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Favorite Places
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Trinity Brewing Company $$
- 1466 Garden of the Gods Road (map)
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Northwest/Rockrimmon
634-0029
- (based on 10 user reviews)
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Bristol Brewing Company
- 1647 S. Tejon St. (map)
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Cheyenne Mountain
633-2555
- Be the first to review this location!
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Front Range Barbeque $
- 2330 W. Colorado Ave. (map)
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Old Colorado City
632-2596
- (based on 5 user reviews)
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Pizzeria Rustica $$
- 2527 W. Colorado Ave. (map)
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Old Colorado City
632-8121
- (based on 5 user reviews)
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Squash Blossom
- 2531 W. Colorado Ave. (map)
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Old Colorado City
632-1899
- Be the first to review this location!
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15C
- 15 E. Bijou St., Suite C (map)
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Downtown
635-8303
- (based on 3 user reviews)
Bites 2012
Recently expanded, years ahead of schedule, Trinity has deservedly blown up thanks to top-notch, experimental saison production on top of great flagship beers like the seasonally changing Farmhouse. To mitigate the buzz (from the alcohol, not the community), grab lamb sliders, seitan wings or the Mak' N Bacon.
Drink 2010
Happy hour: Monday and Thursday, 2-6 p.m.
The goods: $3 house brews, $1 off all snacks
InSider 2010
Much of Trinity's interior was constructed from repurposed materials, including the psychedelic bar top, made from shards of beer bottle glass layered in resin. But its business model is anything but recycled: Trinity implements Slow Food (local, organic) principles in the kitchen and rewards human-powered arrival (biking, walking) with discounted beer. As for the beer, Trinity keeps it flowing from 30-plus taps, both imported craft brews and refreshing creations from head brewer and owner Jason Yester.
InSider 2009
Head to Trinity for tapas-style dining paired with outstanding house-made craft beers and a rare assembly of obscure, low-production beers. The artful, wood-adorned outfit dishes everything from sweet potato fries and a bacon basket to yummy beer-cheese soup, decadent salads and sandwiches and stuffers. Get an ice cream stout float for dessert.
Click here for Trinity Brewing's Sunna Side of Cheesecake Recipe!
Best of 2012: Local Brewery
A series of award-winning beers, and the much-anticipated Spring 2013 opening of a new 16,000-square-foot brewing location: These things hint at how Mike Bristol stays on top, both as a local brewery operator and community leader. His company is legendary for producing tasty beers that truly give back to Colorado Springs, from a Smokebrush Porter whose proceeds help keep the Uncle Wilber fountain entertaining kids all summer, to a Pinon Nut Brown that supports Cheyenne Cañon. And don't forget the sold-out-before-it-hits-the-shelves Venetucci Farm Pumpkin Ale. When the Ivywild School renovation is complete, the brewery will finally have a building that almost matches the size of its heart. — Steve Hitchcock
Best of 2012: Local Microbrew to Drink in Summer: Beehive Honey Wheat
Again we see a Bristol beer ranking top-slot with Indy readers. We'd think the crowd was biased, but in all fairness, Beehive is a great representation of the wheat style, cloudy and with a honey sweetness. It's easy to see why you'd want to kick back with a few on a hot summer day. Funny thing about this beer is that it was meant to be Bristol's first summer seasonal, says owner Mike Bristol, but after such an amazing response from fans, Beehive was deemed worthy of year-round production. — Steve Hitchcock
Best of 2012: Local Microbrew to Drink in Winter: Winter Warlock Oatmeal Stout
Who would have thought that a character from a childhood movie would become part of such a great beer? Company owner Mike Bristol admits he got the idea for the Winter Warlock label image from the 1970 movie Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. And much like the warlock of the big screen, Bristol's oatmeal stout delivers cheer to all who experience it. The rich creaminess of this malt-and-oat-heavy winter warmer is just what the doctor ordered to fight the long, cold Colorado nights; at the brewery, it often flows out of the tap using nitrogen to add a bit of extra buttery smoothness. By the way, no reason to wait for Santa: This season's first batch releases in late October. — Steve HitchcockBest Of 2012: Neighborhood Restaurant: West
Best Of 2012: Barbecue
If you're like me, this will sum up your relationship with Front Range Barbeque: Came across it one day looking for good, cheap eats; had an amazing meal on a cozy patio listening to bluegrass; fell in love; now consider it the restaurant for entertaining visiting friends and family. It's homey, without the kitsch, and everyone seems happy to be there, even the staff. Brian Fortinberry opened up shop 13 years ago in the home of a former sushi joint. He and his brother are from Alabama, which armed them not only with a love for Southern cuisine, but also priceless family recipes. "That's what we know, that's what we are used to," he says. "We wanted to have a local place, a place where friends can hang out." Add to it their laid-back ethos, and you have all the ingredients for success. — Chet Hardin
Bites 2013: Riblet Plate
Think of Front Range's riblet offering simply as a big-ass plate of Southern goodness. Tender, slow-cooked St. Louis rack ends sport a light char but copious hickory and mesquite flavor. They're served naked (got your attention) so you can choose your own house sauce tableside: Mustard Wine, Sweet n' Spicy or our favorite, the Original Tangy. ($16 includes choice of two sides)
Bites 2013: Margherita Pizza
Hotdogs, macaroni, Buffalo wings ... all things arguably disgracefully placed upon pizza in modern times. All of which makes the existence of a true, traditional classic pizza even more important. A retreat. A refuge. Something so perfect, in the case of the Margherita, that it need not ever have been built upon. Thin wood-oven pizza, lauded San Marzano tomatoes, fragrant basil, house-made mozzarella. Done, done and done. Don't talk to me, I'm eating over here. ($11.95) Beignets and Café Au Lait at Springs Orleans
Click here for Pizzeria Rustica's Local Vegetable Antipasto Recipe!
InSider 2010
If you think the Squash Blossom only carries Southwestern jewelry, check again. This OCC fixture is a source for fine art and furniture, too, with a "well-rounded mix" of styles that vary from traditional to modern. The Blossom is also the sole local gallery to carry the work of renowned Springs painter Thomas Owen, who won his second American Watercolor Society's Mario Cooper and Dale Meyers Medal this year (described as an Oscar for watercolorists worldwide).
Best Of 2010: Bar for a Martini
Best Of 2010: Bar for a Fancy-Pants Cocktail
Best Of 2010: Upscale Bar
At the beginning of August, the blue porch light at 15C went dark, the result of an early-morning fire in the building that displaced the martini and cigar bar's customers and staff. Regardless, Springs drinkers and smokers know what they like — this is 15C's eighth win for Upscale (or Classy) Bar and ninth win for Bar for a Martini. And as martinis can be a little "fancy-pants," it's really no surprise 15C grabbed that first-year award, too. From the ashes: "I'm definitely reopening — there's no question of that," says owner Alan Pak, though he doesn't have a timeline yet. —Kirsten Akens
InSider 2010
You can drink, you can smoke, and you can stare across a candle-lit table at your loved one. Or you can just drink and smoke. A multiple readers' poll winner in the Bar for a Martini and Upscale Bar categories (its seventh straight year in the latter), 15C is a den of hidden delights located down a back alley with a purple light next to an indistinguishable door. In addition to the cigar menu, martinis rule here, from the classic James Bond affectation to such trendy concoctions as the Sugar Daddy, French Kiss and Velvet Hammer.
