Colorado is a craft beer paradise, boasting over 400 breweries and a rich brewing history. From iconic pioneers to innovative newcomers, the state offers something for every beer enthusiast. Here’s our list of the 10 best breweries in Colorado, highlighting their standout beers, unique qualities, and why they’ve earned their spot on this list.
New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins)
Why They’re Great: Legacy matters. New Belgium helped shape Colorado’s beer identity. While they’ve gone national, they haven’t lost their edge…especially with their sours and pilot projects.
Popular Beers: Fat Tire Amber Ale (their flagship beer), Voodoo Ranger IPA, and La Folie (a sour brown ale).
Why You Should Go: A sprawling taproom with bike themed decor and a focus on eco-friendly practices.
Website: https://www.newbelgium.com/
Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver)
Why They’re Great: Great Divide is a powerhouse in the craft beer world, known for bold, high-quality beers and numerous awards. Their Yeti series features variations like chocolate, oatmeal, and espresso, making it a stout lover’s dream.
Popular Beers: Yeti Imperial Stout, Titan IPA, and Colette Farmhouse Ale.
Why You Should Go: A cozy taproom in the heart of Denver with a laid back vibe and a great selection of experimental brews.
Website: https://greatdivide.com/
Avery Brewing Company (Boulder)
Why They’re Great: Avery is renowned for pushing boundaries with high-ABV beers and creative flavor profiles. Avery’s Barrel-Aged Series is legendary, featuring beers aged in bourbon, rum, and wine barrels.
Popular Beers: The Maharaja Imperial IPA, White Rascal (a Belgian-style witbier), and Rumpkin (a pumpkin ale aged in rum barrels).
Why You Should Go: A massive taproom with a restaurant offering beer-paired dishes and stunning views of the Rockies.
Website: https://www.averybrewing.com/
Odell Brewing Company (Fort Collins)
Why They’re Great: Odell is a family owned brewery that has been crafting exceptional beers since 1989, with a focus on quality and innovation. Odell’s pilot system allows them to experiment with small batch brews, ensuring there’s always something new to try.
Popular Beers: 90 Shilling Ale, IPA, and Friek (a raspberry and cherry sour ale).
Why You Should Go: A sunny patio, live music, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like a community hub.
Website: https://www.odellbrewing.com/
Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project (Denver)
Why They’re Great: They marry science with artistry. Founder Chad Yakobson has a master’s degree in brewing and distilling. He literally wrote his thesis on Brettanomyces. So yeah, they know funky beers. These guys helped push American sour beer forward. Lab grade brewing meets wild yeast experimentation.
Popular Beers: Surette Provision Saison, Nightmare on Brett (a dark sour ale), and Hop Savant (a hoppy wild ale).
Why You Should Go: A chic taproom in The Source Hotel, where you can enjoy artisanal beers alongside gourmet food.
Website: https://www.crookedstave.com/
WeldWerks Brewing Co. (Greeley)
Why They’re Great: WeldWerks doesn’t miss. Their hazy IPAs are on par with the best on the coasts, and their stout game is borderline ridiculous. They also experiment a lot…with strong results. Think glitter beer and s’mores stout, but done with actual skill. Their “Advanced Fluid Dynamics” series brings in wild collabs and deep-cut beer nerd love.
Popular Beers: Juicy Bits (a New England-style IPA), Medianoche (an imperial stout), and Extra Extra Juicy Bits.
Their annual Invitational Beer Festival attracts beer lovers and brewers from across the country.
Why You Should Go: A friendly, community focused brewery with a constantly rotating tap list of great beer.
Website: https://weldwerks.com/
Trve Brewing Company (Denver)
Why They’re Great: TRVE (pronounced “true”) is for the beer geek who also owns four Mastodon records. Their beers are wild-fermented, nuanced, and often dry as a bone. Metal themed brewery that’s all about fermentation…no gimmicks, just solid sour and farmhouse beers.
Popular Beers: Cursed (a tart saison), Prehistoric Dog (a West Coast IPA), and Stout O))) (an imperial stout).
Why You Should Go: A dark, moody taproom with a killer soundtrack and a loyal following.
Website: https://www.trvebrewing.com/
Casey Brewing & Blending (Glenwood Springs)
Why They’re Great: Casey made wild ales cool in Colorado. They work with local fruit and natural fermentation to create complex, delicate beers that drink more like fine wine than beer. Everything is barrel aged and bottle conditioned. The fruit is all Colorado grown. Beer nerds travel hours to pick up bottles.
Popular Beers: East Bank (a fruited sour), Family Preserves (a series of fruit-infused wild ales), and Saison.
Why You Should Go: A small, intimate tasting room with stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
Website: https://caseybrewing.com/
Left Hand Brewing Company (Longmont)
Why They’re Great: Left Hand is a pioneer in nitro beers, offering a smooth, creamy texture that sets them apart. They were one of the first breweries to bottle nitro beers, revolutionizing the craft beer scene.
Popular Beers: Milk Stout Nitro, Sawtooth Ale (an ESB), and Polestar Pilsner.
Why You Should Go: A spacious taproom with a friendly vibe and a focus on community events.
Website: http://www.lefthandbrewing.com/
Outer Range Brewing Company (Frisco)
Why They’re Great: They nailed the New England IPA style early, and they do it at altitude. Their taproom has a stunning mountain backdrop, which helps. But even without the view, their beers hold up. One of the few breweries that can pivot between haze bombs and dry, crisp saisons without missing a beat.
Popular Beers: In the Steep (a hazy IPA), Mountains Walking (a pale ale), and Roaming (a hoppy lager).
Why You Should Go: A cozy, modern taproom with a focus on quality and balance in every beer… and stunning views.
Webite: https://outerrange.com/
Ska Brewing (Durango)
Why They’re Great: Ska is one of the O.G.s of the Colorado scene. They’ve been doing it since the ’90s with a mix of attitude and quality. Their beers are widely available but still taste fresh and relevant.
Popular Beers: Modus Hoperandi (IPA), Pinstripe Red Ale
Why You Should Go: Comic book style branding and ska music theme that doesn’t feel forced…it’s who they are.
Website: https://skabrewing.com/
Final Thoughts
Yes, we know that’s more than 10 breweries, but with so many outstanding options in the State, it’s hard to stop adding them. Speaking of which, here’s a few more that also should’ve made the list:
- Bierstadt Lagerhaus (Denver)
- Ratio Beerworks (Denver)
- Cerebral Brewing (Denver)
Colorado’s craft beer community is as diverse as its landscape, offering everything from hop-forward IPAs to barrel-aged sours. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, these breweries are great destinations for anyone who appreciates great beer. Cheers to exploring the best of Colorado’s brewing culture!
If we overlooked your favorite Colorado brewery, please tell us about it in the comments section below. We’re always looking for another great spot!
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