Denver may be getting to the point where it might have too many breweries. They seem to pop up everyday, and in every corner of the city. But the DU neighborhood, which is full of beer-drinking hooligans, remained untapped until Fermaenta Brewing company opened its doors in mid-November. Situated next door to Snarf’s on Evans, this newfound establishment looks like it will soon grow into a staple, proving that Denver still has room for a lot more beer.
Before you even enter the doors of Fermaentra, you’ll most likely be greeted by a food truck parked out front. The brewery typically has one come post up every night, such as Texorado Bar-B-Que or Quiero Arepas. This is because inside, all that’s for sale is beer and water. This may seem like an inconvenience at first, but not to fright: It’s BYOF (bring your own food).
Whether that be from the food truck outside, Snarfs next door or the fridge at your apartment, it’s all welcome. The brewery’s owners decided to keep things as simple as possible to put all their energy into making beer. And they sure know how to make beer.
The brewery focuses on traditional-style beers while mixing in their own unique twist. Eleven options are typically on tap, comprising a nice variety for all tastes. They’ve got a classic ale, west coast pale ale, Belgian style blonde, Hefeweizen, English-style amber, Belgian-style dubbel, Russian imperial stout, imperial India pale ale, black saison, robust porter and a dry-hopped American style ale. I can’t personally say the beer is any better than what you’ll find elsewhere in the city, but it’s very good beer for being just a walk away from campus. Prices range from about $5-7.
This selection can be overwhelming, especially for those who aren’t avid beer-drinkers, but before you can even try to make a choice, your bartender will most likely be pouring you a couple samples so you end up with something you love.
These guys are super nice, and super generous, unlike what you’ll find some of the bigger breweries and popular DU bars. It’s simply a comfortable spot to go have a couple of drinks. No snobby attitudes, no pushing your way around and surprisingly, not an overwhelming scene of college kids.
A lot of older folks—and when I say older I mean 25+—have taken kindly to Fermaentra. You’ll find a lot of college kids there without a doubt, but you’ll also find grad students, professors, parents and even elderly couples enjoying themselves too. After spending countless nights hopping around DU’s mediocre bar selection, this can be a really refreshing escape from the typical scene without having to even leave the neighborhood.
The interior of Fermaentra is simple in the best way. Brick walls, smooth wooden floors, steel tables, a couple of TVs and high ceilings give it an industrial look with no frills attached. But this place is no warehouse, either. It’s sparkling clean, everything is obviously new and let’s just say it’s the last place in town you’ll find a wobbly table. A variety of art hangs on the wall that’s all for sale, they’ve got a pile of games to keep guests occupied (dominos, cards, chess, Uno and Jenga), and this all gives the space a community-hub feel that is well needed in the DU area.
The very best part about Fermaentra, however, is the brewing area. Everything is situated literally right behind the bar, out in the open. They couldn’t be any more transparent about the beer you’re drinking, and it’s a bold decision to let guests see all the equipment in use right from their barstool. The front of the brewery is also comprised of two massive garage doors. So come springtime, this will be an even more fantastic place to do some drinking.
We have plenty of breweries in Denver, and we have plenty of bars around DU, but we needed this place. It’s the only establishment of its kind in the neighborhood, it’s well run, and it will hopefully get DU students drinking in a slightly classier space than usual. Next time five o’clock rolls around, head down Evans and give this place a go. Tell ‘em the Clarion sent you.
