Denver (River North - RiNo), Colorado:
Mockery Brewing Co

Visited on: Saturday 16th June 2018

Bob Thompson

Zach Ruban is the inspiration behind Mockery Brewing. He opened it on 7th November 2014. He had been in the local brewing industry for some time, starting out with Coors.

He also graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He joined Elk Mountain Brewing in Parker, CO, and worked himself up the brewing ladder to achieve the post of Head Brewer. He undertook a further course the Siebel Institute in Chicago.

In early 2014 he left Elk River to set up Mockery after he had purchased the property. As stated above, it opened in the following November. Later, Zach was joined by Justin Bursted, who was able to take over the main brewing duties. Justin is a brewing graduate of the University of California and has worked for Stone Brewing in Escondido, CA and Brewdog of Fraserburgh, Scotland. His last job before Mockery was as Brewmaster for Prospector’s Brewing of Mariposa, CA.

Zach is also assisted by Jason “Woody” Woody who came originally from Columbia, Missouri and moved to Vail, CO, and the well-known ski resort. He became friendly with Zach and now works for him.

The title of the brewery is a reference to the Rhineheitsgebote and the fact that Mockery do not adhere to it. Well, they couldn’t really as they use a lot of additives.

It was a very hot day when Linda and I walked towards the brew-pub (it is only a few minutes walk from the Great Divide Barrel Bar).

We entered the premises at the rear of the building through a patio area with a brightly painted wall. I understand that the pub is very dog friendly. Once inside we easily found the white bar counter on the left with many stools in front.

The brewery’s name is emblazoned in lights on the back wall with the beer menu listed on a chalk board to the right. Then we came across the brewery itself with I believe to be of ten barrels (bbls) capacity. Apart from a small iron gate it is open to the rest of the pub.

Under the windows facing the bar counter there is shelf to enable vertical drinking. The rest of the furniture is modern with black topped tables and red metal seats.

There was quite a range of styles offered: Blue Steel Blonde (5.8%); Inbelievable (sic) Peach Stout (6.5%); Malt Licker (10.5%), an old ale; Japanese Extra Pale Ale (5.6%); Born in Winter (5.6%), an American Pale Ale; Salted Scotch Ale (5.8%), Schizophrenic Narcoleptic Barrel-aged Imperial Coffee Stout (10.2%); Hef Goldblum Hefeweizen (5.1%); Orange Creamsicle Pale Ale 6.2%), an American Pale Ale; Hops in Stereo IPA (6.2%), Dandelion Farmhouse Ale (7.1%) and Holiday Beer Garden Red Ale IPA (Gluten-free) (5.0%).

We tried four of these and this is what we thought of them.

Japanese Extra Pale Ale, this is made with flaked rice, green tea, wildflower honey and it’s not as bad as its description. The only additional ingredient tasted is the green tea. It had medium bitterness in the body yet very little after taste.

Blue Steel Blonde was soft, not very bitter. Probably quite typical for a US blonde ale.

Born in the Winter Pale Ale had a medium bitter taste but not much of an after taste. We thought it was OK. Hops in Stereo IPA was also well liked even though it had only medium bitterness. But there was a good balance and a nice lingering after taste.

We liked Mockery a lot and so recommend it to all.

Important Information:

Mockery Brewing, 3501 Delgany Street, Denver, Colorado 80216. Tel: 303 953 2058
Web: mockerybrewing.com.

Hours: Monday-Thursday 15.00-21.00; Friday 14.00- 23.00; Saturday 12:00-23.00; Sunday 12:00-19.00

RTD Bus 48 is a useful service as it runs along Brighton Boulevard, the heart of this part of RiNo.
From the downtown district it uses Curtis Street on the way out of town and Champa Street on the way in.
On weekdays it is very 30 minutes until 19.00, thereafter every hour.
On Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays it is every thirty minutes till 18.00, thereafter it is hourly.

The stop to use is Brighton Boulevard/35th Street. Walk forward towards 35th Street. Go left into it.
Pass Great Divide Barrel Bar on the corner. The next cross street is Delgany and you find Mockery here.