Drink BEST OF BOULDER - EAST COUNTY

COCKTAILS SWAYLO’S TIKI RESTAURANT AND BAR

1315 Dry Creek Drive, Longmont, 303-651-0527

Erie Winner: 24 Carrot Bistro Lafayette Winner: Community Supper Club

Louisville Winner: /pôr/ wine house

It’s time to trade in those overused and predictable rum and cokes or gin and tonics for something a little more interesting. Perhaps substitute with fresh cocktails like the Rocky Mountain Sling, Vanillakilla or Cha, Cha, Cha? Swaylo’s Tiki Restaurant and Bar has offered these drinks and more to our readers since 2015 when the Swaylo team wanted to create a “vibrant coastal dining experience” for the growing number of Longmonsters. Indulge with a clean conscience — the restaurant gives 20% of its profits to nonprofit organizations and the surrounding community.

Coffee House Meco Coffee Collective

627 Main St., Longmont, 303-834-8418

Louisville Winner: Ziggi’s Coffee

Lafayette Winner: The Read Queen Bookstore & Cafe

When a space opened up on Main Street in Longmont in 2021, MeCo

Coffee Collective co-founders Isaac Olson and Shane Stinn knew they had a home for their communityfocused cafe. The name, if you’re wondering, comes from the founders’ two points of origin — Maine and Colorado. Today, the business has become a favorite for locally roasted coffee, serving out its infamous Cheesy Bits cracker and the two “store ambassadors” — the dogs Addie and Thea who “excel in treat tasting and hug giving as well as being the cutest.”

COFFEE ROASTER OZO COFFEE CO.

1232A S. Hover St., Longmont, 720-600-6689

Gunbarrel Winner: Ampersand

Coffee Roasters

Louisville Winner: Giovannitti

Coffee Roasters

Lafayette Winner: OTIS Craft

Collective

Erie Winner: Erie Coffee Roasters

We love a good coffee roaster, and it’s crystal clear to our readers that Ozo Coffee Co. does it best. Ozo started sourcing ethically and sustainably grown coffee from around the world in 2007, and has since become a staple for coffee lovers around the county. It uses Diedrich and Gothot coffee roasters to highlight the best characteristics from every region — giving unique and distinct flavors our readers love to slurp.

CRAFT BREWERY LEFT HAND BREWING CO.

1265 Boston Ave., Longmont, 303-772-0258

Superior Winner: 4 Noses Brewing Co.

Louisville Winner: Crystal Springs Brewing Co.

Gunbarrel Winner: Avery Brewing Co.

Lafayette: Liquid Mechanics Brewing Co.

Niwot: Fritz Family Brewers

Colorado is the promise land for beer lovers — there are 400 craft breweries in the state, according to colorado.com. Boulder County is no exception to that trend. But Left Hand Brewing Company stands out among all the rest. Many of its beers have won awards from the European Beer Star, the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival, but Avery’s stouts are its most decorated style, netting nearly 40 of these awards since 2006.