Golden, Colorado is one of those picturesque towns on the American landscape. It has been swallowed whole by the Denver proper but it still seems unaffected and untouched in many ways. This slice of Americana is split in two by the main drag of shops and restaurants called Washington Street. Tourists and locals and all walks of life wander down this strip of the road trying to get the feel for the city. Many of these folks walking around find their way to one of the breweries that helped establish the micro-brew “scene” in Golden by the name of Mountain Toad Brewing. Brian and Thad were kind enough to sit down with me and pontificate about beer and the City of Golden on a beautiful Friday afternoon.
The taproom was busy but only carried a low hum of noise. Most of the patrons were spread out on the pleasant patio, sitting underneath umbrellas or standing where they could. Thad and Brian were busy finishing up a batch of brew so I grabbed a Paradise Pale Ale and sat my happy ass down. The beer went down easy as I watched families chit chat among their kin wrapped in the earthy toned walls of Mountain Toad Brewing. The atmosphere was beyond inviting and it seemed to fit perfectly with that the laid-back vibe I have always basked in when visiting Golden, Colorado.
As I waited for a friend that said he would join me soon, I observed the arteries of Golden’s core pump away. Brian and Thad soon finished up and sat down with some beers in hand and we started to talk. Like many breweries I have been too they like to emphasize community, education and the environment. That seems all too fitting for a couple of engineers in a town known for its outdoor lifestyle. Hell, they are worried about all three like the rest of us. That’s why many of us drink beer in relaxing environments like Mountain Toad Brewing, to escape.
We sampled tasty beverages as the conversation went on with growing mutual interest. I enjoyed their Curie Saison. It’s a beer for the wine drinker in all of us. I love a good wine drunk every once and a while – it frees the soul and rights the ship in times of peril. Slap the bag anyone?
Thad and Brian like to find weird shit to build their beers around, like dehydrated limes from Oman — whether they hear about the ingredients through friends or fellow purveyors of exploratory brewing their goal is to get creative and wild. Attitudes like this lead to palet massaging delights like a Tasmanian Pepperberry Saison and a Black Lemon (those dehydrated limes) Saison. They also described the squash beer that will be coming out this fall. It’s treated like Grandma’s homemade pie. I enjoyed hearing about their mad scientist ways as I took a serious liking to a staple of theirs called Space Toad IPA and almost sank into a full-on euphoric stupor. The focus on sourcing and exploration is truly emphasized and I know beer really comes first at Mountain Toad Brewing.
There is only so much time that we have in this life and in each day. Grains of sand dropping in an hourglass. My friend and I had to say adios to those fine craftsmen at Mountain Toad Brewing. But I know I’ll be back soon, along with all those tourists and folks that reside in Golden. You should do the same. Take the light rail if it’s easier. Be curious, like Thad and Brian and enjoy the shit out of Golden, Colorado and all it has to offer. Cheers!
The Denver Hopper Notes:
They have great event updates through the website below. Cheers!
Mountain Toad Brewing
Website: mountaintoadbrewing.com
Address: 900 Washington Ave, Golden, CO 80401