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Like its other lounges, Capital One provides a wide selection of food and drinks, many with a nod to local purveyors and flavors.
Drink Options at the Capital One Lounge in Denver
The first thing you’ll notice is the full bar, which has a wide selection of complimentary choices. Capital One’s signature airport beer is a “Sky High P.A.”, an IPA developed by Cerveceria Colorado you’ll only be able to find at the Denver lounge. I can vouch for its medium-bodied drinkability with piney, woodsy notes that do indeed remind you of Colorado trails. Six other local craft brews and one nonalcoholic beer are also available.
If beer isn’t your preferred drink, you may want to try the bespoke Spirit of Denver aperitif instead. Like the custom beer, it’s also reminiscent of outdoor life with local botanicals like yarrow root and spruce tip. It’s served on the rocks, “dressed” (with sweet vermouth, club soda and lemon) or as a key ingredient in the Colorado Cool-Aid cocktail available on draft. Eight other cocktails, many with local spirits or other ingredients, round out the menu.
Wine is also available by the glass, with two whites, three reds, a rosé and a sparkling option to choose from. The sparkling selection, if you’re willing to pay for an upgrade, is especially impressive with five fantastic splits to choose from. Options range from the very reasonable $15 half-bottle of Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs to the luxe $160 Krug Grand Cuvee NV. Pours of specialty liquors are also available through their upcharge Rare Bottle Club.
For those who don’t imbibe, you’ll still be spoiled for choice. I loved the Early Morning Breeze mocktail—and noted its popularity with other lounge attendees—and there are fun sodas like Lemon Berry Acai or Pineapple Cream Soda. Coke and Pepsi loyalists will be disappointed though, since neither is on offer (though you’ll find more boutique colas if you don’t want to venture into more creative flavors).
The coffee station will be another personal favorite, thanks to draft iced lattes, iced oat milk chai and cold brew by La Colombe available for self service. Drip coffee is supplied by Unravel Coffee Merchants, another Colorado favorite. Tea bags are supplied by Teapigs with black, green and herbal options. Hot espresso drinks can be ordered at the bar, though take note it’s from an automated machine rather than handcrafted by a barista.
Dining at the Capital One Denver Lounge
You’ll find food in two different locations at the lounge. Packaged, ready-to-go items are available right behind the check-in desk and eat-in options are near the bar. At the time of my visit, there were different choices in each location, so it’s worth checking both if you don’t instantly find something you like.
In both areas, most selections leaned toward lighter, fresher bites—something I always appreciate when traveling since you’re often lazily sitting for hours rather than working off calories. Cold foods were prominent, with tapas, salads, smoothie bowls and sandwiches. On the hot line, there were heavier, more substantial options including a macaroni and cheese that got rave reviews and a Colorado bison sloppy joe that seemed like a risky choice to me while traveling without immediate access to laundry.
The grab-and-go area ranged from light and healthy (beet and pear salads or crudité with hummus) to outright indulgent (cheesy bacon breakfast sandwiches or mini churro bites). Alternatively, you could fill a to-go bag with mixed nuts or snack mix. As far as I was concerned, everything looked better than anything I’ve ever been served on an economy flight.
Photo Credit: Becky Pokora
Generally speaking, I didn’t note an obvious theme to the foods on offer. There’s likely enough variety that even the pickiest of eaters will be satisfied. That said, this isn’t a gourmet experience. There was nothing wrong with anything I ate, but it’s still mass-produced food made in advance. Set your expectations accordingly and you’ll be plenty satisfied.
One area that the lounge excelled in was its many desserts. It was hard to decide between the brownies, carrot cake bites, cookies, coconut chia pudding and what seemed like a half dozen other options. Ultimately, I settled on the lavender chocolate chip cookie by Denver’s Good Bread Bakery but throughout additional visits, I’m sure I’ll be tasting everything else on offer.
Photo Credit: Becky Pokora
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