Cerebral Brewing - Congress Park

Okay, I was told that Denver was a beer Mecca, this place alone proved it. Has the typical brewpub setup, big open space, beer list on flatscreen TVs, games, and a outdoor terrace with a view of...not much. But oh boy, the variety and quality of the beers here is excellent. I had a west coast IPA, a barrel aged lager and the octoberfest. All were flawless. Friendly staff and patrons at the bar. Food trucks and a taco place around the corner. I was seriously impressed. And as a guy with a science background, this place felt like my headquarters.

The Mountain West isn’t typically known for mastering New England-style hazy IPAs, which makes Cerebral Brewing’s lineup all the more impressive. From classic West Coast styles, pilsners, and lagers to new-school hazies, their passion and attention to detail shines through. Great vibes and a friendly, welcoming staff complete the experience. While I was there, I chatted with one of the brewers, Karl, who shared some really cool insights into their process — a great glimpse into the care behind the beer. A must-stop for craft beer enthusiasts who care more about what’s in the glass than the scene around it.

Best brewery in the Denver area hands down, and the IPA / hazy selection is always superb. Competitive for indoor / outdoors seating during a spring or summer weekend afternoon, but the tables turn fast. They have the best beer glasses to drink out of as well! Lastly, the food truck rotation is pretty decent. This is our favorite place to go to for a good pint or two.

One of Denver’s best brewers, fresh beer selection and space for hanging out and enjoying beer! On tap is something for any taste. Probably the best IPA in Denver. Easy to get to. Street parking accessible.

Great brewery with really tasty beers. On point with their hazy NEIPAs and killer old school West Coast IPAs. A must stop for craft beer fans whenever in Denver

Good selection of beers with a relaxed vibe. They don’t have food available earlier in the day, but there are some games to play and both indoor and outdoor seating options. Parking can be tricky — there are only about 3–4 spots in their lot, otherwise you’ll need to find free or paid street parking nearby.

Love this place. It’s our first place on a Denver brewery crawl, and I honestly can’t see another brewery living up to this. Friendly staff, open space, outstanding beer. Maybe we’ll skip the other breweries and just hang out here…

Have been a fan of their beer for years and they never disappoint! Definitely some of the best IPA’s to be had and always enjoy my visit when I’m lucky enough to be around the Denver Area. Cheers!!!

Cerebral Brewing is one of my favorite Denver Breweries. When it comes to IPAs, they are well known. Their Stout game, maybe even more so. But their lagers are some of the smoothest, tastiest, decoctions you can have. For GABF, they had three fun events. One being a "Group Project" line of beers they did in collaboration with a bunch of breweries. Another, a Barrel project collaboration with Moksa. And the last, a tap takeover with friends of the brewery. I made sure to enjoy all of the events in one! Check out these flights and the amazing beers I got to try. Same Day Shipping (2024): An IPA brewed in collaboration with Fidens, Xul, and Casey. Group Project: West Coast Pale Ale: West Coast Pale Ale brewed in collaboration with Cellarmaker, Cloudburst, and OMF. Group Project: Landbier: A Pale Lager brewed in collaboration with Halfway Crooks, Olfactory, and Cohesion. TDH Hop-Fu! - Gold Edition: A Triple IPA from North Park Beer Company Heavy Rhymes: A Double IPA from Xul Beer Underground Methods: A Barrel Aged Blend of stouts brewed in collaboration with Moksa Barrel House Blend (2024): A specialty blend during the festival of Imperial Stouts with Moksa Group Project: West Coast IPA: A WIPA in collaboration with Ghost Town Brewing, North Park Beer Company, Westbound & Down Hop Measuring Contest (2024): A heavily hopped Double IPA from Westbound and Down 100% Nelson: A Hazy IPA brewed by Casey Brewing _____________-

UPDATE 10/14/24: My return to Cerebral Brewing on Monroe Street in Denver. It's definitely time for a long awaited update, seeing that my previous review for them is from 2019. We try to visit Cerebral Brewing every time we visit Denver, which includes a daily rotation of food trucks outside. Their food truck for the night was Tum Yumz, a food truck that serves all types of Asian food. I strongly suggest you take a rideshare here because Cerebral Brewing is located within a residential neighborhood and it can be a huge pain to find a good parking spot on the street. Upon entering, we were given a stamp on the back of our hands by the lady guarding the entrance and checking IDs. It was busy but we managed to find a table outside that was the shape of a beer barrel. Bring your fur baby, too, because their patio is dog friendly! My parents got a beer flight but seeing that they had one beer slushy flavor available, I went for that myself because I wanted to try something different. I was more focused on the slushy and didn't get the chance to try out the beer flight, but one of the beers that they had was the same flavor as my slushy. Holy crap, this slushy tasted SO GOOD, literally like I was drinking one of these from 7-Eleven. It was so good that I decided to have another one after I finished the first one. The flavor in question was berry brain freeze or something close to that. We also decided to order food from Tum Yumz, which took about 15-20 minutes for it to come out. We ordered some egg rolls, crab wontons, and a bag of rice. The egg rolls and the crab wontons were very tasty and fulfilled my dinner needs. The wontons were even packed with cream cheese inside, which made them taste even better. We enjoyed Cerebral Brewing once again and we will be back again next time we visit Denver!

The best brewery in Denver. Cerebral Brewery on Monroe Street is an absolute gem! The science classroom theme gives it a unique and inviting atmosphere--the vibes are truly immaculate. Rare Trait is by far the best hazy IPA I've ever tasted. We brought all our guests and family here after our wedding, and it turned into an unforgettable celebration. Not only did we enjoy amazing beers, but we also created core memories that we'll cherish forever. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for exceptional brews and a memorable experience!

Very yummy beers! Best around Denver. Cool patio and they do fun events all the time. Even have QR code to scan for machete tacos next door and they deliver straight to your table! They also almost always have a food truck! So good!

Cerebral is one of my boyfriend's favorite breweries in Colorado so we always have to go when we are in town. When you first walk in, they do ID you and then you get a fun stamp. They have a super large patio which is lovely on a nice day. The inside is also quite large with lots of seating. The staff is nice and helpful. They don't have food but they did have a food truck outside on our last visit. They have a wide variety of beers. From IPAs to stouts, sours, lagers, and even beer slushies, they have something for everyone. Every beer I've tried from them has been fantastic. I will usually pick up a specialty bottle to bring home. Definitely check it out if you're in the area.

They have such amazing beer!! I had the one stout they offered...mysterious forces, and it was fantastic. I could have definitely drank a couple more, but due to the high alcohol content, I refrained. Lol! The gentleman behind the counter could have been a little more friendly. He kinda acted like he was irritated that we were asking about different beers. Also, I didn't like that they wouldn't give me a small taste before I purchased a $14 beer. I definitely would have given 5 stars if it was only based on the beer!!

Probably more of a 3.75/4. Overall a very nice spot, kid friendly, tons of options on draught. I had heard a lot of the beers and was excited to try their offerings. Ended up getting a flight mostly focused on their hoppy stuff. Unfortunately, they were a bit underwhelming, but maybe I am a bit spoiled living in the northeast. dream logic was probably their best beer out of what we tried. Also had a lager that was different. Probably will try their beers again when I get the chance. I will have to try some of their sours/stouts next time.

They certainly DO have good beers here! The layout has grown with the outside heated tent which is cozier than being inside the building/brewery! They often have a food truck, too, I believe -- but I'm not sure exactly when or all the days. The biggest problem for me is the attitude of the bartenders. They're not very nice. A dude even refused me a sample of the barleywine. This is a craft all tap brewery -- anyone should be able to try a SIP of freaking anything. Why be rude and say no? How does that do any justice for the brewery itself or you as a service worker? It's literally a dang sip that costs next to nothing. I don't like the attitudes. Customers don't need it and shouldn't be exposed to it. We're giving you money. I'm so irritated I'm not adding any more recent pics that I took and deleting them all from my phone without posting. I am not doing anything extra to promote Cerebral. You're welcome for my time writing this 4-star review. Now, can I get a tablespoon of barleywine to see if I like it before I pay for an entire glass???

I would consider myself a craft beer connoisseur or a "brewery snob" if you will. I make it my goal to try breweries in every city so I obviously had to check out Cerebral. They do flight of 4, in little beakers, which was so cute. They had a variety of beers to choose from. I got a sour, stout, lager, and amber. I personally wasn't too impressed with the flavors of the beers - specifically the Phantom Sense stout. It sounded incredible but it was like drinking syrup! Too strong and thick for my liking. Everything else was good. The inside was very open, welcome, and tidy. Their merchandise selection was EXQUISITE. Some of the best merch I've seen at a brewery. They check your ID at the door and give you a stamp on your hand. Everyone working was very friendly too.

Came here tonight after Zoo Lights - great as always! Was really hoping to try the Chai Brown Ale but it was kicked earlier in the day. So, I got three tasters of the Brown Ale (Corduroy Complex), Peach Ring IPA (Rare Treat) and fruited sour (Tradewinds - Cranberry and Spice). All were super tasty - I've had the peach ring IPA before and it tasted even better than I remember. My husband got the oatmeal stout and it was smooth. Love the atmosphere of this place, the niceness of the servers and all their cool merchandise. Honestly one of my favorite breweries in Denver! Got a tin tacker this time to bring home.

Good place to catch up with friends or family. The service here is very friendly (they treat you like an old friend) and they are fast. They also make sure to check if your group is fine or if you need anything else. We always go here, and I have recommended this place to my workmates too.

I don't know how I haven't visited Cerebral Brewing before given I could bike there, but better late than never, right?? Came on a Sunday with the intention to get some work done and it was popping off! Turns out they were having their annual egg drop competition, which was a blast to watch (and something I will be participating in next year for sure). Even with all the excitement going on, I was able to snag a table and wifi was strong enough I was able to get done what I needed to. The spot itself had a good vibe, kept clean and staff was friendly. Plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors with a pizza truck more or less onsite. Finally... the beer! Lots of options with great sounding names. I'm an IPA gal so I went with Cheat Code and Particle Vibration. Both were delicious and would totally order again. I don't know if they fill growlers or not but if they do, totally coming back and bringing mine

These guys just make fantastic beer. Cerebral seems to specialize in IPAs and Sours. But, they occasionally have a nice dark beer or barrel aged treat on tap as well. I've never had a bad beer, here. Cerebral has food trucks and there is a taco place called Machete next door. You can BYO food into the brewery. They have a big patio with lots of communal tables. They have big tables inside as well. But, this place is very popular. If you plan on bringing a group of friends, plan ahead and get there as early as possible. It's East Colfax. Parking sucks. Be prepared to hunt for a spot and wear your walking shoes because the spot may be several blocks away. We tend to come here when we've taken an Uber for a concert or movie nearby.

Went on a beautiful spring weekend! It was quite busy but we were able to find a seat at a bench. They have a large patio with a wide selection of beers. I enjoy that they do flights and also that they had a beer slushy. The slushy was perfect for a warm day! The bartenders were quick and were what to be expected. The place has a fun overall vibe!

Great beer, great vibe, wonderful staff. There's always a great variety on tap and they have rotating food trucks out front if you're looking for something to eat! This has become one of our favorite places for a beer!

Came here on Father's Day with some friend while in Colorado. We ordered food from the Mexican food truck outside. It was the perfect place to cool off, enjoy some good drinks, good food, and place some games. They have a whole bunch of games for people to play with while hanging out. It was such a good place to hang out at. I would definitely come back here on our next visit to Colorado.

Delicious creative beer in a welcoming and inclusive beer brewing and taproom. Plus, flights served in beakers. How can you not adore that? My flight was crisp, clean and superb. My favorite though by far was this creative mango. I don't know how they got it to taste like a beer and not a fruit but they excelled in the craft and science. Superior.

It was Mother's Day. We thought we were being smart and headed for one of the downtown attractions thinking all the families with littles would be home celebrating mom. Instead we saw a huge crowd of families with strollers and toddlers heading in. PIVOT! I said, "Mom would like to go to a brewery instead!" We headed to Cerebral. The was a good decision. My son enjoyed a Brainwash Blackberry Mint seltzer. My husband and I shared a flight including Secret Chat Room hazy IPA, Vacation State west coast IPA, Star Witness-Galaxy V Nelson hazy IPA and Neural Glide hazy IPA. All delicious. We sat outside but there is ample seating both inside and out. The brewery is very pet friendly outside. They have a regular rotation of food trucks. Had we not just had lunch, I would have tried the pizza truck that was there that day. I have had their beer on other occasions, but this was my first visit to the taproom. Worth going!

Long time lover of Cerebral, Rare Trait is such beer perfection. But who am I kidding, all their beers are on point. So when they announced a pop up taproom at their new production facility - I had to check it out. The pop up tap room is on 9990 E Colfax Ave - the Aurora side, so perfect to pair with a Lady Justice Stop. For June they even have a punchcard between the two of them for their pride themed brews. The seating are is pretty large, a corner of the facility surrounded by barrels, swoon. The setup is very nice for a self defined "pop up" - I hope this location sticks because ya'll certainly have enough fans to support both!

Great beer and the service was good! Our first time entering and will come back when in Denver!

Really enjoyed the sour and the patio! There was a lot of seating and umbrellas for shade. Sat outside with my friend and her dog. There were also people inside working on laptops. Loved the vibe! Would definitely go back and bring my dog on the patio!

I love Cerebral! They have a cool logo, (it's a brain) and who doesn't love brains!? Every time I'm here, I always find something that I enjoy drinking. They have an excellent selection! The staff is super friendly and everyone is great about suggesting different brews to try or take a little sip! I love the large patio and the open seating space. Dogs are allowed! The last time I was there, there was a food truck out front and I feel like there is usually one available!

True to its name, Cerebral Brewing makes well-thought out beers. They had a variety to choose from: IPAS, HAZY IPAS, PORTERS, SOURS, ECT. We stuck to our favorite: HAZY IPAS and PALE ALE. Trying their... Rare Trait: 5+ STARS This beer has citra, el dorado and mosaic hops. The combo is absolutely magical - smooth, slightly sweet and delicious. Momentum Shift: 5 STARS This beer has citra, motueka and nelson hops. The combo was pretty solid, however, we agreed that we really enjoyed the slight sweetness from Rare Trait. If you like more of crisp and bitter finish, you'd like this one more. Muscle Memory: 4 STARS This beer has citra, motueka and idaho 7. The combo was not for me, but my husband said it was well-done for individuals who prefer Pale Ales. Overall, we agreed the beer was great and that the brewmasters know exactly what they are doing, here. We'd go back on a nice sunny day to enjoy the big patio outside, for sure!

This is a must is you are a craft beer lover. Awesome selection of beers on tap and cans and crowlers to go. We did a flight that was awesome! Also so really cool Merchandise. The only area I wish they had food service. The good news is you can easy walk to several great food spots.

I had already visited the other taproom in Aurora so I had already tasted what I wanted to. I only came here because they released a collab with Queen City Coffee, which I go to daily for my coffee fix. Anyway, the taproom was very nice and had a great vibe. Parking is hard to come by though. My beer was okay, I don't like my stout or porters to be too sweet and the Ski Colfax was just a bit too seeet for my liking. Either way, they do make good beer here and it's worth the visit.

Great beers and the music rocks! Best of 90s Hip Hop! And the service is awesome! Not sure why it took me this long to come here.

Stopped in for a couple beers and was super excited to find out that they made their outdoor patio much bigger by removing the parking spots that were there before. Came in on a Wednesday around 4pm and it was starting to get pretty busy. The service was fast and the line moves pretty quickly. They do have different food trucks and there is a taco place next door. I absolutely loved how many hazy IPAs were on the drink menu! Also loved all the plants around the taproom!

This is my favorite brewery that I've been to in Denver so far. I really like that they have hop water for once you're ready to sober up, and the beer options are vast. There's lots of seating inside and out, and the staff is so friendly! I can't wait to try more of what's on tap.

Five stars. Let me stop you there. You won't have a better time in your life without coming to cerebral and I mean that. They have it ALL. From a magnificent beer, seltzer and cider collection, to great staff and an awesome place for friends to hang, Cerebral has it all. I am from out of town but came through for a visit and I don't even like beer but but I still loved my visit because they had some amazing beer alternatives. My favorite was the guava seltzer. And while I admit to not knowing much about beer, the folks in my large group who do drink beer were very pleased with the selection and we had an awesome time hanging there on their dog friendly patio. It was a great experience sure to be repeated on our next Denver trip!

First time coming here and it have to say it wasn't a bad experience. It was super crowded and seating was very limited. They do have outdoor seating but it was extremely cold so no one sat out there. They offer a wide variety of beers with us awesome. But no good. Parking is also a bit of a struggle since its of colfax and Monroe. But it's definitely a great spot to get a quick beer.

The beer is always great here. They have something for everyone. You order at the bar and find a seat. It's gets pretty packed. They have food trucks that rotate and you can see which ones are there for the day on their website. The drink flights come in cute beakers and you can buy some as merch if you want. You can also order food from machete and bring it in!

How I have never posted a review is beyond me so, let me rectify that right now. I have been visiting since the beginning and seen the growth these guys have experienced over the last few years and been thrilled to see it. And no, it isn't just because I have a neuroscientist daughter who loves all of their brain/science related merch and associations with decor. They make great beer and they employ great people. And, they bring unique opportunities to us Denverites bringing in collaborations with top breweries across the country. Yes, they have award-winning beers that are well-deserved. Excited for the new location to open (even though it will be a longer drive for me) to see what is next for Cerebral as they continue to grow and evolve.

Easily our favorite brewery in Denver. The beers they create are absolutely delicious! It's a dog friendly environment and the servers are always friendly. Love how many seating options they have. You won't regret going here!

Easily one of the higher -- if not highest -- quality breweries in Denver proper. They focus on their IPA's and hazy's, but theirs are with a bite and complexity that is hard not to love. And reminds you fondly of the craft and precision of California breweries honing the same style. The brewery itself is of your typical industrial format, a sitting area which is thoughtfully situated among the barrels and vats of the brewing operation. They also have an outdoor area with two neatly situated tents powered by a heating system that is sure to offer you comfort and respite during those cold, cold Denver winters. In addition to their IPA's, they certainly have other styles such as their Darks and Wild ales, but there seemed to be special attention paid to their Foeder-aged lagers. I was too enamored by their IPA's -- and willing myself to pace myself for the next few breweries -- otherwise, I might have entertained a taster of such a different style. Workers were pleasant; other visiting patrons just as so. We met a couple of dudes who dropped in for a quick taste in front of the screen broadcasting the football game and made thoughtful conversation with both. A quality brewery that attracts upstanding individuals is one that should be sought out without hesitation!

Great indoor/outdoor space to enjoy some crafty brews. We got tasters so we could try a few. And they were delicious! This place is pet & people friendly. if I lived in the area I would definitely frequent this spot

Nice staff and a great space to hang out. They have a large menu with lots of unique options, like the yuzu beer I got that was so refreshing. Will definitely go back!

I sat in the most dangerous spot of Cerebral Brewing... right in front of the refrigerator. I stared at the stacks of beer cans, thinking about bringing multiple varities home with me. I was meeting up with my friend who started on the outdoor patio, which is spacious and shaded by umbrellas. Perfect vibe when it's not a blazing hot Colorado day. Street parking isn't too bad in this neighboorhood, depending on the time of day. Bartenders are super chill. Beer selection and quality are fantastic. I mean, Denver is known for some top-notch breweries, and Cerebral has earned its way onto my list of favorites. I couldn't believe it was so close to some of my favorite eateries, including Machete. Definitely doing a double feature next time!

I came here Summer 2019 and it was one of my favorite breweries ever, I was so impressed by multiple beers! Unfortunately, I returned Summer 2022, and was beyond disappointed. Every beer was mediocre or worse. I paid $20 for 4-pack special during pride month of a beer they didn't have on tap, but was also let down.

Good vibe. Good beer. Incredibly cool taproom and patio. Good hang. If you like craft beer, don't miss Cerebral.

Every time I visit Denver, this is a staple brewery I visit & love it! I feel like some beers can be hit/miss but I've mostly enjoyed my drinks (sans 1). Also love the vibes/environment here! The simple design is my favorite too. The bartenders are great and there's ample seating! Also, last time I went they had THE best grilled cheese truck in the world and I was perfect. Solid brewery to stop by for a great time!

This place is a vibe! Good music, great beers. Trade winds was my fave, but flights are reasonable so you can try a bunch

they charge a "health and wellness" fee without telling you. They should post a sign on the menu regarding this fee but no they have to be sneaky about it. Not cool.

This brewery would be our local spot if we lived in Denver. Cerebral offers an indoor and outdoor space (dogs allowed outdoors). Its a modern brewery but with no frills, which I personally like. They offer a great on-site beer collection as well as a lot of beers to go. The merch was also really good! I didn't purchase any but I always love to look. The staff was also very helpful in picking out beers to take with us back home. I can't wait to come back!

Cerebral has been on my radar for a little while and I'm glad I finally got to try their beer in the not so recent past! Three beers were enjoyed from Cerebral. We had the Sticky Stuff which was well balanced Pineapple IPA. Like with lots of things when it involves Pineapple it can make things very sweet. Sometimes too much but in this case it was well proportioned. Muscle Memory was the one next up. This pale ale was enjoyable to drink. Perhaps not my most favorite out of the three different beers we had here but not a bad pale ale at all. I saved my favorite for last from this little sit down. Tactical Manuver was the next beer. Once again a Helles Lager wins the favorite prize for brewery outing. This beer had the crispness and clean favor you come to expect from this style of beer. As Steve and I explore new breweries, trying out new beers to us we are always glad to be able to buy cans and take them home to enjoy. Oh, almost forgot. Cerebral has fun brewery t shirts so be sure to check those out too!

Small cute brewery. Luckily we had our vaccine cards on us because they require them. Beers were good. Bartenders were nice. The lil beakers for the flights were so cute! The decor was nice also. No food or food truck when we stopped in.

We visited Cerebral during their Anniversary Cellar Sale, so this was an event night with tents set up outside and a DJ inside (with a dance floor!). Not a normal night at the brewery, but we had a lot of fun. All of the beers we tried were top notch, especially their barrel aged stouts. The employees were super nice, and there were a ton of dogs outside. How can you go wrong with dogs and beer? Great event, Cerebral!

Whenever people ask me for recommendations on breweries to visit while in Denver, Cerebal is always on that list. Their IPA game is strong and they always know how to mix and match their hops together. During the winter months they always have a bunch of barrel age combinations that for me are better in a flight formation due to the high ABV. The inside can be a bit a small and crowded, but I love the heated tents in the old parking lot. For me, the only downside here is parking which can be tough at times. I have a "secret spot" a few blocks away where I can easily snag street parking and a quick walk to the brewery. Right now they are "vaccinated only" so make sure you bring a copy of that. I appreciate they put safety first for both their staff and customers.

Very busy brewery with some very creative flavors. I had a hard time choosing flavors for my tasting flight. This was the best brewery I visited on my Colorado trip not that I was able to try too many.

5 starts all day err day.. great little local place with ample street parking. Tucked away in a neighborhood it's easily missed. Food trucks await outside next to the heated tents. Great staff abs great beer. Go check it out!