What do you get when you mix sizzling bacon, craft mocktails, and a crowd of hungry neighbors? The recipe for one of Broomfield’s most beloved traditions—Bites & Brews. This annual celebration isn’t just about tasty bites and sips; it’s about creating connections that last long after the plates are cleared.
What started as “Taste It Broomfield” has grown into a can’t-miss event where restaurants, breweries, and food innovators put their best flavors forward. Chamber President & CEO Pat Monacelli says the mission is simple: “We want to showcase area businesses, give them exposure to new customers, and create a space where the whole community can come together.”
That exposure is real. Just ask this year’s People’s Choice winners. Eat! Food & Drink snagged Best Rise & Shine Bite for the third year in a row with their house-cured maple bacon and thick-cut applewood smoked bacon—crowd favorites since they opened in 2019. Owner David Frieder says events like Bites & Brews fuel growth: “Every time we participate, we meet new guests who later come through our doors. It’s one of the best ways to put our food in front of people who may not have found us otherwise.”
On the beverage side, Cool as a Cucumber captured Best Non-Alcoholic Drink with three handcrafted mocktails that had the crowd buzzing. Their cucumber & juniper blend was especially refreshing, but guests also lined up for blueberry & lavender and watermelon & pineapple. Owner Chris Rice, who’s been perfecting mocktails for over 15 years, loves seeing the shift. “Last year, folks thought we were just ‘juice.’ This year, people knew exactly what a mocktail was and couldn’t wait to try one,” he says. And his dream? Serving mocktails at the Super Bowl. “That excitement is how we grow.”
At its core, Bites & Brews is about more than who takes home the trophy. It’s about businesses gaining visibility, nonprofits making new connections, and neighbors discovering new favorites together.
For business owners, the takeaway is clear: if you want thousands of new eyes (and appetites) on your brand, Bites & Brews is the place to be. For the community, it’s the ultimate chance to sip, savor, and celebrate everything that makes Broomfield delicious.
“Every time we participate, we meet new guests who later come through our doors.”