A dozen new breweries on tap for the Denver Metro area by spring 2013

Brewery Rickoli
Wheat Ridge
Opening: Late 2012 (tentative)
Rick Abitbol, who was been brewing professionally on the Front Range for years, is opening his own spot in Wheat Ridge, where he plans to feature "extremely hoppy IPAs, rich stouts, malty reds and browns, and, of course. barley wine style ales." Some of the beers he has planned are Totally EYE-P-A, which is similar to other IPAs; Aldo Red, a fuller-bodied version of an altbier; Social Lubricant, a Scotch ale; Hearty Rye Stout; Disturbed Reflection Double IPA; and the Black Pliny, an intense imperial black IPA.

Hall Brewing
Parker
Opening: Late 2012 or early 2013
Led by Aubrey Hall, Hall Brewing plans to do everything by hand, from the beer to the construction of its 4,000-square-foot beetle-kill pine-made brewery. The family-owned business is being constructed on the family farm. Hall will have a twenty-barrel system with space for upgrades to forty barrels and barrel-aging.

J Wells Brewery
2516 49th Street
Boulder
Opening: Late 2012
Jamie Wells and his wife, Lisa, have been planning and saving money for three years in order to open their nanobrewery in Boulder. Wells assembled the brewery equipment himself on the aftermarket and is currently awaiting final permitting approval from the state. He plans to make several styles, including his Hop Haze IPA and Lights Out Stout, a Russian imperial stout.

Lost Highway Brewing
Denver
Opening: Late 2012 (tentative)
Named for Route 40 (otherwise known as Colfax Avenue), Lost Highway Brewing is the creation of James and Tina Pachorek, who own the Cheeky Monk Belgian Beer Cafe next door, as well as two other Cheeky Monk locations. Originally known as Three Saints, the place got a name change to avoid a trademark issue. When it opens, Lost Highway will serve cheese and charcuterie plates along with a wide variety of beers brewed with a seven- or ten-barrel system.