I like beer. A lot. Given that Colorado is a craft brew mecca (check out our February issue), that's to be expected. As further proof of our state's chosen genre, Fate Brewing Company in east Boulder will open its doors Monday.

Mike Lawinski has dreamed owning his own brewpub for years. Lawinski worked at Lola, West End Tavern, and Centro Latin Kitchen before laying eyes on the east Boulder location (remember Playa Azul?) that would become his future brewpub. Like fate intervened, things started falling into place—hence, the name. Lawinski tapped fellow West Ender, Tim Berry, to head the kitchen and Jeff Griffith (previously of Golden City Brewery) signed on as head brewer.

While many craft brewers focus solely on the drink—with menus maxing out at pretzels and wings—Lawinski envisioned a pub where the food was as crave-worthy as the beer. Centered around high-quality comfort food, the menu includes hot-smoked barbecue (using Greeley’s Aspen Ridge natural beef), a Boulder-friendly Farmers' Market salad (organic greens, roasted beets, asparagus, snap peas, and Cipollini onions), and a Buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese.

A sneak peek at the pub yesterday revealed a freshly remodeled industrial space. Though “industrial” is often code for cold and sparse, at Fate the mixed materials—rusted steel, natural woods, earth-toned speckled concrete—combine with warm-hues to create a welcoming feel.

At the moment, the “brew” part of “brewpub” is not in operation. Knowing that the brewery would take longer than the restaurant to get up and running, Griffith reached out to the local craft brew community for help. He found an enthusiastic group eager to embrace a new friend to the scene. The outcome: seven collaboration beers produced at established breweries (with Griffith working alongside the head brewers). Look for Extra Pale Ale produced with Wild Woods Brewery, English Mild Brown Ale with Boulder Beer, Imperial IPA with Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place, Rye Brown Ale with Twisted Pine Brewery, Scotch ale with Crystal Springs Brewing Company, Eisbock with Echo Brewing Company, and a Cocoa Punk’n Porter with Asher Brewing. In the future, Fate's 30 taps will serve five of its own standard beers—Belgian pale ale, IPA, Kolsch-style beer, Rye Ale, and an American Stout—in addition to seasonals. The remaining taps will feature a rotating, international selection of guest brews.

1600 38th St., Boulder, 303-449-3283