Omayra Acevedo, Idaho Springs. Legend has it that when Cornish miners came to work in the gold fields of Colorado, a few elves stowed away in their personal belongings. As the miners worked, they found their candles snuffed out, their tools gone missing, and their lunches half eaten. However, should these elusive elves be gifted with treats, they would lead the miner to a rich vein of gold. How so? By tapping on the rock walls of the mine. 

As I sat with the Director of Operations, Steve Indrehus, it didn’t take long for me to realize how special Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub truly is. Yes, you can enjoy a great beer and delightful food, but it’s more than that. The décor reminds you that you are in a true Colorado atmosphere. The staff, like Shea, the barkeeper, bring to light the importance of fighting to support life in a small mountain town. Tommyknocker, or as I now like to refer to it, TK, is a place where travelers from far and near can feel at home for a while. 

But there’s more…like most businesses, Tommyknocker has fought through the recent and intense changes in our world, and yet they still put their employees and community first. They have made Covid-friendly upgrades, supported their employees through some of their most challenging struggles, provided the Idaho Springs Senior Center with food, and used their label to support other Colorado causes. It’s no wonder this place is so special. This is what you get from a business that’s community-oriented and  eco-conscious, that looks at a pandemic as a way to be “forced into success“ – as Steve so positively put it. 

You should go to Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub to have a drink at the bar or order a meal. I’m going to highly recommend that you stay and talk to the staff, walk around and take in the ambiance; take notice of the people and their experiences. You will realize that this is not just another business. This is a restaurant, brewery, pub, and a place where anyone and everyone can create something that very few of us make time for: beautiful memories.  

I had been to Tommyknocker before, but this time it was different. I’m not sure if it was my encounters with the staff, the delicious fish tacos I ate, the beer I sampled, the tour of the brewery, or perhaps some enchantment cast by the Tommyknockers. One thing is for certain --  whether you are making your way west or heading east, your quintessential Clear Creek experience can begin or end at Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub. 

For more information on Tommyknocker Brewery & Pub in Idaho Springs check out https://tommyknocker.com/

(Originally published in the May 27, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)