Catalyst Espresso Bar and Tasting Lounge

No Longer In Business

Cool little place in an out of the way, non-descript location. 8 taps with a decent selection of stuff, mostly local and California beers. There is also a decent selection of bottles. I like that they used tulips and other types of glassware outside of the regular pub pint. There is also coffee, food, and wine available, none of which I sampled. Staff is relatively knowledgeable and knows what’s going on. It is a good place, and the rumors of it going under are a bummer.

I really liked this place. Where I live in Boulder there is a lack of these types of places - very relaxed drinking, studying, talking and reading spots. Has a respectable selection of beer, mostly all locals, half are high gravity taps, something special or a favorite to find if not... the atmosphere is very chill, the people are genuinely friendly and aren’t caught up in trying to project a certain attitude. Very cool. I wish I had one near where I lived.

Catalyst has a great atmosphere - it’s a coffee shop on one side and a nice beer lounge on the other. They do a great job of getting rare and interesting beers (Avery Ale to the Chief, Hercules, Oaked Yeti and 15, Stone 12, Dogfish Head, New Belgium Lips of Faith and La Folie, plus some Belgians on tap and quite a few in bottles). The beer is very reasonably priced (La Folie in a NB globe for $4.75). They have also started doing some beer tastings - they did a sour beer tasting with a San Diego beer (Alesmith, Lost Abbey) tasting upcoming. They have live local music a couple of times a week. Their food menu is limited - pizza, hummus plate, etc. It’s quite the hidden gem, and I hope they keep up the good work!

Stopped into Catalyst for the first time last night and indulged in a Rochefort 10 and a Binchoise Brune. Really enjoyed the experience and it being only 10 minutes from my house, it’s going to be my new favorite spot. As soon as you walk in, you get a sense that a beer geek is running things. The selection of draught beers was really nice, with gems like Oak Aged Yeti, Hercules, Black Butte Porter, Jessica’s Porter…and it seems like it’s all constantly rotating. The bottled list was really nice and thoughtfully chosen as well. Beauties like Saison Dupont, Rochefort 10, Des Rocs Triple Imperiale and many more. The gentlemen behind the bar are clearly enthused about fine ale and were great to talk to. It’s a newer place with great potential. Right now, it’s not a spot to try something vintage or rare, but that will come with time. I really liked the vibe of this place.