Your Guide to the Aurora Brews Cruise

Aurora has incredible breweries, and this is your guide to navigating the best brewery spots to enjoy great beer, exciting events, delicious bites, food trucks, the best patios for sipping and hanging out, and more!

BEST BREWERIES FOR GAME NIGHTS AND TRIVIA

Cheluna Brewing Co. | Directions

Cheluna is located inside Stanley Marketplace and serves Mexican-style beers at Colorado’s first Latino-owned brewery. The Lowrider Mexican Lager is an instant favorite, with a flavor of lime that is a tremendous hit with the casual beer drinker. Check out other refreshing summer sips like the blood orange lager or Fresita Cream Ale. Beer enthusiasts can also enjoy live music, trivia, Tuesday runs, and walks, and you can watch your favorite teams on their 10-foot projection screen. Cheluna is definitely a fun spot to hang out and gather together! Make sure to listen to our podcast episode with owners Javi & Jen from Cheluna Brewing Co.

Incantation Brewing | Directions

As Incantation Brewing promises, your thirst will be summoned during your visit. This brewery offers boundary-pushing beers with a heavy metal edge, showcasing a lineup that includes Mexican Lager, Dark Lager, IPA, and Double IPA. The creative names of their brews are as enticing as the flavors themselves—think the tart Witchfinder sour, the refreshing Alchemy watermelon Kölsch, and the rich Crypt and Necromancer stouts. Beyond innovative brews, they host weekly events: Magic Mondays, trivia nights with thrash metal, and all-day horror movie marathons on Fridays.

Milieu Fermentation | Directions

Milieu Fermentation has quickly become a favored spot for both locals and visitors. It boasts a welcoming atmosphere and offers a variety of intriguing beverages inspired by traditional farmhouse brewing techniques. Their selection ranges from non-alcoholic options to various alcoholic styles, including hoppy ales, lagers, oaked barrel-aged beers, kombucha, and hard tea. They also host entertaining events like vinyl nights, where you can bring your own records to play, delicious food trucks, and community movie nights!

Comrade Brewing | Directions

Check out Comrade Brewing for the ultimate refreshing sips that truly embody the “Made in the USA” spirit! Their brewhouse and processing vessels are American-made, and Comrade is one of just 70+ breweries in Denver that exclusively uses US-made tanks. Their draught-only brews have saved over 2 million cans and bottles, 344,100 six-pack carriers, and 86,000 cardboard cases from the landfill! With numerous awards to their name, including recognition at the World Beer Cup®, Comrade’s offerings are top-notch. Try their year-round favorites like the Superpower IPA or Redcon red ale. For seasonal selections, enjoy the crisp Citrus Wheat, the award-winning Yellow Fever chili beer, or the Jalapeno Blonde Ale. Comrade also hosts a variety of fun events, including themed trivia nights, stand-up comedy, potlucks, live music, food pop-ups, paint nights, and more. Join their Crafting with Comrades every third Thursday of the month to bring your art supplies and create with fellow artists!

BEST BREWERY PATIOS

Launch Pad Brewery | Directions

Step into Launch Pad Brewery, a neighborhood microbrewery with a space-themed taproom that’s out of this world. Located near Buckley Air Force Base, this veteran-owned brewery offers a diverse selection of beers. Opt for a classic Pale Ale or Kolsch, or venture into something exciting like a Milkshake IPA or a seasonal Barleywine. You can check out their full menu here. When the weather warms up, their patio becomes the hotspot for fun. Enjoy events like Yappy Hour, where you can bring your furry friends and savor offerings from rotating food trucks. Join in for board game and trivia nights, indulge in beer and cheese pairings, and be on the lookout for seasonal beer releases.

Second Dawn Brewing | Directions

The name Aurora, which means "dawn" in Latin, is a fitting tribute to the twofold start of your day: the workday's beginning and the second dawn of enjoyment. Enter Second Dawn Brewery, a neighborhood gem that began as a "happy place" for brewer Ross Koenigs, a leading figure and innovator in the brewing world. This creative genius is always at work, crafting new recipes and techniques. With seasonal innovations, Second Dawn offers a brew for every occasion. From cozy pumpkin spice ales in the fall to crisp Mexican lagers, tangy chili, mango, and tamarind sour ales, and refreshing summer fruit-infused brews, as well as classic pilsners and Vienna lagers, they always hit the mark. Enjoy their lively patio, where you can play cards and board games, and bring your furry friends while soaking up some music. Second Dawn is truly the ultimate local hangout.

Two22 Brew | Directions

Two22 Brew is the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy excellent craft beers. When the weather is nice, you’re welcome to bring your dogs to their inviting patio and savor bites from the weekly food trucks. With a commitment to giving back, Two22 Brew donates $2.22 from every $10 purchase to Colorado-based non-profits so you can enjoy your drinks with a sense of purpose. Their menu features a diverse range of options, including blondes, ales, milk stouts, sours, porters, IPAs, and more. The lively patio is not just dog-friendly but also a hub for trivia nights and comedy shows. Sip happily while enjoying great food and entertainment at Two22 Brew!

Copper Kettle Brewing | Directions

At Copper Kettle Brewing, owners Jeremy Gobien, Ph.D., and Kristen Kozik bring their passion for brewing and community to life. Jeremy's material science engineering background informs their brews' meticulous craft, making Copper Kettle a standout spot. Enjoy a range of enticing flavors, from the Blood Orange Kölsch and Cherry Basil Blonde to the full-bodied Hazy IPA and the rich Milk Stout. They also offer unique twists like the Mexican Chocolate Stout. But it's not about the excellent beer—Copper Kettle Brewing is a vibrant community hub. Join in on free comedy nights, celebrate beer release days, enjoy live music, and participate in Dungeons & Dragons and Music Bingo activities. Come and check it out!

BEST BREWERIES FOR BITES AND BREWS

Six Capital Brewing and BBQ | Directions

When it comes to unique specialty beers, Six Capital Brewing Co. does not disappoint. Using local Colorado ingredients as much as possible, adventuresome beer drinkers will be pleased with offerings like Cascadian Dark Ale and Lemondrop Wheat. They also have a fantastic selection of vintage beers, ideal for the casual craft beer enthusiast. Also, you can’t miss their fantastic menu featuring delicious BBQ, including a fan-favorite, Barbecuterie Board, and more pitmaster specialties like their nachos featuring their signature BBQ drizzle and green chili queso, and smokehouse green chili mac and cheese! This is an Aurora gem you don’t want to miss!

A Bit Twisted Brewpub & BBQ | Directions

Take the fantastic flavors of Texas BBQ and add the artistry of Colorado craft brews, and you’ll have a great experience. Don’t just take our word for it, A Bit Twisted is a Restaurant Guru’s and RestaurantJi’s recommended establishment, and is listed as a Top 10 Pub and Bar in Aurora! From unique brews like the Candy Paint Job stout featuring caramel, a Buttery Ash-hole red ale with notes of whiskey-chipped butterscotch coffee, and refreshing Watermelon Wheat, beer lovers are in for a treat. Plus, they smoke their brisket and pulled pork to perfection so you can enjoy it in many forms, from platters and tacos to sandwiches. Their selection of beers and barbecue menu speak for themselves, so make sure to visit!

Danico Brewing | Directions

Check out Danico Brewing in northeast Denver! Danico has something for everyone, whether you’re into a diverse selection of small-batch beers or non-alcoholic options. Their spacious venue offers plenty of indoor and outdoor seating with a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy a refreshing pilsner like the Hey Pard’ Pils, a zesty Mexican lager like the Day Game, or savor Danico’s renowned East Coast hazy IPA crafted with botanical extracts. Their tap list is genuinely extraordinary. And don’t forget to pair your drinks with some tasty food! Danico features a rotating lineup of food trucks, bringing local favorites like tapas, tacos, pizza, wings, BBQ, and more to your table. Treat your taste buds while enjoying some of the best brews around!

BEST BREWERIES FOR ACTIVITIES

Dry Dock Brewing | Directions

Did you know that Dry Dock holds the distinction of being Aurora’s first brewery? Beer enthusiasts will be thrilled with their extensive range of award-winning brews. Spanning 6,500 square feet, their spacious, family-friendly tasting room offers over 180 seats and 16 taps. Adjacent to the taproom, you’ll find The Brew Hut, where you can pick up brewing supplies and participate in engaging classes. These classes, which cover everything from an introduction to all-grain brewing to advanced techniques, allow you to elevate your brewing skills with guidance from Dry Dock’s experts. Dive into topics like mashing, sparging, and more! Whether you’re searching for exceptional beers or aiming to enhance your brewing prowess, Dry Dock is the place to be.

Bent Barley | Directions

Discover Bent Barley in Southlands, where you’ll find a fantastic array of ales and lagers, including crowd-pleasers like the Honey Kolsch. This vibrant taproom has become a local favorite, ideal for savoring a pint or a flight of their brews, all while enjoying tasty food from nearby spots. Don’t miss out on Trivia Night, held every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month! In addition to great beers and engaging game nights, Bent Barley hosts monthly beer sip-and-paint events in collaboration with The Paint Cellar. You can also catch them during the Southlands Wine Walk, where they serve delightful tasters, and events like Sounds of Southlands, where you can enjoy your beers while listening to great music. Whether you’re looking to unwind with friends, relax on the patio after a day of shopping, or enhance your beer experience with a fun painting event, Bent Barley is the perfect destination. Learn more about Bent Barley owners Mark Job and Paul Dampier here!

FlyteCo Tower | Directions

Swing by FlyteCo Tower, where aviation meets excellent beer and endless fun! This aviation-themed brewpub, which opened its doors in the historic and now-closed Stapleton International Airport in August 2022, spans an impressive 20,000 square feet. It’s packed with six bowling lanes, 18 holes of mini-golf, a full arcade, and family-friendly lawn games. As one of the first breweries in the state to open at 7 a.m., FlyteCo serves more than just great brews—they offer a full selection of wine and spirits, a comprehensive food menu, a kid’s menu, and happy hour specials. While you’re enjoying mini-golf, bowling, or gaming, sip on refreshing options like the Pink Lemonade seltzer, the well-balanced and earthy Eddy Pale Ale, or the fruity Tropical Tailwinds Pineapple Gose. For an elevated brewery experience, FlyteCo is the perfect spot to gather with friends for enjoyable activities and top-notch beers.

BEST BREWERY FOR CIDER FANS

Haykin Family Cider | Directions

Alright, so cider isn’t quite a beer, but we can’t help but sing the praises of Haykin Family Cider! This small-batch cider maker crafts sparkling, wine-like ciders with a spectrum of sweetness that’s sure to delight. If cider is your preference, Haykin is a must-try! Embracing a stem-to-glass approach, their cidery provides a unique experience with contemporary décor and an open production area. They take apple craftsmanship to new levels, focusing on the flavor and complexity of various apple types. Their tasting flights are refreshingly crisp, offering a delightful experience whether you lean towards semi-dry or sweet. Enjoy their fresh selections, like the McIntosh with its zesty lemon notes or the Yarlington Mill, an English apple with rich dark fruit and cocoa undertones. You can even order online and have it delivered right to your doorstep—there’s nothing like having cider delivered to make you feel right at home!

The Aurora Brews Cruise is coming back for another round in Winter 2025! Learn more about the inaugural AURORA BREWS CRUISE and how you can participate!