Royal Hilltop Tap Room

So, I've been to this establishment several times.  After the first time, I said I wouldn't be back.  The beer wasn't fantastic and the bartender was horrible.  But... since this is the closest bar to my house, i've given it a few more chances.  I think I want to like it more than it deserves, because I generally dislike all those pretentious Denver pseudo pubs and wanna be "dive" bars who still charge $6 a pint or $9 a cocktail and those "craft" bartenders who can't seem to figure out the difference between a Gibson and a Martini (tho most won't be bothered to serve a simple drink like a plain ol' Martini or can't cuz only Appletini's are on their drink menu).  Annnyyyywwwayyyy.... I want to like this place as a good ol fashioned blue collar bar.  It definitely has a local vibe and if you're not a regular, a few stink eyes might get thrown your way, especially at happy hour.

I've sat at the bar and at tables.  One of the best times I had there was on a Saturday night quiz night with my father and girlfriend.  We were greeted with friendly competition and never got booed while we were winning the quiz.  So, the local feel got somewhat friendlier.  

My girlfriend and I recently had an early dinner here.  They seemed busy at the bar with happy hour and the bartender was the only staff working.  She was SO MUCH friendlier than the previous bartender/waitress (the one with the nose ring).  She knew the LOCAL beers, all where from Colorado, so I'm not sure where the idea they don't serve local brews came from.  I had the Philly and GF had a huge side salad and chicken strips.  The Philly was better than the one I got at Pat's in Philly and the chicken strips were battered like fish and delicious.  I got a great Milk Stout to top off the dinner.  The whole meal was reasonably priced.  

I give it three stars instead of more for a couple of reasons.  I've been patronizing the place for the better part of a year and feel a bit cold every single time I walk in.  The other reason is that generally the service is mediocre at best.  This last time was the best by far, but when we walked in 10 till 5pm, the bartender was the only staff.  It wasn't her fault it took a bit to get to us, but why hasn't the owner figured this out?

Anyway, pretty decent place. Not a dive bar or brewery, but a good little local bar selling ok food and good Colorado beers.

Wowza, how had I never been here before today?  We were looking to grab a drink on a Friday afternoon, and this was right nearby.  I am very glad we stopped in.  They have 17 (18 if they get one tap fixed) beers on tap.  Among the beers, many of them were some of my Colorado favorites, some were new to me, and others were somewhat familiar.  They also have up to 12 beers available by can.  All in all, there are a lot of tasty beverages from which to choose.  I did not have any food on this visit, but I sure enjoyed the fermented offerings.

I really, really, enjoyed the Ace Perry Cider.  It was crisp, delicious, cold, and was like getting hit in the mouth (in a good way) with a bag of Granny Smith's.  I will definitely be drinking this again.  I tried a taste of the Golden Monkey from Victory Brewing.  It was a very nice Belgian-style ale with some nice herbal notes.  I rather enjoyed it.  The service here was excellent.  By 5pm on a Friday this place was packed with regulars, and this was not surprising in the least.

My friend farted three times and I didn't smell it... It's a little smelly when I was here. Service was great! Love all the tap beer! Five stars for service.