Shoes & Brews

Longmont, Colorado

Combining two passions led to the creation of this hybrid bar and nanobrewery. Cool your heels with a pint or outfit your feet for the next run so you can earn future beers. This bar has you covered.

What it is:

Whether Shoes & Brews is a shoe store with a beer bar in the back or a taproom with a running store up front depends on your perspective (and which door you enter). Shoes & Brews was founded by some beer-loving runners from Colorado State University, and their passions are fifty-fifty as both halves of the operation are taken quite seriously and appeal to the consumer who loves only one of the facets. So even if you’re averse to moving faster than walking, the twenty-tap bar and nanobrewery (there are always two to four house-brewed beers on draft) are just your speed.

Why it’s great:

The focus on all the wares is hyperlocal. You’ll find shoes from Colorado’s shoe manufacturer (Newton Running) but not the biggie with the swoosh. Likewise, all the taps are devoted to Colorado breweries, and they even have a fan-turned-employee who carts in his single-barrel system to brew anything he wants, such as a Lime-coconut IPA or Norwegian gruit. Wednesdays and Thursdays, they host social runs (starting and, more importantly, finishing at the bar). The patio is for everyone, including kids and canines. —Brian Yaeger DETAILS Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Monday–saturday; 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday Address: 63 S. Pratt Pkwy., Unit B, Longmont, CO Web: Shoesbrews.com