I am heading to Denver, CO soon and was wondering if any one down there might know of a good shop or roastery I should hit up while I am there. I'll be staying with folks who know the area pretty well and will have internet access, so I am really just looking for a few names to check out. Any help's appreciated.

Lynn

You should really check out Novo. They have a retail space at the Denver Art Museum and you can sample some great SO espresso and also experience some brewed coffee off of a Clover if you have not yet done so. I mention their spot at the museum because it's also worth checking out the new Hamilton Building. They have a kiosk in there, and they also have a more complete shop across the walkway in the Duncan Pavilion.

Then there's Calders coffee at Wadsworth and Bowles.

If you can get up to Boulder, go to Joe's at the 2500 block of 30th.

I was in Aspen last week. A cafe called Ink! with 6 odd stores in the Dener area has a pretty good light roast blend that seems fairly immune to the usual high-school PBTC abuses, and makes a solid, although not spectacular, shot. At the Aspen store, they had one fairly competent barista who pulled what I'd regard as a good to very good shots from it.

another_jim wrote:I was in Aspen last week. A cafe called Ink! with 6 odd stores in the Dener area has a pretty good light roast blend that seems fairly immune to the usual high-school PBTC abuses, and makes a solid, although not spectacular, shot. At the Aspen store, they had one fairly competent barista who pulled what I'd regard as a good to very good shots from it.

Yeah, I've been to that Aspen shop. There is a shop down here (Colorado Springs) who use their espresso blend ... I dig it.

Novo has a good reputation here in Denver.

Stellas in South Denver is a place that is busy most of the time.

If you want an honest assessment of the 'coffee scene' here in Denver, from someone who has lived here thirty two years, and who enjoys fine espresso and coffee, unfortunately it's less than stellar.

Enjoy the town, go to Wash Park for a nice walk, head to Boulder for some ambiance, rent some snowshoes and head to the Indian Peaks Wilderness above Boulder or Rocky Mountain National Park and have fun.

I too have heard good things from Novo. I live a couple hours east of Denver, but my Sister lives in Denver. I keep trying to find time to go there, but have not. Just looking from the outside looking in every once in a while I have not seen or heard much about good coffee houses in Denver.

Lynn, not to change subject because this is the same question in reverse. My wife is from East Helena and most of her family is still there. We try to make the trip at least once a year. It is exactly 1000 miles from my driveway to her dads in East Helena. Any place to enjoy coffee in Helena?

Just like to say thanks for the response everyone. I'm going to do my best to hit up as many of these places as I can.

to Cody.
There are a few passable places here in the Helena area, though as usual they are dependent on who is pulling the shots. The places I frequent I know the people behind the counter and I know who is going to get me the shots I want. So with that said here are my favored coffee joints.
1. The General Merchantile! They have a good espresso blend that is never older than about seven-nine days (including 2 days rest). The owner pulls great shots as does the young woman who works mornings during the week. I get all of my coffee for home use through them including an Italian roast that I adore. Another big plus with this place is the machines they pull from. Two vintage La Pavoni commercial levers. One from the mid fifties and the other circa 1965. Beautiful machines, great ristrettos. (this is where my love affair with lever machines began)
2. The second place that I frequent is Firetower, right across the street from the merch. They roast themselves and again their coffee is as fresh as the merch's. Their espresso blend (Queen City espresso blend) makes a nice balanced shot with some pretty pronounced caramels and chocolate. I always order doubles or ristrettos (never any milk drinks) so I try to only get my shots when my prefered baristi are present.

The third place I get espresso from is where I work, so you can take the next bit with a grain of salt or two if you wish. The Dive Bakery. The two owners are quite capable with espresso and some of my co workers pull decent shots. I tend to pull my own for the most part as that is where all the fun is. It also keeps me honest about my own skills and lets me work on rounding out my tamps or practice new techniques. I am by no means a pro, but I do my best to make sure that I get customers the drinks they want. For all I know your wife's family may have been in.

Hope these help next time you come to town.

Lynn

I'd check out the Kaladi Brothers in Denver, I've yet to make it to Denver to try it but have heard good things. In Boulder I recommend going to the Laughing Goat. Great espresso and a good place to sit and take in Pearl St. Good luck.

Well my trip to Denver went smoothly and safely. Thanks again for the posts and some lines on good coffee. Didn't make it to all these shops, but the few I went to were excellent.
The Laughing Goat in Boulder has a really nice blend, that was quite good as a ristretto. Turns out my brother in law knew a few of the baristas there, which made the coffee experience just that much more enjoyable. Nice three group astoria behind the counter, probably just a few years younger than me.
Hit Novo as well. Must say that I now have dreams of a Clover. That is one amazing machine! Wish there was one in my area. If there were I would be a near permanent fixture.
Again thanks for the response.
Lynn