Dean Peterson, Co-Founder Of The Bull & Bush Brewery Died At Age 87
by Mark Smiley
Founding Fathers: Identical twin brothers Dean (right) and Dale Peterson (who passed away in 2009) often rode their bikes by the local dairy that would one day be the home of The Bull & Bush Pub and Brewery. In 1971, casting aside their stockbroker careers, the brothers built the Bull & Bush to kick-start a list of successful restaurants.
On May 3, 2025, Dean Peterson, co- founder of the Bull & Bush Brewery in Glendale passed away at age 87. Regarded by many as a pioneer in the industry, Peterson, along with his identical twin brother Dale, co-founded the Bull & Bush Pub and Brewery in 1971 in Glendale, Colorado. Back in those days, there was not much other than farmland around and it was difficult to get a loan from the bank. In fact, as you looked West from the Bull & Bush, you could see the old Riviera sign on Kentucky Avenue with nothing obstructing the view. Glendale was a few years away from becoming the spot for nightlife and the Bull & Bush was at the forefront.
Inspired by a fact-finding trip to England, they modeled their establishment after the original Bull & Bush Pub in Hampstead Heath, London, which dates back to 1645. They imported authentic artifacts, including a now-iconic warped copper top bar, to recreate the traditional English pub atmosphere.
The Peterson brothers were born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1937. Dale Peterson passed away in 2009 while Dean outlived his brother by nearly 16 years. After a three-year battle with cancer, Dean Peterson passed away. A celebration of life brought a standing room only crowd to the Bull & Bush Brewery on May 20, 2025. Dean’s nephews, David and Erik Peterson, entertained the crowd and kept the mood upbeat while others shared stories.
Peterson was born in Nebraska but moved to Denver as an infant. He and his twin brother and older sister, Charlene, lived at
Dean and His Daughter: Dean Peterson and his only daughter Tami Beardsley pose for a photo a few years ago. Beardsley was the inspiration for the iconic Bull & Bush logo.
6th and Albion for years and Dean graduated from East High School in 1955. Fast forward to 1971, when they founded the Bull & Bush Brewery, Dean was seen as the back of the house “number cruncher” while Dale was the front of the house “glad hander.” It is in that back of the house, where Dean thought it would be a good idea to put their now famous green chili on top of mashed potatoes. He came up with this concept in the late 1970s and it is still on the menu today.
Just because he was seen as the back of the house owner, doesn’t mean Dean did not enjoy sitting at the bar talking to guests and swapping stories. “People would sit at the bar and get advice they didn’t need or want,” said David Peterson, co-owner of the Bull & Bush Brewery. “But everyone loved Dean.”
“My fondest memories of my uncle had nothing to do with the restaurant,” said Peterson. “Our family trips were a lot of fun and as we got older, we started to go to places like Las Vegas. We always had a great time with family and Dean was a big part of that.”
Initially, the Bull & Bush served as a lively gathering spot, featuring live music and one of Denver’s first dart rooms. In 1997, the Petersons expanded the establishment by adding a brewery, which has since gained acclaim for its innovative beers. Notably, their “MAN BEER” received a Gold award at the World Beer Cup.
Today, the Bull & Bush remains a family-run business, operated by David and Erik Peterson. They have continued the legacy by maintaining the pub’s welcoming atmosphere and commitment to quality. The establishment offers a diverse menu, a wide selection of whiskeys, and continues to brew award-winning beers, solidifying its status as a cherished Glendale institution, an institution that started with the late Dale and Dean Peterson. “We are forever grateful for the sacrifices my dad and uncle made 54 years ago,” said Peterson. “May Dean rest in peace and look down on how we continue to put smiles on people’s faces that walk through our doors.”
