Blue Moon beer was born in 1995 in the basement of Coors Field, better known as the SandLot, and the beer never really had a place to call home. Now, 20 years in the making, the beer brand has found that in a 30,000-square-foot building in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood.
The brewery wanted to keep its roots in Denver. RiNo being an art district, and Blue Moon being an “artfully crafted” brew, General Manager Josh Luman said it was a natural fit. Several years were spent in the planning and concept of the building, and construction began in December of 2015. The doors opened July 17.
The neighborhood also has fervent craft beer scene, and several “big” beers have moved or plan to move into the area. Luman said the local brewers have welcomed Blue Moon, which is owned by MillerCoors. “Everybody’s really embraced us here.”
Blue Moon will have 24 beers on tap when the brew house is fully operational — all made in-house, and most of them exclusive to the location. They will be made in two brewing systems: one 20-barrel and the other a two-hectoliter, the baby brother to the main system. “We have a chance to experiment like we never have before. For us that’s incredibly special,” Luman said.
All of the taps will be 100 percent Blue Moon brews. However, Luman said they are excited to collaborate with other Colorado brewers in the future.
Beers at the taproom come in four, 10, 16 and 23 ounces, priced from $3 to $7. Growlers of all beers will also be available in 32 and 64-ounce bottles. Current beers, aside from the flagship Belgian White, include an IPA and Cappuccino Stout, but Blue Moon plans to constantly evolve and experiment with the brews.
Much of the menu is also inspired by beer, like the Wort Brined Fried Chicken for $15. Other menu items — described as globally inspired but locally sourced — include monkfish, pork shank and the Blue Moon Burger.
The design concept for the space was “round” — inspired by, you guessed it, the moon — all the way down to the pod-like, covered circular booths. The restaurant and bar hold around 400 seats. There is a Western-facing, beer garden-inspired patio, as well as a special events room, but about half of the 30,000-square-foot space is the brewery. Visitors are welcome to grab a beer and take a self-guided tour of the brew house at any time.
The location also features a VIP room with eight additional taps, designed with the SandLot in mind to bring the Blue Moon brand full circle from its birth at Coors Field.
“For 20 years Blue Moon has worked so hard to elevate the quality and standards of our beers that it was really important to us that this space lives up to what we’ve worked so hard for,” Luman said.
Blue Moon is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 3750 Chestnut Place, Denver. 303-728-2337.
