Beer in Boulder has its own zone. Dubbed the “Brewmuda Triangle” by those in the know, East Boulder is home to many of the town’s newest craft breweries.
One of those, BRU, also features a welcome ambiance and exceptional food. With brewing equipment proudly on display behind plate glass windows that encompass most of one wall, BRU embraces the art of pairing craft beer and good food. It’s a deliciously winning combination.
BRU is located in a strip mall (yet again) that hides an amazing interior decor. There are plants hung on walls in mason jars, warm earth tones and pillows put on the benches for comfort. In addition to small tables and a front patio dining area, BRU also has a bar area and very special chef seats perched on the edge of the open kitchen. It’s common to see seating like this at sushi bars but it’s rare to see in other types of restaurants. The BRU chefs wanted a way to interact with customers and put on a culinary show.
Mission accomplished.
The beer menu is Belgian-heavy, with lots of Belgian yeast and mentions of the style. A favorite, the Citrum IPA, is perfect for hop-lovers. The combination of lemon and juniper increase both the bitterness and the intensity of the beer. All of BRU’s brews are unfiltered and pints cost $5, so come thirsty. And if you can’t make up your mind, you can always choose a flight of 5 sample beers or order the half-pint fun size. Happy hour runs daily from 3-6pm.
Pick a food trend and BRU probably has it on their menu: cured, braised, smoked, roasted, charred & pickled. And all delicious. That’s what you get with a wood-burning oven and talented chefs.
They serve sandwiches and pizzas that sound gourmet but simply taste divine. With thick-sliced pepperoni, duck confit and arugula as pizza toppings, even the snobbiest of Boulder palates will find something to like. Two very interesting things to notice in the list of ingredients for different salads: buttermilk shaved ice and flan. Nicely played, BRU.
The BRU crew, recognizable from their many years in the downtown Boulder restaurant scene, built the tables, poured the concrete and did most of the restaurant construction themselves. They are excited to be a part of a growing brew scene that makes beer in Boulder an exciting part of the local culture.
As Tabby, general manager of BRU, said, “The support that we’ve received from the local brewing community has been overwhelming. By banding together off the beaten path in East Boulder, we’re building a tight-knit group of breweries. That’s definitely something to be excited about.”
Cheers to that!
