Best New Restaurant/Bar

Cerberus Brewing Company

Cerberus Brewing Company partners Tom Halfast, Josh Adamski, Cindy Geiser and Jerry Morris opened their business in 2016 after renovating the former Colorado Avenue Veterinarian Hospital. It’s been a huge success ever since.

“We’re still pretty astonished,” said Morris, the company president. “On Father’s Day we set a record for business on a Sunday, and usually the day after is much slower, but then we set a record for business on a Monday. The trajectory is just amazing.”

Morris said being the top choice of Business Journal readers is important.

“To be coming from a group of people — other than a board — means more,” he said. “For an editorial to say you’re the best is one thing, but for voters to recognize us is very satisfying. It’s completely different; we had no input. It’s real, not something manufactured.”

Morris said being recognized as best new restaurant and bar “is reassurance we’re doing it right. We put so much time and effort into getting open, it’s gratifying that it’s worked out so well. It’s nice to put something together people enjoy and value.”

Morris and Halfast have partnered in four businesses — on the Westside or downtown — over the past 30 years. Morris said they focused on four areas with Cerberus: food, beer, service and ambience.

“The food is every bit as important and really a huge draw,” he said, while complimenting Executive Chef Mark LeFebvre. “We’re trying to use local food and ingredients. We’re staying seasonal and are about to make our fifth menu change in nine months.”

Adamski has been home-brewing since 2003, and studied advanced brewing theory with the Siebel Institute in Chicago.

Web: cerberusbrewingco.com | Phone: 719-636-2337

2. Prime 25

Web: prime25.com | Phone: 719-358-9822

3. Four by Brother Luck

Web: fourbybrotherluck.com | Phone: 719-434-2741