Big Choice Brewing [Photos: Adam Larkey]
For the Front Range beer drinker, picking a brewery is like stealing toys from a toddler — it’s pretty easy. That is, unless you’re in culinary wasteland of Broomfield. But for Boulder-natives Tyler Ruse and Nathaniel Mill, Broomfield is the perfect place for a brewery, and today they’re hoping to prove it when Big Choice Brewing opens its doors at 4 p.m., right after a formal ribbon-cutting.
Bromance is an appropriate description for Ruse and Mill’s friendship. They grew up in the same town, played in the same band, flipped burgers at the same McDonald’s, attended CU-Boulder together, were stationed with Colorado Army National Guard, and now they’re opening a brewery together. The 20-year friendship is the core of their brewing operations — much like we’ve seen with Patrick and Charlie at Denver Beer Co. And similarly, they’re focusing on the neighborhood feel, sourcing as local as possible and inviting local food trucks to feed their patrons.
The taproom itself spans 1400 square feet extending to a second floor where the mezzanine perched above, and the bartops all made from the reclaimed Celebrity Sport’s bowling alleys. With a tap line-up of eight beers, Big Choice will have four standard beers and four pilot beers. For the grand opening today, the IPA, Red Ale, Saison, and Poblano Stout will pioneer the selection. With a predominantly hop-forward style, the Red Ale is no different, posting a higher IBU at 84 than the IPA, a traditionally “hoppy” beer at 45 IBU. Their take on the farmhouse style beer, the Saison clocks in at a drinkable 5% ABV. The Poblano Stout is a basic oatmeal stout with roasted poblanos introduced at the very end, which yields a beer that’s not necessarily spicy, just smokey.
The opening ceremony kicks off with a ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. and drinking ensues after. It’s $1 off pints with growler deals in the mix. Saturday is the big block party, with extended hours from 11a.m.-10p.m. There will be food trucks, music, beer and event bouncy castles — for the kids, of course.
A word on the name Big Choice: It’s a tribute to Ruse and Mill’s love for punk, after the California punk band Face to Face. Forr the less-than-knowledgeable of the punk universe, Ruse and Mill will refrain from a punk-heavy taproom playlist. “We’ll have it in the brewhouse, though, for sure,” Ruse remarks. Power to ‘em.
Written by Jess Hunter, Eater Denver contributor
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