You’re driving through Lakewood, Colorado, maybe heading back from a hike at Red Rocks or just dodging the Denver traffic on 6th Avenue, and you see it. Tucked into a fairly unassuming strip near the base of the foothills sits Green Mountain Beer Company. It doesn’t look like much from the parking lot. Honestly, most great breweries don't. But once you step inside, the vibe shifts from "suburban shopping center" to "modern European beer hall meets Colorado trailhead."
Beer is everywhere in Colorado. You can't throw a hop cone without hitting a brewery. So, why does this specific spot keep winning awards while others fade into the background? It’s not just the location. It’s the sheer, stubborn refusal to follow the "haze-crazy" trends that have dominated the industry for the last decade. While everyone else was busy dumping lactose and fruit puree into everything, the team here decided to focus on something radical: clean, traditional, high-quality fermentation.
The European Soul of a Colorado Neighborhood Brewery
Most American craft breweries started by making pale ales. Not Green Mountain. When Brian and his team opened the doors, they had a very specific obsession with German and Belgian styles. That’s a risky move. Lagers are hard to make. You can’t hide flaws in a Pilsner like you can in a triple IPA loaded with Citra hops.
If you walk up to the bar at Green Mountain Beer Company, the first thing you’ll notice is the tap list isn't just a wall of IPAs. You’ll see a Kolsch. You’ll see a Hefeweizen. You might see a Belgian Quad that’ll sit you right down if you aren't careful. They treat water chemistry like a high-stakes science experiment, adjusting the mineral content to mimic the soft waters of Pilsen or the hard water profiles of Burton-on-Trent. It sounds nerdy because it is. But you taste that nerdiness in the crisp finish of their "Mountain Standard" Kolsch.
Why Lagering Matters (And Why Most Places Skip It)
Traditional lagering takes time. Like, a lot of time. In a world where "time is money," many breweries rush their beer from grain to glass in two weeks. Green Mountain doesn't play that game. They let their lagers sit. They let the yeast clean up after itself. This process—cold conditioning—is what gives their beer that "snap."
- They use horizontal lagering tanks. This is a big deal. Most breweries use vertical tanks because they save space. But horizontal tanks allow the yeast to settle over a larger surface area. It changes the flavor profile. It makes the beer smoother.
- The carbonation is natural. They aren't just blasting CO2 into a finished product. They’re letting the beer develop its own bubbles through traditional spunding techniques.
It's expensive. It’s slow. It’s also why their German-style Pilsner actually tastes like something you’d drink in a Munich beer garden rather than a watered-down domestic light.
More Than Just a Taproom
The space itself is weirdly functional. You've got the indoor area which is all high ceilings and industrial wood, but the patio is where the magic happens. It's huge. It’s dog-friendly. On a Saturday afternoon, it’s basically a community center for people who own Subarus and Patagonia fleeces.
But here is a real insider tip: the food truck rotation. Green Mountain Beer Company doesn't have a kitchen, which is common in Colorado. However, they are incredibly picky about who parks in their lot. You’ll see everything from high-end tacos to wood-fired pizza. The pairing of a spicy street taco with a crisp, cold German lager is basically the unofficial state meal of Colorado.
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The Community Connection
You can tell a lot about a business by who hangs out there at 4:00 PM on a Tuesday. At Green Mountain, it's a mix of local mountain bikers who just finished a loop on the actual Green Mountain (William F. Hayden Park is just up the road) and retirees who have lived in Lakewood since the 70s. It’s one of the few places where those two groups actually talk to each other.
The brewery also hosts a ton of events that aren't just "buy a beer." They do trivia. They do run clubs. They participate in the "Beer Passport" programs that encourage people to explore the West Metro beer scene. They’ve become an anchor for a part of Lakewood that, frankly, used to be a bit of a desert for high-quality social spaces.
Dealing With the "No IPA" Myth
Okay, let's address the elephant in the room. People often say, "Green Mountain doesn't do IPAs." That's not true. They just don't do only IPAs. They have some fantastic West Coast and New England styles. But they approach them with a brewer's discipline.
Their IPAs are balanced.
They aren't "onion-y" or overly bitter. They have a clarity that is often missing in the modern craft scene. If you’re a hop-head, you won’t be disappointed, but you might find yourself accidentally converted to a Marzen or a Dunkel by the time you leave.
Recognition and Awards
It’s one thing for a local writer to say a brewery is good. It’s another when the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) says it. Green Mountain has consistently pulled hardware at major competitions. Winning at GABF is the equivalent of winning an Oscar in the beer world. They’ve medaled in categories like German-Style Altbier—a style that is notoriously difficult to master because it requires a perfect balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
This professional recognition is what keeps the "beer tourists" coming. People drive from out of state just to see if the Altbier lives up to the gold medal. It usually does.
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Real World Advice for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head over to Green Mountain Beer Company, there are a few things you should know so you don't look like a total rookie.
Check the Tap List Online First Their rotation moves fast. They do small batches. If you saw a specific Belgian Dubbel on Instagram three weeks ago, there is a 50/50 chance it's gone. Their website stays pretty updated.
The Parking Situation The lot is shared with other businesses. It can get tight on Friday nights. If the main lot is full, there is usually street parking nearby, but pay attention to the signs. Lakewood code enforcement is surprisingly efficient.
Bring the Dog, But Follow the Rules The patio is great for pups, but it gets crowded. If your dog isn't cool with other dogs or small children running around, maybe leave the furry friend at home.
Flight or Pint? Get a flight. Seriously. Because they brew so many different styles—from light Kolschs to heavy Stouts—you’re doing yourself a disservice if you only try one thing. It’s the best way to understand the range of what they’re doing.
The Hard Truth About Craft Beer in 2026
The industry is changing. Raw ingredient costs are up. Aluminum prices for cans are volatile. A lot of "hype" breweries are closing because they couldn't sustain a business on $20 four-packs of glitter beer. Green Mountain Beer Company is surviving—and thriving—because they built their foundation on classic styles and local loyalty.
They don't over-expand. You won't find them in every grocery store in the country. That's intentional. By keeping their footprint manageable, they maintain quality control that the massive regional breweries just can't match. Every time you grab a pour, there's a good chance the person who brewed it is standing five feet away from you.
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What to Order Right Now
If it’s on tap, get the Dunkel. It’s a dark German lager that looks heavy but drinks light. It’s got notes of bread crust and chocolate without being sweet. It’s the perfect "I just finished a hike" beer.
If you want something lighter, the Kolsch is non-negotiable. It is arguably their flagship. It’s crisp, clean, and has just enough hop character to keep it interesting. It’s the beer that wins over people who say they "only drink Coors Light" and people who "only drink $30 bottles of sour ale."
How to Get the Most Out of Your Green Mountain Experience
To truly appreciate what’s happening at this Lakewood staple, you have to look past the "cool factor" and pay attention to the glass. Look at the head retention. Notice the clarity of the beer. Smell it before you gulp it down.
- Visit during the "Off-Hours": A Tuesday afternoon at Green Mountain is a completely different vibe than a Friday night. You can actually talk to the bartenders about the yeast strains and the fermentation temps. They love talking shop.
- Support the Food Trucks: These are small local businesses too. Check their schedule on the brewery’s social media and plan your dinner around it.
- Explore the Neighborhood: Use the brewery as a jumping-off point. Go hike the North Loop at Green Mountain Park, then head down for a beer. It makes that first sip taste approximately 400% better.
- Growler Fills: They do them. If you find something you love that isn't canned, grab a growler. Just make sure you drink it within a couple of days to keep that freshness intact.
Green Mountain Beer Company represents the best of what Colorado craft beer used to be—and what it needs to be in the future. It’s about technical skill, community, and a really damn good pint of lager. Whether you’re a local or just passing through on your way to the Rockies, it’s a mandatory stop for anyone who actually cares about what’s in their glass.
Stop settling for mediocre, over-hyped juice boxes masquerading as beer. Go to Lakewood. Find the strip mall. Sit on the patio. Order the lager. You’ll get it once you take that first sip.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
Check the current tap list on their official website to see which seasonal rotators are active. If you’re planning a group event, call ahead to see if they can accommodate a larger table on the patio. Finally, make sure to bring a valid ID; Colorado breweries are strict, and they won't serve you without it, regardless of how old you look.