Behind the Beer at Long Table Brewhouse

If you've ever wandered into a place and instantly thought, "Oh yeah, this feels like home," then you already know exactly what it felt like stepping into Long Table Brewhouse. Nestled into Denver's North Park Hill neighborhood, this little gem occupies a building with one heck of a storied past. Seriously—a Piggly Wiggly grocery store in the '50s and a coffin factory in the '60s? Clearly, the building had some identity issues before finding its true calling: craft beer.

Meeting up with Nate Smith, the co-owner, and Josh, the head brewer, felt like catching up with friends we've known forever. We cracked jokes about the building’s quirky history—"Guess that's why your beers have so much body!"—and immediately felt at ease. These guys genuinely love what they do, and it shines through every pour.

We kicked things off with a tour of their brewing operation. They've got a compact but mighty 7-barrel setup upstairs, with fermenters tucked down in a basement so steeped in history you half expect ghostly brewers to pop by for a pint. Josh walked us through the logistics of brewing in a tight urban space and revealed the current lineup: from a Sour Hazy IPA and a traditional Maibock to a Biere De Garde fermented with pear juice and dry-hopped with Citra. And, in the spirit of Denver’s creative beer scene, they’re also aging a Cherry Kriek and a Palisade Peach Sour, each one sounding more delicious than the last.

Now, speaking of sours, their barrel-aged sour, "5 on It," is a showstopper—aged meticulously for their 5th anniversary. Josh explained their fascinating brewing process, involving 400 pounds of grapes—Sangiovese, Cab Franc, and Cab Sav—fermented with a unique yeast, then barrel-aged for sixteen months in California Cabernet barrels. If it sounds like a beer-wine crossover masterpiece, that’s because it totally is.

As we sipped, we talked awards, competitions, and the complexities of brewing sour beers at a nano scale. Nate and Josh laughed about the reality of beer competitions—half the judges loving their brews, half not quite getting them, and apparently, "another half" always thinking they're in the wrong category. The takeaway? Brew beer you love, submit your best work, and don’t stress too much about outcomes.

Step inside Denver’s Long Table Brewhouse with Nate Smith and brewer Josh to uncover award-winning barrel-aged sours, delicious beer pairings, quirky building history, and the magic behind their vibrant community vibe.

But Long Table isn't just about beer—it's deeply about community. Their Ukraine fundraiser, local art collaborations, and genuine care for each visitor highlighted exactly why they're named "Long Table." To them, it's not just furniture; it's a philosophy of gathering everyone together, treating patrons like family, and building genuine connections.

We couldn't resist diving into beer and food pairings, and Josh did not disappoint. His standout pairing recommendation? His smooth imperial stout with cranberry Wensleydale cheese from Somerset. Just hearing that combination made our mouths water. Josh pointed out the magic behind pairings: it's not just flavor—it's context. The people you're with, the mood you're in, and the "zing factor" of trying something new. Oh, and the flavor pairing creates a type of carnival ride within the mind that makes you want to ride again, and again.

Before wrapping up, we asked what's next. While Nate hinted at a "maybe someday" dream of modestly scaling up (think adding a location with the same vibe), they’re mostly focused on continuing to craft great beer. Upcoming highlights include their 7th-anniversary block party and a much-anticipated peach sour release. Josh's eyes lit up when discussing dream collaborations—from Rare Barrel and Firestone Walker in California to Worthingtons and Ommegang back east—each envisioned as an opportunity to learn and keep "chipping away at the magic of beer." But, those specifics came within the notes he took pre-interview. Maybe he’ll let us share them with the world.

Heading home from Long Table, it felt like leaving a gathering of old friends. Nate and Josh aren’t just brewing beer—they're sharing experiences, standing out within the community, and reminding us that great beer isn't just what’s in your glass; it's the stories, friendships, and memories you create around it. And that’s something worth raising a pint and a slice of cheese to, again and again.