5 Awesome Brewery Courtyards in the Denver Area for Sipping Beer in the Summer

From hiking and mountain biking to yoga with llamas, there are endless ways to enjoy summer in the Rocky Mountains. And because this is Colorado, most adventures also end with a beer.

Arm yourself and enjoy the cold at these five epic brews with Front Range.

Sanitas Brewing Company

Stretch: Pulling into the industrial complex in Boulder where Sanitas Brewing Company resides, you might be wondering what the fuss is all about. But step inside and you’re greeted with a brightly lit taproom brimming with modern touches, and on good days, garage doors open wide, leading drinkers to the expansive patio and beer garden. Mature trees shade the many picnic tables that can seat large groups, and the train track running along the perimeter imparts a rustic charm, especially when a locomotive is parked there. Even better: When a train departs, Sanitas offers discounts on select beers. On weekends, the brewery gets very busy, so couples and small groups should expect to share a table.

Liquor: Sanitas Brewing Co. claims that more than 150 different styles have swung through the faucet since it opened in 2013. Offerings vary widely, but in the summer the brewery serves a number of different lagers, such as Lime Lager and Munich Lager, as well. A seasonal cherry seasoning. Beers throughout the year include several IPAs, a passion fruit sour and more.

Have food? McDevitt Taco Supply has a food cart on its site.

dog friendly? Yes, and it is a popular spot for pet parents as well as people with human children.

3550 Frontier Ave., Unit A, Boulder. 303-442-4130. sanitasbrewing.com.

Denver Beer Company – South Downing

Stretch: Patio vibes have always been at the front of mind for Denver Beer Company, whether it’s welcoming beer lovers to its prime location on Plate Street or the taproom in the heart of Old Town Arvada. But at its latest location, which opened March 2021 on Denver’s South Downing Street, Courtyard is the destination. We’re talking over 10,000 square feet of outdoor space that includes covered and open areas with picnic tables and a grassy area that people can post camping chairs in or play lawn games for. Add in some fire pits and cold beer and it’s practically patio heaven.

Liquor: Expect to find Denver Beer Company staples including Juicy Freak IPA and Graham Cracker Porter, as well as revolving taps and a variety of house seltzers. While the South Downing Taproom does not have its own brewery, it often serves dishes unique to the location.

Have food? The onsite restaurant DBC Eats serves beer-friendly fare such as burgers, loaded fries, and buffalo cauliflower. The brewery’s sister business, Yum Yum Ice Cream, is next door.

dog friendly? Yes, and it is a popular spot for pet parents as well as people with human children.

2425 S Downing. St., Denver. 303-433-2739. denverbeerco.com/taprooms/south-downing.

Ratio Bearworks – Overland

Stretch: Located in South Denver’s Overland neighborhood, Ratio Beerworks’ second outpost feels like something of a mystery. To get there, you drive through auto shops and soon-to-be high-rise apartments, and you can pass right by if you’re not looking closely. But inside the large metal gate (designed by local artists with Perspective Design fabrication), drinkers will find a more chilled, often less crowded version of the prime space of proportion in the Rino, with murals, brightly colored chairs and artistic Comes complete with metal pergolas. The interior of this space also boasts comfortable booth seating, and when the large, garage-style windows open to the patio, the brewery becomes a lively space.

Liquor: Ratio Beerworks is known for offering a little of everything, but its Domestica American Standard Ale is a popular choice and won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2021. Dear You, a French saison and 2020 GABF award winner, is fizzy, crisp and the perfect pairing for hot summer days.

Have food? Tacos Tequila Whiskey has an on-site food truck that is open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until October.

dog friendly? Yes.

2030 S Cherokee St., Denver. 303-997-8288. Ratiobeerworks.com.

New Terrain Brewing Company

Stretch: Located in the foothills of Golden, New Terrain Brewing Company is a magnet for adventurers who stop by after exploring the nearby hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. (Seriously, you might very well see horses tied up or grazing in front.) But they’re all there for the same reason: to enjoy a variety of exciting beers against a backdrop of mountains. There is also an outdoor stage that regularly hosts live music, including every Thursday from 6 to 9 pm.

Liquor: With about two dozen dishes at once, New Terrain’s menu is organized by style so drinkers can quickly find what they’re looking for, whether it’s light and crisp like the Pillow Drops Pilsner; Something bitter and pungent like Golden Haze New England PA; Or malty and roasty like the TrailBock MayBock. And if you order a flight, the samples come in the vertical flight stand that’s begging on Instagram.

Have food? A rotating crew of food trucks pass through New Terrain almost daily. See website for schedule of options.

dog friendly? Yes, and it is a popular spot for pet parents as well as people with human children.

16401 Table Mountain Parkway, Golden. 720-697-7948. newterrainbrewing.com.

Odell Brewing Company – Sloans Lake

Stretch: When Fort Collins’s Odell Brewing Company opened the second Satellite Taproom and Pilot Brewery in Denver in the spring of 2021, it was an instant hit. And the rooftop patio overlooking Sloan’s Lake was a big part of it. This taproom is significantly larger than the Reno’s one, with 8,725 square feet of dining and drinking space spread over two indoor floors and the terrace above. The patio can hold 132 patrons at a time and snagging a space on busy nights and weekends can be competitive. But those who do are rewarded with ample sunshine and a bar serving Odell beers by the pint.