Denver CO 80265
Telephone: +1 303-534-7616
Hours: Open daily 11:00am-2:00am.
Brewer: John McClure
[Update]
Notes
Visited: September 29, 2004
Opened: 1991
Annual Production: 5,100 bbl
Contributor: Siegfried Binge
Rock Bottom was named Brewpub Group of the Year at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival.
Very conveniently located on the 16th Street Mall...you can take the free bus instead of staggering around Downtown Denver. After my first visit in May 1995, I said that this place had the most consistently-tasty beer of any Colorado brewery, Wynkoop and CooperSmith's fans notwithstanding. I got a lot of comments about "mediocre" (or worse!) beer coming out of Rock Bottom lately, so I gave them another try on my last trip to Denver. The beer wasn't bad...it wasn't nearly as good as the last time, but it wasn't as bad as I'd heard, either. Stop by and make up your own mind. They get $3.50 a pint, whereas most other micros in the area were going for $2 or $2.50. Sampler sets go for $5.95. Rock Bottom raised some $50 million in two public offerings, and plans to use the money to build even more brewpubs around the country. The same folks own Denver Chop House.
Updated: December 3, 2023
News
- 2011-09-09: Dropped keg sparks flash fire in Downtown Denver brew pub, knotting traffic; no injuries (Denver Post)
Beer List
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Date: September 27, 1996 (#1707)Package: draughtPlace: at the breweryScore: 14½ pointsOverall Impression (3)
Golden, some haze, big head. Hint of wheat aroma. Sweet, good wheat flavor.
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Date: September 27, 1996 (#1713)Package: draughtPlace: at the breweryScore: 14½ pointsOverall Impression (3)
Black enough, creamy head. Awfully clean aroma for a Stout. OK body, OK coffee flavor and finish. -
Date: October 22, 1994 (#542)Package: real alePlace: at the breweryScore: 16½ pointsOverall Impression (3½)
Black black, big brown head. Subdued burnt aroma. Burnt and bitter flavor. Lots of astringency...OK. -
Date: September 8, 1993 (#279)Package: draughtPlace: at the breweryScore: 17 pointsOverall Impression (3)
Black opaque, good brown head. Very burnt aroma. Burnt flavor, a bit sour, contrary to their blurb. Thick, bitter, slightly astringent.
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Date: October 24, 2007 (#6664)Package: bottledPlace: Hy-Vee Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs IAScore: 13 pointsAppearance (3)
Bright deep golden. Some flakes. Huge fluffy head.Aroma (3)
Huge fresh malt, a hint of smoke. Lots of Belgian fruitiness and spice.Mouthfeel (6)
Huge, chewy beer. Fairly fizzy. Intense maltiness. Oddly bitter. Mild alcohol flavor at the end. Not balanced. Autolyzed.Overall Impression (1)
"Best by March 06". That explains it. -
Date: September 27, 1996 (#1710)Package: draughtPlace: at the breweryScore: 15½ pointsOverall Impression (3)
Golden-amber, good head. Fruity hop nose. Good body and balance. Malt and hop flavors work well together. -
Date: September 8, 1993 (#276)Package: draughtPlace: at the breweryScore: 18 pointsOverall Impression (3)
Tough to judge the color...we're outside, it's nighttime, and there's nothing but soft neon lights. I'd say "amber". Minimal head and carbonation. Nice caramel aroma...fresh hops, too. Great balance! Caramel flavors blend well with the hops. Fine body. (That goes for the beer, too...hi, Chris!) Just a bit too bitter in the finish, but OK. Crystal and Munich malts, Tettnanger (!) and Mt.Hood hops.