Denver History through a Beer Glass

Denver History Through A Beer Glass

From the rough and tumble saloon days to 2009's inaugural Denver Beer Fest, the Mile High City and beer history are intertwined through the ages. For more than a century, Denver has reigned as the king of beers. Explore Denver history through a beer glass ...

Denver's Early Years and Early Beers

Denver and beer go back a long way - right back to the city's founding in 1859. The miners and pioneers who flocked to the new city after gold was discovered in the Platte River were a thirsty bunch - Denver's downtown was thick with saloons and barrooms. The hub of all most activity was Larimer Square. In fact, the first city government was formed - where else - in a saloon called the Apollo Hall in Larimer Square, which you can check out for yourself at 1425 Larimer Street. Denver's early residents might have been a little too thirsty in those days - one of the first laws enacted by that city government was an ordinance prohibiting the selling of liquor on the streets or from wagons or tents.

Coors Conquers Colorado

Beer history of monumental proportions was made in the area when a young German immigrant by the name of Adolph Coors (who came to America as a stowaway aboard a ship) founded the Coors Brewery in Golden in 1873. His amber concoction, brewed with fresh Rocky Mountain water from natural springs surrounding the brewery, became a favorite among locals, earning it the name "Miner's Banquet." Coors Beer didn't remain a local secret for long. Over the years, it became one of the largest manufacturers of beer in the U.S., and was family-owned until 2006. But some things never change: Coors still uses the same 44 natural springs that dot the company property to brew its beverages.

Visit the MillerCoors Brewery in Golden, take a 30-minute self-paced tour through its malting, brewing and packaging processes, and sample some fine Coors beverages afterwards.

Denver's Dry Years

Prohibition first struck Colorado in 1916, then the entire nation in 1920. Even so, Coors found ways to survive for 18 dry years, including converting the brewery into a malted milk manufacturer. Denver, meanwhile, found ways to keep enjoying beer, albeit in a more discreet fashion. The Miller Building at 1401 Larimer St., was once Gahan's Saloon, a legendary watering hole and poker hall for politicians, policemen and city hall reporters. During the dry years, Gahan's Saloon became Gahan's "Soft Drink Parlor" as a cover for the Denver's hottest speakeasy, which operated out of the basement.

Microbrewery Explosion

Perhaps it was inevitable that Denver's long beer history would give rise to a population filled with beer lovers - including some who would even begin brewing and selling their own beverages. As a result, Denver has become known as the "Napa Valley of Beer" - on any given day, more beer is brewed in Denver than in any other city in the U.S. Today, there are 15 brewpubs and microbreweries in downtown Denver including the two of the largest in the nation: theWynkoop Brewing Company and the Rock Bottom Brewery. Interesting beer fact: Denver elected one of the Wynkoop's founders, John Hickenlooper, mayor in 2006. Coincidence? Colorado got on board last year, too, when they elected Hickenlooper to the office of state governor in 2010. With so many unique and tasty brews to try in the Mile High City, it's no wonder Denver has become the go-to metropolis for beer connoisseurs all over the globe.

Great American Beer Festival

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, there is no other place on earth where a beer aficionado can find more beers on tap than the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), held each fall in the Mile High City for more than a quarter of a century now. Over the course of three days, close to 50,000 beer-lovers tour America's brewing landscape, one ounce at a time, by sampling more than 3,000 different beers from more than 600 of the nation's finest breweries. The GABF, which is held annually in Denver's Colorado Convention Center, gathers practically every type of beer from all of the regions of the country, arranged geographically on the festival floor. The 2013 festival, Oct. 10-12, promises to be bigger and better than ever. More info atwww.greatamericanbeerfestival.com.

Denver Beer Fest

A new chapter in Denver beer history was written in 2009, with the first annual Denver Beer Fest which took place at dozens of locations throughout the city. Beer tastings, brewer talks, fun interactive events and plenty of suds-centric activities were held in brewpubs and restaurants, of course, but also in theaters, art galleries, museums, and other unconventional venues. The 2013 event takes place Oct. 4-12.