Home to more than 400 craft breweries, Colorado is overflowing with places to grab a pint. This curated list largely spotlights metro area favorites, with a few must-visit spots in the mountains mixed in. Wherever you venture, you’re sure to find creative and delicious beers in every flavor imaginable.
Options cover every craving, from bold IPAs and funky barrel-aged flavors to beer that tastes like, well, beer. These industry pioneers and new trendsetters also offer easygoing atmospheres where pet-friendly patios and live music are the norm. Call up your crew and pack your crowler when visiting these 20 epic breweries in Colorado.
Denver Breweries
Bierstadt Lagerhaus
Traditional German lagers take center stage at this popular brewery in the River North Art District. Three core options are always on tap including a malty and light helles, a dark and chocolatey dunkel, and the signature Slow Pour Pils that’s entirely worth the short wait. Seasonal selections and Bavarian-inspired bites round out the menu. Bierstadt Lagerhaus offers a fun, spacious venue to boot, with jumbo yard games, live music, pro wrestling, and other entertaining events. 2875 Blake St., Denver, bierstadtlager.com
Ratio Beerworks
Founded by punk rockers, it’s no surprise that Ratio Beerworks boasts a killer vibe and a hard-hitting playlist. What’s on draft takes things up another notch. Sip the award-winning King of Carrot Flowers saison on the RiNo location’s expansive patio or order a Cityscapes Mexican-style lager during a concert at its newer outpost off South Broadway. Food trucks are often parked outside both breweries, which feature plenty of space to kick back. 2920 Larimer St., Denver, and 2030 S. Cherokee St., Denver, ratiobeerworks.com
River North Brewery
While comparatively lesser-known to the general public, industry folks and beer experts are well familiar with River North Brewery. Its two North Denver taprooms pour an impressive range, from boozy barleywines and imperial stouts to classic styles like Belgian witbier and coastal IPA. Many are globally recognized as gold medal champions as well. Glimpse the production line at either location, where barrels and micro stills add to an industrial aesthetic. 6021 Washington St., Denver, and 3400 Blake St., Denver, rivernorthbrewery.com
Crooked Stave Brewing Company
Though Crooked Stave crafts several beer styles, this Sunnyside neighborhood gem is especially loved by sour beer enthusiasts. Brettanomyces yeast species, spontaneous fermentation, and French oak barrels form favorites like Funk It Up. Its flagship Sour Rosé is another stand-out, as are collaborative creations made with the likes of Ratio Beerworks and Outer Range. Sample the selection during its weekday happy hour, when full pours are $2 off from 4 to 6 p.m. 1441 W. 46th Ave., Denver, crookedstave.com
Knotted Root Brewing Company
This Nederland brewery recently opened The Circular Lounge, its second tasting room off East Colfax Avenue, bringing its smoothie sours, dry-hopped ales, and other experimental styles to Denver. Dubbed the Circular Lounge, this new space offers retro charm with classic arcade games, pool tables, and tunes from a 58-disc jukebox. Despite the divey feel, Knotted Root pours some of the best craft beer in town and the selection is constantly rotating. 250 N. Caribou St., Nederland, and The Circular Lounge at 5126 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, knottedrootbrewing.com
Cerebral Brewing
Science and art come together at this sustainability-minded brewery, which takes special pride in its foeder fermented lagers, funky IPAs, and barrel-aged beers. Aside from the core options, what’s on tap in Congress Park, West Highland, and Aurora is often a surprise but never a disappointment. From its fruited sour series to sessionable hazy pale ales and even frozen drinks, there’s something for every palate at Cerebral Brewing. Multiple locations, cerebralbrewing.com
Comrade Brewing Company
Set between automotive shops in the southeast corner of Denver, Comrade Brewing Company may be unassuming from its exterior. But a “less is more” approach works for this frequent award-winner, where an Irish red ale and a range of IPAs are fan favorites. Yellow Fever, a jalapeño-infused blonde ale, spices up its menu of otherwise-classic styles, all of which are crafted using USA-made brewing equipment. 7667 E. Iliff Ave., Denver, comradebrewing.com
Station 26 Brewing Co.
Stop by this former fire station in Park Hill for popular picks like Tangerine Cream, 303 Lager, and Juicy Banger IPA. These flagship beers are joined by rotating kegs and regular food trucks that park outside its spacious patio. Station 26 maximizes its venue with a host of events, from craft nights and a summer cornhole league to bluegrass shows every second Sunday of the month. 7045 E. 38th Ave., Denver, station26brewing.co
Denver Beer Co.
With 100 percent solar-powered operations and a carbon capture program, you can feel good about supporting this eco-conscious brewery. Sip a Graham Cracker Porter around a firepit or crush an Incredible Pedal West Coast IPA while out on a ride. Denver Beer Co. embodies the fun, laid-back energy of locals in the Highland neighborhood, Rosedale, Lowry, Littleton, and Olde Town Arvada. Find dog-friendly patios at every outpost. Multiple locations, denverbeerco.com
Wynkoop Brewing Company
Colorado’s first brewpub has been crafting ales for more than thirty years. When visiting this landmark in downtown Denver, order its signature American amber or perhaps a pour of its Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout if you’re feeling bullish. Several beers pair well with food like its signature Wynkoop Burger ($19.50) made with a Colorado bison patty and green chile mayo. During its weekday happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m., several menu items are discounted and games of pool are free. 1634 18th St., Denver, wynkoop.com
Breckenridge Brewery
In addition to outposts in Breckenridge and Fort Collins, this iconic establishment owns one of the best places to dine in Littleton. Known as the Farm House, it’s set right along the South Platte River. Bike there along the paved path or even arrive by tube in the summer months when live music is a regular occurrence. Breckenridge Brewery is one of the area’s best outdoor dining spots, offering American comfort food and cold craft beer like its classic Avalanche Amber Ale, Juice Drop Hazy IPA, and Palisade Peach Wheat. Multiple locations, breckbrew.com
Westbound & Down Brewing Company
Now in its tenth year of business, Westbound & Down has seen wide success across the state. Its original outpost in Idaho Springs is joined by locations in Basalt, Lafayette, and the Dairy Block micro-district in downtown Denver. Fans of hoppy beers will feel right at home at any location. Sip on its award-winning Colorado Pale Ale, Infinity Pils, and a wide assortment of IPA styles. Juice Caboose, a dry-hopped New England-style hazy, is especially worth sampling. Multiple locations, westboundanddown.com
Cannonball Creek Brewing Company
This Great American Beer Festival champ is based in the scenic foothills of Golden. It’s just a stone’s throw away from Clear Creek, which was originally known as Cannonball Creek. Take in the mountain views at this aptly-named brewery while sampling its Rosemary Sourdough Saison, Featherweight pale ale, and Trump Hands session IPA. Hungry visitors can also look forward to food trucks rotating through nearly every day of the week. 393 Washington Ave., Golden, cannonballcreekbrewing.com
Odell Brewing Company
Founded in Fort Collins in the late ‘80s, Odell Brewing Company is one of the state’s original craft breweries. Its legacy now extends to two Denver locations. Sample experimental releases at its RiNo taproom or visit its Sloan’s Lake brewhouse for scratch-made pizza and signature beers. Classics include its crushable Lagerado, 90 Shilling amber ale, and Sippin’ Pretty fruited sour. Rooftop patios and live music add to the easygoing ambiance at both outposts. Multiple locations, odellbrewing.com
Front Range Breweries
Avery Brewing Company
Behind-the-scenes tours of this Boulder-based brewery are priced at $11 per person. Learn about ingredients, fermentation, and other aspects of its production process before sampling three craft beers. Meanwhile, more than 30 options are on tap within Avery’s indoor-outdoor tasting room. The core selection includes its signature IPA, Ellie’s Brown Ale, and White Rascal. Small batch beers from its pilot program are also available, though many come and go. Take a growler home if one really hits the spot. 4910 Nautilus Ct. N., Boulder, averybrewing.com
WeldWerks Brewing Co.
While Greeley may not be a favored getaway, WeldWerks is a destination all its own. Head east to sample a rotation of novel options such as Passion Fruit Mango Cheesecake sour ale and Summer S’mores milk stout. These are joined by more classic styles, particularly IPAs like its flagship Juicy Bits. Pair your pint with a double-stacked cheeseburger and grab a picnic table on its patio. 508 8th Ave., Greeley, weldwerks.com
New Belgium Brewing Company
An employee-owned industry leader and certified B Corp, New Belgium is well recognized across the country. Take a free tour of its massive Fort Collins headquarters to learn about the company’s legacy, sustainable production, and how it crafted the nation’s first carbon-neutral beer. Its iconic Voodoo Ranger IPA, Fat Tire Ale, and premium Mountain Time lager are among the core selection. These and other options are also served from its DIA outpost, one of the best places to dine at the airport. Multiple locations, newbelgium.com
Mountain Town Breweries
Outer Range Brewing Company
Set in the heart of Summit County, Outer Range is one of the top après-ski spots in the state. End an afternoon on the slopes with its Glide Path porter or a pint of In The Steep, which is among several IPA options on draft. Complete with rooftop seating and a heated patio, its Frisco space also houses Mountain Dweller Coffee Roasters and Bird Craft. Order a spicy dish starring Thai-inspired fried chicken to go with your hoppy ale. 182 Lusher Ct., Frisco, outerrange.com
Broken Compass Brewing
Another favorite among powder hounds, Broken Compass Brewing is the perfect complement to a day at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Ride down Peak 9 and take a quick walk to its Main Street tasting room or catch the shuttle to the free airport parking lot, where its flagship location is just up the road. Either patio is a great place to swig its Irish Red, Ginger Pale Ale, or popular Coconut Porter. Stop by the original brewery on Sunday and Monday evenings for live acoustic and bluegrass tunes. Multiple locations, brokencompassbrewing.com
Casey Brewing & Blending
Last but certainly not least, there’s Casey Brewing in Glenwood Springs. It’s the furthest destination from Denver on this list, but well worth the road trip. Beer connoisseurs will be blown away by its barrel-aged farmhouse ales. Several lean into Colorado-sourced ingredients, such as its signature Saison, tart Funky Blender, and Jammy blackberry ale. Beyond the sour selection, this acclaimed craft brewery offers lagers, stouts, IPAs, and more styles for every preference. 711 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, caseybrewing.com
