Upslope Brewing Company Lee Hill North Boulder

Boulder's Original Craft Canning Brewery

Upslope Brewing Company opened in Boulder in 2008, founded by Matt Cutter and Dany Pages — two friends who wanted to make quality beers that could go wherever outdoor adventures took them. From the start, Upslope packaged their beers in aluminum cans, making them a pioneer of the craft-canning movement long before it became common. Cans block out light and oxygen better than bottles, and they're fully recyclable — a natural fit for Colorado's outdoor culture.

Today Upslope operates two Boulder locations. The Lee Hill taproom at 1501 Lee Hill Road is the original and remains the heart of the operation. This is where the brewers experiment, run small batches, and push creative limits. The other location, Flatiron Park, handles larger production — but Lee Hill is where the interesting stuff happens.

The Lee Hill Taproom

The Lee Hill taproom is tucked into a light-industrial complex in North Boulder, just off Lee Hill Drive. It's a relaxed, unpretentious space. You can see the 7-barrel brewhouse through windows from the bar, and the barrel aging program is visible from the tasting area. The vibe is casual and welcoming — think worn wood, good beer, and neighbors who actually live nearby.

Brewery tours run on Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 PM, giving visitors a closer look at how the small-batch brewing operation works.

Beers on Tap

The Lee Hill location focuses on experimental and small-batch releases alongside Upslope's core lineup. You'll typically find:

• Citra Pale Ale — Bright and tropical, built around Citra hops with grapefruit and stone fruit aromas
• Craft Lager — A clean, approachable Colorado-style lager; won a silver medal at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival
• India Pale Ale — Copper-colored with a firm malt backbone and citrus-forward bitterness
• Rotating seasonal and experimental taps that change regularly

Tasters (5 oz) are available for $3.50, and a flight of four beers runs $12 — a good way to explore the current tap list.

Food and Outdoor Space

The Lee Hill taproom serves empanadas, including BBQ Chicken, Spicy Chicken, Spinach and Cheese, and Ground Beef options. Food trucks also stop by on a regular basis, so check their social media or website for the current schedule.

Outside, the taproom has a patio with heated areas and personal dome tents for cooler evenings. Misting helps keep things comfortable on warm Colorado afternoons. It's a pleasant spot to sit outside and enjoy a beer after a hike or bike ride in the nearby foothills.

Dogs Welcome

Upslope is dog-friendly at the Lee Hill location. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on the patio, which makes this a natural stop after hitting nearby trails at Foothills Community Park or the Anne U. White Trail.

Practical Information

• Address: 1501 Lee Hill Road, Unit 20, Boulder, CO 80304
• Hours: Monday–Sunday, 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM (hours subject to change; verify on their website)
• Brewery Tours: Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 PM
• Phone: (303) 449-2911
• Website: upslopebrewing.com
• Parking: On-site lot in the Lee Hill light-industrial complex
• Dogs: Welcome on the patio, on-leash

Upslope Lee Hill is a genuine North Boulder institution — one of those places that fits naturally into a NoBo weekend whether you're stopping in after a trail run, meeting friends after work, or just looking for a well-made pint close to home.