Walnut Brewery

Located in the heart of downtown Boulder, Walnut Brewery always has plenty of activity and lots of food and beer to taste. The large two story building offers an open, well-lit and airy venue for sampling the 8 house brews, two of which are cask-conditioned. above the long light wood bar the 14 bbl fermenters are clearly visible. The Grundy serving tanks lie just behind the bar with the brewhouse situated toward the back of the building. There is plenty of space for drinking and dining at dozens of various tables, stools and booths. The red brick and wood interior has a rugged but inviting appearance. Members of the mug club keep their drinking vessels overhead and at close reach for the special pricing they receive on specific nights. The menu is standard pub fare and the establishment owns a full liquor license. Music is supplied by the house CD system while two TVs are usually on showing sporting events. The standard price for pints is $3.25 and except for nicotine addicted patrons, everyone seemed to be enjoying the non-smoking environment forced on all businesses by the local "big brother" city government.

The cask Big Horn Bitter was amber in color, both malty and hoppy, smooth, with a slightly yeasty character. The cask Devil's Thumb Stout had a creamy head and body, evenly balanced, with a medium body and dry finish. The Old Elk Brown shined a dark amber color with a sweet malty flavor, nice body and a slightly alcoholic aftertaste. The St. James Red was, naturally enough, red with an even balance but nice malt character and hoppy finish. The Indian Peaks Pale Ale appeared golden and offered a hop aroma, hop flavor with its very light body. The White Pelican Pilsner was golden, with a light hoppy flavor and nice hop aftertaste. The Black Sheep Bock was a dark amber color with a malty sweet flavor, nice body and a slightly alcoholic aftertaste. The Black Hawk was a clear dark brown color with ruby hues. The flavor started very malty then ended with a dry finish. The Pale Note Ale was characterized by plenty of hops in the aroma and flavor with solid maltiness supporting this good Ale style. The Rocktoberfest is a clear dark amber color with a medium body and solid malt-over-hop flavor balance. The seasonal Blue Note Ale is a clear dark amber with a dry malty flavor with a slight chocolate presence.

Walnut Brewery
1123 Walnut Street
Boulder, CO. 80303
(970)447-1345

Reviewed by Tom Ciccateri - May & October, 1996 & October, 1997

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