Trying out Ball Brewing in Glenwood Springs

There’s something exciting about a small town getting a new brewery. At least, that’s how it feels to me.

As of February, Glenwood Springs has opened its beer-loving arms to Ball Brewing, located south of town by the ReStore. It was a bit of a surprise when I was driving along the highway and saw a new sign—if I didn’t happen to look over to the right at that instant, I probably would’ve missed it. And that would’ve been a shame.

The other day, Chad and I made our first visit to the new brewery. We enjoyed ourselves, along with the space, décor, and the beer. It ticks so many of our boxes, and I’m happy about having a new spot to congregate.

The Space

Ball Brewing is housed in a nice, open warehouse-like space. It’s big, with massive ceilings and plenty of room to roam. There are lots of tables and several seats at the bar, so even a packed house could be accommodating.

Décor-wise, things are fresh and trendy though simple and clean. The bathrooms are super nice and built to last. Overall, the space at Ball is pretty minimalist, especially since they don’t serve food; this also allows for a dog-friendly space (we saw at least five pups). There’s a shuffle board lining one of the walls, skee-ball and foosball in the back, and chalkboard-painted walls in the back room if you’re feeling active or creative.

Plus, Ball Brewing also has a home-brewing supply section, so you can buy supplies if you want to make your own batch of beer at home. I know that Chad will be all about this, especially when we have a home with extra storage space for brewing supplies.

The Beer

Now for the good stuff. Though breweries can be enjoyed for a plethora of reasons—great menus, ambiance, party spaces, etc.—the truest test of character lies in the beer. In some cases, breweries have one or two house-made beers, and either collaborate with or include other brewery beers on tap. For example, you might see a “guest sour” on the drink list.

We were happily impressed by a wide variety of Ball Brewing beers, made in-house, along with several local collaborations. Plus, the prices aren’t too shabby. Their on-tap menu is available online here, if you’d like to check it out.

During our initial visit, Chad and I both decided to order a flight—four pours of our own choosing, 4 oz. of beer in each. This was a great way to sample and explore different flavors and get a good sense of what Ball Brewing has to offer. As it turns out, they have quite a lot to offer; their beer hit the spot.

My flight included Captain Ron, a pale ale with a tropical flavor and fruity aroma; Spotted Elk, similar to Wisconsin’s Spotted Cow, which is a delightful cream ale; Slopeside Pale Ale, a mildly hoppy brew that is easy drinking for those of us who aren’t the biggest fans of IPAs; and a pineapple hard seltzer, which is brewed in-house and tastes absolutely delicious—fresh and crisp.

I enjoyed every single drink immensely, and was especially impressed that I could add a seltzer into the mix. Next time, I’m excited to try their two pear-infused beers that ran out (they must be good) and their stout options. Though they didn’t have any sour beers, I’ll cross my fingers for a later addition.

Overall

Glenwood Springs beer is low in quantity but high in quality, as seen with award-winning Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub and the world-ranked Casey Brewing and Blending. Ball Brewing is a happy addition, with a fantastic atmosphere, friendly staff, and a beer list that is worth diving into.

If you’re in the area, head down Highway 82 and make a worthy stop at Ball Brewing. Bring snacks, your dog, some buddies, and enjoy.

Ball Brewing

Website: www.ballbrewing.com
Address: 7025 Highway 82, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Food: No
Dogs: Yes. Please note: if you bring your dog, it’s always a good idea to keep them on their leash and by your side, rather than letting them free-roam.