A new brewery has recently hit the Denver metro area. The Bent Barley is a majority veteran-owned beer tasting room located in the Southlands shopping area in southeast Aurora. Because it is only a tasting room, the Bent Barley only provides snacks such as popcorn. This is not a problem, because there are a ton eating establishments located all over Southlands, and you are encouraged to bring your chow into the brewery.
Because this brewery is so new (it just opened in November of 2018) it definitely has a new brewery smell about it. Everything is so shiny and new that it doesn’t have that comfy “lived in” feel yet. Not to fret though, because their beers are so tasty I foresee The Bent Barley being around for quite a long time.
I sampled their American Wheat (4.9% ABV, 26 IBU) which was, in my opinion, just o.k. It was a little more dry and hoppy than I prefer in a wheat beer. I wouldn’t complain if someone bought it for me, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy one. Meh.
Their Amber red ale (6.4%ABV, 35 IBU), on the other hand, was outstanding. Smooth, malty (with just a hint of sweetness) and refreshing, this a brew that if it were distributed I purchase on a regular basis. Very tasty!
As of right now the Bent Barley offers several options in three categories: Easy Drinking, Malty/Dark, and for the masochists, a veritable plethora of IPAs. So, should you be find yourself near the Southeast part of the Denver metro area, I highly recommend stopping in and sampling a brew or two.
