Honestly, the "New Belgium Denver airport" experience is a weirdly polarizing thing. You’re either the person sprinting past Gate B32 to catch a 6:00 AM connection, or you’re the person sitting at the bar with a Fat Tire, watching those people and thanking the heavens you have a two-hour layover.
Most travelers think airport food is just a overpriced treadmill of soggy sandwiches. They aren't totally wrong. But then you hit Concourse B.
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The New Belgium Denver airport location (officially near Gate B32) isn't just some kiosk with a tap. It’s a 4,500-square-foot beast. It’s got a 20-handle tap system. It’s got a "jumbotron" array of TVs. Basically, it’s the Mothership's satellite office, and if you haven’t stopped there, you’re missing the actual point of flying through Colorado.
Where to find the New Belgium Denver airport oasis
If you are wandering around Concourse A or C, you're out of luck. Well, not totally—Great Divide is in C and Breckenridge is in A—but the New Belgium hub is strictly a Concourse B affair. Specifically, you're looking for the area around Gate B32.
It’s open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM every single day.
Yes, they serve beer at 6:00 AM. No, nobody is judging you. You’re in an airport; time is a flat circle and "brunch" starts whenever the TSA agent lets you through the scanner.
The design is surprisingly sleek for a terminal. You’ve got light wood, some "New Belgium Red" accents, and shuffleboard tables. Actual shuffleboard. In an airport. It’s a vibe that says, "Your flight is probably delayed, so you might as well get comfortable."
The beer list isn't just Fat Tire
Everyone knows Fat Tire. It’s the legend. But the New Belgium Denver airport taproom pulls out the weird stuff too. We’re talking about:
- Voodoo Ranger series (the Juicy Haze or the higher-ABV Force variants)
- 1554 Enlightened Dark Ale (if you want something that tastes like a hug)
- Mountain Time Premium Lager (the "I just want a beer that tastes like beer" option)
- Sour beers from their wood cellar (La Folie, if you can handle the pucker)
The cool part? They often have "first-to-market" or rare one-offs that you usually have to drive to Fort Collins to find. And they do beer cocktails. The "Fix-A-Flat" is basically a Bloody Mary but with Fat Tire and mezcal. It sounds chaotic. It tastes like survival.
The food actually has a pedigree
This is what most people get wrong. They assume the kitchen is just heating up frozen patties.
The menu was actually designed by Paul C. Reilly. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the brains behind Denver staples like beast+bottle and Coperta. He brought in local purveyors like Tender Belly for the meats and Haystack Mountain for the cheese.
The 5280 Burrito is the heavyweight champion of the breakfast menu. It’s loaded with housemade habanero sausage and tomatillo salsa. It’s spicy enough to wake you up but not so spicy that you’ll be miserable on a four-hour flight to LaGuardia.
For lunch or dinner, people swear by the 1554 BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. They braise the pork in the dark ale, and it shows. If you’re trying to be "healthy," there’s a falafel burger that is surprisingly crispy and doesn't feel like a consolation prize for vegetarians.
Is it worth the "airport tax"?
Let's talk money. You're going to pay more here than you would at a dive bar in LoDo. That’s just the reality of airport economics.
A pint is going to run you a few bucks more than usual. The food is in that $15–$25 range. Is it a "deal"? No. Is it better value than a $14 limp turkey wrap from a plastic bin? Absolutely.
The service can be a bit of a gamble. Some days they are like a well-oiled machine; other days, if three United flights just deplaned at once, the staff looks like they’re fighting a war. If you’re on a tight 20-minute window, hit the Grab & Go section instead. They have some of the same high-quality snacks but without the wait.
Why this spot is a Denver "rite of passage"
The New Belgium Denver airport taproom represents something bigger than just a place to get drunk before a flight. It’s a showcase of Colorado’s independent spirit. New Belgium was employee-owned for a long time (though they've since joined the Kirin/Lion family), and they still lean hard into that local, bike-loving culture.
You see it in the merchandise. You can literally buy a New Belgium globe glass or a t-shirt right there at the gate. It’s the last-minute gift for the person who forgot to buy a souvenir in the actual city.
Pro-tips for the Concourse B traveler
- Check the Jumbotron: If there's a game on, this is the best place in the airport to watch it. The TV setup is better than most sports bars.
- Shuffleboard Strategy: If you're traveling with a group, grab the shuffleboard table early. It's the best way to kill a 2-hour delay without staring at your phone.
- The "Secret" Second Spot: There is actually a smaller New Belgium "hub" deeper in Concourse B near the regional jet gates. It’s less "fancy" than the main one at B32, but it’s a lifesaver if you’re stuck at the far end of the terminal.
- Drink Water: Denver is at 5,280 feet. The airport is basically in the high desert. Two Voodoo Rangers at this altitude will hit you like four at sea level. Don't be that person on the plane.
Next time you find yourself stuck in the Mile High City with a layover, don't just sit at the gate staring at the carpet. Head to Gate B32. Grab a 1554 or a Voodoo Ranger, order the pulled pork, and enjoy the best people-watching spot in the Western United States.
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Practical Next Step: If you're flying through DEN soon, download the FlyDenver app or check the interactive maps to see the current wait times. If you have more than 45 minutes, New Belgium is a solid bet for a real meal. If you're in a rush, look for the "Grab & Go" cooler at the front of the restaurant for a Tender Belly sandwich you can actually take on the plane.