by Mark Smiley | Dec 13, 2024 | Editorials
by Mark Smiley
The Mile High Beer Festival is set for March 1, 2025, and will be at The Refractory in the Santa Fe Art District. Over 40 beer vendors will be pouring their specialty beers for unlimited sampling.
In addition to beer, guests will be able to enjoy canned cocktails, ciders, food from local food trucks, and non-alcoholic brews. Ryan Cox photo
One of Denver’s favorite beer celebrations is returning with new breweries and some old favorites. The 2025 Mile High Beer Festival returns on Saturday, March 1, 2025, and early bird tickets are on sale now. Prices go up as it gets closer to the event so act now for the savings.
General Admission includes unlimited sampling, a commemorative sample glass, and access to 100+ beers, ciders, and spirits from Colorado’s best (and some favorites outside of Colorado too.). Early entry includes everything above plus 45 minutes to get the first sips in before the crowd files in (1:15 p.m.). The VIP experience includes 90 minutes of early access (12:30 p.m.), plus an exclusive commemorative pint glass.
The Mile High Beer Festival will be the first event at the new venue, The Refractory located at 890 Navajo Street, in the Santa Fe Art District in Denver. “We are really excited to transform this space and create an open industrial atmosphere for the beer festival,” said Lacey Spruce, Mile High Beer Fest.
A lineup of 40+ vendors serving 100+ brews, including local breweries like WeldWerks, Left Hand, and Wiley Roots will be in hand. “I feel like the people that like to attend our events every year are self proclaimed beer nerds,” said Spruce. “They find it exciting to meet new breweries and try new things as well as see their old favorites.”
Three breweries will make their Mile High Beer Festival debut in 2025: Wiley Roots (Greeley), Milieu Fermentation (Aurora), which opened in 2024, and Second Dawn Brewing (Aurora). “I think a lot of people want variety in events they attend, said Spruce. “For a lot of people like us who produce these events, we try to give the people what they want. This is a beer fest so we try to keep it mostly beer. But people tend to appreciate having some options like trying some canned cocktails or ciders so we try to sprinkle some of those in.”
General admission tickets are $48.57, early entry are $60.41, and VIP tickets are $78.16 and all fees are included. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.milehighbeerfest.com. Also, stay tuned for information on the second annual Denver Ramen Festival which will be held at the Stockyards Event Center in April.
by Mark Smiley | Nov 15, 2024 | General Featured
The Family-Owned Restaurant Makes Big Moves Into The Mile High City After Decades In Surrounding Suburban Cities
by Mark Smiley
Coming Soon: Los Dos Potrillos will open in early 2025 in the space formerly occupied by Hacienda on South Colorado Boulevard. It will be the first restaurant for the family in the city of Denver after decades in the suburbs.
Los Dos Potrillos, the family-owned Mexican restaurant known for its Mexican comfort food, will open its first Denver location near Colorado Boulevard and I-25 at 4100 E. Mexico Avenue. The space was formerly occupied by Hacienda. Los Dos Potrillos aims to open in early 2025 with space for 253 patrons inside and 70 more on its patio.
They have been eyeing locations in Denver over the last several years but could not find the right area. “Whenever we look at any type of location, we always want to make sure it fits our way of going into any type of property,” said Danny Ramirez, CEO of Ramirez Hospitality Group, who owns Los Dos Potrillos. “We look forward to becoming a welcoming haven for our growing community, offering the same quality, consistency, service, and commitment that defines the Los Dos family,” Ramirez.
“Expanding to Denver is an important step for us, allowing us to connect and serve a new group of diners. Our Los Dos family is excited about this growth and cannot wait to bring our delicious food and overall dining experience to a new community in such a centralized location,” added Luis Ramirez, COO and President.
This milestone brings their family recipes and welcoming atmosphere to the heart of the Mile High City, marking a new chapter and the seventh Los Dos Potrillos full service restaurant opening in the Ramirez family’s journey.
Founded by Jose Ramirez in 2002, Los Dos Potrillos has grown from a single restaurant in Centennial to a popular local brand with multiple locations across the Denver metro area. This Denver location represents the seventh addition to their growing family, joining the ranks of their other establishments.
The Denver announcement comes just seven months after the successful opening of their Castle Rock location, featuring a 8,000-square-foot restaurant and brewery. The Colorado Boulevard location will be the second largest footprint for the restaurant family next to the aforementioned Castle Rock location.
The Denver Los Dos Potrillos will uphold the traditions and quality that have made Ramirez Hospitality Group a beloved household name across the region. Customers can expect the same welcoming atmosphere, excellent service, and Mexican comfort food that have earned the restaurant group a loyal following.
Taking over an existing Mexican restaurant makes it a bit easier to move forward. “There is not much to do since it was a Mexican restaurant,” said Daniel Ramirez. “All we have to do is come in and put our touch to it. We are going to change the outside of course and change the interior. The kitchen is in immaculate condition. We just need to add our spice to it, literally,” Ramirez said with a smile.
For more information, visit www.los2potrillos.com.
