Welcome to American Craft Beer Week (ACBW)!
Every day from May 11 through May 17, we’re telling you a story behind our flagship beers. Check back here every day for story time. Better yet, that day’s beer is $2.00 off a pint, all day long!
Pales and IPAs
Strange Pale Ale – 4.6%
(Gluten Reduced)
Big and hoppy but balanced and incredibly drinkable. Simcoe, Amarillo & Cascade hops.
ACBW Monday’s (May 11) highlighted flagship beer!
This is actually one of Tim’s oldest homebrews, going all the way back to the last century. In an effort to hone his skills as a homebrewer, Tim started brewing and tweaking Strange Pale to dial in the recipe and to practice consistency. Strange Pale was also the first beer tapped at Strange on opening night, May 19, 2010. The hopbill has changed over the years but has always included Cascade and Simcoe. Starting in 2023, all of the Cascade has come from Billy Goat Hop Farm outside of Montrose. Tim likes to keep the ABV low on this beer, so he has something to drink when he’s beertending.
Breakfast Grapefruit IPA – 6.5%
(Gluten Reduced)
Start your day off right, with a glass of grapefruit, IPA that is. This citrus hop bomb using Citra and Amarillo hops is just what the doctor ordered!
ACBW Wednesday’s (May 12) highlighted flagship beer!
Breakfast was one of the first One Barrel Wednesday* brews that regulars insisted should be brewed again. And again. And again. Originally brewed for Strange’s 3rd Anniversary as a collaboration with Tim’s good friend Harry Smith from Black Sky Brewing, Breakfast Grapefruit IPA has been Strange’s #1 selling beer since summer of 2013. Tim often gets yelled at during beer festivals when a coffee beer enthusiast realizes there’s no coffee in Breakfast. “Why’d you call it Breakfast?”, they’ll exclaim. To which Tim responds, “When’s the last time you had Grapefruit for dinner?”
*WAIT, WHAT’S ONE BARREL WEDNESDAY?
In Strange’s early days, Tim received many requests to brew weird beers or put strange ingredients in others. So he created One Barrel Wednesday, where each week he’d brew one barrel of something someone requested… He’d pretty much try anything, but a Hazy IPA, so don’t even go there!
1000 Barrels Imperial IPA – 8.7%
2026 Colorado Brewers Cup Bronze Medal Winner
Over 3 lbs of Simcoe, Amarillo, & Summit hop per barrel.
ACBW Friday’s (May 15) highlighted flagship beer!
One day in early January 2013, while filling out TTB reports, Tim realized that a huge milestone was coming up. By the end of the month, they will have brewed 1,000 barrels total since opening in May 2010. Many people don’t realize that Strange started on a 31-gallon (One Barrel) system back in 2010. Brewing five times a week just to produce 155 gallons. Crazy inefficient, but lots of fun! That meant it took a while to reach 1,000 barrels. Well, this was cause for celebration! But what to brew? Rather than pilot a bunch of test batches, Tim decided, “Go big or go home!” Thus, on January 29th, 2013, 1,000 Barrels Imperial IPA was first brewed. The Bronze Medal winning recipe of today is almost exactly the same as that first batch. The IIPA features Summit as the primary hop, rare these days, but Tim has been brewing with it since 2003 or so. Every once in a while Tim gets lucky on his first try!
Sweet 16 West Coast IPA – 6.5%
(Limited Release)
Strange in Denver is celebrating its 16th anniversary! Enjoy this hop-heavy West Coast IPA loaded with Comet, Cascade, and Crystal hops from Billy Goat Hop Farms in Montrose, CO, complete with heavy notes of citrus and lemongrass, and dank undertones.
ACBW Thursday’s (May 13) highlighted flagship beers!
Lagers
River Water American Lager – 4.0%
This light lager, with its refreshing 4.0% ABV, delivers an excellent balance of floral hop notes and a light sweetness.
When Strange finally opened a second taproom/beer garden in Buena Vista, Colorado, Tim knew he needed something for the River Rats (of which Tim is one). BV is a summer haven for rafters, kayakers, and other water sports. Thus, River Water Light American Lager was born. Knowing how well Can I Get A Lime was received in Denver, Tim put the American Lager on tap there as well. But the River Water name didn’t quite fit, and so River Water’s identical twin, Waiting For a Friend came into the world.
*TRIVIA BONUS* Light American Lager is the only Strange Beer that has 3 names: River Water at Strange BV, Waiting For a Friend at Strange Denver, and Strange Light when Tim’s buddy Harry at Black Sky Brewing has it on as a guest tap.
Can I Get a Lime? Mexican Lager – 4.7%
La cerveza artesanal mas fina! Leopold Bros. floor-malted Pilsner malt flaked corn and Tettnang hops.
This beer wasn’t supposed to happen. Tim had wanted to brew a Mexican Lager for a while. But Tyler kept talking him out of it. Finally, deciding he was the boss and would damn well do as he pleased, Tim brewed a batch anyway. And the rest is history. Tim’s not known for following trends, but that first batch of Lime released right around the time beer tastes were trending towards lower ABV, lighter beers. That first 10-barrel batch sold out before Tim could get a second batch finished. To say there were a few angry faces the night that last keg blew would be an understatement. Tim still struggles to keep Lime on tap (lagers take much longer to brew properly) but the results are worth the extra effort.
Belgians
Cherry Kriek Belgian Blonde – 5.0%
World Beer Cup Gold Winner
This Belgian Blonde Ale has 1,500 pounds of Montmorency pie cherries from Traverse City, Michigan. It’s a cherry lover’s dream!
ACBW Saturday’s (May 16) highlighted flagship beer!
When Tim’s daughter Gabriella was born, she entered this world with a tiny mop of red hair on her little head. While Momma and baby spent the night at the hospital, Tim took 3-year-old Casey home, put him to bed, then realized he was too amped up and excited about his new baby girl that sleep was out of the question. So what would any homebrewer do in a similar situation? Brew a beer of course! But not just any beer. “I just had a baby girl! I should brew a beer! But what? I know. I’ll brew a red beer! Red… hmm. Not a Killian’s clone. Not a Fat Tire. I know! I’ll brew a cherry beer!” And thus, at 10:30pm on Thursday, July 12th, Cherry Kriek was born!
Valley of Gold Belgian Saison – 6.0%
Inspired by Tim’s latest trip to Belgium, this brew is reminiscent of so many great beers he has studied while doing his “research”. Its crisp, earthy flavors showcase our house yeast and all its beautiful complexities.
ACBW Sunday’s (May 17) highlighted flagship beer!
Valley of Gold was inspired by Tim’s 2023 trip to Belgium. Having studied hard and done a ton of “research,” he set out to create his Belgian masterpiece. Though Tim didn’t feel like he struck gold, his customers did. They were raving about this amazing new Strange beer. Tim didn’t dare tweak subsequent batches, for fear of retribution. The result is the gorgeous, golden liquid gold that we know and love today. Valley’s crisp, earthy, peppery notes let our Strange house yeast glow in all its beautiful complexities.
Le Bruit du Diable Farmhouse Ale – 8.3%
2026 Colorado Brewers Cup Bronze Medal Winner
Fruity, spicy, malty Belgian Farmhouse that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting on a patio in the Belgian countryside.
ACBW Tuesday’s (May 12) highlighted flagship beer!
Before there was Cherry Kriek, there was Farmhouse. Tim was sitting at the kitchen table contemplating a bottle of Saison d’Epeautre a buddy had brought back from a recent trip to Belgium. On the kitchen counter was the latest issue of Zymurgy homebrew magazine. The lead article basically said, “You know that crud at the bottom of a Belgian beer bottle?, You can brew with that…” Or something to that effect. Well, that was all the inspiration Tim needed to start brewing Belgians. This was sometime back in 2003 or so. But the final iteration of that madness was Le Bruit du Diable (which by the way is Tim’s bastardized attempt to sound Belgian, though Peter Bouckaert cringes every time he hears Tim say it!)
Dark and Malty
Little Mo’ Porter (Guest Tap from Elevation Beer Co) – 6.5%
This Robust Porter is one of Elevation Head Brewer and Co-founder Christian Koch’s first-ever homebrew recipes and is named after a favorite ski run at our local ski resort, Monarch Mountain.
Mon-Cheri Cherry Chocolate Stout – 8.0%
Collaboration between Strange Craft & Breckenridge Brewery
This brew is a smooth, dry stout with hints of chocolate and cherries added for that little something extra.
Dr. Strangelove Barleywine – 12.5%
Hoppy, malty, award-winning American-style Barleywine. Well-balanced American interpretation of the richest and strongest of the English ales.
Specialty Beers
Bourbon BA Cream Ale – 5.5%
(Limited Release)
This special release light, crispy Cream Ale packs a flavor punch. Aged in Colorado bourbon barrels, it drinks easy but brings with it a caramel, vanilla sweetness
Kendrick’s Ale – 5.0%
(Seasonal Release)
Kendrick’s Ale is a Hefeweizen-style beer created by Strange Craft to honor Kendrick Castillo, a hero who sacrificed his life in a 2019 school shooting. It is brewed with Colorado honey, bitter orange peel, banana, and clove, creating a “bittersweet” tribute. You can learn more about the story behind Tim (our partner and brewer) and Kendrick by watching this news story from 2024.
Sours and Seltzers
Jumping the Shark Hard Seltzer – 5.0%
A crisp and refreshing raspberry lime hard seltzer
Mango Tajin Sour – 4.0%
Well balanced Kettle Sour with mango and Tajin
Coming Soon!
Sweet 16 West Coast IPA
On Tap Friday, May 15!
River North Brewery Special Release Guest Bottles
Special Release bottles and cans from the award-winning brewery out of Denver, River North Brewery are available now at our taproom here in BV. These are beers for special occasions and meant to be shared. Ask us for all the details.
Non – Alcoholic and Gluten Free Beer
N/A Beer* (12 oz cans)
Best Day Brewing
Hazy IPA
Kölsch Style
West Coast IPA
Electro Lime Mexican Lager
Athletic NA IPA
Gluten-Free Beer* (12 oz cans)
Holidaily Brewing Co – Golden, CO
Favorite Blonde Ale – 5%
Fat Randy’s IPA – 7%
Riva Stout – 6.5%
Fruited Blonde Ales: Melon, Passionfruit, or Tangerine – 5%
Non – Alcoholic Options
Cup of Joe (your basic bold good cup of coffee)
Hot Chocolate
OLIPOP sodas (a variety of flavors)
Not all NA options are always available.
FOOD!
The Olive Outdoor Kitchen (Voted Best of BV 2025)
Paddler Owned Mediterranean Street Food
Currently open most weekends Fri – Sun, 11am – 7pm
Mon 11am – 4pm
However, these hours may vary based on weather and seasonal activities.
Low Tide Cajun Outdoor Kitchen opening soon.
Full spring/summer hours coming soon.
Sign up for Strange Craft BV’s loyalty program today to earn points towards free beer and more!
We do our best to keep our taplist as current as we can, but beer is fun, so sometimes we might be slacking because it’s much more important to hang out with you than update the menu immediately.
Cheers!
Updated with joy and love on May 17, 2026
For our Denver location tap list, click here