Now verging on their 9th anniversary, Denver based Cerebral Brewing has set themselves apart in Colorado as a leading force in “innovation, quality, and evolution, in all endeavors.” They’ve since grown into a larger production space in neighboring Aurora, with both spaces now becoming a destination for the local community and adventurous beer tourists alike.
Cerebral Brewing was co-founded by Sean Buchan, Chris Washenberger and Dan McGuire in November of 2015 on a stretch of east Colfax in the Congress Park neighborhood of Denver. During, then following his time as a physical therapist, Buchan, along with Washenberger, were homebrewing for around 2.5 years, later linked up with financier McGuire and the rest is history.
While co-founder Washenberger left in 2017 to pursue other projects, the brewery has forged on in developing a collective vision focused on the creative and quality elements surrounding beer. In March of 2023, the brewery opened an 18,000 sq ft location, just down Colfax in Aurora. Their “Aurora Arts Popup Taproom” is effectively a larger production space for housing their 15bbl brewhouse and barrel program, which is expecting to become a more permanent taproom starting this summer.
They’re also one of the few small breweries in American that has a page on their website dedicated to feedback on quality for anyone who’s come across an issue with their beer. This focus on quality is further noted as such on their website:
We’re proud to say we’ve had an in-house QA/QC lab since day one, and our commitment to quality has never wavered. Beyond the metrics and measurements, we lean on artistic inspiration and creativity to continuously develop new recipes. We are passionate about foeder fermented lagers, imaginative IPAs, and our extensive barrel-aging program.
The brewery has always had a dedicated emphasis on supporting their local community by not only creating inclusive spaces for all, but also to support the causes the brewery and community are invested in, as evidenced by a continuous series of collaborations with non-profits such as Planned Parenthood, ACLU, Colorado Healing Fund, Queer Asterisk, Transformative Freedom Fund, Envision:You, the blue bench, Colfax Canvas, and more.
Over the course of their 8+ years of innovation, Cerebral has been at the forefront of the Hazy IPA style and so much more. From their flagship Rare Trait IPA, to collaborations with Ruse, Great Notion, WeldWerks, Untitled Art, Horus Aged Ales, and many more, to top rated Imperial Stouts and Barleywines, they do everything well. They’re also a member of the Hop Quality Group, focused on conversations around hop production within the ranks of brewers as well as growers, with a collective goal of releasing quality product and innovation in craft beer.
We’re extremely excited to welcome them back to Oregon, this time as the latest resident of Function PDX’s two pop-up locations for the month of May! We’ve been working with Cerebral Brewing since 2019 and look forward to trying all the exciting options they’re sending our way. Here’s a taste of what’ll be available for at least the first few weeks:
Astral Predator – A blend of Barleywine and Imperial Stout aged 24-28 months in 9 year EH Taylor Bourbon, 10 year Templeton Rye Whiskey, and French XO Cognac Barrels. Collaboration with Horus Aged Ales. 14.3% (Draft Only)
Celestial Origin: Experimental 2023 – BA Barleywine aged 32 months in Buffalo Trace Experimental Bourbon barrels. Notes of Sticky Toffee Pudding, Gingerbread Cookie, and Pomegranate Molasses. 13.5% (Draft Only)
Circular Dependency – Cold IPA Hops: Chinook, Ekuanot, Motueka, Riwaka Tasting Notes: Pampelmousse LaCroix, Blackberry Spritz, Canadian Forest. 6.8% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Dank Trait – West Coast version of Rare Trait, our house Hazy IPA. Notes of Bitter Orange Peel, Pine Resin, Lime LaCroix. 7% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Nectaron DDH Rare Trait – Hazy IPA Hops: Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, Nectaron. Tasting Notes: Flintstones Push Pop, Strawberry Starburst, Mango Smoothie. 6.4% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Double Barrel Here Be Monsters (2021 Blackberry Whiskey) – Imperial Stout aged 16 months in 7 year Weller Antique then 6 months in Leopold Brothers Blackberry Whiskey barrels. 15.1% (Draft Only)
Gasoline Rainbows IPA v9 – Hops: Simcoe, Simcoe Cryo, Nectaron, Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo, Nelson Tasting Notes: Cotton Candy, Blue Gusher, Blood Orange Spindrift. 6.8% (16oz Cans and Draft)
International Waters – Foeder Pilsner hopped with Tettnang, Sterling, & Motueka. Notes of Honeysuckle, Dried Lime Leaf, Bergamot. 5.7% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Invisible Hand – Foeder fermented Saison with Troubadour Malting’s Rhapsody and Antero White Wheat, Colorado Malting Oats and Rye. Saccharomyces and Brettanomyces. 8 months in American oak foeder. Notes of Sage, White Wine, Peach Pit, Fresh Hay. 7.1% (Draft Only)
Just the Hops: Hop Water – Featuring the same hops as Rare Trait, our house IPA, Just the Hops combines Citra, Mosaic and El Dorado. The trio of hops joins crisp sparkling water, striking a perfect balance between flavor and drinkability. Just the hops. Just the way we like it. 0% ABV. 0 calories. 0 sugar. (16oz Cans and Draft)
Mangonada – Blonde Ale with Mango, Lime, Ancho Chile, Guajillo, Chile de Arbol & Habanero Peppers. 5.1% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Muscle Memory – Hazy Pale Ale 2023 World Beer Cup Silver Medalist. Hops: Citra, Idaho 7, NZ Cascade & Motueka. Notes of Grapefruit, Orange Marmalade and Peach. 5.2% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Neon Lite – An American light lager with notes of Tortilla Chips, White Pear and Lemon Balm. (16oz Cans and Draft)
Prime Projections – Italian Pilsner collaboration with Our Mutual Friend Brewing Co. & Indie Hops Hops: German Amarillo, Motueka, Lórien Tasting Notes: Chamomile Flower, Meyer Lemon Zest, Honeydew Melon, Lychee Juice. 5.6% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Rare Trait – House IPA with Citra, El Dorado & Mosaic. When it comes to IPA, Rare Trait is our crown jewel, our mission statement, a proverbial shot over the bow, our raison d’etre. Notes of Tangerine, Mango and Candied Peach, bur riding a restrained bitterness that has defined our style from Day 1. 6.4% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Triple Rare Trait – Hazy Triple IPA Hops: Citra, Citra Cryo, Mosaic, Mosaic Cryo, El Dorado. Tasting Notes: Orange Curacao, Pineapple Nectar, Candied Orange Slices. 9.5% (16oz Cans and Draft)
Content for this article sourced from: Cerebral Brewing, Craft Beer and Brewing Podcast, 5280 Magazine, and The Denver Post.
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