Denver's Democratic Mayor John Hickenlooper founded this craft brewery in 1988, before its neighborhood became known by the fashionable tag "LoDo." Housed in the J.S. Brown Mercantile building, the business keeps 12 brews on tap at all times and hosts the annual contest to find America's "Beer Drinker of the Year." In 2007, Hickenlooper sold his stake to a trust that represents his chefs, managers, brewers, and other longtime employees.