Avant Garde Aleworks

About

Belgian and French styles run the tap list at this family-founded brewery on Dunraven Street, just off Highway 7 and near the fairgrounds. The board turns with the seasons: a tart petite saison one stretch, a strong ale with raisins the next, an imperial stout when it gets cold. House-made seltzers, gluten-free and N/A options cover anyone not drinking beer, and there's a full bar.

But the patio is the reason to find it. Fire tables, a succulent garden, a modern water feature and a line of mountains beyond make it the place people end up staying longer than planned. Inside is clean-lined and modern. Dogs are welcome in both.

Food trucks rotate through the taproom, and the pretzel is the snack people remember. Tuesday is Vinyl Night (bring a record, get half off the first drink), open mic falls on the first and third Wednesdays, and cans and crowlers go home with you.