Dog-loving state full of pet-friendly breweries and taprooms

By Kristen Kuchar

Fortunately for dog enthusiasts and owners, you don’t have to look too far to find a pet-friendly brewery or taproom throughout Colorado. Bruz Beers co-founder Ryan Evans says that dogs bring a sense of community into the tasting room, providing entertainment, love and smiles.

“Dogs are an integral part of the beer culture in Colorado,” Evans says. “It’s fantastic when you get to sit down and enjoy a beer with your dog. Many of life’s problems have been solved this way.”

Bruz takes the dog-friendly taproom to the next level by making dog biscuits from their spent grain for pup visitors. In addition to past dog-related events, such as puppy yoga and visits from Bone Apetreat, Denver-based dog treat food truck, the brewery hosts an annual Wagapalooza. The event is a dog party and adoption event with proceeds supporting dog rescue and adoption. Some rescues have included PawsCo, Mile High Meowies & Mutts, Demi’s Animal Rescue and Big Bones Canine Rescue.

LUKI Brewery is another spot serving up dog treats from spent grain. In fact, the Arvada brewery recently hosted a spent grain bake-off in which participants could utilize spent grain to make treats for dogs (or humans). For National Twin with Your Dog Day, customers who came in with their dog – and wearing matching outfits – got a free pour.

A little further north in Old Town Lafayette, Romero’s K9 Club & Taphouse is a go-to spot for beer and dog lovers. There’s a variety of both local and national beers on tap and in cans, as well as a few ciders and mead. While their humans are enjoying the eclectic beers, well-behaved dogs can hang out in the private off-leash dog park and outdoor biergarten. In order to play, dogs must be current on their rabies vaccination, spayed or neutered and at least four months old. A registration form and small fee is also required for this area.

Also, there is a temperature-controlled enclosed pavilion for on-leash dogs that is open year-round. Since opening, there have been a variety of dog-centric events, such as a Doggie Halloween Party, complete with costumes and a parade down Public Road, and adoption events. Some previous organizations that have benefitted from fundraisers include Moms and Mutts Colorado Rescue and Scroungy Dogs and Pretty Pups Rescue.

In the south metro area, partakers will find beers such as Funplex Cream Ale, Coal Miner’s Dogger Stout and Peabody NEIPA at Coal Mine Avenue Brewing Co. in Littleton. The location has also brewed up something special for dogs – a 2,500-square-foot on-site park. If you want to attend with your furry best friend, you’ll need to register in advance and be prepared to show staff a proof of rabies vaccine. The Coal Mine team recommends taking your dog to another dog park if they’ve never been to one before to see how they do before the visit, as well as making sure your dog is getting along with the other dogs and not playing aggressively. Leashed dogs are also welcome on the covered and heated south patio. Available dog goodies include dog treats, pet soap, and collars, leashes and bowls made from recycled bicycle tires.

Up in Winter Park, Hideaway Park Brewing proved its love of doggie guests by creating dog toys modeled from one one of its beers.

The brewery has also helped raise money for Mountain Pet Rescue and the Winter Park Avalanche Rescue Dog program.

Lost Friend Brewing Company has raised money for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife K9 program with the release of “Dogs with Jobs” Colorado Spruce Kolsch. The Colorado Springs brewery donated $1 from every sale of the beer that was poured in a commemorative glass.

And Boulder-based Avery Brewing Co. brewed the Patrol Dog Pale Ale in partnership with the National Ski Patrol in order to raise funds for avalanche rescue dogs.

Kristen Kuchar is a freelance writer covering food, libations, music and other Colorado gatherings.