At Diebolt Brewing, Craft Beer and Family Go Hand In Hand

There's something very appealing about the concept of a neighborhood brewery and taproom - the kind of small, independent business that not only fits well into its surrounding area, but also enhances it by bringing people together for a common interest. Diebolt Brewing Company in northwest Denver is just that type of craft brewery, with a focus on producing great beer and positively impacting the local community. It's also a family owned and operated brewery, and much of this family's heritage is reflected in their beer offerings.

Diebolt Brewing opened in September of 2013, and recently celebrated its first anniversary with a weekend-long party. Dan Diebolt, a long-time homebrewer, and his son, Jack, had the dream of opening a brewery in Colorado, and chose to set up shop in the Sunnyside neighborhood. Their space is in an old warehouse property that has character but remains simple and unassuming, much like the older homes and commercial spaces in Sunnyside. The Diebolts also decided to brew on a 15-barrel system, more robust than the systems that many other newer, small breweries use. A larger system, though a more expensive initial investment, gives Diebolt Brewing the capacity to brew more beer per batch, as well as the flexibility to brew on their own schedule.

When Diebolt Brewing opened their doors, they featured a lineup of straightforward beer styles. But it was their intent to also offer beers that reflected the family's French heritage, and they definitely fulfilled that intent in their first year of business. They've become known as a craft brewery with an emphasis on French-style beers, which helps them stand out even more in Denver's bustling beer scene. On my recent visit during the anniversary weekend, I observed a lineup that covered a vast selection of styles. The tap list included nearly ten beers, with another handful of barrel-aged beers offered to celebrate the anniversary.

I ordered a selection of tasters, as I often do, to get a thorough taste for Diebolt's beer. What I found was excellence across the board, with flavors and attributes that matched each beer style very well. A French ale featured earthy hop flavors, prominent malt, some fruity esters, and a dry finish. A Bière de Garde, or French farmhouse ale, had similar flavors to the French ale, but was a bit maltier and sweeter. I tried the saison, which was a delicate, refreshing version with crisp fruit flavors. The weizenbock delivered rich, sweet flavors of cherries and other dark fruits. An IPA, called Diebolt International Ale (DIA), featured a simple malt profile and unique hop flavors contributed by three different continental varieties of hops. It was spicy and bitter, with flavors of lemon and grapefruit. One barrel-aged offering I tried was the bourbon barrel À Votre Santé, a dark Bière de Garde. Very rich and decadent, it exuded flavors of bourbon, malty sweetness, and caramel.

I could go on about the other beers I tried at Diebolt Brewing, but you should stop in and try some for yourself. Neighborhood charm, personal service, and great beer make this a destination in Denver for beer lovers to explore.