Sample Beers at Great Frontier Brewing Company in Lakewood Colorado
Have you wondered which beers to try first when you arrive at Great Frontier Brewing Company in Lakewood, Colorado?
Sample Beers at Great Frontier Brewing Company in Lakewood Colorado
This guide helps you sample beers at Great Frontier Brewing Company, giving you practical tasting strategies, common styles to look for, pairing ideas, and ways to get the most from a visit. You’ll find approachable tips whether you’re a first-time taster or someone who enjoys comparing lots of different styles on a single visit.
A quick introduction to Great Frontier Brewing Company
Great Frontier Brewing Company is a regional brewery and taproom that focuses on approachable, west-coast–inspired styles alongside seasonal and experimental beers. When you step into the taproom you’ll usually find a mix of core offerings and rotating taps that highlight hops, malt balance, and sometimes barrel- or fruit-forward experiments.
What to expect in the tasting room
When you arrive, you’ll typically find flight options, full pours, and cans or crowlers to take away. The staff are usually happy to describe each beer and recommend a flight based on what you like, so planning a few questions in advance helps you target beers you’ll enjoy.
How to order samples and flights
You can generally order single samples, a pre-arranged flight, or build a custom flight from available taps. Flights are often four to five small pours arranged to move from lighter, cleaner beers to heavier, hoppier, or more complex beers so your palate has a logical progression.
Typical pour sizes and pricing
Pour sizes for flights are usually between 4–6 ounces per sample; full pours are commonly 12–16 ounces in the taproom. Flights are priced per brewery policy, and prices can vary by special or limited releases. Ask the front staff for current pricing and pour sizes before you order.
A recommended sample flight strategy
Choosing the right sequence for tastes matters. Start with beers that are lighter in body and lower in bitterness, then progress to hop-forward or higher-alcohol beers, and finish with strong stouts, sour beers, or barrel-aged offerings.
| Flight Slot | Type of Beer | Why this order |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Light lager or pilsner | Cleanses the palate and warms you into tasting without heavy malt or hops |
| 2 | Wheat beer or session ale | Adds subtle yeast or grain notes without overwhelming bitterness |
| 3 | Hazy or West Coast IPA | Introduces hop flavors and aromatic intensity |
| 4 | Amber or brown ale | Shows malt complexity and balancing sweetness |
| 5 | Stout / porter or sour | Ends with bold flavors; sour or barrel-aged beers provide a distinct finish |
Common beer styles you’ll likely encounter
Great Frontier often brews a range of styles. Below is a practical cheat sheet that helps you read a tap list and decide what to try next.
| Style | Typical Appearance | Typical ABV | Flavor & Aroma | Suggested Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilsner / Lager | Pale yellow, clear | 4–5.5% | Clean, crisp, light malt, gentle hop bitterness | 1st |
| Wheat / Hefeweizen | Pale to golden, hazy | 4–6% | Banana/clove (with wheat yeast), soft mouthfeel | 2nd |
| American Pale Ale | Amber to deep gold | 4.5–6.5% | Citrus/stone fruit hops, moderate malt backbone | 2–3 |
| IPA (West Coast) | Gold to amber, clear | 6–7.5%+ | Pine, resin, bitter finish, hop-forward | 3rd |
| New England / Hazy IPA | Hazy gold to orange | 6–8% | Juicy, tropical fruit hop character, lower perceived bitterness | 3rd |
| Amber / Red Ale | Copper to red | 4.5–6.5% | Toasted caramel malt, balanced hops | 4th |
| Brown Ale | Brown, clear | 4–6.5% | Nutty, toffee, mild roasted notes | 4th |
| Stout / Porter | Dark brown to black | 4.5–12% | Roasted coffee, chocolate, creamy body | Last |
| Sour / Fruited | Pale to deep hue | 3.5–7% | Tart, fruity, sometimes lacto-acid tang | Last |
Sensory tasting tips: how to taste like a pro (without pretense)
Tasting beers is about paying attention to five elements: appearance, aroma, body, flavor, and finish. Use short, focused sips. Between each sample, rinse your palate with water or a plain cracker so flavors don’t carry over.
Look: appearance and clarity
Note the color, clarity, and head retention. Hazy beers will hide some detail but emphasize aroma; clear beers reveal their malt color and filtration.
Smell: aroma first
Swirl gently and inhale; hops, yeast, malt toast, and adjuncts like fruit or vanilla will appear in the nose before the sip. Aroma strongly shapes flavor expectations.
Sip: taste and mouthfeel
Take a small sip and move the beer across your tongue. Notice bitterness, sweetness, fruitiness, and any roasty or sour notes. Also note mouthfeel—thin, silky, full, or creamy.
Finish: aftertaste and balance
Does the beer finish clean, resinous, sweet, or lingering? Judges of balance include how bitterness, sweetness, acidity, and alcohol interplay as the beer ends.
How to read a tap list and make quick decisions
When you’re at the bar, the tap list often shows beer name, style, and ABV. Prioritize style and ABV for an initial decision. If you like certain hop flavors (pine, citrus, tropical), ask the bartender which IPAs feature those profiles. If you prefer malt complexity, look for amber, brown, or porter/stout listings.
A simple tasting note template you can use
Use this mini-template to remember what you liked or didn’t like.
| Field | Example / Prompt |
|---|---|
| Beer name | |
| Style | |
| ABV | |
| Appearance | Color, clarity, head |
| Aroma | Hops, malt, yeast, adjuncts |
| Taste | Sweet, bitter, sour, roasted |
| Mouthfeel | Light, medium, full, creamy |
| Finish | Clean, lingering, bitter, tart |
| Score (1–10) |
Fill this out between beers so you have a useful record for buying cans or coming back for a second round.
Food pairings: match flavors to amplify both beer and food
The right pairing can open new flavors in both the beer and your dish. Below are approachable pairing ideas that work well with many brewery menus or food trucks.
| Beer Style | Pairing Suggestions | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Pilsner / Lager | Grilled chicken, soft cheese, fish tacos | Cleanses fat, highlights delicate flavors |
| Wheat / Hefeweizen | Light salads, seafood, citrus-based dishes | Complements the beer’s yeast-driven fruitiness |
| Pale Ale | Burgers, pizza, spicy food | Hops cut through richness and match savory notes |
| IPA | Curry, buffalo wings, sharp cheeses | Hop bitterness balances spicy or strong flavors |
| Amber / Red Ale | Barbecue, roasted pork, caramelized onions | Malt sweetness echoes roasted flavors |
| Brown Ale | Sausages, roasted root vegetables, nut-based desserts | Nutty, toasty malt supports roasted flavors |
| Porter / Stout | Oysters, chocolate desserts, smoked meats | Roasted notes pair with char and chocolate |
| Sour / Fruited | Salads with vinaigrette, fruit desserts, coastal dishes | Acidity brightens flavor and refreshes palate |
Seasonal and limited releases: what they mean and how to find them
Breweries like Great Frontier typically rotate beers based on seasons—lighter lagers and fruit-forward beers in warmer months, heartier stouts and barrel-aged beers in colder months. Limited releases might be one-offs, collaborations, or barrel-aged beers released at special events.
How to track seasonal and limited beers
Follow the brewery’s social accounts, sign up for their email list, or check beer community apps for real-time tap updates. If a beer is limited, consider asking the staff about quantities and whether it’s available to go.
Buying beer to go: cans, crowlers, and growlers
If you find a beer you love, check whether the taproom sells cans, crowlers (32 oz can fills), or growlers (64 oz or larger). Cans and crowlers are best for freshness; growlers are fine for same-day consumption but can lose carbonation faster.
Storage tips for to-go beer
Keep beer out of direct sunlight, refrigerate as soon as possible, and consume hop-forward beers within a few weeks to preserve hop aroma. Barrel-aged or high-ABV beers generally age better and can be cellared following proper guidance from the brewery.
Ordering rare or barrel-aged beers
Barrel-aged and special-release beers often have limited quantities and specific release dates. If you want a bottle or can of a barrel-aged release, ask about sign-up lists, special release events, or pre-orders. Many breweries limit purchases to one or a few units per person to ensure broader distribution.
Making the most of brewery events and tastings
Breweries often host special events—tap takeovers, tasting nights, food pop-ups, or live music. Attending these events gives you a chance to try beers that aren’t always on tap or to taste new releases first.
How to plan for events
Check the brewery’s calendar and arrive early for popular events. Bring a group if you want to split flights and sample more beers without getting too tipsy.
Accessibility and courtesy in the tasting room
Be polite to staff and other patrons. Ask questions about beers you’re curious about; staff enjoy describing their beers and helping match you to something you’ll like. If you’re unsure about accessibility or seating, contact the taproom ahead of your visit for specifics.
Sample tasting scenarios and recommended flights
Below are three sample flights you can suggest to a bartender or build yourself from a tap list. They’re arranged to sharpen your sense of contrast and progression.
| Flight Type | Suggested Sequence | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New-to-craft sampler | Pilsner → Wheat Ale → Pale Ale → Hazy IPA | Gentle introduction to grain, yeast, and hop variety |
| Hop-head flight | Session IPA → West Coast IPA → Double IPA → Hazy IPA | Compare bitterness, resinous pine, and tropical hop characters |
| Dark-beer exploration | Brown Ale → Porter → Oatmeal Stout → Imperial Stout | Track roast intensity, chocolate and coffee notes, and body |
Comparing hop-forward beers: what to listen for
If hops are your interest, compare beers by aroma intensity, bitterness (IBU), hop variety descriptors (citrus vs pine vs tropical), and body. Notice whether the hop character is floral, resinous, citrusy, or stone-fruit–like. Hazy IPAs emphasize hop aroma without strong bitterness, while West Coast–style IPAs emphasize bright hop bitterness and clear presentation.
How to evaluate barrel-aged beers and sours
Barrel-aged beers often show oak, vanilla, bourbon, or wine-like characters depending on what the barrel previously held. Sours may have lactic tartness, Brettanomyces funk, or fruit additions. Approach these beers with small sips and consider pairing them with complementary food to see how flavors change.
Safety and responsible drinking
Pace yourself when sampling multiple beers. Use water between samples and eat food while tasting. If you’re driving, plan a safe ride home or use a rideshare service.
Questions to ask the staff that improve your experience
Asking a few targeted questions helps you get a flight you’ll enjoy. Useful questions include:
- “Which beers are your flagship / most popular right now?”
- “Which tap would you recommend for someone who likes [citrus hops / roasty coffee / tart fruit]?”
- “Do you have any limited releases or cans available to go today?”
Notes on beer terminology you may see
Understanding a few common terms will help decode menus:
- “Session” = lower ABV, drinkable over several beers
- “Double / Imperial” = higher ABV and more intense flavor
- “Hazy / NEIPA” = soft mouthfeel, juicy hop notes, less bitterness
- “Barrel-aged” = matured in wooden barrels for additional complexity
- “Fruited” = brewed with fruit additions or adjuncts
If you want to bring a group
Groups can sample many beers by combining flights and sharing notes. Consider ordering a few different flight types and swapping tasters so everyone gets a sense of each beer. This is also a great way to decide which cans or crowlers to buy to take home.
How to document favorites and follow up
When you find beers you like, note the name, style, and whether a can or crowler is available. Follow the brewery on social media or subscribe to their mailing list so you know when favorites are restocked or when similar styles are released.
A short checklist to take with you
- Ask staff what’s on tap and request a sample of unknown beers
- Start with lighter beers and progress to heavier or more intense flavors
- Rinse your palate with water between samples
- Use the tasting template to record notes
- Buy cans/crowlers of favorites if available
- Check the brewery’s channels for upcoming releases and events
Final tips and a gentle nudge toward enjoying the moment
Sampling at Great Frontier Brewing Company is as much about atmosphere and conversation as it is about beer. Allow yourself to taste with curiosity rather than judgment—trying a beer you think you won’t like can sometimes reveal surprising nuances. Be mindful of pacing, ask questions, and take home what you love.
If you’d like, I can draft a printable tasting sheet tailored to your preferences (hop-forward focus, dark-and-roasty focus, or balanced styles) or suggest a sample flight based on specific flavor preferences you tell me. Which approach would you prefer for your next visit?