Breckenridge Brewery's new Amato Ale House will offer beer with a view

By Jonathan Shikes Wed., Apr. 28 2010 at 11:08 AM

Categories: Beer Man, Open and Shut Cases

When Breckenridge Brewery's newest restaurant opens on March 1, 2011 in what is now Amato of Denver, at the corner of 16th and Central streets, it will feature forty Colorado craft beers on tap, along with small plates, seasonal menus, beer dinners, a private events room, a rooftop patio overlooking Denver - and lots of history.

In fact, the place will be called Amato's Ale House by Breckenridge Brewery in order to honor the building, which it bought last month. Amato, which sells concrete garden décor like fountains, statues, birdbaths and planters, has been in the same location since 1947. The family-owned institution is moving up the street one block.

"We want to keep the north Denver theme," says Ron Piscitelli, director of restaurant operations for Breckenridge Brewery, which already has two other locations in Denver, one in Breckenridge and one in Grand Junction. Breckenridge will also decorate the Ale House with fountains from Amato, he says.

Breckenridge picked the location, in part, because of the incredible view of Denver and mountains from the Amato site, which is located across I-25 and the South Platte River from downtown. Construction and renovation will begin in August.

"This will be a little more upscale than a typical brewpub," Piscitelli says, adding that the restaurant is looking to have events with local chefs and beer pairing dinners. It will also feature ice cream flavored with Breck's Oatmeal Stout and Vanilla Porter.

As for parking in what is becoming a tight neighborhood, Piscitelli says Breckenridge is "in the process of securing parking from a local business" and will offer valet as well.