At first glance, it seems that everyone you meet in Denver is from somewhere else. They were drawn in by the sunshine, legal weed, mountains or perhaps they just needed a change in their life. And that led them right to our square-shaped mid-western haven for liberty. The longer I live in this city, however, the more multi-generation Coloradans I run across. They are in every nook and cranny of the metropolitan sprawl. Wheat Ridge is one of these Colorado Native strongholds positioned between Denver and Golden, Colorado. It holds a gaggle of second and third generation folks that carry state and city pride. Colorado Plus Brew Pub fits in at the center of what makes people stay for decades in this area and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
The lights of Colorado Plus Brew Pub are subdued in their comfy taproom. Patrons are scattered throughout. Over 50 beers from all over Colorado line the wall, including 8 beers of their own making. Guest taps from some of your favorite local spots like TRVE, Eddyline, Strange Craft and Avery are displayed with Colorado pride on their impressive array of taps. It strikes me as a fitting oasis for this tight-knit neighborhood. There is a certain ambiance that comes with the old suburbs that makes them not-so-suburban in a sense. They are more than that. They are a community, a tribe.
I sit down with Eugene and talk about the world of Colorado Plus Brew Pub. In a professional sense, I am shaking the tree to see what fruit falls to the ground. My attempts at journalism aren’t needed here because Eugene is extremely affable and friendly. He says hello to everyone he passes and seemingly knows them all by the first name. While we settle in I order a session pale ale by the name of Colorado Serenade (6.2% ABV). The Cascade hops are easy on the soul with this one. Refreshing and easy drinking.
They employ 34 people at the Wheat Ridge location of Colorado Plus Brew Pub and they have a killer scratch kitchen for your appetizing pleasure as you sift through their giant beer list to decide what you want. Recently, they opened a cidery in downtown Golden, Colorado. I will be sure to give you an update once I visit. But despite all of the changes and growth at Colorado Plus Brew Pub, the staff is a big family with a ton of pride about their community and their beer.
He gives me a tour of the huge facility that Valente’s Italian Restaurant left behind. There are multiple rooms for Christmas Parties and family reunions. I remember the old Italian joint being a place where my friends that went to Wheat Ridge High School would go as kids. It was one of those spots that you thought would never go away. And in a way, it didn’t leave. Instead of being forgotten, it was transformed into a craft brewery that wants to be the home base for a new generation.
Soon Eugene needs to leave. He leaves me to my own devices with an empty stomach and alcohol rummaging around in the empty halls of my body. A crucial part of Colorado Plus Brew Pub is the scratch kitchen that they work so hard to run. I decide on the Fried Chicken Sandwich made with Redbird Chicken Strips and hot sauce on a pizza bun. I pair my meal with a light, true to style, Curly’s Cream Ale (5.1% ABV) that comes a litte more dry than other cream ales but it fits perfectly at the moment. I am blown away by the tasty the sammy – chicken, hot sauce and pickles make the world a better place and their hand-crafted fries make the heart sing. The cooks at Colorado Plus Brew Pub know how to make that magic a reality.
Time slips away. The atmosphere invariably moves from a low hum to a bustling dining room. The staff is cheerful and fast moving. I find myself wanting to stay. I mean, why would anyone want to leave this neighborhood? But, alas, I must move on to the next destination for the Denver Hopper. We must explore this great state together. As I walk out the door I am left wrapped in the pleasantries of a neighborhood I hadn’t quite understood before. Comfort in this manic society of ours can be hard to find but Colorado Plus Brew Pub has found a place to slip away and dive into the best of what Wheat Ridge has to offer.
The Denver Hopper Notes:
Colorado Plus Cidery & Pub is at 1100 Arapahoe St, Golden, CO 80401, FB: @ColoradoPlusCidery
Give them a follow on IG: @colorado_plus_wheat_ridge, FB: @ColoradoPlusBrewpub, Twitter: @ColoradoPlus
Colorado Plus Brew Pub and Taphouse
Website: coloradoplus.net
Address: 6995 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
