Ashleigh Carter Named Brewer of the Year by Food & Wine
Food & Wine magazine has selected Ashleigh Carter, the head brewer and co-founder of Bierstadt Lagerhaus, as its 2026 Drinks Visionary – Brewer of the Year. The recognition arrives during a strong month for the Denver brewery, which recently secured a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival for its Japanese rice lager Infinite Hotel collaboration with Wayfinder Beer.
Now in its second year, the Food & Wine Drinks Visionaries program recognizes influential and forward-thinking voices in the beverage world, with honorees nominated by industry leaders and selected by the magazine. Carter noted the significance of peer recognition in shaping her brewing philosophy.
“It means so much to me to receive any honor, but it’s even more impactful to be recognized by my industry peers,” Carter said. “Since our opening, we’ve made it a point to brew traditionally-inspired beers and leave the pressure of following trends behind, honoring both the timeless styles and still exploring what lager means to us. I’m so grateful that our industry continues to appreciate our mission and that we have been able to inspire so many other incredible brewers in their own journeys.”
Tradition and the Craft Center on Blake Street
The Food & Wine feature highlights Bierstadt’s flagship Slow Pour Pils, a lager that famously takes seven minutes to pour. The publication contrasts this approach with the broader market, noting that the American craft brewing industry remains focused on India pale ales and hoppy brews that attract a fickle consumer following. Brewers themselves, however, frequently gravitate toward lagers, often visiting Bierstadt to drink and learn from Carter, who is described as a gracious mentor.
The profile also describes the brewery’s cavernous space on Blake Street, situated down the road from Coors Field, as the official center of the craft beer universe. That RiNo location houses a 35-barrel all-copper German brewhouse built in 1932 and flown in from Germany, and the business recently marked its 10th anniversary.
Beyond her work at the brewery, Carter has become an industry leader who travels the world to publicly speak, judge competitions, and consult. Reflecting on her focus in the F&W profile, Carter explained her dedication to repetition and precision.
“I only want to be really good at a couple of things,” Carter said. “I wasn’t enamored with trying to come up with a new recipe every week. I don’t like the idea of not being able to dial something in. I like doing the same thing over and over and over again, and lager lends itself to that.”
Open on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 2 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m., Bierstadt Lagerhaus is situated at 2875 Blake St.
