmont – Excellent gluten-free and vegan options.

Las Palmeras Mexican Cuisine – Order the tasty refritos!

Comida Cantina – Exceptional street food, formerly available from a pink truck – now served from a brick/mortar cantina in Prospect.

Three salsas at Comida in Longmont (see also The Source, Denver)

Erie

Azteca Family Mexican Restaurant – Sister restaurant to Casa Alegre in Louisville.

Broomfield

Ana’s Mexican Grill – Try the infused Tequila.

El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant – Looking for huge portions? You’ll find them at Tapatio.

La Casa Del Burrito – Traditional Mexican fare with a great burrito selection.

Tres (3) Margaritas (multiple Colorado locations)

Westminster

Tacos Y Salsas – Try the Machaca burrito.

Hacienda Colorado (four Denver locations)

Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant (three Denver locations)

 

Boulder

Agave Mexican Bistro & Tequila House – Upscale Mexican with a huge, awesome lounge upstairs.

Pica’s Mexican Taqueria – Try the pozole, tacos, burritos, or tortas paired with a lemon-lime-orange-juice margarita. New Louisville location to open in 2016.

La Choza Mexican Restaurant – One of Boulder’s most authentic Mexican spots (NoBo).

Sancho’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant – Formerly 100% Mexicano – thank goodness they’re back!

Tahona Tequila Bistro – The slow-cooked duck tacos are incredible.

Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant (multiple Colorado locations)

 

Denver

Chili Verde Mexican Cuisine

D’Corazon Mexican Comfort Food – Visit the “D” for potent margaritas and the traditional style mole poblano.

El Chapultepec – Stop in for jazz and green chile (aka chili).

El Taco de Mexico

Los Chingones Mexican

Las Delicias

La Loma Mexican

Lola Mexican Fish House

Patzcuaro’s Mexican Restaurant

Rosa Linda’s Mexican Cafe

Tacos, Tequila & Whiskey (aka Pinche Tacos, Pinche Taqueria, Pinch) – Worth the trip just for the queso with salty/limey chips. Definitely try the Queso a la Plancha tacos.

Tamayo Modern Mexican Kitchen & Tequileria

 

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List of Boulder Breweries (that keeps getting longer)

Metro Boulder has at least 38 41 breweries. That number will go up by the end of the week, regardless of what week it is. If you’re looking for a complete list of breweries in the state of Colorado, check out the Fermentedly Challenged beer blog.

Here’s a list of where to go and a brew or two to try while you’re in Boulder.

 

BRU Handbuilt Ales & Eats, Boulder

5290 Saison, Rigley Red IPA (seasonal), or Citrum IPA

Bru’s 5-beer sampler is whatever you want it to be. You pick, they serve, everyone wins.

 

Upslope Brewing Company (two locations), Boulder

Citra pale is fantastic, as is the pumpkin ale.

 

FATE Brewing Company, Boulder

Coffee IPA, Nohns, and Clotho

 

Shine Brewing Company, Boulder

Double Red IPA (Down Dog Red)

 

Avery Brewing Company, Boulder (now in Gunbarrel)

Hop heads will want to sample Dugana, Hog Heaven or Maharaja

 

Best breweries in Boulder County, in our humble opinion

 

Avery’s new Gunbarrel digs

 

J Wells Brewery, Boulder

English bitter (Defiance)

 

Southern Sun Pub & Brewery, Boulder

Annapurna Amber for a session ale… Illusion Dweller IPA for a bitter hop fix

 

Boulder Beer Company, Boulder

Grab the sampler (bring a friend) or order whatever’s on nitro.

Why drink one IPA when you can try four?

 

Sanitas Brewing, Boulder

Red IPA, Black IPA, or any saison

Craft beer and Boulder… almost as popular as WEED and Boulder

 

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery, Boulder

Rotating taps are always a good bet

 

Twisted Pine Brewing Company, Boulder

If you enjoy scalding-hot-pepper beer, try the Ghost Face Killah. Also: the Big Shot Espresso Stout has won several awards…

 

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery, Boulder

The grand cru is a solid choice, or try something barrel-aged if it’s available. Another perk: they carry bottles of the Nostradamus Belgian Strong Dark Ale from Brasserie Caracole year round.

 

Redstone Meadery, Boulder

Try the Mountain Honey Wine.

 

Walnut Brewery, Boulder

The Old Elk Brown Ale is a two-time GABF medalist.

 

West Flanders Brewing Company, Boulder

Try a Belgian flight!

 

Wild Woods Brewery, Boulder

Grab a pint of the Ponderosa Porter – aged with whole vanilla beans.

 

Echo Brewing Company, Erie

Order an English Pint of the Powder Run Pale Ale.

 

Industrial Revolution Brewing Company, Erie

Go get yourself shnockered on the Twin Gear Double IPA.

 

Old Mine Cidery & Brewpub, Erie

Gluten-free Handlebar Hard Cider

 

Asher Brewing Company, Gunbarrel

Try a Green Monstah strong ale.

 

New Planet Beer Company, Gunbarrel

Try something gluten-free, because it’s all they serve.

 

Are you a beer snob? You should be.

Finkel & Garf Brewing Company, Gunbarrel

Reach for the Pale Ale

 

Vindication Brewing Company, Gunbarrel

American Bold Ale

 

The Post Brewing Company, Lafayette

Order the Townie Ale or the Bulky Oxen barleywine.

 

Odd13 Brewing, Lafayette

Pair a couple pints of Eric the Red IPA with the “Odd” beer hero artwork surrounding you…

 

Front Range Brewing Company, Lafayette

Grab a row of tasters paired with snacks from local Lafayette eateries

 

Liquid Mechanics Brewing Company, Lafayette

Definitely try a seasonal flight

 

Left Hand Brewing Company, Longmont

The Black Jack Porter and Milk Stout Nitro are staples in many Colorado ‘fridges.

 

Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont

Try the Gubna Imperial IPA or the G’Knight Imperial Red.

 

300 Suns Brewing, Longmont

Try something new from the “Collabeerations” menu in the tasting room.

 

Großen Bart Brewery, Longmont

Order the Chin Curtain IPA, just for the name.

 

Pumphouse Brewery, Longmont

Check the seasonal menu for creative twists on traditional ales.

 

Gravity Brewing, Louisville

Treat yourself to the whiskey barrel-aged DIPA because it’s freakin’ excellent, and so are you.

 

Crystal Springs Brewing Company, Louisville

Any IPA or double IPA is a solid bet.

Crystal Springs brewed a high-IBU, hoppy winner in the “13” (far right)

 

Twelve Degree Brewing, Louisville

The Pink Panther Saison is fantastic.

12 Degree Brewing – low-IBU tasters

 

Oskar Blues Grill & Brew, Lyons

Ten Fidy is the best Russian Imperial Stout in the state.

Oskar Blues Ten FIDY – chocolate, caramel, coffee, and hops. Pair with rum balls!

 

Bootstrap Brewing Company, Niwot

The Stick’s Pale Ale is perfect to pair with Wednesday night Euchre at Bootstrap. Also: Insane Rush is one of the top-five IPAs in Colorado.

 

Powder Keg Brewing Company, Niwot

Tilt back a Baltic porter and sip away any lingering sorrows.

 

Best restaurants in Boulder, Colorado

This concept worked well for nearby Louisville, so here are our top choices for Boulder, CO eateries and breweries…

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Craft beer and Boulder… almost as popular as weed and Boulder… Almost.

Argentine Fare

Rincon Argentino

Bar + Socializing

Absinthe House (rhymes with “neat market”)
T-Zero Lounge
The Rio Grande Restaurant (go for the margs, stay for the chips)
The Attic Bar + Bistro
Walrus Saloon

Bistro Cuisine

Chautauqua Dining Hall

Breakfast Bagels

Moe’s Bagels

Brunch

Brasserie Ten Ten (try the crepes, and order a cheese plate)
Lucile’s Creole Cafe (perfect brunch after a soccer game or hike; bring your appetite for the biscuits)
Snooze AM Eatery
Tangerine

Seriously good burgers – turkey, beef, tuna, truffle, portobello – at Larkburger

Burgers

The Sink (Obama was here)
Rueben’s Burger Bistro (try the sweet potato fries)
West End Tavern (Boulder’s hidden gem for craft beer and distinctive bourbon)
Larkburger

 

Casual/Hip Dining

The Kitchen Next Door (the kale chips are the best in town)
The Kitchen Upstairs (great place to take out-of-towners, particularly if your company is picking up the tab)

 

Chinese Noodles

Zoe Ma Ma

 

Comfort Food

Murphy’s Neighborhood Restaurant

 

Craft Beer – Brewery

Bru Handbuilt Ales and Eats (can’t say enough great things about Bru; try the unfiltered ales and sourdough pizza)
Fate Brewing (coffee IPA? Yes – and it’s excellent.)
Shine
Southern Sun
Upslope Brewing
Sanitas Brewing
Boulder Beer (Order the barley veggie burger with blue cheese and real bacon. Trust me.)

Bru’s 5-beer sampler is whatever you want it to be. You pick, they serve, everyone wins.

 

Craft Beer – Tap House

Backcountry Pizza + Tap House (cheap dinner – slice of pizza + Russian River Blind Pig IPA – always on tap)
Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom
Rueben’s Burger Bistro
West End Tavern

 

Craft Cocktails

The Bitter Bar
Salt the Bistro (check out the downstairs bar during happy hour)
Blackbelly Restaurant, Bar & Butcher
Oak at Fourteenth

Blackbelly’s happy hour is hard to beat

 

Date Night

Oak at Fourteenth (order small plates and share with your better half)
Salt the Bistro
The Kitchen

 

Date Night (money no object)

Flagstaff House Restaurant (enjoy Boulder’s best view)
Black Cat Farm~Table~Bistro
Frasca Food and Wine (hard to find a better wine list – anywhere)
L’Atelier
Jill’s Restaurant

 

Farm to Table

Blackbelly Restaurant, Bar & Butcher
Bramble and Hare

 

Don’t miss dessert at Brasserie Ten Ten – Parisienne Macarons paired with Taylor-Fladgate 20-year Port

French Fare

Brasserie Ten Ten
Mateo Restaurant Provençal (another top choice in Boulder cheese plates)

 

German Fare + Beer

Bohemian Biergarten (Boulder’s largest beer glasses and longest tables)

 

Gluten-free Menu

Shine (hip eatery + brewery)

 

Grain-free Menu

Blooming Beets (gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free)

Chorizo + sweet potato hash with poached eggs and dairy-free hollandaise @ Blooming Beets in Boulder — paired with local Firestone-Colorado-brewed, spiced-apple Wild Cider

 

Indian Fare

Tiffin’s India Cafe

 

Irish Fare

Conor O’Neills (watch futbol [soccer] here)

 

Italian Fare

Il Pastaio
Arugula Bar e Ristorante (grab a spot at this unique bar)

 

Latin Fare

Centro Latin Kitchen
Aji Latin American Restaurant (all-day happy hour on Sundays)

 

Mexican Fare

100% Mexicano (Boulder’s best Mexican food, in my opinion; UPDATE: sad to report 100% Mexicano has closed.)

 

Mexican Fare (higher end)

Tahona Tequila Bistro (try the duck!)
Agave Mexico Bistro + Tequila House

 

Monday Teahouse

Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse

 

Nepalese, Indian + Tibetan Fare

Sherpa’s Adventurers Restaurant + Bar

Delectable pizza dough stretched and tossed before your eyes at Locale

 

Pizza

Pizzeria Locale (Artisan Italian + gluten-free crust)
Basta (foodie)
Backcountry Pizza + Tap House (pub slices + gluten-free crust)
Bru Handbuilt Ales and Eats (sourdough + gluten-free crust)
The Sink (pub pie + gluten-free crust)

 

Pub Fare

Dark Horse Bar + Grill (dive-y in a good way)

 

Sandwiches

Snarf’s Sandwiches
Salvaggio’s Deli (sandwiches served with attitude… for whatever reason)

 

Seafood

Jax Fish House

 

Southwest Fare

Zolo Grill

 

Sports Bar

Harpo’s Sports Grill

 

Steak House

Boulder Chop House

It’s OK to eat raw fish in a landlocked state… honest.

 

Sushi

Kasa Japanese Bar + Grill (say hi to Mimi)
Izakaya Amu

 

Tapas + Small Plates

The Med (one of Boulder’s best patios)
Riffs Urban Fare (yet another great tap/bottle list)

 

Turkey Burger

Larkburger
Rueben’s Burger Bistro
The Sink

 

Vegan/Vegetarian

Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant (sit-down dinner)
Julia’s Kitchen (earthy casual/to-go)

 

Vietnamese Noodles

Black Pepper Pho

 

The Unchained Interview

Unchained Eatery in MSUD’s Slice Magazine

Many thanks to the Metropolitan State University of Denver for featuring The Unchained Eatery in a recent issue of Slice.

“Slice is a magazine incorporating the discountable, delicious, and digestible ways for foodies to consume their favorite edibles in new and interesting ways.”
— Mario Sanelli, Editor-in-Chief, Slice Magazine

And here’s credit to my mom on how I broke into Foodiedom (courtesy of the aforementioned Slice article):

“I think it’s a natural extension of my journalism background,” Eric says. “I was struggling to choose a major in my first year at Oakland University in Michigan, and my mom suggested I give journalism a shot because she always enjoyed the ridiculous essays I wrote in grade school.

I never thought some silly stories I wrote as a kid might propel me toward work I still do today, but that’s how it worked out.”

Full article is here.

Best restaurants in Louisville, Colorado

*Latest update: 5/27/2019

Lucky Pie’s craft beer samplers… Why order one when you can order three?

Louisville, CO – Old Town Evening

 

“He’s proud of his town… that’s a damn rare thing these days.” – John Candy as Del Griffith in Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

I’m a Michigan transplant, but I love dining in my surrogate city. Old Town Louisville, CO boasts unchained, local-fare, foodie gems. Here are a few of my favorites….

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Kids’ play area + adult booze area

Lulu’s BBQ – Say yes to sweet potato cheese tots.
Sweet Cow Ice Cream – There’s always a line out the door for a good reason.
Lucky Pie Pizza & Taphouse – Wild mushroom pizza is excellent.

*Lucky Pie and Sweet Cow designed a large play yard/garden for kids next to the deck that doubles as a drinking yard for adults. Lulu’s is smaller, but it features cornhole and other “hard to hurt one’s self while drinking” games.

 

Coffee, Tea… or Me? 

Paul’s Coffee & Tea
Vic’s Espresso Louisville
The Huckleberry – Mixed Berry Mascarpone crepes are fantastic.
Bittersweet Café & Confections
Precision Pours – A Coffee House – Now open at South Boulder Road/Main Street, across from the Louisville ‘Bear’ !

 

Dive bar w/billiards + darts

Henry’s Bar & Grill

 

Pinball Arcade

Tilt! Pinball – Enjoy beer, wine, or soft drinks while playing pinball and classic video games.

 

Comfort food/lounge

The Empire Lounge – The coal-miner’s mac & cheese and Brussels sprout salad are tasty choices…
Murphy’s Tap House Louisville – On McCaslin with 40 beers on tap!

The Empire Lounge – Try the mac’n’cheese.

 

Historic Saloon

740 Front – An American Dining Saloon – Craft happy hour beers start around $3, so I’m sold!

740 Bison Banger with Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

 

Sports bar/pub

Mudrock’s Tap & Tavern – Great place to watch sports and drink beer. If you’re hungry, have a cup of the pub green chili, and pour it over your fries.

 

Pizza

Twelve Degree Brewing – Start with a cheese plate, end with a chocolate plate. Wash it all down with Belgian beer…
Lucky Pie Pizza & Taphouse
Pizza King Louisville – New York style pizza

Popeye pizza and Lagunitas Wheat Wine at Lucky Pie Louisville

 

Mexican cuisine

Casa Alegre – Try the huevos rancheros with corn tortillas.
Loco Hermanos – Huge Burritos!

Casa Alegre – Louisville, CO

 

Breweries

Twelve Degree Brewing – Pink Panther Saison is the perfect summer beer.
Gravity Brewing – Try the whiskey-barrel aged DIPA.
Crystal Springs Brewing  – Their classy tap room makes you forget you’re in an office park.

12 Degree Brewing – low-IBU tasters

 

Crystal Springs brewed a high-IBU, hoppy winner in the “13” IPA (far right)

 

Breakfast

The Huckleberry

The Huckleberry – Louisville, CO – Try the crepes!

 

East Asian/Tibetan cuisine

Tibet’s Restaurant and Bar – Share a kebab with someone you love.

Chicken kebab at Tibet’s

 

Indian cuisine

Taj Mahal III

 

Neighborhood pub

Waterloo Restaurant – Treat yourself to the potato-infused burger.

The Waterloo Mule

 

Chinese cuisine

Spice China – Be sure to check out the special Shanghai menu.

 

Live music

Por Wine House
Waterloo Restaurant
The Louisville Street Faire – Friday nights in summertime…

 

Italian cuisine

Zucca Italian Restaurant
Via Toscana – Their chicken parm is a local favorite.

 

Thai cuisine

Busaba Authentic Thai Cuisine – Locals love the Pad See Ew.

 

Barbecue

Lulu’s BBQ

 

Movie Night

Cinebarre (pub fare and full bar available while you watch the latest Hollywood hit,
although we recommend eating elsewhere before/after the movie)

 

Deli/sandwiches/lunch

Moxie Bread Co – Louisville, CO (replaced The Porch – see below)
Bittersweet Café & Confections
B.O.B.S. Diner

BOB’s Diner, 12 Degree Brewing, and The Empire Lounge on Old Town Main Street

 

Dessert

Sweet Cow Ice Cream

 

Wine bar

Por Wine House

 

Salad bar/patio

Alfalfa’s Louisville – Outdoor grilling + live music 4-6 pm Sundays. (weather permitting)

 

 

In defense of cheese plates

I get migraines.

I don’t get debilitating migraines, but when I get them, I experience an aura (aka scintillating scotoma, which I can best describe as a colorful, pulsating hole in one’s vision), I generally can’t drive for 27 minutes (yes – 27), and I’m treated to a 36-hour dull headache. My experience is so much milder than most people’s migraines, I hesitate to even mention it. Also, this is a food and brewery blog, so why bring it up at all?

I am completely unqualified to administer medical advice of any kind.

To answer that, I’ll say this:

I am not a doctor.

I am not a doctor. I’m not a dentist, I’m not a therapist, I’m not a scientist, I’m not an engineer, and I’m not a trillion other things. Do not ever take medical, dental, or engineering advice from me. In fact, you should consult a doctor before reading the balance of this post.

One thing I do know a bit about is cheese plates. I know they get a bad rap from time to time. They’re often viewed as yuppie-riffic, elitist, highfalutin, condescending platters full of overpri¢ed chunks of old milk, tiny, wrinkled fruit, and spicy/pricey tree nuts.

Typical pompous, snooty-ass cheese plate at Mateo in Boulder

 

So… why should this matter to people who like to eat or folks who suffer from migraines? The answer is:

Electrolytes.

If you’re unfamiliar with electrolytes, here’s a concise Wikipedia explanation of why electrolytes are useful:

“Electrolyte replacement is needed when a patient has prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, and as a response to strenuous athletic activity.” 

Common electrolytes, to my surprise, include words I’m familiar with, such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium.

Also, just another quick reminder that:

I am not a doctor, nor am I a physician.

Also, the above is hopefully my final mention of vomiting or diarrhea on this blog.

My migraines are sports induced, meaning: the only time I experience them is after playing sports. A friend who experiences serious migraines advised me to drink sports drinks to replenish my electrolytes before, during, and after soccer games, racquet sports, etc. I’m a bit leery of the chemical and sugar content associated with popular sports drinks, so I began brainstorming alternative ways to load up on electrolytes before sports.

Which brings us to the much-maligned cheese plate.

On a standard cheese plate, one might find:

• cheese (duh)
• fruit (figs, grapes, dates, raisins, apple slices, jam, berries)
• cured meats
• nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts)
• seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)
• pickled vegetables
• olives
• bread or crackers
• dark chocolate

You can probably see where I’m going with this: a cheese plate is a veritable gold mine of electrolytes. Break down the platter, and you get:

• calcium (cheese)
• potassium (dried fruits, dark chocolate)
• sodium (cheese, meats, nuts, bread, crackers, olives)
• phosphorus (cheese, nuts, meats, seeds)
• magnesium (nuts, dark chocolate, seeds)

I started eating a combination of almonds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, dark chocolate, raisins, and cheese before my games, and I haven’t had a migraine since. I think of it as a healthy, yuppie trail mix packed with stuff that may help you continue to see straight after bending it (like Beckham).

I hope you never get migraines, but if you do, I empathize. Maybe eating a sensibly sized cheese plate before you tear it up on the field, court, or rink will work for you, but maybe it won’t. Consult your damn physician, and go enjoy a cheese plate with a friend either way.

Giant pile of electrolytes on a Blackbelly cheese plate in Boulder

All content © Unchained Eatery, LLC 2010-2015.

Three brews that belong in every beer snob’s ‘fridge

Go-to ales: Stone Levitation, Ska’s Modus Hoperandi IPA, and Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA

These are three of my favorites. They may not be your favorites, but I’m not holding that against you. This beer trio varies from sessionable to serious. You can start and end with Levitation. You can drink Modus Hoperandi all night if you have no responsibilities the following morning. You can have two glasses of 90 Minute and sleep well. You can do whatever the H you want, because this is America, and we Americans, apparently, do whatever we want at all times. Here’s the west–to–east-coast scoop:

• California Amber — Stone’s Levitation Ale is the standard for non-stop drinking on weekend afternoons (4.4%)
• Colorado IPA – Ska’s Modus Hoperandi is a bitter, extremely hoppy India Pale Ale; it’s a perfect example of the near-west-coast style IPA (6.8%)
• Delaware Imperial IPA – Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute is a rich, hoppy, malty, complex sipper; it will knock you off your feet if you’re not paying attention (9.0%)

These beers are all readily available at most booze-y stores in Colorado; dive in and drink up.

Stone Levitation Ale costs ~$1.67/bottle. You can find crappy beer for 3-4 times that price at a bar, but I’m not sure why you would choose to do that.

 

Colorado has at least five stellar IPAs, IMHO, and Ska’s Modus Hoperandi is in the top two.

If you haven’t experienced Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA, you’re late to the yuppie party. Buck up, cough up $2.99/bottle, and enjoy your damn life.

Beer in a Scotch glass – Uncle Jacob’s Stout by Avery

If you’re going to drink yuppie beer, you may as well drink it from a Scotch glass.

First of all: apologies to those of you who may not be able to find this particular ¾ pint in a state near you… I feel for ya. I have a similar issue with Founders Centennial IPA, which is nowhere to be found in Colorado – although I’d love for someone to prove me wrong…

Here are three things to know about Uncle Jacob’s Bourbon Barrel Stout:

1. It’s a bottle of dessert. You can probably wash it down with chocolate cake, but the cake isn’t necessary.
2. This is likely the only 12 ounces of beer you’ll need to drink all night. And @ 14.83%, do not use a bong… not a beer bong, anyway, (Colorado + Washington, I’m looking at you.).
3. It pairs well with cheese. Really well. Grab some 24-36 month aged cheddar, and no one will doubt your yuppieness. You’re in!

Many thanks to Avery for this one! It’s one thick stout.

Uncle Jacob’s Bourbon Barrel Stout… It’s “Chris Christie” thick.

BRU handbuilt ales & eats

Ian Clark, formerly of Centro and Jax Fish House, has officially nailed it with Bru handbuilt ales & eats in Boulder.

He could have stopped at unfiltered ales and sourdough pizza. That would have clinched it for me, but he took it to eleven. Here’s what to try at Bru:

– Citrum IPA: this is one of my favorite Colorado IPAs (the others being Bootstrap’s Insane Rush, Odell, Avery, and Ska’s Modus Hoperandi).
– Sourdough basil (margherita) pizza… they’ll substitute locally available spinach if basil is not in season.
– Beer mustard butter – are you kidding me? This is the peak of culinary creativity. Do I bathe in it or eat it? Hey, I can bathe in it *and* eat it! (thanks, Gaffigan)

Bru should top your list of Boulder brewery destinations, and happy hour is a steal. Check out special Bru beer events here.

Drool factor follows…

Bru’s 5-beer sampler is whatever you want it to be. You choose, they serve, everyone wins.

At Bru, trail mix means almonds, caramel corn, pecans, and spice. Order from the happy hour menu, and a huge portion is $2.

Bru’s Citrum is Colorado’s finest unfiltered IPA, IMHO.

Why isn’t all pizza made of sourdough? I just ate a ‘Merican-size dinner, and this still makes me hungry.

Sometimes you have to pass on pizza and eat salad, so your salad should at least have a healthy damn poached egg on it.

Slather your loaf with Bru’s tasty beer mustard butter.

Wood-roasted veggies w/beer vinegar. Beta carotene, anyone?

menu

map

Boulder Beer Company – Colorado’s first craft brewery

IPA sampler – Why drink one when you can try four? The Mojo IPA and Mojo Risin’ are Boulder Beer staples.

The Barley Burger Betasso – it’s one of Boulder’s best veggie patties, and I order it with bacon on top and a side of mashed potatoes, because why not? Keep Boulder weird.

menu

map

Azitra Restaurant – Indian Culinary Nirvana

Chana Masala… Chickpeas + Diced Potatoes Cooked In Punjabi Style Sauce

I’ve been told, in no uncertain terms – by multiple folks, that the Indian food available in Boulder is nothing to write home about. Generally, people point to a few rough diamonds here and there, but for the most part, I’ve heard little aside from faint praise. So I went to Broomfield.

You’d be hard pressed to overhear, “Oh yeah… you want authentic Indian food? Head to Broomfield, Colorado!”

You’ve probably never heard that. Until now! 

Azitra is solid. The staff is awesome, the food is delish, and they have a decent selection of craft brews on tap and by the bottle. And I’m not kidding about the staff – we’ve received nothing but high-end service in five or six trips to Azitra.

Azitra lies just south of Flatiron Crossing. They have stunning views of the Front Range… and Walmart.

menu

map

Beer in a Scotch glass – Green Flash’s Green Bullet

If you’re going to drink yuppie beer, you may as well drink it from a Scotch glass.

Holy cows, I love this brew! Another of the seemingly “unfiltered” variety, it looks like there’s a tiny universe of tasty particles floating about in every glass. Green Flash classifies this as a Triple IPA. I’m the last person to know what that means, except for the following:

– IPAs typically weigh in around 6-7% alcohol
– DIPAs tend to hover between 7.2-9-ish%
– The Green Bullet – a TIPA – registers 10.1%, which means I’m starting to get super chatty. Apologies to my increasingly patient girlfriend.

I’ll spare you the verbosity and simply note that Green Bullet brims with flavor, character, and West Coast style – on steroids. Yet another staple in our fridge.

You, too, can get a bit tipsy after a couple of Green Bullet TIPAs from Green Flash Brewing.

Beer in a Scotch glass – Deschutes’ Chasin’ Freshies IPA

I dig unfiltered beer. I also have no idea how to brew beer. And really – I don’t even know how to properly taste beer.

When I read beer reviews, people comment on ‘mouthfeel’, ‘finish’, ‘lacing’, ‘head’… and on and on. Peeps get super nuanced, and hats off to them. I know this: if a beer is unfiltered, or even gives the impression of being unfiltered, I’m trying it. I’m really not even clear on whether Deschutes’ Chasin’ Freshies is technically unfiltered, but it looks like it probably is. Or I got a bottle with floaties. Chasin’ Floaties!

If you’re going to drink yuppie beer, you may as well drink it from a Scotch glass.

Here’s what you need to know:

–Chasin’ Freshies is a seasonal beer that will probably fly off shelves because the bombers are less than $5. It’s super hoppy, and it has a snowboard on the label, which means all the Breck “Brahs” will inhale the H out of it faster than my snowboard can get jacked at Keystone (and YES, that happened three years ago. Awesome New Years Day present!).

Anyway – if you love hops *and* not having your snowboard stolen, this beer was made for you. Cheers, Brah!

“Hey, Brah! Let’s go steal that guy’s beer!” “Sick, Brah! Then we can take a phat nap! Sick!”

Beer in a Scotch glass – Ska Brewing’s Modus Hoperandi

If you’re going to drink yuppie beer, you may as well drink it from a Scotch glass.

Another Beer of the Week consumed in a glass intended for booze: Ska Brewing’s Modus Hoperandi IPA.

Kudos to Jeff, Melody, and Mitchell for harping on me to try this one – it’s easily one of my go-to hoppy beers, and it’s become one of my favorites of any style.

Ska Modus Hoperandi – this beer is “Dick Cheney” bitter

Cheers, Dick!

Beer in a Scotch glass – Lagunitas’ a Little Sumpin’ Wild

If you’re going to drink yuppie beer, you may as well drink it from a Scotch glass.

Why does beer taste better in a Scotch glass? I have no idea. The glass is smaller, and you think you’re getting more beer because you have to keep pouring to finish a 12-ounce bottle? Scotch is expensive and it makes you feel classy when you drink anything from a Scotch glass? You’re Ron Burgundy?

I’ve wanted to try this one for a while, but whenever I go to the store, I see “a Little Sumpin’ Wild” next to “a Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’“, and I always opt for the latter. Luckily, you can’t go wrong with either. Cheers to Lagunitas… And one more Lagunitas brew to seek out is the Lagunitas SUCKS (Brown Sugga’ Substitute Ale). If you see this on the shelf, just buy it. It’s a kick-ass seasonal DIPA, so don’t pass it up.

a Little Sumpin’ WILD is perfect for peeps looking for a bit o’ Belgium in their IPA