Best Colorado Mountain Breweries

In addition to the stunning Rocky Mountains, world-class slopes, and the Mile High City, Colorado is also well known for its craft beer scene. As two born and raised Coloradoans and craft beer lovers who have spent our adult lives exploring the beautiful state we call home, we’ve put together our list of our favorite Colorado mountain breweries! 

The Best Colorado Mountain Breweries 

Aspen Craft Breweries

Aspen Brewing Company
Top Picks: This Season’s Blonde or Independence Pass Ale 
The only brewery in town, Aspen Brewing Company is a great spot to hang out after hitting the slopes or spending the day hiking. In addition to a wide-selection of craft beer, they also have a full kitchen serving snacks, salads, tavern-style pizza, alongside a selection of cocktails, wines, and N/A beverages for any non-beer drinkers. 

Breckenridge Breweries 

Outer Range Brewing Company | Frisco
Top Picks: In the Steep or Steezy DDH
Outer Range Brewing has a huge selection of beers on tap, as well as Mountain Dweller Coffee Roasters and Bird Craft Thai-ish Fried Chicken for those looking for a caffeine boost or a bite to eat. They have a wonderful two-story patio for those famous sunny Colorado afternoons, as well as lots of indoor seating. Seats upstairs are especially sought after for their gorgeous mountain views and beautiful aesthetic. 

Broken Compass Brewing Company | Breckenridge
Top Picks: Coconut Porter or Ginger Pale Ale 
Broken Compass Brewing Company’s motto is “Drink Beer. Pet Dogs,” and is hands down one of the most dog-friendly breweries in the state. Bring your four-legged friend along and grab a pint of one of their many award-winning brews. While they don’t have a kitchen on-site, they do often have food trucks, as well as allow outside food. 

Angry James Brewery | Frisco
Top Picks: Tricentric IPA or Two Tone Footer Stout 
Angry James offers a wide selection of house-made brews, and is a great spot to hang out year-round on their covered patio! In addition to their 16 beers on tap, they also host Mountain Melt to satisfy your grilled cheese craving! 

Breckenridge Brewery | Breckenridge
Top Picks: Vanilla Porter or Avalanche Amber Ale 
While Breckenridge Brewing now has five locations in Colorado, it’s worth visiting the OG location! Try one of their many award-winning brews on tap, or grab a bite to eat from their in-house kitchen serving a wide selection of fare.

Steep Brewing & Coffee Company | Keystone
Top Picks: Mountain Juice or Pau Hana 
When you can’t decide if you want a hot cup of coffee or an icy beer after hitting the slopes all day, Steep Brewing & Coffee Company might be just the spot for you. With two locations in Keystone, Steep has a good selection of unique brews, craft cocktails, pizza, and light bites. Everyone in your group is sure to find something they like! 

Buena Vista Craft Breweries

Eddyline Brewery and Taproom
Top Picks: Crank Yanker or Raspberry Wheat 
With two locations in town, Eddyline is known for their delicious food and impressive selection of craft beers. Their Linderman Ave. location has a relaxed, pub-style atmosphere with a dog-friendly patio, while their Southmain location is a bit more upscale featuring creative entrees alongside a selection of craft cocktails for the non-beer drinkers in your group. 

Brown’s Canyon Brewing Company
Top Picks: Shred Session IPA or Shred Bunny Blonde 
Situated on the banks of the Arkansas River, Brown’s Canyon Brewing Company has a family-friendly outside beer garden, perfect for playing a yard game or relaxing after a long day exploring. There’s a rotating selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads on Fridays and Saturdays, as well! 

Crested Butte Craft Breweries

The Eldo Brewpub
Top Picks: The Eldo IPA or Study Buddy
Located along Grand Avenue in the historic downtown Crested butte, The Eldo is the perfect spot to grab a pint and people watch from the balcony on a nice day, or enjoy the historic western taproom indoors. While they do not have a kitchen, they partner with the Himalayan restaurant next door for delivery to your table. Their beer list is constantly changing with guest beers, local favorites, and creative brews. 

Estes Park Craft Breweries

Rock Cut Brewing Company
Top Picks: Galactic Portal or Altruism 
After a long day exploring in RMNP, Rock Cut is the perfect spot to grab a beer and relax on their dog-friendly patio. They do not have a kitchen, but there is often a food truck parked out front if you’re looking for a bit to eat. 

Lumpy Ridge Brewing Company 
Top Picks: Lumpy Ridge IPA or Thurman’s Stout 
With two locations in town, Lumpy Ridge is a town favorite. Enjoy happy hour each day from 5pm to 7pm on their dog-friendly patio! While neither location has a kitchen, both have a rotating food truck schedule. 

Avant Garde Aleworks 
Top Picks: Double IPA with Citrus or Farmhouse Saison 
Hands down the most instagrammable brewery in town, Avant Garde has a great rotating selection of beers on tap. They also have a rotating food truck schedule, as well as Barvarian-style pretzels available for purchase on non-food truck days.  

Grand Lake Craft Breweries

The World’s End Brewpub
Top Picks: The World’s End Pale Ale or Belgian Amber 
With a limited supply of house-made microbrews, as well as a good selection of rotating craft beers from other Colorado breweries, The World’s End Brewpub is a great spot to sample several local options in one spot! Enjoy a pizza and brew on their dog-friendly boardwalk patio. As a small family-run business in a small mountain town, their hours do vary seasonally, so it’s worth calling before visiting to make sure they’re open. 

Idaho Springs Craft Breweries 

Westbound & Down Brewing Company
Top Picks: Juice Caboose or Westbound Double IPA 
Westbound & Down is known for their award-winning beer and delicious menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, and traditional pub fare with a Colorado twist. While they have four locations in Colorado, their Idaho Springs location is the OG! For non-beer lovers, they also have an impressive menu of craft cocktails! 

Ouray Craft Breweries

Colorado Boy Southwest Pub
Top Picks: Olathe Sweet Corn Ale or El Guapo Mexican Lager
Known for their hand-crafted pizza, southwest pub fare, and selection of 12 beers on tap (both house-brewed and local), Colorado Boy is a great spot to wind down after spending the day exploring the San Juans! For non-beer fans, be sure to try one of their house-made margaritas or craft cocktails! 

Ouray Brewery
Top Picks: Box Canyon Brown Ale or Camp Bird Blonde 
Ouray Brweing’s rooftop is a can’t miss while in town. Their selection of award-winning beer has something for every taste, and their kitchen serves up a variety of delicious traditional pub fare with a southwest twist. 

Salida Craft Breweries

Soulcraft Brewing
Top Picks: Green Chile Ale or Coconut Milk Stout 
Known for their unique beer offerings, Soulcraft is one brewery you don’t want to miss. From lagers to IPAs to stouts, their wide selection is perfect for every palate. Enjoy their dog-friendly patio and grab a bite to eat from their in-house kitchen serving snacks, burgers, and sandwiches. 

Tres Lirtos Beer Company
Top Picks: Clarity of Mind or Electrólima
Tres Litros is located in a beautiful historic building in downtown Salida and has a great selection of house-made brews. They stand out for their commitment to enriching the community through  local reinvestment, eco-conscious sustainability, and cultural and environmental support. While you’re there, grab a snack from their food cart, or order delivery from one of the many nearby restaurants. 

Salida Brewing Company
Top Picks: Penelope Cruiser or Whitewater Cowboy 
With a welcoming taproom full of colorful murals, Saldia Brewing Company is the perfect spot together with friends. While they do not have a kitchen, outside food is always welcome! 

Telluride Craft Breweries

Smuggler Union Restaurant & Brewery
Top Picks: Citra IPA or South of the Porter 
Smuggler Union is a local favorite, known for their unique award-winning brews and delicious food. They pride themselves on sourcing local ingredients whenever possible and have a wide selection of soups, salads, burgers, and pasta. For non-beer drinkers, check out their house-made sodas and craft cocktails! 

Telluride Brewing Company
Top Picks: Face Down Brown or Tempter IPA 
With two taprooms in town, Telluride Brewing Company is a great place to grab an award-winning brew after spending the day exploring year-round. Their Brew Pub in Mountain Village offers burgers, snacks, and salads, while their taproom on Lawson Hill has a great outdoor patio! 

StrongHouse Brew Pub 
Top Picks: Coldfire Pale Ale or Honey Ginger Blonde Ale 
Located in downtown Telluride, StrongHouse is housed in a historic warehouse dating back to 1892. It was faithfully restored and features an 1880s mahogany bar and antique 2-story lift! Soak in the historic, unique ambiance while enjoying their great selection of beer, cocktails, and pub fare. 

Vail Craft Breweries

Vail Brewing Company
Top Picks: Gore Creek IPA or Hot Mess 
Visit one of Vail Brewing Company’s two tap rooms to experience their award-winning beer! Both locations feature a dog-friendly patio, and the Eagle-Vail location hosts the Rocky Mountain Taco Truck for those looking to grab a bite to eat! 

Winter Park Craft Breweries

Big Trout Brewing
Top Picks: Alpine Lake IPA or Hickory Hill Raspberry Wheat 
Locally owned and operated, Big Trout Brewing is home to a High Efficiency Brewing System, allowing them to do their part for the environment, including reducing water waste and increasing their extraction rate. Enjoy one of their award-winning beers alongside food from their in-house kitchen! 

Hideaway Park Brewery
Top Picks: BruBrew IPA or All Day Cream Ale
Named after Winter Park’s original settlement, Hideaway Park Brewery features 12 beers on tap. It’s a great spot to unwind after a day on the slopes!  While they don’t have food on-site, you are always welcome to bring our own. 

The Noble Buck
Top Picks: Buck Haus or 5 Buck Ale 
The Nobel Buck is a full-service gastro brewery serving up craft beers and a seasonal menu. For non-beer drinkers, they also have a full bar and a wide variety of craft cocktails! 

Steamboat Springs Craft Breweries 

Storm Peak Brewing Company
Top Picks: Maestro or Hoochie Mama 
With two locations in Steamboat, Storm Peak Brewing Company offers a good selection of craft brews. Their west side location is dog-friendly and has several restaurants nearby for food. Their east side location hosts Antonio’s Pizza under its roof for those looking to grab a bite in-house! 

Yampa Valley Brewing Company
Top Picks: Space Dog! Or Sandhill Crane Red 
Grab a brew at the dog-friendly Hop House! With rotating taps and rotating food trucks on weekends, Yampa Valley Brewing Company is sure to have something for everyone!  

Mountain Tap Brewery 
Top Picks: Mountain Macaroon or Passionate Pedal 
Known for their wood-fired menu featuring pizzas, salads, and small plates, and a wide selection of house-brewed beer, Mountain Tap Brewery is a great spot for the whole family to grab a bite to eat and relax after a day on the slopes or on the Yampa! 

Colorado Front Range Craft Breweries 

WeldWerks Brewing Co. | Greeley, CO
Top Picks: Juicy Bits or Key Lime Pie 
A true Northern Colorado gem, Weldwerks is known for their award-winning, creative craft beer and was voted the best new brewery by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice in 2016! Grab a flight to sample some of the 24 beers they have on tap, or relax on their dog-friendly patio with a pint. Their in-house kitchen is also known for serving modern twists on classics. 

Dry Dock Brewing Co. | Aurora, CO 
Top Picks: Apricot Blonde or Amber Ale 
Visit Dry Dock to sample one of their 12 award-winning beers on tap! While there, enjoy their 18-hole disc golf course on the property, or order food from one of the three near-by restaurants. 

Denver Beer Co. | Denver, CO | Littleton, CO | Arvada, CO 
Top Picks: Peanut Butter Graham Cracker Porter or Princess Yum Yum 
With five locations across the Front Range, Denver Beer Co. is known for being 100% solar-powered in addition to their award-winning craft beers, N/A Hop Water, and craft hard seltzers. Each location features an in-house kitchen serving up traditional pub fare and dog-friendly patios! 

Station 26 Brewing Co. | Denver, CO
Top Picks: Juicy Banger IPA or Tangerine Cream 
Located in an old firehouse in Denver, Station 26 Brewing has a rotating selection of beers on tap, as well as a rotating food truck schedule. It’s the perfect spot to relax on their dog-friendly patio after a day spent exploring the Mile High city!  

Great Divide Brewing Co. | Denver, CO | Castle Rock, CO | Lone Tree, CO 
Top Picks: Yeti or Titan 
With 6 locations across the Front Range, Great Divide is an easy stop! They have a wide selection of craft beers on top, in addition to their craft hard seltzers for non-beer lovers in the group. 

Bonus: Most Famous Colorado Breweries 

New Belgium Brewing | Fort Collins, CO
Top Picks: Voodoo Ranger Juice Force or 1554 
New Belgium is well known for a reason. Their Fort Collins brewery and tap room offers tours to learn about the brewing process first-hand, as well as sample one of their 37 craft beers, N/A beers, and hard seltzers on tap. They have lots of indoor seating as well as a huge dog-friendly patio with yard games and a rotating food truck schedule! 

Odell Brewing | Fort Collins, CO | Denver, CO 
Top Picks: Drumroll or Sippin’ Pretty 
Odell’s Fort Collins brewery and tap room features a huge dog-friendly patio, indoor seating, a rotating food truck schedule, and tours to see how their beer is made. In addition to their 21 beers and hard seltzers on tap, they also share a patio with the OBC Wine Project for non-beer lovers! For those hoping to stay a bit further South, visit one of their two Denver taprooms! 

Coors | Golden, CO 
Top Picks: Coors Light or Coors Banquet 
One of the largest breweries in the US, the original Coors brewery in Golden, CO offers tours and samples with advanced reservations.   

Oskar Blues Brewing | Longmont, CO
Top Picks: Dale’s Pale Ale or Death by Coconut 
With a wide selection of beer and hard seltzers, Oskar Blues offers trivia on Tuesdays and live music on Fridays with a rotating food truck schedule daily. 

Left Hand Brewing Co. | Longmont, CO  
Top Picks: Milk Stout Nitro or Sawtooth Ale 
Left Hand Brewing Co. offers a wide selection of craft beer, hard kombucha, hard cider, hard seltzers, and canned cocktails, as well as N/A beer. They have a rotating selection of food trucks, trivia on Wednesdays, and frequent live music and vinyl nights. 

As you explore the mountain towns of Colorado, be sure to make time to grab a craft brew or two! Whether you love hoppy IPAs, fruity sours, or flavorful wheat beers, the vibrant Colorado craft beer scene is sure to have something for everyone!