Whenever I go to a different state and mention where I live people will inevitably ask me about legal weed and craft beer. And I excitedly oblige their questions with some regret because it is hard not to brag, and eventually, I see a jealous wrinkles build upon their face as I ramble on about the weed (that I don’t actually smoke but completely approve of), the weather, the craft beer, the Rocky Mountains and all the other shit that makes Colorado great. I feel like I am swimming in luxury when these conversations happen. Recently, though, I realized I was missing out on telling folks about a whole different group of craftsmen and women that deserve props. The makers of craft spirits are popping up all over Colorado. And some of these fine establishments, like, Denver Distillery, have been fighting for a damn long time for the right to give you a buzz on the only the finest craft spirits.
Starting a business is almost never easy. Sometimes you have to push and shove to find your place in the entrepreneurial landscape. The reality of Denver Distillery required six years of perseverance to ascertain. Despite the obvious economic and liver transforming benefits of hand-crafted spirits, Denver isn’t exactly a friendly place to distilleries. Bureaucracy and ego are never good for innovation. And it sounds like the Denver Fire Marshall is enthralled in both.
But this really isn’t the place for politics. I think we have enough of that bullshit pushed in our faces every day. We are here to talk about Denver’s first distillery-pub, located on the hot area that is South Broadway, where they not only serve their craft raw cane based spirits (including their gin) but they also serve local craft beer. On tap, they had several selections from Caution Brewing. I love hard liquor but I appreciate the desire to give your patrons an option if they aren’t feeling like a cocktail.
The head distiller, Chad, talked with pride about the small tasting room and the labor of love that Denver Distillery was for everyone involved. Not only did it take over a half a decade to start the business, but it also took a consolidated effort to transform a non-industrial building into a fire inspection proof facility with aesthetically pleasing recycled wood and brass decor.
We walked around and he showed me some insight into his process. He starts with open fermenters where the base is made. Chad starts out with cane as the base of all their spirits which adds sweetness not often found and is really goddamn refreshing. After the brewing process, he moves on to distillation where botanicals are added. Chad built the still they use at Denver Distillery by hand. Let that sink in for a moment if you think you are a handy person.
The only size bottle they sell for all of their spirits is a 375ml for $20 – which I know is smaller but seems like a perfect size to bring to a party. I like the idea of having travel size high-quality-booze. I bought a bottle (like the one featured below) and drank it soda with soda water and lime for a weekend. I will be back for more.
The Navy Strength Rum sits at 114 proof (57% alcohol) and lit my tongue up like a firecracker but finished with the saccharine taste I desire. I learned that the British Royal Navy paid sailors in rum during the years of wooden ships. And to ensure that the rum had a high alcohol proof they would wet gunpowder with it. If the powder still ignited, it was at least 114 proof and they were good to go. At Denver Distillery you may acquire knowledge, just remember to take notes before the alcohol sinks in.
The Sweet Feed Shine is the flagship spirit at Denver Distillery. This young whiskey finishes agreeable with a hint of lemon-lime in the background. A lemon-lime puree is utilized in the distilling process to give it the wildly unique flavor. I have never had anything like it and you would be wise to give it a shot.
I consider myself a gin man. I adore gin. If I ever have a child and it’s a girl I think Ginny is a lovely name. Gin, gin, gin – bathe me in gin. But, anywho, I was really taken aback by their floral, aromatic and sweet gin. They use 19 different botanicals to create the flavor profile. The juniper berry is still there but isn’t at the forefront and I enjoyed the complexity.
It was at this moment in my visit to Denver Distillery that the nostalgic and vengeful sound of Limp Bizkit came over the speakers. This is music I hadn’t heard in years but enjoyed immediately and I felt a compulsion to laugh and sing along. One of the bartenders that were off that day hi-jacked the stereo system and did a damn fine job at it. The silliness of it all says volumes about what you can expect at Denver Distillery.
With early 2000s rap metal playing in the background I took a dive into an exquisite fairy themed cocktail list created by the Bar Manager, Stephanie, and her staff. Everything is made in-house from the shrubs to the tonic water. The Oberon, King of the Fairies, is a fine gin elixir with a custom mix of spices on the rim and a dangerously smooth, tangy array of loveliness to the tongue. Easy to drink. Grateful for Uber and Lyft.
The Fae is a dark rum cocktail that’s soft on the soul with a slight bitterness from Leopold Brothers Absinthe. The egg white made it smooth and frothy. An exceptional way to end my visit to Denver Distillery, thoroughly buzzed and completely enamored.
From start to finish, everything at Denver Distillery shines as a reforming personal journey. Whether it be the licensing, the craft spirits distilled in a handmade still or the craft cocktail list. It’s all a brilliant example of what people can achieve when they want something bad enough. And the cast of characters that come with it makes the experience even better. Chad even called me a hipster for writing about distilleries and breweries. I’ll take that as a compliment if going to fine establishments are what they do. I take back every word I ever said about them. Now, go be a hipster with me and stop by Denver Distillery.
The Denver Hopper Notes:
Denver Distillery has a growing number of events. Find out the details on their Facebook and website!
They serve Tip Top Savory Pies for munchies while you are drinking.
Happy Hour from 3-6pm and 10pm-close
Open Tuesday – Sunday
Give them a follow on IG: @denverdistillery, FB: @denverdistillery, Twitter: @denverdistiller
Denver Distillery
Website: denverdistillery.com
Address: 1510, 244 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80209