Brewed in 1859 near what is now the heart of downtown, Denver's first beer quenched the thirst of fortune hunters following the gold rush. It lubricated the city's transformation from Wild West town to the Queen City of the Plains until Prohibition brought a sudden end to the brewing culture. By 1979, only the famed Coors brewery remained. But then something frothy happened. Brian Dunn, John Hickenlooper and many others began satiating locals with liquid gold. The craft beer movement blossomed. Now well over seventy breweries strong, it is filled with the same pioneering spirit and irrepressible optimism that the miners embodied. Journalist and author Jonathan Shikes captures the Mile High City's sudsy stories from then until now.

In 1979, two University of Colorado professors decided to open Boulder Brewing Company--the forty-third brewery in the nation and the first in the state since Prohibition. Over the next four decades, young entrepreneurs from across the country flocked to the picturesque region to follow their bliss and brew beer. The county's brewing heritage is brimming with stories of how a band of ragtag ruffians helped launch a nationwide revolution. The likes of Oskar Blues, Avery Brewing Company and Left Hand Brewing Company laid the fertile ground for torchbearers such as Upslope, Bootstrap Brewing and many others. Packed with firsthand accounts from adventurous brewers, Michael J. Casey recounts the tale of those who turned Boulder County into ground zero for craft beer in the Centennial State.

Although alcohol arrived with the first settlers in Fort Collins, Prohibition lingered until 1969. But the city was one of the first to latch onto the burgeoning craft beer movement. In 1989, Old Colorado Brewing Company paved the way as the city's first microbrewery. And with the inception of breweries like Odell and New Belgium, local beer soon saw a strong resurgence followed by popularity nationwide. By 2010, a new generation of breweries, like Funkwerks and Equinox Brewing, emerged. Brea D. Hoffman divulges the history of Fort Collins's evolving beer scene.

This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of beer and brewing in Colorado. • Features 149 breweries and brewpubs • Each brewery profile includes beers brewed, special features, visitor information, and the author's "Pick" of the best beer to try • Covers Denver and the Burbs, Northern Front Range, Southern Front Range, Central Rockies, Western Slope, and Southwest regions

A Short History of Denver covers more than 150 years of Denver’s rich history. The book recounts the takeover of Native American lands, the founding of small towns on the South Platte River at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and the creation of a city, which by 1890 was among the nation’s major western urban centers. Leonard and Noel tell the stories of powerful economic and political leaders such as John Evans, Horace Tabor, and David Moffat, and delve into the contributions of women, including Elizabeth Byers and Margaret (Molly) Brown. The book also recognizes the importance of the city’s ethnic communities, including African Americans, Asians, Latinos, and many others. A Short History of Denver portrays the city’s twentieth-century ups and downs, including the City Beautiful movement, political corruption, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Here readers will find the meat and potatoes of economic and political history and much more, including sports history, social history, and the history of metropolitan-wide efforts to preserve the past.

* A comprehensive guide to the majority of Colorado's defunct breweries. As a young man living in Denver, back when 18-year-olds could drink 3.2% beer, I enjoyed products from several regional breweries including Coors, and the Tivoli and also Walter, which produced quite a variety of brews both under its own and contract labels. Skipping forward to the present, a rise in the popularity of microbreweries nationwide brought me into the hobby of home brewing and coincidentally directed my attention back to local breweries once again. I knew when I began this project that the subject of defunct Colorado breweries had never been covered comprehensively in any published work. Two good books document the history of Coors. Lesser-stature works have chronicled the Del Norte, Schneider, Tivoli and Walter breweries. The balance of Colorado breweries have received little more than brief mention as part of other stories. Unfortunately, I also can only bring mention to several of the more obscure breweries as more-detailed information concerning them was too elusive. Since this subject has not been approached in depth, I have necessarily documented sources heavily. More knowledgeable readers may prefer to skip the Introduction as it is a presentation of background facts that may be helpful and interesting in interpreting the unfolding of events. For most of my life I have been interested in Colorado history and genealogy. I find historical research a fascinating challenge and very much enjoy reading original documents and sources that were produced by writers of the day. My fascination with research has steered my writing style toward being less an author and more a guide through the information I encountered in my research. Instead of re-relating all the bits of a story as though previously known to me, I prefer to let eyewitnesses tell the tale, on my part only enhancing or explaining when necessary. In this manner, the reader can inspect original historical information and possibly arrive at a different insight or conclusion than I might present. * 1st edition, 1st printing, May 2016; paperback, perfect bound, 6x9 inches, 334 pgs, 76 Photographs, 28 Maps, 6 Tables, 52 Illustrations, Over 825 source references, Bibliography, Index.

If you want to learn about the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the Mile High City, then check out HowExpert Guide to Denver, Colorado. This comprehensive guide to the Mile High City brings to life one of the most exciting cities in the United States. Denver has built on its rich Western history to become a modern metropolis that welcomes everyone. From the largest collection of microbreweries in the world to vibrant art and cultural scene to endless outdoor activities, Denver offers something for everyone. This guide describes more than 150 places to stay and eat, things to do, neighborhoods to explore, and ways to experience Denver and its surrounding communities. The description of each attraction is full of history, tips, and practical information that will help you decide what you want to do and when. If you have a short amount of time in the city, chapters on how to visit Denver in one, two, or three days will help you get the most out of your visit. Even if you’re a long-time resident, you’ll learn something new about your city and be inspired to explore everything Denver offers. A chapter on frequently asked questions will give you ideas on free or cheap things to do, fun activities for kids, and the best times of year to visit. In short, the HowExpert Guide to Denver will show you how to make the most out of your time in the Mile High City. Check out HowExpert Guide to Denver, Colorado to learn about the best places to eat, drink, and explore in the Mile High City. About the Author Todd Faulk was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Denver. He has since made frequent visits to the city to see family and friends. In addition, Mr. Faulk is a professional travel writer, history buff, and avid world traveler. He has visited all 50 U.S. states and 70 countries and loves exploring and experiencing places as locals do. Returning to Denver for several extended visits in the last few years has given Mr. Faulk a fresh view of his hometown, which he enjoys sharing with anyone interested in coming to the Mile High City. HowExpert publishes how to guides by everyday experts.