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Brewery Name: Golden City Brewery
Specialty: German-style ales
Neighborhood: Downtown Golden
Humble Beginnings: Golden City Brewery (GCB) was founded in 1993 by two geologists, Charlie and Janine Sturdavant, out of their home (where the brewery is still located and the Sturdavants still live).
Fun Fact: What used to be the old Victorian home’s carriage house is now GCB’s taproom, and the backyard is the beer garden.
Don’t Miss: The Legendary Red Ale (5.2 percent ABV) or the Clear Creek Gold Pale Ale (4.8 percent ABV).
(Read 5280’s review of GCB’s Legendary Red Ale)
What to Expect: Maybe it’s the brewery’s residential setting or the welcoming environment the Sturdavants have created, but your time spent in their dog-friendly beer garden will feel more like a friend’s backyard gathering than a visit to a craft brewery. Order your drink of choice at the window outside or from the bar in the taproom, then get comfortable at one of their many picnic tables in the beer garden or a barstool inside.
GCB will usually have their five staples on tap, with other seasonal options rotating in and out throughout the year. Often, there is one cider available for the gluten-conscious. Whether it’s warm enough to enjoy their outdoor seating or you’re huddled in the taproom for warmth, plan to surround yourself with families and locals from throughout the Denver Metro area, and get cozy with the community. GCB is also the perfect pit stop on your way to (or from) the mountains. Kick off your weekend with a celebratory pint or swing by for a late afternoon brew before you return to reality.
Make a Night (or Day) of It: Because they’re located only three blocks from Washington Avenue, Golden’s main drag, you can make GCB part of your afternoon or evening, by adding lunch or dinner and shopping to your itinerary. If you’re feeling outdoorsy, run or walk the Clear Creek Trail (half a block from GCB) and reward yourself with a healthy pour afterward. Either way, plan ahead for a safe journey home.
(Read our First-Timer’s Guide to Golden)
