Latest visit: Jan 2025
First visit: Oct 2016
Founded: 2008
This is for the Interquest location. They have a second spot off of US-24 that we have not been to.
As noted on our RJG Rotation post: "They'll probably get a revisit anyway since they're so close." Not even 12 days into the year, and Colorado Mountain Brewery has received its first annual update - our 8th straight since moving back to the area (not counting 2020, a year that needs to be forgotten). We were hosting one of our Official Nephews, who came in from Denver just to visit. So that was a nice change of pace. He's 23 and just about to embark on his first major corporate job. Just as Uncle RJG retired the same week. Exciting times for everyone. We all each had one beer (and I snuck in a desert beer afterward) along with chips and salsa (excellent garlicky salsa). We were also all in the mood for a burger. Mrs. RJG and I did exactly what we did last year and had the Pikes Peak Burger sans tomato but with green chiles. Nephew had the Mt. Princeton which comes with bacon. Excellent across the board. We came for a late lunch, and the Broncos were being pummeled by the Bills, not unexpected. A good year for Denver, a team I rarely root for, but I like this version. Better than my old hometown team, the Cowboys. Ugh. In any case, people were leaving disappointed, but the restaurant still maintained a positive vibe. And the service was excellent. It's a splurge meal, but worth it. Stays out of the rotation, but I bet we find ourselves back here in 2026 for our 9th straight year.
---7/14/24 update
Mrs. RJG and I had a family emergency to attend to yesterday, and so our dinner was delayed until the evening. Once all was settled, we decided to dine at Colorado Mountain Brewery since we hadn't been this year. And it's close to our house as we were getting tired too. It's been ages since we went to dinner at 8:00, especially on a Saturday night. In the old days, you wouldn't be able to get into a place like this. But even today, we had a 20 minute wait. Primarily because, as noted below, this is really a tourist restaurant and there are many hotels within walking distance, or a short 5 minute drive. And it's the height of tourist season, and many folks are loading up their credit cards, and they'll figure out how to pay for it later.
We don't like to wait but our options were slim so we did. And then we had to wait another 10 minutes to get our beer. Ah, but did it taste good! I was desperate at that point lol. We tried their seasonal July beer of Honey Lavender Ale. For dinner we each had the Pikes Peak Burger substituting diced green chiles rather than the tomato - both cooked well done. With fries. It's the basics, but they do it very well. At a high price, nothing new there. Colorado Mountain Brewery remains a good option if you're in the far north part of the Springs.
---5/11/23 update
As luck would have it, the FNABQ's were back in town. See the La Casa Fiesta review for more about them and our relationship. Not the best timing as it was the next day after our long trip. I was afraid I'd fall asleep in the plate... nose down...
But fortunately I hung in there. On this visit I went with the BYOB (sigh - how I miss that one aspect of Texas dining). Of course this BYOB means "Build Your Own Burger". I ordered well done meat, green chiles, and bacon. With chips on the side. Mrs. RJG thought that sounded great - so make it two! Not sure what our guests had, but I was a bit out of it. Mrs. RJG loved the burger - best she's had in awhile. I thought it was great too. Had a couple of beers to wash it down with. We had a great time, and this pushes forward Colorado Mountain's timeline. What are we going to do around Christmas? lol
---12/26/22 update
In what is looking like the makings of an annual tradition, the RJG's went to Colorado Mountain Brewery sometime during the Christmas season to get in our annual review. Though Colorado Mountain is technically the closest brewery to our house, I don't consider it our "local brewery" (that would be Black Forest at the current time followed by Pikes Peak). As noted below, this is mostly for tourists new to Colorado, and their peculiar ways of eating and drinking. For these characteristics they are great! On this visit I wanted to try the pizza. They have limited ingredients, so I just went with a 7" pepperoni. Good sauce and cheese - so they get kudos for that (pepperoni is pepperoni - unimaginative). But the crust was lame and not crisped at all. Thank goodness Mrs. RJG didn't try it. So a mixed result. I also had a cup of the bison chili which was delicious. As good as the Ted's Montana version that I recently raved about. I should get a bowl next time. Mrs. RJG went with the Pikes Peak burger like last year (no green chiles this time). And once again they cooked it perfectly. She's saying it's her #2 favorite burger behind Brass Tap. So it's good to see some competition brewing in her mind - so to speak. See you next Christmas season, Colorado Mountain.
---12/23/21 update
Looks like we're able to sneak in at least one more annual review. It's been since March of 2019 that we last stepped foot into the Colorado Mountain Brewery. Nothing has really changed - same large space with beautiful views. The surrounding area, however, is growing like crazy. Mrs. RJG and I each had the Pikes Peak Burger and substituted tomatoes with green chiles, though the latter didn't really bring much heat or flavor. But the burger was delicious all the same, along with the fries dipped in a chipotle ranch dressing. And we each enjoyed one beer to celebrate the oncoming holidays.
---original 12/16/18 review
Colorado Mountain Brewery may be many folks very first experience with a brewpub, and it's a great choice if that's the case. Perfectly situated along I-25 right across from the Air Force Academy, Colorado Mountain Brewery offers excellent views along with great beers and an advanced pub menu. Yes, they have the usual burgers but also pastas and steaks, along with other inventive dishes. The RJG gives a thumbs up to both the pastas and hamburgers. The restaurant is large with a woodsy feel. A great place to take guests. Or if visiting as a tourist, you will definitely feel more comfortable - especially compared to some of the down and out breweries in the area (which the RJG loves too - perhaps even prefers). We first visited here as tourists ourselves, during one of our biannual trips to the area.
10/9/16; 12/16/18 (new entry); 3/2/19; 12/23/21; 12/26/22; 5/11/23; 7/13/24; 1/12/25
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