Wynkoop Brewing Company

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +25.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5

Got into Denver after a couple days of driving from Southern California, and we opted to go beerhunting. On the road three guys from west virginia cladding shorts and cut off tshirts (traveling comfortable gear) we step into a very nice looking, but rather higher class type brewpub. Feeling out of place and a little woozy, from the change in altitude we did what any true beer luvers would do, we ordered some beer. With blood thin I could swear I was drunk from two pints, and I recall their Railyard Ale as being pretty damn good. The other thing is our waiter was the man, and we got some really good food to nourish us on our cross country drive of the US. So, I have nothing but fond memories of this place and after dinner we chilled and shot pool upstairs on some professional well maintained tables for 3 bucks an hour. We were fearing that we weren't dressed up to par, but when we sat down we were accepted and welcomed.

03-10-2003 09:36:15 | More by WVbeergeek

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +23.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

About once a year I am fortunate to take a train to Denver. This brewery is almost right across the street from the train station and is the perfect place to end a trip. The atmosphere is what you would expect from a city microbrewery. It is clean, large square bar, open, airy, wooden walls. It is very safe environment with the exception of a huge silverback blow up gorilla in towards the wall. They donate a dollar for every silverback porter they sell to protect the species. I have always sat at the bar and the service was exceptional. There was always someone to offer me a refill. Service was pleasant, prompt, and sometimes very talkative. I have never been disappointed with the food. Last time I had a mouth watering mac and cheese with elk jalapeno sausage. Prices were always reasonable. The beer has way more hits than misses. The milk stout and pepper beer are near the top for their styles. The silverback porter is very good. That is not to say they do not have their misses, schwarzbeer..but when they hit it is great. A very enjoyable a must hit brewery, especially for those traveling by train.

10-30-2009 15:05:49 | More by tigg924

Bizz88

Colorado

4.63/5  rDev +20.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Stopped into this fine establishment for the first time after a recent Rockies game just a couple blocks from the park. Built in a renovated turn of the century warehouse in Denver's Lodo district across the street from Union Station train station added to a bit of the olde world charm lost in todays strip mall society. The crafted on site brews were decent and cold, the food was tasty and hot, and the waite staff exceptional, and for the most part the brew to food paring from the menu was right on. Can't wait to return and sample more of the Wynkoop's offerings in the near future. Two thumbs up!

05-28-2010 14:19:03 | More by Bizz88

EJLinneman

New Jersey

4.55/5  rDev +18.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $

I stopped here a few weeks ago with my gf while we were on vacation in Colorado. I knew I had to visit some breweries while I was there and this was the first place I stopped at.

The inside was awesome. From the outside you could tell that the building was very old. It had the older looking construction. However, the inside is very different. It's mostly brick and wood. It looks like they kept the original hardwood floors. Mostly everything else was wood. You can see the older vents lining the ceiling and it had a slightly industrial feel. The brewing operation was visible just as you walk in.

I arrived at around 515 and was able to find a spot toward the end of the bar. Although it seemed a little busy, I was approached immediately by a bartender who was able to describe the beers to me along with make recommendations. The bartender was even able to make some great recommendations for my gf who isn't into beer too much and doesn't know the styles.

I ordered a sample of literally everything on the menu. I would have to say my favorites were their Milk Stout, Wixa White, and the Mile High-PA. They also had a guest tap of Damnation from Russian River.

For food, I ordered the Bison Burger medium rare. The food came back very quickly and the burger was awesome. My gf ordered a curry wrap and she couldn't finish all of it because the portion was so large. I had some of hers, and it was also awesome.

We were able to get a tour of the facility after eating and got to check out where all the beer is brewed. Marty, who gave us the tour was able to answer all our questions and definitely knew his stuff. We picked up a 6-pack of Rail Yard Ale on the way out.

I would definitely check this place out if you're in the Denver area. Great selection of beer, great food and awesome value.

02-26-2010 15:35:33 | More by EJLinneman

NVbeer

Nevada

4.45/5  rDev +15.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Stopped by for a pint around 11am, not very busy I believe I may have been the only one there at the time. The brewery sits in a building that dates back to I believe the early 20th century. The bar is off to the right hand side of the building as you walk in, with resturant seating to the left, pool hall upstairs and a comedy club downstairs. Pulling up a seat , I was met by 14-16 brews on draft, a few being cask conditioned. The bartender was pleasent and good natured. I returned later that evening with my wife for dinner and was very happy with the selection for dinner, and it was fairly resonable. Parking wasn't an issue, though a little pricey when only having dinner, but it was plentiful. This is definatly a place to hit when in town.

06-04-2005 07:20:09 | More by NVbeer

JamesS

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +15.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

The Wynkoop brewing restaurant was phenomenal. The whole place was clean and had a great decor, very pub-like and yet very comfortable. The upstairs also looked great, with a lot of pool tables and even a couple of table shuffleboard games.

My server was excellent. He recommended the special (although I didn't get it) and gave some advice on the beers he liked and knew others liked. He checked back on me often, but without being annoying. The hostess was also very kind and helpful.

The food selection was nice, but nothing outstanding. Most of it you could get a lot of other places, but it was cool to see what the chef recommends to drink with each entree. The beer selection helped to save this score, with many of their brews on tap and available.

The food did taste great, or at least the gumbo and cornbread that I got. Spicy and tasty, it was quite excellent.

The prices are comparable with other mid-level restaurants.

08-04-2008 19:49:50 | More by JamesS

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +14.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

As a rail fan, this place was perfectly located at the corner of 18th and Wynkoop Streets, almost directly across from Union Station. The entry was on 18th Street, through the front door, up a flight of steps, and through another set of doors. The bar area was directly to the right, with high, round tables ringing the windows overlooking the street. The bar was an oddly shaped, zigzagging affair, topped with what seemed to be polished stone. The back bar used brushed copper or brushed anodized aluminum for an industrial look. The whole place had a very old-time feel, with its pressed-tin ceiling, hanging ceiling lamps, spinning roulette wheel-like ceiling fans, and exposed ventilation ducting that ran the length of the place. Visitors should definitely take note of the “Barrel-O-Meter”, which was up to 1,550 when I visited in early July 2006. Upstairs was a huge Billiards Room and downstairs, they had a live theatre, as well as the washrooms and the Serving Tanks.

The beer sampler ran an impressive eleven. I cannot cop to being a fan of Chili Beer, but at least it was not palate numbing. The Schwartzbier was quite pleasant. The Railyard Ale is their flagship, a coppery amber that was just too sweet for my taste. The Tripel Sixes was too … too. Three kinds of sugar, three kinds of hops, two kinds of malt, two yeast strains. Yow!

10-15-2006 21:51:06 | More by woodychandler

ChappyCubsFan

California

4.36/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5

Of the several brewpubs I visited in Denver, this was my favorite. It's not right across the street from Coors Field like Breckenridge, but it's only a few blocks away. In my opinion, the beer is better than Breckingridge and you may have better luck finding a seat before and after a Rockies game. The brewpub is in an older building in the LoDo district. It's a large place too. Very friendly, and I liked the wooden floors and huge wooden beams. It almost seems like a lodge inside. The bar was large and round and plenty of good brews on tap (that's right, plenty). The IPA was awesome and the bitter was great as well. There was a good crowd on hand and everyone who works at Wynkoop was courteous.

01-01-2004 19:02:02 | More by ChappyCubsFan

champ103

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

This place is really big. As I walk in there is an odd shaped bar in front that kind of wraps around the front section. There is a dinning area on this same floor. Lots of nooks and crannies. The first floor is a very enjoyable pub atmosphere. Below that there is a theater/comedy club. The floor above is a pool hall. Like I said, big, but it never feels cavernous or losses its homey pub feel. I really like that there is something for everybody, and that no section gets in the way of any of the others enjoyment.

I sat at the bar, and the service was good. The bartenders new the beers, and informed me of what was on cask. They had three beers on cask, which where excellent, and another eight or so taps. The selection varied from wheat, pilsner, light, even a chile beer. A stout and Schwarzbier as well. On cask is an English IPA, ESB, and Porter. The casks are in excellent condition, and the selection rating would have been docked a few if those were not available. The bartender also gave me a free sample of their Silverback Pale Ale (in a can) which was great.

I had a buffalo burger with blue cheese for diner. It was really good. A place I would recommend for a good meal and good beer.

Overall, this is a great brewpub. I did not get to try everything, but what I did have was great. I will be returning to try some more during my week here. A brewpub I really enjoyed. There are lots of different atmospheres for people to enjoy. If one does not suit your fancy, try another. A great idea, along with high quality beer. Highly recommended for a visit.

07-19-2010 03:27:09 | More by champ103

HeroJH

Colorado

4.28/5  rDev +11.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

This is one of my favorite places downtown. They have a great beer and food selection. All of the beers are good if you happen to like that particular style. Many are even cask conditioned and served at the proper cellar temperature instead of ice cold and from actual beer engine pumps. They rotate beers often and they are not afraid to experiment. Some of their beers I'd give a 5, and the rest a 4. They win some awards at the GABF regularly.

If it is your first time start with the standard Rail Yard Ale, it's very well done and not challenging to people that are new to craft beer. I love the Monkeyfist IPA. The ESB and Churchyard Ale are fantastic English styles done really well. There's so many beers to choose from so keep trying them or get a sampler.

The building is from the late 1800's and has a great feel in that sense. Upstairs there are a ton of pool tables with ample room, shuffleboard and another bar!

The food selection is varied, so whatever you are in the mood for you can find something. Though a couple times the quality has varied for me, but still always good.

01-05-2009 18:45:07 | More by HeroJH