River North Brewery, Denver RiNo | English Porter at a Pioneer

Hello! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast. In October 2025, while exploring Denver’s RiNo (River North) district on my GABF trip, I finally stopped by River North Brewery — a place I’d been wanting to visit. Here’s my report.

River North Brewery Basic Info

Brewery Name	River North Brewery (Blake St Taproom)
Address	3400 Blake St, Denver, CO 80205
Hours	Wed-Thu 15:00-21:00 / Fri 15:00-22:00 / Sat 12:00-22:00 / Sun 12:00-19:00 (check official website)
Getting There	About 10 min by Uber/Lyft from downtown Denver. Central RiNo area
Founded	2012 (Founded by Matt & Jessica Hess)
Website	https://rivernorthbrew.com

A Pioneer Brewery of the RiNo District

River North Brewery, founded in 2012 by Matt & Jessica Hess, is a driving force in Denver’s craft beer scene. A true pioneer that was operating before the RiNo (River North Art District) area developed into an art and craft beer destination. Known for barrel-aged stouts, Belgian-inspired ales, and strong, balanced beers, they operate under the philosophy of “only brew what excites us,” producing distinctively creative beers.

The Blake St taproom has a warm feel within the RiNo-typical industrial aesthetic, drawing local craft beer fans. It’s especially lively on weekends with a solid food menu.

What I Drank: English-Style Porter

Since it was the day before GABF, I decided to save my stomach and limit myself to one beer. Scanning the tap list, I chose a classic English-style Porter.

Style	English-style Porter (BJCP: English Porter)
Color	Deep brown to black
Aroma	Chocolate、Hints of caramel
Taste	Soft chocolate sweetness, smooth mouthfeel, gentle acidity that follows
Finish	Moderate acidity and sweetness linger softly

From the first sip, smooth softness came forward with chocolate sweetness wafting pleasantly. I kept it light before GABF, but this pint showed River North’s quality.

Web Reviews & Ratings

Untappd	River North’s beers consistently rate 3.6-3.9. Barrel-Aged styles are especially highly rated. (Check official site or Untappd for latest)
Google Maps	Around 4.3-4.5 (highly rated by local craft beer fans)
Yelp	Consistently ranks among top Denver breweries

Awards & Notable Recognition

River North Brewery is known as a regular GABF finalist. Their barrel-aged stouts and Belgian-inspired styles are especially highly regarded, with awards in Denver local craft beer competitions. Check the official site (https://rivernorthbrew.com) for the latest awards.

Recommended for Porter Lovers

For porter and stout fans at home, tulip glasses enhance dark beer aromas and perfectly capture chocolate and caramel notes.

Browse craft beer glasses on Rakuten: Tulip beer glasses (Rakuten)

Overall Rating

References & Related Articles

For more on Denver’s craft beer scene, check our other brewery reviews from the same GABF trip. We also have guides to stouts and dark ales related to English Porter on rihobeer.com.

• Reference: What is DDH? Complete Guide to DDH Beer
• Reference: West Coast Brewing (Shizuoka) Visit Report

Sources: Instagram caption (@lobeerve, October 15, 2025 post), River North Brewery official website (https://rivernorthbrew.com)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Where is River North Brewery located?

It’s located in Denver’s RiNo (River North Art District), Colorado. A veteran brewery in Denver’s craft beer hub.

Q2. What are River North Brewery’s recommended beers?

They’re known for traditional styles including English Porter. Limited-release beers are also available at the taproom.

Q3. What are River North Brewery’s hours?

Hours vary by season and events. Check the official website for the latest hours before visiting.

Q4. How do you get to River North Brewery?

Reachable from downtown Denver by light rail, bus, or car. Street parking available nearby.

Q5. Is food available at River North Brewery?

Food truck and menu availability varies by day. Check their official social media for the latest.

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