Sunday 2nd of October 2011 08:40:41 AM

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Hops Restaurant Breweries used to be prevalent throughout the U.S. (74 locations!), but nearly all locations have closed over the past few years (only 4 remain open!). Ownership of the company changed hands a couple times, and I think the brewpubs' offering has not kept up with the pace of the craft brewing industry. The core menu is still a selection of 4-5 tame average beers, and only 1 or 2 seasonals are typically offered. The beers are lackluster and the offering noticeably misses something powerful like a nice IPA. If this were a startup company, I might say it has potential. But this chain of brewpubs had its moment in the spotlight, and subsequently faded away. This brewery is a relic, for what worked 10 years is now sub par.

The Golden CO location is a stand alone building with dedicated parking lot. The island bar is wooden and inlaid with brewing ingredients. The beer selection was below average. The Clearwater Light, Lightning Bold Gold, and Mexican Style Cerveza lagers were unimpressive. The Thoroughbred Red Ale and Hoptoberfest Oktoberfest ales were slightly better, and the best was the Alligator Ale Porter. The food really stood out as excellently prepared and presented, and the service was friendly. I didn't regret my visit, but my fellow beer-hunters, there are much better brewpubs in the Denver area.