[Riho Brewery No.237] Our Mutual Friend Brewing (Denver) | World Beer Cup Gold Medal Mixed-Fermentation Beer Paradise!
Beer
2026.02.21
This article can be read in about 24 minutes.
Hello! I’m Riho, a craft beer enthusiast.
On November 5, 2025, I visited Our Mutual Friend Brewing (OMF), located in Denver’s RiNo (River North) Art District, Colorado. This is a top-tier brewery that has earned 8 GABF medals and a World Beer Cup Gold Medal — one of the finest in the nation.
The brewery’s name is inspired by Charles Dickens’ last completed novel, Our Mutual Friend, embodying the philosophy that “beer is a common friend that connects people.” This brewery has a dramatic backstory: a former house painter self-taught himself brewing, and maintains an unwavering commitment to 100% Colorado-sourced ingredients. I walked in with sky-high expectations — and OMF delivered!
Hop-kun
OMF is renowned as a mixed fermentation specialist — Hop! They combine Belgian saison yeast with Brettanomyces (Brett) to create complex flavors, aging in large French oak foeders named “Bert” and “Ernie” — Hop! “Saison Trystero” won Gold at the World Beer Cup 2018 and is a masterpiece where spiciness, fruity esters, and distinctive funk blend in perfect harmony — Hop!
Rune-chan
A Denver brewery — Woof! What’s the vibe like? RiNo is an art district, right? Beer and art combined sounds amazing — Woof!!
Riho-kun
RiNo is an area packed with breweries, galleries, and restaurants — just walking around is fun! Among them, OMF stands out not just for its awards but also for its incredible community spirit. A former painter self-teaches to world-class brewing level — the passion is extraordinary!
Our Mutual Friend Brewing was founded in December 2012 by Brian Rivel, Andrew Strasburg, and Brandon Prof in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood. Starting with just a 31-gallon (~117L) small brewhouse and approximately $20,000 in capital — a true garage brewery spirit.
Particularly noteworthy is head brewer Jan Chodkowski. A former house painter who self-taught brewing and officially became head brewer in 2016. Inspired by Belgian saison brewers, he developed mixed fermentation beers that earned world-class recognition.
The core of OMF’s brewing philosophy is a commitment to 100% Colorado-sourced ingredients. Both malt and hops are sourced from Colorado whenever possible. They even performed their own malting at one point, prioritizing coexistence with local agriculture. Winning “Locally Minded Brewery of the Year” multiple times is no surprise.
The brewery’s name comes from Charles Dickens’ last completed novel, Our Mutual Friend, expressing the concept that “beer is a common friend that connects people.” They’re also dedicated to creating an inclusive space with a clearly stated LGBTQ+ friendly stance.
Hop-kun
Foeders are large French oak vessels, and OMF’s two foeders — named “Bert” and “Ernie” — are the heart of their mixed fermentation program — Hop! Because foeders have a large surface area, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria naturally colonize them, imparting complex acidity and funk over long periods — Hop! The annual-release “Biere Ovale” aged in these foeders is a true masterpiece — Hop!!
🏆 Awards (8 GABF Medals · World Beer Cup Gold)
Year
Competition
Medal
Beer
2014 & 2015
GABF
Silver (Wood & Barrel-Aged Sour)
24FPS
2016
GABF
Silver (Brett Beer)
Dreamy Thing
2017
GABF
Silver (Brett Beer)
Saison Trystero
2018
World Beer Cup
🥇 Gold (Brett Beer)
Saison Trystero
2020
GABF
Bronze (International Pale Ale)
Inner Light
2021
GABF
Silver & Gold (2 categories)
Biere Ovale / Inner Light
2022
GABF
Silver & Gold (2 categories)
Biere Ovale / Saison Trystero
2022
Good Food Awards
Winner
Zappa Weirding Way
🍺 Signature Beers
① Saison Trystero ★ World Beer Cup 2018 Gold Medal
OMF’s crowning achievement — the World Beer Cup 2018 Gold Medal winner. A mixed fermentation Belgian saison combining French-strain yeast and Brettanomyces (Brett), hopped with Nugget. At ABV 6.86%, it’s compact in alcohol but extraordinary in complexity.
From the first sip, spicy pepper notes and clove aromas unfold, followed by the distinctive Brett funk (barnyard) developing slowly. A dry, champagne-like refreshing finish with an earthy, complex aftertaste. One of the finest modern Belgian saisons anywhere.
② Neon Nail ★ Flagship NEIPA
OMF’s commercial flagship — a New England IPA combining Galaxy, Citra, and Vic Secret hops, ABV 6.9–7.3%. Rich juiciness of nectarine, orange, and passionfruit with a wonderfully soft mouthfeel. Consistently rated 3.9+ on Untappd.
③ Biere Ovale ★ Annual Limited Release
An annual-release mixed fermentation saison (ABV 4.7%) aged in foeders “Bert and Ernie.” American oak aromatics, delicate acidity, and white wine and lemon peel notes interweave in a masterful blend. Back-to-back GABF Silver Medal winner in 2021 and 2022. If your visit timing aligns, this is a must-try.
The World Beer Cup Gold Medal is well-deserved! A brewery where you feel the passion of a self-taught brewer reaching for world-class excellence
Riho-kun
“Saison Trystero” was truly mind-blowing! Brett funk and refreshing acidity fused perfectly, revealing new dimensions with every sip. OMF’s philosophy that “beer becomes a mutual friend” is embodied in this beer. An absolute must-visit in Denver’s RiNo!
✈️ Plan Your Denver Trip
Riho-kun
Denver is Colorado’s largest city, known as the “Mile High City” sitting at 5,280 feet elevation. The RiNo area is one of the nation’s premier craft beer destinations, packed with breweries, galleries, and restaurants. I recommend booking your trip early through Rakuten Travel!
They specialize in mixed-fermentation saisons, barrel-aged ales, and wild/sour beers. Their ‘Dialectica’ saison and barrel-aged ‘Perdition’ series are World Beer Cup gold medalists. A pioneer of Denver’s funky craft beer scene.
Where is the taproom located?
In Denver’s RiNo (River North Arts District) neighborhood, about 10-15 minutes from Union Station by ride-share. The RiNo area is packed with craft beer spots — perfect for a brewery crawl.
What is mixed-fermentation brewing?
Mixed-fermentation uses multiple yeast and bacteria cultures (Saccharomyces + wild yeasts like Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, etc.) creating complex, layered sour and funky flavors — similar to traditional Belgian lambics and gueuze.
ルネちゃん
What’s the RiNo neighborhood in Denver like?
りほくん
RiNo stands for River North Arts District — it’s Denver’s hippest neighborhood filled with murals, galleries, restaurants, and of course, craft breweries. Perfect for a day trip!
ホップくん
The mixed-fermentation saisons at Our Mutual Friend are truly world-class! The complexity from wild yeast and bacteria is unmatched — like Belgian tradition meets Colorado creativity!
ルネちゃん
What does mixed-fermentation beer actually taste like?
りほくん
Imagine a light tartness with earthy, funky notes — kind of like wine but in beer form. It’s complex and layered. First sip might surprise you, but once you get it, you’re hooked!
🍻 How to Order at an American Taproom
New to American taprooms? Here’s a quick guide to ordering craft beer with confidence.
りほくん
Don’t be shy at the bar! Staff at craft breweries love talking beer. Just point at the tap list or say what style you enjoy and they’ll guide you to something great.
Step 1
Check the tap list on the board or menu
Step 2
Order at the counter: “Can I have a [beer name], please?”
Step 3
“Open tab or close?” → Say “Open” to pay later, “Close” to pay now
Step 4
Show ID (passport) if asked — 21+ required
Step 5
Pick up your beer at the counter
Step 6
Add 15–20% tip when closing your tab (tablet screen)
ホップくん
Try asking: “What do you recommend?” or “What’s your most popular IPA right now?” — bartenders love these questions!
ルネちゃん
Want to try before committing? Ask for a “taster” or “sampler” — most taprooms offer small 2-4oz pours to help you decide!
⚠️ Disclaimer
Taste evaluations are personal opinions. Beer flavor perception varies by individual. Product information, hours, and prices are subject to change without notice. Drink responsibly. Must be 21+ to consume alcohol in the United States.
Seattle-based IT engineer and certified Japanese beer judge exploring the craft scenes on both sides of the Pacific. I bring a developer's analytical eye to brewing processes while volunteering tech skills to help brewers tell their authentic stories. Follow my cross-cultural beer journey where code meets craft! 🍻
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