Colorado is home to more craft breweries than any other state, so beer lovers have many choices regarding where to find their favorite brands. Colorado was also a pioneer in the craft beer movement long before it became popular nationally so the craft breweries have had awhile to perfect their brews.
From a geographic standpoint, Colorado is home to high mountains and vast expanses of flat land. This diversity lends itself well to brewing styles, as brewers can experiment with a wide range of ingredients and brewing techniques. Many of the craft breweries also take advantage of the state’s rich agricultural heritage by using local ingredients in their beers.
Whether you’re a beer lover or just curious about the hype, there’s a craft brewery in Colorado that will fit your needs.
Best Craft Breweries in Colorado
This brewery list will focus on best craft breweries in the Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Estes Park, and Longmont areas. If you’re looking for a list of amazing Colorado breweries, check them out! Theres even a Brews and Views tour out of Denver with a brew at each stop!
Table of contents
- Best Craft Breweries in Colorado
- 1. Golden City Brewery
- 2. Westbound and Down Brewing Company
- 3. Cerebral Brewing
- 4. Dry Dock Brewing Company
- 5. Twisted Pine Brewing Company
- 6. Avery Brewing Company
- 7. Breckenridge Brewery & Pub
- 8. Great Divide Brewing Company
- 9. Bristol Brewing Company
- 10. Odell Brewing Company
- 11. New Belgium Brewing Company
- 12. Wynkoop Brewing Company
- 13. Left Hand Brewing Company
- 14. 300 Suns Brewery
- 15. Wibby Brewing
- 16. The Post Chicken and Beer
- Bottom Line on badass Colorado Craft Breweries
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1. Golden City Brewery
This Colorado craft brewery is a great place to drink an adult beverage! There’s a covered patio garden where you can enjoy your craft beers. In the colder months, there are gas heaters, so you can still hang out and see the incredible views of the mountains. The patio is dog-friendly, and good food truck options are usually available.
2. Westbound and Down Brewing Company
If you’re looking for a place to drink and eat, the Westbound and Down Brewing Company in Idaho Springs is brewery worth checking out. The restaurant and brewery offers a relaxing, attractive atmosphere that you’ll love. The bar, in particular, is beautiful. Plus, the stools are very comfortable – just as our hostess recommended. The bison burger and fries are delicious, as well as the fried tomatoes!
3. Cerebral Brewing
This local Colorado craft brew spot is cozy and within a fun neighborhood. They have great sours, so get a flight and try them all! You’ll love the vibe and the beakers for the flight glasses. The patio area is spacious and has plenty of seating options. The selection of stouts is unmatched compared to other breweries in the area.
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4. Dry Dock Brewing Company
Their flagship beers, especially the Apricot Blonde and Vanilla Porter, will blow you away. They recently added seltzers to their menu, and they’re worth trying. You should consider ordering a flight because there are so many flavorful craft beers. Popcorn is always on hand if you get the munchies too.
5. Twisted Pine Brewing Company
There’s plenty of outdoor seating and vast indoor space, so there is plenty of room for you and your friends to sip on some beers together. The ambiance looks like it’s still under construction, but the quality of the beers is lovely and unique. Many visitors love Billy’s Chilies, but all their beers are great! Try the chili beer and if you’re up for something hotter, try the Ghost Face Killah.
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Avery Brewing Company is a popular brewery in Boulder, Colorado. The new, larger location has 30 beers on tap, plus a restaurant serving comfort cuisine, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Their beers are often innovative and experimental and have many seating options. They sell beer in bottles and cans and food from their menu.
7. Breckenridge Brewery & Pub
Breckenridge Brewery & Pub has several locations throughout Colorado. It’s one of the most popular breweries in the state and is known for its classic beers. If you’re looking for a great place to drink beer in Colorado, Breckenridge Brewery should be at the top of your list!
The food here is delicious. The menu includes a lovely pineapple upside-down cake! And the atmosphere is cool and modern with a rustic, farmhouse feel. It’s perfect for a date night!
8. Great Divide Brewing Company
Great Divide Brewing Company is located in Denver, Colorado, and is one of the most well-known breweries in the state. There’s even a location at the airport! The brewery’s beers are often lauded for their innovative flavors and a wide variety. Some unique brews include the Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Ale and Car Camper Hazy Pale Ale. Our team favorite is the Yeti Imperial Stout by far! Try some of the brewery’s beers if you’re ever in Denver!
Enjoy Our Finest Gourmet Coffee With Our Signature Roaster’s Choice – Only At Fresh Roasted Coffee9. Bristol Brewing Company
This craft brewery hand brews their beers and is located in an old elementary school with many other restaurants and businesses are inside the building. The signature beers like Beehive, Laughing Lab, and Red Rocket are timeless, but the seasonal beers are our favorites.
10. Odell Brewing Company
The outdoor seating is perfect for a relaxing day. The shade is plentiful, the trees are beautiful, and the view is impressive. Beer prices vary depending on what you choose to drink, but $5 Monday afternoons means you can get a delicious beer without breaking the bank!
11. New Belgium Brewing Company
The beer selection here is really great. I recommend taking the tour, which is about 45 minutes and free of charge. They also have a food truck outside and a large patio that gets busy during the summer. On Friday, they usually have live music playing in the courtyard, so it was enjoyable!
12. Wynkoop Brewing Company
Denver, Colorado’s Wynkoop Brewing Company has been around for almost three decades in a tiny basement underneath Denver’s largest pool hall. People come here because they love the pool tables and shuffleboard space. It’s fun to hang out here before any Rockies game. If you plan on eating here, try the bison meatloaf, which is covered in mashed potatoes and served with crisp green beans.
13. Left Hand Brewing Company
If you get the chance, take the brewery tour. It’s fantastic! During the tour, you can learn more about their brewing process firsthand! Especially if you are a beer geek and like to chat with your tour guide about all of their favorite beers.
Everyone at the brewery knows the beer-making process and the final product. They allow fantastic dogs and have a large lawn area not far from the main taproom. We always get a delicious stout when we come here, but I’m particularly fond of their IPAs.
14. 300 Suns Brewery
This brewery also has a fantastic food menu that perfectly complements your drink. You’ll love the menu here, especially the grilled chicken sandwich. The beer is perfect, and I daydream about the Colorado poutine sometimes! The Cream Ale is a tasty refreshment on a hot summer day.
15. Wibby Brewing
Wibby Brewing is one of the top breweries in Longmont. They have a wide variety of beers, from pilsners to dunkels, which are excellent. There are plenty of different places to sit, both inside and outside. The lighting at night is fantastic and makes it that much more special.
16. The Post Chicken and Beer
The Stanley Hotel is not just a go-to scary destination from The Shining in Estes Park, you can get your chicken and brews fix with this award-winning Colorado craft brewery. There are also many other locations in Colorado such as Denver, Boulder, and Lafayette to choose from. The food at the one on the Stanley grounds in Estes Park was delicious and it is in a great location if you are staying at the haunted Stanley Hotel because you can walk there on the grounds!
Bottom Line on badass Colorado Craft Breweries
Colorado has a long and proud brewing history, with more than 400 breweries operating. It is the perfect place to find some amazing local brews and with so many craft breweries to choose from you can’t go wrong! If you miss a few don’t forget theres a Great Divide location at the airport on the way out of town!