These brewing brands feature more than just beer

By Kristen Kuchar

It’s not news that Colorado has plenty of breweries serving well-made beer. But what could come as a surprise is how many of those breweries actually double as something else. These are just a handful of local breweries that offer a twist on enjoying a fresh craft beer – from an arcade and mini-golf course to a soon-to-come 12-lane bowling alley.

The Grateful Gnome

Doubles As: An Authentic New Jersey-Style Deli

Grateful Gnome Sandwich Shoppe and Brewery

To accompany one of the 12 house-made beers on tap, choose from more than 50 cold and hot sandwiches. The Grateful Gnome is not only a brewery, but also an authentic New Jersey-style deli serving classic deli favorites and the option to build your own sandwich with an abundance of bread and topping options.

Yampa Valley Brewing

Doubles As: An AirBnB

You won’t have to travel far after enjoying a few beers at Yampa Valley Brewing Company Taphouse. Right above the brewery, is an entire two-bedroom rental unit that sleeps six guests. The pet-friendly accommodations offer a full kitchen with cooking basics, and the brewery below offers a wide variety of brews including the Space Dog IPA, Yampa Valley Blonde and Coal Miner Stout.

Dostal Alley

Doubles As: A casino

Located in Central City, Dostal Alley is part casino, part restaurant and part microbrewery. Since 1997, brewers have picked and used hops grown around Central City for some of their beers. Beers include a Smoked Porter, American City Pale Ale, and the Shaft House Stout. The historic two-floor casino offers video poker and slots.

Odell Brewing

Doubles As: A winery

The Odell Brewing Company Wine Project was started out of a shared love for wine making as well as brewing beer. Canned wines include a jammy, bold red blend, a white Pinot Gris blend, and a crisp Rose. The taproom in Fort Collins features wine on draft, in can, and in bottle, including Pinot Noir Reserve, Colorado Chardonnay and Goschie White.

So Many Roads Brewery

Doubles As: A museum

So Many Roads Museum and Brewery houses a huge display of Grateful Dead art. The 7,500 square-foot space is a museum, a live music venue, arcade and brewery. Beers include Cherry Garcia Wheat, Sancho’s Broken Ale, Easy Wind Wheat, and Pineapple Express.

Wonderland Brewing

Doubles as: An arcade

Part brewery, part arcade, Wonderland Brewing’s 9,000-square-foot space has 20 pinball games, pingpong tables, corn hole, pickleball, and a 9-hole mini-golf course. Beers include Forget Me Not Blueberry Gose, Apollo Pale Ale, Silver Ball Stout, and All of My Best Friends Are Porters. Burgers, pizzas and appetizers are also available to keep your energy level high at the Broomfield venue..

Shoes and Brews

Doubles As: A Specialty Running Store

Shoes and Brews has more than 20 taps, one to four house-made brews and guest taps (along with cider and wine options). In the front, there’s a wide selection of essential running gear, including shoes, apparel, sunglasses, hats, and more. The Longmont brewery also hosts various races and running events throughout the year.

Fiction Beer Company

Doubles As: A library

Fiction Beer Company is a book lovers’ paradise. The beers at this Denver brewery are inspired by the team’s favorite works of fiction. The bar is made from real books, and author quotes are engraved on the tables.

Altitude Brewing

Doubles As: A Homebrew Supply Store

Altitude Brewing has its own beers right on tap, such as Patio Amber Pale Ale and Suffolk IPA, so homebrew supply shoppers can get inspired. Besides beer, this nano-brewery has all you need to make not just beer, but also wine, cider, mead, spirits and even cheese.

Live Slow Brewing

Doubles As: A bowling alley

Live Slow Brewing has an anticipated June 2022 opening in Wheat Ridge. The 11,000 square feet of space will house 12 bowling lanes, a stage for live music, and a 3,000-square-foot patio. To accompany the house made beer, there will be pub food (tacos and wings) and live music.

To visit a handful of other Colorado breweries, try out Denver Microbrew Tours and their guided tours of Denver’s best neighborhoods, art and breweries.