Black Shirt Brewing Co

It's been a long stretch for these three, Chad, Carissa, and Branden Miller who started the Red Project over 2 years ago but conception started in 1999.

When I first meet them, they were living in a house in Centennial, Colorado and brewing in their basement. The red ale recipe was in its 8 incarnation and it was an 8% alcohol wonder, not many breweries have a red ale so this was special.

The Miller's have a philosophy of pure intent of person and product. They alone with just help from friends are building Black Shirt Brewing Co from ground up. They should have referred to old blues eyes for doing it their way but Johnny Cash is their silent mentor with keeping it simple.

Today Black Shirt Brewing is not a dream but a reality for these three fine people who through it all remind tight net as ever. Chad and Branden are brothers and Carissa is now wife to Chad plus recently had a baby boy. All the set backs did not discourage them but put resolve to finish the Red Project.


Located in the RiLo Art District in Denver, take Walnut east from downtown and park in the liquor store lot. Rough exterior painted building with a red door is Black Shirt Brewing. The garage front door might be open so passers by can look into the taproom interior which is as eclectic as the Millers with walls a gunmetal grey, rough table tops on metal frames, a painting of Johnny Cash on the wall and a nice bar to sit and chat with Branden or Chad who are pouring reds.





Last weekend was the soft opening of Black Shirt Brewing with friends and family along with people of the street straying in out of curiosity. The night was a success with the pouring of four ales, all derived from the base Red Ale. Red Ale, Red Pale, Red Saison, and Imperial Red Rye IPA were all a hit with us wanting more. Carissa did table service and we could tell was a little frazzled but time should smooth all edges.


Carissa speculated that sometime in October will be the grand opening for the brewery but until then they will host small parties on Saturdays leading up to grand opening. Like them on Facebook for updates on opening day.

Check out their website@http://www.blackshirtbrewingco.com/index.php


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Black Shirt Brewing in Denver

I'm at Black Shirt Brewing for their soft opening and I'm drinking the base red ale at 6.5% alcohol is made 6 different malts and 3 varieties of hops. It has layers of caramel, bread, and toffee with citrus and floral overtones.

Hops & Pie

Denver beer tour ends with a beer, Signal De Botrange from Elevation Brewing at Hops & Pie tap house in the Highlands. It's been a satisfying beer tour this fine sunny Saturday. Larry's having Double IPA from Dry Dock on cask.
Hops & Pie has awesome sandwiches, today we are eating our favorite so far their Reuben Sandwich.  As a treat for later buy the Captain Crunch marshmallow treat to go, so yummy.
Hops & Pie is located in the West Highland district of Denver, there's no easy route but it's only 15 minutes from I-25 & Speer Blvd.

Hogshead Brewery

Another new brewery in Denver is Hogshead Brewery, located in the Highlands District. They've been open for 3 months and all ready they seem to be a neighborhood hangout. The building looks like it used to be a gas station where the tap room is small but cozy with tables and bar seating.
Their beers are English style that are low in alcohol but tasty. Here are two examples of their ales, a Porter at 5.6% and Barge's Ale (English Mild) at 3.2% which was on hand-pull.

Prost Brewing Co

Last weekend Larry and I went to a three week old Prost Brewing Co in Denver.  The head brewer/owner is Bill Eye formerly from Dry Dock Brewing in Aurora.  The taster flight is usually 4 beers but we bought two more so to have a taste of all that they brew. All their beers except the IPA are in the German style which are very good.  I enjoyed the Hefeweizen, Dunkel, and Dunkelweizen, they seemed authentic to me especially in light that the 70 barrel brew house was imported from Germany.  The brewery doesn't serve food except for Bavarian pretzels from a local bakery, the pretzel went very well with the beer.  We later shared a pint of the Hefeweizen.

Located right off of I-25 on 19th Street, the brewery is kitty corner from the on ramp at 20th.  They are open daily, Monday - Thursday 3 pm - 10ish, Friday- Saturday noon - midnight, and Sunday noon - 8ish. 

Southern Sun in Boulder

Having lunch at the Southern Sun in south Boulder and of course, drink some beer. They have the Hummingbird Braggot Ale, at 10% ABV and the Oatimus Prime Imperial Oatmeal Stout, at 10.8% ABV which is our choice for lunch.