Neighborhood Taprooms in Colorado Offer More Variety to the Legal College Student

By Karolyn Castaldo on October 14, 2012

The rise of neighborhood taprooms or microbreweries in the Denver area could be seen to some as a clash for business, but these brewers see it as an opportunity. What is now known as the Beermuda Triangle in west Denver is celebrated in the industry because not only has it formed community for them, it’s brought in more business than they could have imagined. The Beermuda Brewers have extended this community to other small breweries in Denver to give them a start as well. Because of the nature of the craft-beer drinking, it’s not surprising that this consumer would want variety in his consumption. Having breweries so close together, gives him that.

Photo from Flickr.com by k4dordy

That’s where the college student comes in. Picture the freshly legal 21-year-old, sick of the underaged bar scene (because we all know it happens around college campuses) and quite frankly club-ed and bar-ed out since that barely memorable night of his birthday. He doesn’t want to go pick up a pack of the cheapest stuff on the shelf from the liquor store on the corner either. He is looking for a more sophisticated way to enjoy his new status as a “legal drinker.” So, why not try a microbrewery?  These microbreweries could offer much more to a student than meets the eye.

The proximity is key for a student looking to sample each place to see which he likes best. He’s not limited to one taproom and with a designated driver, he can get there easily. They also give him a chance to try different brews, because he’s probably only been drinking big-named classics for as inexpensive as he can find them throughout his college career. It’s also a change of pace – he’s probably never experienced the relaxed feel of a taproom, compared to the bumping craze of the bars around campus, and if he and his friends choose to frequent it, there’s a sense of community that comes along with it.

The cons of the microbrewery for the college student come down to price: most students wouldn’t be willing to pay for it. They think, “I’ll enjoy the nicer stuff once I get a job,” or “I’d rather save my money and be able to drink more.” The distance from campus also causes a problem because if they take a cab home, that rings up quite a bill as well.

Interested in finding a neighborhood taproom? Strange Brewing can be found on Zuni Street, Wits End Brewing on West 2nd Ave. (off of South Federal), Dry Dock Brewing on East Hampden Ave., Copper Kettle on South Valentia Street and Hogshead Brewery on W. 29th Ave. Drink responsibly!

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