“Chela” is what beer is commonly called in Mexico and “Luna” is the moon. Put them together and you have magic: Cheluna Brewing Company. The inspiration of partners in life and brewing, Javi (Javier) and Jen (Jennifer) Perez, Cheluna is the result of a 25 year love affair with each other and beer. Lucky us, we get to share the brews of their successful pairing!
Cheluna just opened in The Stanley Marketplace with a beer menu of six, including a Hefeweizen (La Morena), a Doppelweizen (La Rubia), a West Coast IPA (Palida), two Saisons (Belga, Belga Con Passion) and a Porter (Coco-Xoco). And a partridge in a pear tree. JK. The Porter “Coco-Xoco” (pronounced “Coco-Shoko”) is a blend of cocoa nibs, vanilla, and toasted coconut (the latter two ingredients are sourced from Miette et Chocolat, soon-to-be Stanley neighbors. Tasty and satisfying, a strong contender for today’s Cheer to be sure, but I wanted to select a lighter beer for Day 3 of our 12 Cheers of Christmas.
The brew I selected is La Morena, described by the brewer as a “German style brown Hefeweizen with clove and spice notes.” The holidays scream “spices” to me, so this sounded perfect. La Morena is smooth, easy to quaff, and the pleasant spicy nose results from careful ingredient selection, prep and process. In other words, no actual spices were added. (What’s in a name? Javi explained that in Mexico, La Morena is how someone like him with brown complexion/ hair/eyes, may be described. La Rubia, their Doppelweizen, is how someone with lighter complexion/ hair/eyes may be described – like Jen. A his and hers beer pairing – sweet!)
Cheluna is the first drinking establishment opened in the Stanley Marketplace, near Stapleton, and is an exciting introduction to what it promises to bring to the Denver scene. Warm and inviting, the décor offsets stark industrial with the vibrant colors of a Oaxcan mountain village streetscape. For now, food trucks may offer the only food option until additional eateries debut in the Stanley. Parking is plentiful.
The brew couple promises to plan all sorts of fun and unique happenings to deepen the relationship with the community. Perhaps even a piñata now and then to thrill the kids, who are very welcome to join their parents! An upstairs loft area may be reserved for special events and parties – it even has its own set of beer taps – so convenient!
Many thanks to the lovely couple of Javi and Jen for sharing your love story and wonderful brews with us – cheers!
When asked for ideas for other breweries to visit, La Morena Javi and La Rubia Jen offered…
Hogshead Brewery Javi’s pick for their devotion to traditional English ales and preparation techniques/ ingredients.
Sanitas Brewing Jen’s pick for the great beer, welcoming sense of community, and the rumbling of nearby trains that bring back nostalgic memories and favorite places. The kind of place she hopes Cheluna will become for us!
Get yourself a Lyft there – Use our exclusive code, IGTD2016 with the Lyft App for a $50 credit toward your first rides. For new users only.
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