Best Breweries in NW Denver
NW Denver has a legitimate craft beer culture. Here's where to find the best pints in Berkeley, the Highlands, Sunnyside, LoHi, and Sloan's Lake.
Denver has more breweries per capita than almost anywhere in the country, and NW Denver punches above its weight in that lineup. These are the spots worth knowing across Berkeley, Highlands, Sunnyside, LoHi, and Sloan's Lake.
Hogshead Brewery — Sloan's Lake
Hogshead is a long-standing brewery focused on British ales — a specific niche that's earned it a loyal place in the Sloan's Lake area. It sits right next to SLOHI Coffee, which tells you something about the micro-cluster of good independent businesses that neighborhood has built around the lake.
Zuni Street Brewing — LoHi
Dog-friendly outdoor space, live music, and there's almost always a food truck parked out front. Zuni Street has the kind of setup that makes it easy to spend an evening without much of a plan.
Prost Brewing
German-style beers and downtown Denver skyline views. The combination does a lot of work — Prost has a setting that's hard to replicate, and it earns its place on this list for that alone.
Cerebral Brewing — Highlands Square
A newer addition to Highlands Square that's found its footing fast. Outdoor Pizza operates inside, which gives it a food anchor that most taprooms don't have. Worth knowing about if you're evaluating the Highlands Square corridor — it's a sign of the continued investment in that stretch.
Diebolt Brewing — Sunnyside
A family-run microbrewery making French-inspired beers, which is a combination you don't see often. Diebolt regularly hosts local events and meetups, which makes it a genuine community gathering point rather than just a place to drink. That role matters in Sunnyside, which has been building its neighborhood identity steadily.
Emporium Brewing — Berkeley
Sits right across from the community park on Tennyson — about as central to Berkeley's daily life as you can get. It's not my personal favorite, but the atmosphere is hard to argue with. Being in the hub of activity on Tennyson does a lot for a brewery, and Emporium makes good use of its location.
A note for Berkeley regulars: Call to Arms was the best brewery in Denver as far as I'm concerned. It's gone now, and that's still a loss. Emporium is the next best thing on Tennyson, and it's worth visiting — just know what came before it.
What the Brewery Scene Tells You
These aren't just bars. Taprooms in NW Denver tend to be community anchors — venues for local events, places where neighbors actually meet each other. The density of independent breweries across this stretch of the city is part of what gives each neighborhood its character, and it's one of the things that keeps NW Denver interesting to live in.
Know a brewery we missed? Let us know →
Business information is verified at time of publication but may change. We recommend confirming hours and contact details directly with each business before visiting.
About the Author
Scot Conti
Broker Associate at West + Main Homes. Berkeley resident, former architectural photographer, and your guide to Denver Metro real estate.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Thinking about making a move? Let's schedule time to talk.
Whether you're buying, selling, or just starting to think through the numbers — I'm happy to walk you through what to expect and build a plan around your timeline.