Champagne Velvet Proper Kitchen & Bar Castle Rock — What We Tried, Menu, and What to Know
By Connor Tien, DougCo Social
I.C. Brewhouse in Castle Rock closed on November 10, 2025, and the building at 2355 Mercantile St reopened Sunday, May 17, 2026 as Champagne Velvet Proper Kitchen & Bar — taking its name from Upland Brewing's flagship 1902 pilsner.
The Centennial I.C. Brewhouse closed the same day and reopened as Champagne Velvet Tap House & Kitchen at 6460 S Syracuse Way, Centennial on November 16, 2025 — just six days later, per the @cvtaphouse launch announcement. The Castle Rock rebrand took roughly six months, making it the second of the two to reopen.
We went for lunch on opening day. Here's everything you should know before you go: the room, what to order, what's in the bottle, and the full menu.
As of late June 2026, Champagne Velvet holds 4.3 stars across 29 Google reviews — a solid early showing for a restaurant that opened in May.
What we tried
📸 All nine photos in one swipe: our Champagne Velvet carousel on Instagram.
We started with Blue Crab Cakes ($20) — golden crust, plated on a bed of microgreens with a mustard remoulade drizzle and a fried-thread crisp on top. Good first round.
1902 Burger ($18) — half pound, white cheddar, pork belly, on a toasted sesame brioche bun. The pork belly is the move — it's the savory layer that elevates this over a standard cheeseburger. The brewery fries are crisp and well-seasoned, and they come with a sweet ketchup that's noticeably different from straight-from-the-bottle — flag it, you'll want extra. Personal note: I'd ask for lighter onion next time.
Brie Burger ($19) (not pictured) — brie, caramelized onions, black garlic aioli. Cooked to a clean medium; the brie reads as cheese on a burger should — present without taking over. Order this if you want a fancier turn than the 1902.
Million Dollar Reuben ($19) — thick-cut Champagne Velvet-braised corned beef, Swiss, CV sauce, sauerkraut on marble rye. The corned beef is generously sliced — heads up that this is a thicker-cut, chewier preparation than a thin-shaved deli style; lean in if that's what you want.
The brewery fries deserve their own callout: crinkle-cut, well-seasoned, hold their texture, and that sweet ketchup is the differentiator.
We skipped dessert this round — the Red Velvet Cake ($9) is on the list for next visit.
What changed
I.C. Brewhouse operated both the Castle Rock and Centennial locations until November 10, 2025, when both shut down for the rebrand. The closure announcement was made on Instagram and confirmed by Indiana Beer News on Facebook, which reported the locations would be managed by Champagne Velvet.
Per local writer Jenn Zuko (Zuko's Musings on Substack, Nov 17, 2025), the new ownership is "an actual restaurant company, not a builder" — a notable upgrade in operator pedigree for the Mercantile St space.
The two rebrand names — and their reopening timelines — are distinct:
| Old location | New name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| I.C. Brewhouse — 2355 Mercantile St, Castle Rock | Champagne Velvet Proper Kitchen & Bar | Open since May 17, 2026 (closed ~6 months) |
| I.C. Brewhouse — 6460 S Syracuse Way, Centennial | Champagne Velvet Tap House & Kitchen | Open since Nov 16, 2025 (closed 6 days) |
Who's behind it
Champagne Velvet is the flagship pilsner of Upland Brewing Company, the Bloomington, Indiana craft brewery founded in 1998. Both restaurants — the Centennial Tap House and the Castle Rock Proper Kitchen — operate under the Champagne Velvet brand, with Upland Brewing Company listed as the legal employer on the career postings via Paycor.
The 1902 pilsner backstory
Champagne Velvet was first brewed in 1902 by Walter Bruhn, the son of German immigrants, at the Terre Haute Brewing Company in Indiana (Brew Ledger; Indiana Historical Society). Marketed as the "beer with the million-dollar flavor," it became a regional Hoosier staple until the original recipe was largely dormant for decades.
Upland Brewing revived the recipe in 2013 as part of the brewery's 15th-anniversary celebration (InsideHook; US Patent). The Castle Rock restaurant takes its name from that revived flagship pilsner.
The menu
The full menus are live at drinkcv.com/properkitchenmenu (food) and drinkcv.com/properkitchendrinkmenu (drinks). Champagne Velvet beer is baked into multiple signature items — the Million Dollar Reuben uses CV-braised corned beef and CV sauce; the Petite Filet comes with Champagne Velvet beer mac and cheese (also available as an $8 side); the Champagne Velvet Braised Salmon is braised in the pilsner; the Prince Edward Island Mussels sauce starts with CV garlic cream. The 1902 Burger is named for the year Walter Bruhn first brewed the lager.
Bites — $11 to $20
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Parmesan Truffle Fries — crisp brewery fries, white truffle oil, parmesan & black garlic aioli | $11 |
| French Onion Dip — house-made onion dip & potato chips | $11 |
| Chicken Liver Pâté — onion fig jam & charred bread | $12 |
| Onion Fig Jam Flatbread — lavash, onion fig jam, goat cheese, arugula, balsamic glaze | $14 |
| Spinach Artichoke Dip — spinach, artichoke hearts, prosciutto, garlic, parmesan cream, charred bread | $15 |
| Pork Belly Bites — crispy pork belly, Dijon sorghum glaze, walnut gremolata | $17 |
| Blue Crab Cakes — house-made, mustard remoulade | $20 |
| Prince Edward Island Mussels — Champagne Velvet garlic cream sauce, pork belly, pearl onions, brewery fries | $20 |
Salad & Soup — $7 to $24
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| French Onion Soup — caramelized onions, roasted beef broth, swiss cheese, charred bread | $7 |
| Caesar Salad — romaine, creamy Caesar, parmesan, house-made garlic rye croutons, parmesan crisp | $16 |
| Roasted Beet Salad — arugula, red beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts, beet chips, balsamic vinaigrette | $17 |
| Baby Iceberg Wedge — smoked blue cheese crumbles, crispy prosciutto, pickled red onions, candied walnuts, hardboiled egg, blue cheese dressing | $19 |
| Salmon Niçoise — spring mix, arugula, Atlantic salmon, green beans, fingerling potatoes, egg, niçoise, olives, cherry tomatoes, red wine vinaigrette | $24 |
Add-ons: Steak +$9 | Salmon +$8 | Chicken Thigh +$6
1/2 lb Burgers — $18 to $19
All burgers served with lettuce, tomato and onion on a toasted sesame seed bun and a side of brewery fries. Substitute plant-based patty +$3.
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| 1902 Burger — white cheddar cheese & pork belly | $18 |
| Brie Burger — brie, caramelized onions & black garlic aioli | $19 |
| Gorgonzola Burger — smoked blue cheese crumbles, arugula & balsamic onion jam | $19 |
Handhelds — $17 to $19
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Pork Belly & Pâté Sandwich — chicken liver pâté, pork belly, pickled red onions, red wine vinaigrette, toasted baguette & house-made chips | $17 |
| Crispy Chicken Thigh Sandwich — pickled cucumber, fresh cabbage slaw, sriracha mayo, sesame seed brioche bun & brewery fries | $18 |
| Million Dollar Reuben — Champagne Velvet braised corned beef, Swiss cheese, Champagne Velvet sauce, sauerkraut, marble rye & brewery fries | $19 |
Entrées — $25 to $39
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Chicken Solano — pan-seared chicken thigh, sun-dried tomato cream sauce, wilted spinach, pesto potato purée | $25 |
| Maple Leaf Duck — pan-seared duck breast, yukon purée, wilted spinach, port gastrique | $29 |
| Champagne Velvet Braised Salmon — Atlantic salmon filet braised in CV, fingerling potatoes, wilted garlic spinach, blistered tomatoes | $31 |
| Petite Filet — 6 oz filet mignon, wilted garlic spinach, Champagne Velvet beer mac and cheese, balsamic glaze | $36 |
| Steak Frites — 10 oz NY Strip, smoked blue cheese butter, crisp brewery fries | $38 |
| Grilled Pork Chop — 14 oz pork tomahawk, yukon purée, chili garlic green beans, balsamic glaze | $38 |
| Grilled 12 oz T-Bone — roasted onion vierge, yukon purée, spiced garlic spinach | $39 |
Sides — $6 to $10
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Green Beans | $6 |
| Wilted Spinach | $6 |
| Brewery Fries | $7 |
| Potato Chips | $8 |
| Champagne Velvet Beer Mac & Cheese | $8 |
| Petite House or Caesar Salad | $10 |
Kids Menu — $12
All kids menu items are $12 and served with brewery fries.
| Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Cheeseburger | White cheddar on a sesame seed bun |
| Mac & Cheese | Campanelle, parmesan garlic cream sauce, cheddar-jack and mozzarella |
| House Salad | Lettuce, cheese, croutons and ranch |
| Chicken Tenders | Hand-breaded chicken tenders with ranch |
The room
The renovation is the story. The casual brewhouse aesthetic is gone — replaced with navy panel walls, tall drapes, floor-to-ceiling windows, a chesterfield banquette program, marble bistro tables, a black-and-white landscape wallpaper behind the curved booths, and a Prohibition-era gallery wall (framed historic photos and a "Prohibition Ends At Last" newspaper) running the length of one side. The room reads closer to a hotel restaurant than the previous fit.
A signature design moment near the front: a "Champagne Velvet" script neon sign mounted on a plum-purple panel wall, with a curtain of trailing eucalyptus above it and a small "Welcome to CV Proper Kitchen & Bar" chalkboard on the console table.
The Prohibition-era gallery wall is a quiet, well-executed nod to the brand's 1902 backstory — every booth on that side gets framed historic photos to look at, plus an ornate gold mirror. The two-tops by the front windows have their own gold-frame mirrors and tall navy drapes; very photograph-friendly.
The front lounge near the entrance has a chesterfield sofa, a marble coffee table on twin gold pedestals, and a velvet bench in dusty rose — a waiting area that doubles as a cocktail spot.
And one art detail worth flagging: a large black-and-white portrait of a woman pouring champagne, framed in gold, mounted above a fluted wood console with a brass-and-amber lamp. It's the kind of detail that signals the room is taking its name (and its 1902 origin story) seriously.
The bar
The main bar is the dramatic centerpiece — crystal chandelier overhead, dark navy walls, a wood-paneled back bar with lit liquor shelves stocked floor-to-ceiling.
Cocktails
Velvet Signatures ($10–$13): Le Jardin, The Botanist's Pledge, Scarlet Malt, Huckleberry, The Magnate, Between the Pomegranates, The Smoking Gum, Love and Murder, Pimentón.
Old Fashioned Society ($10–$13): Sugar Chest, The Classic, The Cigar Box, Sola de Vega.
Curated Favorites ($11–$13): Honeysuckle Cosmo, The Velvet Sour, Borderlands Margarita, Mule, Espresso Martini, Boulevardier, Paper Planes, Sazerac.
Zero Proof ($8–$12): Temperance Cup, The Parlor Tonic, Garden Heat, Mint Condition.
Spirits (Neat List, 2 oz pours)
Bourbon: Fireside 8 Year ($35), Four Roses ($12), Bulliet ($19), Green River Wheated ($15), Leopold Bros 8 Year ($15, Cask Strength | 110 proof), Blade and Bow ($18), Laws Cognac Finish ($27), Von Payne ($21).
Rye: Green River ($14), Molly Brown ($20).
Irish: Tullamore Dew ($15).
Scotch: Johnnie Walker Black Label ($22), Glenfiddich 12 Year ($40, Single Malt Sherry Cask).
Gin: Tanqueray 10 ($27), Plymouth Sloe Gin ($12), Seersucker ($14).
Rum: Flor de Caña 7 Year ($19), Ron Zacapa 23 ($20).
Tequila & Mezcal: Corazón Blanco ($14), Corazón Reposado ($15), Lalo ($28), Siete Misterios Doba-Yej ($20).
Beer
Core Beers ($7) — the three Upland flagships: Champagne Velvet (light pilsner with sweet complexities), Upland Wheat Ale (orange zest and coriander), Dragonfly IPA (well-balanced, malty, crisp hops with floral nose).
Core lineup, guest taps ($8): Odell Brewing (Kernel Mexican Lager), Launch Pad Brewing (Piggyback Rides Juicy IPA), Upslope (West Coast IPA), Breckenridge (Avalanche Amber Ale), Great Divide (Yeti Imperial Stout), Snow Capped (seasonal cider), Snowmelt (seltzer).
Rotating ($8): Station 26, Odell Brewing, Breckenridge, Dry Dock, Eddyline, Upland Brewing.
Wine — The Wine Table
Sparkling & White (by the glass, $11–$20): Oregon Sparkling ($12 — effervescent, just-dry, charming), Balanced Chardonnay ($12 — bright, crispy, approachable), Crisp Chardonnay ($20 — balanced, oaky, elegant), Zesty Sauvignon Blanc ($15 — bright, crisp, aromatic), Gentle Riesling ($11 — off-dry, floral, stone fruit). Champagne is bottle-only.
Red (by the glass, $14–$24): American Old Vine Zin ($15 — rich, dark, structured), Soft Pinot Noir ($14 — light, silken, red fruit), Silky Pinot Noir ($18 — silky, earthy, vibrant), Reserve Cabernet ($15 — velvety, plush, plum-driven), Spanish Red ($24 — elegant, oaky, smooth). Rich Cabernet is bottle-only.
Happy hour
Monday–Friday 3–6pm · Sunday 6pm to close.
- $5 Champagne Velvet drafts
- $10 cocktails (any from Velvet Signatures or Old Fashioned Society)
- $12 select wines: Oregon Sparkling, Gentle Riesling, Zesty Sauvignon Blanc, Balanced Chardonnay, American Old Vine Zin, Soft Pinot Noir, Reserve Cabernet
- $9 select appetizers: Truffle Fries, Spinach Artichoke Dip, French Onion Dip, Chicken Liver Pâté
Dessert
Red Velvet Cake ($9 — 2-layer cake, cream cheese frosting, chocolate shavings), Ultimate Chocolate Cake ($10 — 3-layer cake, chocolate mousse, chocolate ganache, chocolate chips), Sugar Cream Pie ($10 — vanilla and nutmeg custard pie served with whipped cream — the Hoosier-state nod that lines up with the Indiana origin story).
The patio
The covered patio is open — marble bistro tables, café chairs in the French-bistro style (rattan back, white legs), brick walls, hanging string lights along the iron railing. The second-floor overhang gives all-day shade.
TVs: on the patio and in a side lounge.
Practical info
- Address: 2355 Mercantile St, Castle Rock, CO 80109 — near the Meadows Parkway and Prairie Hawk Drive intersection in NW Castle Rock
- Phone: (720) 328-5762
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm · Fri/Sat 11am–11pm · Sun 11am–10pm
- Reservations: Live via OpenTable. Walk-ins also accepted.
- Happy hour: M–F 3–6pm · Sun 6pm–close
- Patio: Covered — second-floor overhang gives all-day shade
- Instagram: @cvproperkitchen
- Website: drinkcv.com/properkitchenbar
- Sister location: Champagne Velvet Tap House & Kitchen at 6460 S Syracuse Way, Centennial (open since Nov 16, 2025)
Careers
Current openings at Champagne Velvet Proper Kitchen & Bar are listed at drinkcv.com/careers.
Full Directory Listing
Hours, address, photos, and updates: Champagne Velvet Proper Kitchen & Bar on DougCo Social.
Visit
Champagne Velvet Proper Kitchen & Bar
2355 Mercantile St, Castle Rock, CO 80109
Opened: Sunday, May 17, 2026. Reserve a table on OpenTable · walk-ins also accepted.
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Careers
Original photos from our opening-day visit, May 17, 2026. Centennial sister-location open status confirmed via @cvtaphouse.
Sources: I.C. Brewhouse Instagram closure announcement, Nov 7, 2025; Indiana Beer News (Facebook), Nov 10, 2025; @cvtaphouse "NOW OPEN" launch announcement, Nov 14–16, 2025; Jenn Zuko, "Popination Transformation" (Zuko's Musings), Nov 17, 2025; drinkcv.com/properkitchenbar (CV's own positioning copy + hours); @cvproperkitchen Instagram menu preview + Grand Opening announcement (May 15, 2026); on-site visit + menu photography (May 17, 2026); Brew Ledger — Upland Brewing Company history; InsideHook — Champagne Velvet; Indiana Historical Society; Upland Brewing Paycor career portal.
More new openings in Castle Rock
Other recent openings worth knowing about:
- Izumi Sushi — authentic Japanese sushi at 115 Third Street downtown, opened May 11, 2026
- Griddled Crêpes & Paninis — opened May 8, 2026 at the Outlets at Castle Rock
- Bar Hummingbird — upscale cocktail bar at the Promenade, next to The Brinkerhoff
- Starbird Chicken — opened April 27, 2026 at the Promenade at Castle Rock
- Badger & Bloom Boba — boba shop at the Outlets at Castle Rock