The Valentine town is sweet on craft beer. Here are its three hottest breweries.
Big Thompson Brewery
“Let the Beer Flow” is Big Thompson Brewery’s motto. Inspired by the Big Thompson River, it opened in 2015 and offers classics like Float Away IPA, Oatmeal Stout and Bent Hook Best Bitter as well as seasonal varieties like Beet Beer, Smoked Chipotle Porter and Pumpkin Ale. Check out river-inspired offerings like “Peak Flow Pilsner,” and test your tastebuds with a Habanero Peach Ale. It’s located at 114 E. 15th Street, Loveland.
Big Beaver Brewing Company
The beer names are half the fun at Big Beaver Brewing Company with variations like Wonder Wiener Wheat, Amber Was Her Stage Name, and Whiskey Dick Stout. The brewery, which opened in 2010, has 16 beer taps, a patio, board games, bratwurst, and snacks. Artisan root beer and Italian sodas are also available. Head to 2707 W. Eisenhower Blvd, Unit 9, Loveland.
Loveland Aleworks
This brewery and tap room serves flagships like their IPA, American Sour with Raspberries, Saison and Imperial Stout, along with a selection of rotating taps like Guava Milkshake IPA and “Are You Hazing Yet?” Imperial hazy IPA. A rotating collection of food trucks offers everything wood-fired pizza to artisanal hot dogs and more. Located at 118 West 4th Street, Loveland.
Grimm Brothers Brewhouse
Opened in 2010, Grimm Brothers claims the distinction of being Loveland’s oldest brewery. Named after German writers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, it offers both historic and more modern German beer styles. Twelve taps serve everything from Blood Orange Griffin Hefeweizen to Fearless Youth Munich Dunkel. And the brewery also has a historic beer engine. Fridays are Firkin Fridays where cask-conditioned selections are enjoyed. Find it at 623 N Denver Avenue, Loveland.
Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project
Verboten is German for “forbidden” and this brewery produces beer forbidden under the Reinheitsgebot German Purity Law, which dictated the only three ingredients allowed in beer were hops, barley and water. The brewery, which opened in 2013, offers barrel-aged fruit and spice beers like an Orange Blossom Honey Wheat. Their Stealth Haze Juicy American IPA is made with oats and wheat malt. It’s at 127 E. 5th Street, Loveland.
—Kristen Pope
