RiNo Self-Guided Brewery Tour

River North district is filled with two of my favorite things… art and beer. I only had a day to explore, so scheduling out which breweries I wanted to visit was super important! After a few Google searches and some Yelp digging, I pieced together a self-guided brewery tour for my Denver trip. In about four hours, we visited five different breweries, all unique in their own way. Since we traveled as a pair, we thought it would be best to just order flights or tasters at each location and share. By the end of the day, we tried 18 different brews! Block off an afternoon to taste your way through craft beer heaven!

Click here for a list of breweries in the RiNo district.

1. 10 Barrel Brewing

Alright, let’s do this. They had TONS of beers to choose from. We decided to get their flight of 5 tasters. They even had a flight of 10, but this self-guided brewery tour is a marathon, not a sprint. My favorite brew was the Sideways Lightning Hefe. I don’t think this is on their brew list anymore, but try my close second, S1NIST0R, a black ale with hints of coffee and chocolate.

2. Our Mutual Friend

We walked to our next stop, OMF! You can’t miss this brewery, just look for the bright, colorful murals and outdoor patio. Behind the bar, they have color-coded shelves filled with books and knickknacks, how rad is that? It does get crowded, but they have a great selection of beer. My absolute favorite was their Yonksbier Nitro Stout! I suggest trying their other stouts too! (“Ok we get it Archel, you love dark beer.”)

Snack Break:  if you get hungry, carb up at Shake Shack before drinking at Odell. We ordered some chicken nuggets and fries with honey mustard dipping sauce, the perfect meal to soak up all the alcohol. 

3. Odell Brewing Co

After eating, we hopped over next door to Odell. They have plenty of space, a rooftop patio, and a bar on each floor. Their bartenders were very friendly and noticed we weren’t from the area. They took their time to find out what kind of styles we liked and poured a few tasters for us.  I did my research beforehand and really wanted to try their Cloud Catcher milkshake IPA. I’m not usually an IPA drinker, but this was definitely one for the books. Made with lactose, notes of creamsicle and peach, it tasted just like summer. 

4. Epic Brewing

We had a good buzz going, and it was time to head over to our next place, Epic Brewing. They have an impressive tap list and it’s divided by styles to help you choose. If you have no idea where to start, they had a section of just flights. We ended up ordering the staff picks flight, we were open to anything. To my surprise, my favorite of the four was their tiki-style sour - hints of pineapple, coconut, almond, and orange. Maybe I just like everything that reminds me of Hawaii. Beer included.

5. Stem Ciders

We scootered to our final stop, Stem Ciders. After tasting a bunch of beers, we decided to shake things up and end on a sweeter note. First, their Rose Apple Cider, a blend of off-dry cider and red wine. Second, their special release lavender cider. I believe they only make this during the summer months, but if you are lucky enough to catch this release, try it! They also were serving frozen ciders, we were done drinking though, otherwise, it would've been perfect for the summer heat!

We survived, but we were hungry. We started early enough and managed our time wisely, so we scootered over to Super Mega Bien for happy hour! Known for the Latin-fusion dim sum and refreshing Tinto de niros, it was the perfect way to end our brewery tour. They showcase their small plates on a cart and you get to pick choose what you’d like to try. The best part? During happy hour, all dishes were $6. Ask your server if they are serving their lamb carnitas steamed buns! 

BONUS TIP: Before our trip, I bought a Nalgene water bottle to stay hydrated, especially during our brewery tour. It’s super lightweight for traveling and holds a decent amount of water. Make sure to collect stickers at every stop! Some breweries just have them lying around, but if they don’t, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Once you find a sticker, apply it to your water bottle. It’s a cheap and memorable souvenir! 

2 Days in Denver, CO

It’s been one of my goals this year to go on more weekend trips, and Denver has been on my bucket list for a while! Denver was a short flight from OC, so we caught a late flight on Friday after work. If you’re just staying in the city, you don’t need a rental car, if you want to save some money use rideshare apps and scooters, and exercise by walking! Here’s a little recap of our weekend trip — food, beer, concerts, and more. 

Getting Downtown: If your accommodation is near Union Station, take the train from he airport! If it’s not walkable, then I suggest calling an uber/lyft. Make sure sure you take a look at surge pricing. We waited half an hour after our flight and the price went down about $30.

D A Y 1

1. Breakfast at Denver Biscuit Company 

Guys, calories don’t count when you’re on vacation. Denver Biscuit Company has multiple locations, so plan according to your route. Make sure to stop by here to try their freshly baked, buttermilk biscuit sandwiches. They have an unlimited self-serve coffee bar, the hardest part was to pick which mug I wanted to use! Get the Franklin - fried chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese smothered in sausage gravy, and don’t forget an egg! For the perfect combination of savory and sweet, get the Lola with biscuit French Toast. This sandwich was stacked with fried chicken, bacon, honey butter, and covered in maple syrup! 

2. Explore Colfax St. 

After breakfast, walk around and explore some of the shops on Colfax Street. On your stroll, make sure to take a peek at the alleyways, you’ll find some murals that make an IG-worthy background. We visited some notable shops while waiting for our table at DBC. Check out Little Lula Rose, a cute flower shop that hosts workshops and also brews coffee! Across the street is a mystical store called Spirit Ways, where they sell all sorts of crystals and things of that nature. There’s also a dispensary called Groundswell on this street! 

3. City Park

Take a short walk to City Park, if you have time there are plenty of things to do here like bike around the lake, or rent a swan boat. If you have kids, the Denver Zoo and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science are located in the park too! 

4. Museum of Contemporary Art

Small open floor plan, but worth a visit! For those that appreciate different forms of art, you’re in for a treat. They have rotating exhibits, views of downtown Denver, and a rooftop cafe. 

5. The Dairy Block

Located next to the Maven Hotel, the Dairy Block is a food hall marketplace that celebrates unique food, experiences, and art. Everywhere you turn, you find a different style of decor! We didn’t eat anything here, but it’s a fun place to take photos and window shop. Stop by the giant milk can art at the end of the alley.

Pro Tip: Scooters are everywhere in Denver. It’s almost the same price as taking an UberPool but 100x more fun. We decided to use them to take us to our next destination. Also on your way to Little Man, stop by REI, it’s HUGE!

6. Little Man Ice Cream

Look for a giant cream can and a long line, there you’ll find hand-crafted ice cream that you won’t want to miss. With plenty of outdoor seating, it’s such a cute place to hang out while you indulge in a classic dessert. Splurge and get a waffle cone (you can smell this from across the street) and double scoops! We tried 16th St. Chocolate and Salted Caramel.

7. Forest Room 5

Outdoor, forest, camping vibe done right. When you step into this magical bar, there’s plenty of seating inside with wood details and a rad collection of kitsch knickknacks lining the back of the bar. They also have a vending machine filled with old books, how cool is that? Stop by right when happy hour starts and order they huckleberry lynx and bear heaven cocktails for $6. Once your drinks are ready, venture to the outdoor section. Pick a seat next to the fire pits, on a wooden stool, or in the teepee as you enjoy the great outdoors in the middle of downtown Denver. 

8. Linger

Finish your drinks and get to Linger 15 minutes before they open. There will be a line, but it’s worth the wait if you want a nice spot on the rooftop lounge. This spot used to be a mortuary before they gave it a new life and turned into a bar and restaurant! When you get to the rooftop you order from a little food truck, and bring your number to your seat. If you’re there on a hot day I suggest getting one of their frozen cocktails, like a prickly Pear Margarita or a Pineapple Whip. We also grubbed on some steamed bao buns and Korean bbq tacos while we enjoyed the view of downtown. 

9. Red Rocks Amphitheater 

We finally got to cross this off our bucket lists. Make sure to arrive before sunset so you can view the amphitheater and rock formations before it gets dark. Music just sounds better here, and with elevated rows, every seat is a good seat. If you’re in Denver, make sure you add a concert into your itinerary. Once the sun sets, you start to see the city light behind the stage, everyone is vibing, it's truly magical. 

D A Y 2

1. Sam’s No. 3

We started our second day with a filling breakfast from Sam’s No. 3 right in the heart of downtown. They have a large menu and huge portions. You’ll be stuffed! So what to order…. when in Denver, get a Denver omelet. It’s made with 4 farm fresh eggs and comes with potatoes and toast! 

2. Denver Central Market

Before starting our self-guided beer tour, we needed to eat as much as possible. So we headed to the RiNo district and ate again at Denver Central Market. It’s an open marketplace with gourmet food vendors and even a bar. If you’re traveling with other people, I suggest ordering from different stalls so that you can try a variety of dishes. I had a RINO morning bowl from izzio bakery, which included a piece of freshly baked bread. We also ordered a porchetta platter with fries and roasted vegetables from SK Provisions.

3. Brewery Hop in RiNo

River North district is filled with two of my favorite things… art and beer. Make sure to do some research and figure out which breweries you’d like to visit! We spent a good 4 hours on our self-guided brewery tour and we visited 5, so block off a whole afternoon for this. Since we traveled as a pair, we thought it would be best to just order flights or tasters at each location and share. By the end of the day, we had tried about 18 different brews! Here are the ones we stopped at-- 10 Barrel Brewing, Our Mutual Friend, Odell Brewing Co, Epic Brewing, and Stem Ciders. Pro tip: if you get hungry, carb up at shake shack before drinking at Odell. Make sure to collect stickers at every stop! 

4. Super Mega Bien 

After all that good beer, we were ready for dinner. We scootered our way to Super Mega Bien, a super rad Latin Asian fusion dim sum restaurant. After all that beer we needed something different and refreshing, so we both got a Tinto de Niro. To our surprise, we made it just in time for happy hour, which meant all items on their dim sum menu were only $6! We loved the concept of the dim sum cart. The server that came around to each table explained each dish and you were given a visual before grabbing your desired plate off the cart. Everything was absolutely delicious, but our favorite was the lamb carnitas steam buns (only available on Sundays.) They also change their menu up, so I hope they still have these so you can try them too! 

5. Larimer Square

This street is lined with shops and restaurants, but what everyone comes to see are all the string lights. We got there before sunset so it was still light out, but it was amazing to see.

6. 16th St Mall

Unfortunately, we got there too late, all the stores close early on a Sunday night. So if shopping is a must on your list, go earlier! It’s still a cool place to walk around (the street is closed to regular traffic!)

7. FTW Denver

To finish off our Denver trip we had some fun at FTW, a large arcade where we got to play some skee ball, ticketed games and more. We ended up winning one jackpot and took home some stuffed toys for our dog.

Sushi Mafia Insider Workshop

We all wish for similar things, success, wealth, and happiness. How about traveling to Japan and taking a sushi making class? There was a little girl, who was also in our Sushi Mafia Insider Workshop that made this wish on her birthday... and it came true. Knowing that kids out there are seeking experiences like this, makes me happy. When you take a class like this you will appreciate sushi so much more, especially when you go back home after traveling. We learned about the sushi making process, how to properly eat sushi, and got to sear our own fish. We were stuffed by the end of the class!

We started the class with some appetizers and cups of sake (additional cost) We cheered with everyone in the group, toasting to an amazing experience ahead. The staff included a few chefs and guides that helped us through the process, they first showed us what wasabi root looked like before it’s ground up and served. They vigorously scraped the root on a dried shark skin paddle, and when it was ready we had a little taste. Then they showed us how they create sushi rice. In a large wooden container, they added vinegar to the rice and started “cutting” and mixing it. They were placed on the table for us to use.

Next, they displayed a chalkboard listing the seven types of fish were going to work with. Loved the variety included in the class: three different cuts of tuna (lean, medium, and fatty), swordfish, salmon, barracuda, sea bream, and octopus. The fish was already pre-cut for use, so we didn’t have to handle any knives. Now it was time to assemble our own sashimi. First, you take the sushi rice in your right hand and shape it like a rounded rectangle. Then you take a piece of fish into your left hand and add a dab of wasabi. Then you put the rice on the fish and flip it so that the sashimi is right side up. Then you take your index and middle finger and use them to shape the ends of the sashimi. We completed our beautiful platter of colorful sashimi and it was time to finally eat our creation!

We also learned how to eat sushi the correct way. Pick up the piece with your chopsticks, flip it to its side, and then dip the fish side into the soy sauce. When you do it this way, the rice won’t get soaked and break. You can also eat sushi with your hands! They also gave us another platter of sushi that the chef made during the demonstration. So much more professional looking than ours!

Seared sushi is becoming more popular in modern sushi restaurants around the world. All you need is a dash of salt and pepper and a torch and you have sushi that melts in your mouth! Everyone in the class had a chance to hold the torch and sear their own sushi. We also got to try a roasted rice ball!

I’m sure we ate more than 20 pieces of sushi during our class, so it was so worth it! We learned so much about sushi and have a new appreciation for the art. Big thank you to the chefs that run this class, they were willing to share their skills and spread their love of sushi to the world. Definitely book a class if you plan on traveling to Japan before you dine at some of the best sushi restaurants. You’ll never look at sushi the same way! Thank you Sushi Mafia!