Restaurant
Unclaimed profileBriar Common Brewery + Eatery
Denver, CO · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Briar Common Brewery + Eatery pairs a serious house beer program with a creative cocktail list. Beers run $6 a pour across styles from hazy pale ale to coffee stout, and guests praise their quality. Cocktails like The Briar Patch and Smoke Show are $14, with a customizable Lemonade Stand using house syrups. Zero-proof options and a compact wine list round out the program.
- What should I order?
- Start with a beer flight to sample the range, then a pint of Common Ground Coffee Stout. For cocktails, The Briar Patch (whiskey, cinnamon-blackberry) or Smoke Show (mezcal, chocolate bitters) show the bar's range. The Lemonade Stand lets you build a custom drink with any house spirit and syrup.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Craft beer enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse house taps at accessible prices. Cocktail fans looking for inventive, syrup-driven drinks will find plenty to explore. The zero-proof menu and non-alcoholic beers make it welcoming for designated drivers or those avoiding alcohol.
- When should I go?
- Anytime is fine, but weekend brunch and happy hour are mentioned by guests as good times to visit. The patio is dog-friendly, so a sunny afternoon works well.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Beers are $6 per 16 oz pour, cocktails $14–15, zero-proof drinks $7, wines $12 a glass or $38 a bottle. Spirits range from $9 to $17 per pour. Prices are moderate for a brewery-eatery.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The combination of a full brewery with a cocktail program that uses house-made syrups (kiwi, lavender, strawberry-rose) and a build-your-own lemonade stand is unusual. The beer list covers a wide stylistic range, from a Belgian golden strong to a coffee stout, all at a uniform $6.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative signature cocktails with house syrups, priced uniformly at $14. The Lemonade Stand offers customization. No independent reviews to confirm quality, but the menu shows ambition.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse cocktail list with inventive ingredient combinations.; Customizable option with multiple house syrups.
Standout selections
- — The Briar Patch - whiskey, cinnamon-blackberry syrup, lemon.
- — Smoke Show - mezcal, simple syrup, Oaxaca chocolate bitters, spicy tincture.
Pricing: Signature cocktails $14 each, Dag Attack $15.
Wine
Compact wine list with red, white, and rosé from various regions, all at the same price point. No community feedback, but the selection is adequate for a brewery-eatery.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple varietals and regions represented.; Reasonable pricing for glass or bottle.
Standout selections
- — Tectonic Red Blend - Colorado red blend.
Pricing: Wines $12 per glass or $38 per bottle.
Beer
Strong house beer program with diverse styles, all $6 a pour.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive house beer list covering many styles.; Community praise for beer quality and variety.
Standout selections
- — Common Ground - Coffee Stout, 6.4% ABV.
- — The Hoptimist - West Coast IPA, 7.5% ABV.
Pricing: House beers $6 per 16 oz pour.
Nonalcoholic
Impressive non-alcoholic program with six zero-proof cocktails at $7 and non-alcoholic beer options. The 'On The Rockies' color-changing lemonade adds whimsy.
Menu strengths
- — Multiple zero-proof cocktails with creative ingredients.; Non-alcoholic beer choices available.
Standout selections
- — On The Rockies - color-changing lemonade with butterfly pea blossom.
- — Very Cherry - cherry orange ginger simple, lime, ginger beer.
Pricing: Zero-proof cocktails $7 each.
Spirits
Wide spirits selection including local Colorado products, priced per pour. No community feedback, but the list covers major categories.
Menu strengths
- — Broad range of spirits from vodka to scotch.
- — Includes Colorado whiskeys like 291 M Colorado Whiskey.
Standout selections
- — 291 M Colorado Whiskey - notes of toasted oak, toffee, maple, figs.
- — Don Ramon Anejo - oak, roasted agave, caramel, floral.
Pricing: Spirits $9–$17 per pour.
How it sits with the food
The beer list's variety supports food pairing: the Coffee Stout could match a chocolate dessert or grilled meats, while the Water-Mint wheat beer might pair with lighter fare like fish tacos. The Briar Patch cocktail's cinnamon-blackberry notes could complement barbecue or spicy dishes.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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