Looking for that socially distanced spot to get a craft beer in Boulder this summer? Let this list take the research out of your next happy hour.
Coronavirus has made lazy afternoons drinking in the sun with friends a bit more complicated. Many Boulder-area breweries will turn you away for bringing 10 people (or your dog) with you this summer. And a few, like Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery, are still closed to in-person dining. (You can still pick up a growler to go and support local businesses like this one, and be sure to call your favorite brewery or check their website, since their hours and options may change.)
But after a few months of lockdown, you definitely deserve that patio beer. You want to go out but feel safe and not be caught by surprise by unexpected rules.
These 10 patios on our list check the boxes for a low-risk environment during this pandemic summer: Outdoor seating, social distancing and mask requirements.
Asher Brewing Company
This Boulder brewery — which makes organic beer like the Green Lantern Kölsch — has a patio with limited seating as well as indoor seating. The brewery does have table service rather than bar ordering, which means more interaction with staff but less with other customers.
Asher is also following a host of state health recommendations, including requiring masks and asking customers not to move around the taproom too much. They are sanitizing between seatings and placing tables at least six feet apart.
Avery Brewing Company
Avery already has a large patio and has expanded outdoor seating but limited hours for summer. They’re expanding onto the front lawn and are only open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons. Masks are required for customers and tables are placed six feet apart. Because this means the taproom will be less crowded, reservations are recommended. There is an eight-person maximum per party.
The brewery is doing table service. Servers are also required to wear masks and have wellness checks before every shift. Avery, like most of the other breweries on this list, is also emphasizing digital menus and making paper menus single-use.
Finkel & Garf Brewing Company
Order your Oatmeal Milk Stout directly from the bar at this brewery, but the line will be socially distanced with six feet spacers marked on the floor. Sanitizer is on hand and contactless payment is a recommended option.
Masks are required unless you’re eating or drinking, whether you’re on the patio or inside (the doors are often open for airflow). The brewery does have capacity limits and, as with most of the places on this list, the patio fills up quickly.
4 Noses
This Broomfield brewery is requiring masks and encouraging contactless payments. Tables on their patio are arranged to be socially distant. No reservations, but only one party is allowed per table limited to eight people maximum. No kids or pets are currently allowed.
The brewery does have table service, which limits interaction with other people in line at the bar for their Pineapple Velvet Milkshake IPAs. The brewery asks guests not to “roam or mingle.” Just sit at your table, please. They have also pledged that servers are washing their hands at least every 30 minutes.
Their taproom Wild Provisions Beer Project in Boulder also has a large patio. No kids or pets, bring your mask and stay at your table for service.
Sanitas Brewing Company
Sanita’s recently increased the size of its outdoor space for your enjoyment. They’ve added a new bar outside and also expanded onto the lawn so there are some newly shaded tables.
Currently, guests are being seated by a host so everyone must walk through the indoor bar to get to the patio. Masks are required, groups are limited to eight and tables are spaced six to eight feet apart.
Guests can order at the bar but the brewery offers — and strongly recommends — using table service to order that Prickly Pear Sour.
Ska Street Brewstillery
This mash-up between a brewery and a distillery is open at limited capacity. They are reassuring customers that even their dishwashing machines were recently re-certified to ensure sanitation. They encourage no-cash transactions and, of course, require masks when you’re not actively drinking.
Best of all, you can drink a double IPA or a Palisade Peach Margarita on the patio here. Reservations are strongly recommended.
The Post Brewing Company
The Post’s Boulder location is operating at 50 percent capacity to allow for six feet distancing and their patio fills up quickly. Maximum party size is six. They require masks and encourage all the other recommendations, like contactless payment and digital menus accessed on your phone.
This might all seem like a lot of trouble, but it’s all worth it for a Backyard Saison.
Twisted Pine Brewing
Twisted Pine has extended its patio into the parking lot to allow for social distancing. Reservations are strongly recommended and your temperature will be checked before you’re seated.
The other usual restrictions apply, including masks, no pets or kids and a maximum of six people per party. In addition, the brewery has created one-way entrances and exits to the brewery.
Upslope Brewing Company
The Flatiron Park location has a massive outdoor space — two patios — and the Lee Hill location has a smaller patio where you can enjoy your lager or spiked seltzer within a safe bubble.
The brewery is requiring masks for employees and customers, spacing tables six feet apart and limiting group size to eight. They’re also using single-use cups for beer and eliminating tasters (you’ll just have to commit!). No outside growler fills are allowed, and no pets or outside food.
The breweries provide table service. Employees have their temperature checked before every shift.
West Flanders Brewing Company
This Pearl Street brewery is reopening for dine-in service with an expanded patio.
They are asking that guests call at least an hour before arrival to get on a waitlist (303-447-2739 or also available online through Resy).
Everyone is required to wear a mask, and parties are limited to eight guests. The brewery/restaurant has table service. Employees will have their temperature checked at the beginning of every shift.
Grab a Cocoa-Nutz stout and relax with the knowledge every employee is washing their hands regularly.
