Prost! Yes, that’s the name of the featured brewery and the classic toast in Germany. No matter how you choose to cheer, there’s something for every type of drinker, even kids, at this local quarto of biergartens.
About 12 years ago Prost opened its first location in LoHi. Since opening the company grew to four biergarten locations, and a new, almost 60,000-square-foot production facility in Northglenn. The same space includes a 10,000-square-foot biergarten, perfect for families, parties, and anyone who wants a solid German-style brew.
“With the core beers we abide by the German purity laws where you can only have four ingredients, malt, hops, yeast, and water,” said Boyd Hoback, the director of biergartens for Prost. In Germany the law goes by the name Reinheitsgebot, and practiced by brewers for over 500 years. “We take it seriously and apply that law by buying hops and malts directly from Germany.”
The beer list proves long, and there are many paths to choose from. Start with the Biergarten Lager, a brew recently awarded with a gold medal at The Brewers Association’s World Beer Cup, also known as the Olympics of beer. Other great beers, or biers, include the slightly spicy Bohemian Pilsner, a malty Maibock, rich and smooth Dunkel, golden Helles, seasonal lagers, and more. Order the beers from small to boot-sized. Though you have to leave a credit card on file in case expensive vessel gets broken or stolen.
When Prost first opened, the brewery was tiny and the whole operation fit inside the LoHi taproom that used traditional copper kettles to make the brews. Prost founder and brewer Bill Eye sold the business to David Deline, now president of Prost, about four years ago. Since then, Deline has expanded the biergartens and constructed a new brewery with larger, more modern equipment and open-fermentation tanks.
“We think because of the technology and the process, the beers are getting better and better,” said Hoback. He added the brewing starts with water purification through an elaborate system. Then comes the traditional schrotmaischen, where the husks are separated from the endosperm and added later in the process. The latter part minimizes bitterness and enhances malty flavors.
The food program came after as well, in the summer of 2021. A5 Steakhouse and Culinary Creative Group chef Max Mackissock oversaw the first iteration and helped develop the menu and recipes. The first sausages and other German foods came from a little food trailer in LoHi. But now, as the operations have grown and the biergartens multiplied, the menu options have shifted as well. The first biergarten in Highland Ranch, said Hoback, the company designed and built from the ground up.
For a sampling of meats, the Sausage Board ($34.95) features a sharable spread of four sausages, potato salad, coleslaw, sauerkraut, mustard, pickles, and veggies. Spaetzle Mac N Cheese ($11.95) is great for younger eaters and those who love a good cheesy pasta featuring pan fried German egg noodles with Black Forest ham. The Currywurst ($12.95) was one of our favorite dishes, served on top of a bed of crispy fries under a snappy knackwurst with curry ketchup drizzled all over.
For those who maybe don’t love German food and beer, there’s plenty of other options too. Outside the LoHi location, which has the smallest space and kitchen, the food menu also consists of wings ($13.95), a Lemon Chicken Bowl ($13.95), Biergarten Burger ($12.95), The Rueben ($14.95), and more. As for picky eaters under the age of 12, for $6.95 each you can order grilled cheese, a hot dog, macaroni and cheese, or chicken tenders.
There’s also drinks for the non beer drinker. Look for cocktails including frozen Margaritas ($10), the Moscow Mule ($11), and the Watermelon Slushy with vodka ($12). And, if you want a shot, keep it German style with a dram of Jägermeister for $5.50. On the zero proof side, look for sodas ($3.25), apple juice boxes ($3), N/A beer ($5.75), homemade lemonade ($5.75), and kombucha in varying sizes, starting at $3.
While right now there are only four locations, in Denver, Highlands Ranch, Fort Collins, and Northglenn, look for a new spot opening up next year in Wheat Ridge. The ultimate goal, said Hoback, is to have seven or eight biergartens in the metro area.
Visit a Prost Brewing Co. location to taste the joy of German beer and food for yourself. Find hours, addresses, and what’s pouring by going to prostbrewing.com.
