"While coffee was almost definitely consumed by railroaders, trappers, miners, frontiersmen, and the Beatniks after them, it wasn't really until the '70s and '80s that coffee shops became places of social interaction in the Mile High. First, it came through shops like the Mercury, Café Nepenthes, and Muddy Waters, where coffee was more of an amenity to community gathering than it was a reason for showing up."
"The 2000s brought a rush of new development to Denver, and with it came the third wave of coffee history. Since the mid-aughts, interest in craft beans and specialty service has exploded nationwide. Thanks to a mix of rising affluence, historic neighborhoods, and a unique Mountain West ambiance, the 303 has become one of the best places in the country to get a cup."
"Together, they form a caffeine scene that is distinct from anywhere else in America. Denver's best coffee shops are case in point, highlighting a dedication to a few of the things that make good beans: integrity, ritual, and fantastic taste. Crema Ask people around town about who started the third wave coffee revolution in Denver, and, like, eight times out of 10, you'll hear the same response: Crema."
Coffee in Denver shifted from utilitarian consumption by railroaders, trappers, miners, frontiersmen, and Beatniks to social shop culture in the 1970s and 1980s. Early gathering spots such as the Mercury, Café Nepenthes, and Muddy Waters treated coffee as an amenity, while later venues like Stella's and St. Mark's elevated both quality and atmosphere. The 2000s and mid-aughts ushered in third-wave interest in craft beans and specialty service nationwide, and Denver's rising affluence, historic neighborhoods, and Mountain West ambiance helped it become a top U.S. coffee destination. Local chains and independents now emphasize integrity, ritual, and exceptional flavor.
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