About Us
The Dufresne Family
Meet John, Ruth, Keane, and Kelley—who took a leap of faith (and a whole lot of late nights) to bring this cidery to life. Inspired by our Swiss roots and driven by a shared love of craft cider, community, and a good pour, we’ve built this place together from the ground up. You’ll often find us behind the bar, out on the patio, or wrangling kegs—always with a smile and probably a European-inspired cider in hand. This is our home away from home, and we’re honored to share it with you at Waldschänke Denver.
Our history
Our roots trace back to the Swiss Alps, where at just 16 years old, our grandfather George and his best friend dug out the cellar of what would become the Waldschänke—a woodland tavern tucked in the trees. During WWII, it became a beloved gathering place: a refuge where locals could share a laugh, a drink, and a brief escape from a world at war. That little tavern lived on as a symbol of resilience and community, nestled in family lore like a treasured heirloom.
Decades later, in the 1990s, John and Ruth visited the original Waldschänke in Switzerland and fell in love with its quiet magic and the sense of belonging it still held. Years passed. Then, after John lost his corporate job, he returned to that memory—and asked his son Keane and daughter-in-law Kelley a question that would change everything: What if we built our own Waldschänke here in Denver, a place where we could serve craft cider and European-inspired ciders?
So, we did. As a family, we rolled up our sleeves and poured everything we had into building a space where heritage, hard work, and hospitality could thrive. Inspired by George’s original tavern, our cidery is a tribute to the past, grounded in the present, and built for the community we love.
Our specialities
While craft cider is at our core, our passion for quality goes far beyond the pour. We handcraft a wide range of European-inspired ciders—dry, crisp, and fruit-forward—each made with intention and a nod to our heritage.
But that’s just the beginning.
Our taproom at Waldschänke Denver also features house-roasted coffee, sourced from small family farms and roasted right here by our Head Roaster with the same care we give our craft cider. Whether you’re sipping a morning espresso or an afternoon cold brew on the patio, it’s always fresh, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in quality.
And when it comes to food, we keep it true to our roots. Our European kitchen—The EuroShack—serves up a rotating menu of handmade quiche, warm breakfast sandwiches, Alpine-style burritos, and other comforting bites inspired by café culture abroad.
From morning to night, we’ve created a space at Waldschänke Denver where you can linger, connect, and savor the best of what we do.