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Elevation Beer Co.
Elevation Beer Co./Facebook

Visit These 12 Brewery Destinations Around Colorado

Where to find good beer off the beaten path

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Elevation Beer Co.
| Elevation Beer Co./Facebook

In Colorado, there are more breweries than anyone could visit in a year — even if someone went to a new one every day. However, some craft breweries are worth taking a little time to get to, whether that’s a scenic mountain drive, a detour on the way home from the slopes, or a few minutes — maybe hours — off the beaten path.

This list offers destination-worthy breweries all over the state, from Palisade to Alamosa, Durango to Steamboat Springs. Collectively, these spots should satisfy just about every taste and beer need. Here, a look at 12 destinations to visit in Colorado.

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Soul Squared Brewing Co.

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For anyone who ever wanted to be part of a CSA (that is, community supported agriculture) program, this brewery’s for you. A short drive out of Fort Collins, Soul Squared’s farm-based approach to brewing beer means that fresh ingredients from their working farm are transformed into specialty seasonal and small-batch suds. Visit the tasting room for samples and membership info.  

Butcherknife Brewing Co.

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Steamboat Springs’ Champagne powder is one thing; its beer scene is another. Leave the resort behind and drive to the north side of town for Butcherknife’s award-winning beers, such as the 2018 GABF gold medal-winner Sunshine Express Pale Ale. Every first Tuesday, come for History Happy Hour (think “Drunk History” in real life).

Butcherknife Brewing Co. beer with medal
Butcherknife Brewing Co.
Butcherknife Brewing Co./Facebook

High Hops Brewery

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High Hops is more than a brewery. It’s part garden center, part home brew shop, and part hop farm producing more than 50 different varieties of hop plants — several of which end up in their brews. Plus, 40 taps means the brewery has a ton of styles to sample year-round, whether you’re into wheats or wee heavies.

Outer Range Brewing Co.

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“Something hidden. Go and find it,” implores Outer Range Brewing Co.’s homepage. The Rudyard Kipling quote is an apt choice for this adventure-oriented brewery, an easy stop off I-70 and close to ski areas such as Breckenridge and Copper Mountain. The tap list is a New England IPA lover’s dream and the raucous can release parties draw a crowd.

Roaring Fork Beer Co.

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Situated in between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Carbondale draws a crowd no matter the season. Roaring Fork Brewery offers small-batch seasonal brews, from barrel-aged Imperial stouts to refreshing extra pale ales. Visit the tasting room after a day at the hot springs, or fill a growler to enjoy at a backcountry campsite.

Periodic Brewing

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Chemistry nerds will get a kick out of Periodic Brewing’s localized logo. For the rest of us, beers like the Sugarloaf Amber Ale and Tourmaline Black Ale offer plenty to geek out about. This family-owned, Leadville-based brewery is situated among 14,000-foot peaks and stunning alpine lakes, making it a prime stop in between outdoor adventures.

Periodic Brewing
Periodic Brewing
Periodic Brewing/Facebook

Palisade Brewing Co.

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If you’re ready for a detour from Colorado’s Western Slope wineries then pay a visit to Palisade Brewing Company. Visitors will find plenty of tie-dye décor, lots of live music, and beers such as the Dirty Hippie and the Hula Hoppie.  

Red Leg Brewing Co.

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Founded on the Fourth of July, 2013, this veteran-owned brewery creates beer in honor of American servicemen and women. Flagships brews include the Howitzer Amber and the Blue Nose Brown Ale, while frequent new releases and Saturday firkin tappings keep things fresh.

Elevation Beer Co.

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Adventure seekers can take a break from hiking, camping, or rafting the Arkansas River at Elevation Beer Co., just four miles from Salida. Craft beer drinkers will dig the pet-friendly patio and 16 beers on tap — plus beer to go — such as the First Cast IPA and 8 Second Kölsch.

Pints of Elevation Beer Co beers
Elevation Beer Co.
Elevation Beer Co./Facebook

Smuggler's Brewpub

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A three-minute walk from Telluride’s free gondola, Smuggler’s is a mashup of rustic mountain chalet meets backyard patio chic. Come here to feed your post-skiing, hiking, or festival-ing hunger with scratch-made comfort food while you throw back a Palmyra Pils or a GABF award-winning Daly’s Blonde.

Smuggler’s Brewpub
Smuggler’s Brewpub
Smuggler’s Brewpub/Facebook

The Colorado Farm Brewery

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A getaway to Colorado farm country tastes better beer-in-hand. Open to visitors Thursday through Saturday, The Colorado Farm Brewery draws from generations-old agriculture to brew interesting styles like Sahti, Stjordalsol smoked beer, and, of course, farmhouse ales. Visitors can also book a private tour of the farm, malthouse, and brewery.

Steamworks Brewing Co.

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One of a handful of quality Durango craft breweries, Steamworks Brewing Co. makes a mean Colorado Kölsch — and serves grub to match. The cicerone certified servers will help patrons decide between the Conductor Imperial IPA, One Wit Wonder unfiltered Belgian white ale, and Steam Engine Lager.

Soul Squared Brewing Co.

For anyone who ever wanted to be part of a CSA (that is, community supported agriculture) program, this brewery’s for you. A short drive out of Fort Collins, Soul Squared’s farm-based approach to brewing beer means that fresh ingredients from their working farm are transformed into specialty seasonal and small-batch suds. Visit the tasting room for samples and membership info.  

Butcherknife Brewing Co.

Steamboat Springs’ Champagne powder is one thing; its beer scene is another. Leave the resort behind and drive to the north side of town for Butcherknife’s award-winning beers, such as the 2018 GABF gold medal-winner Sunshine Express Pale Ale. Every first Tuesday, come for History Happy Hour (think “Drunk History” in real life).

Butcherknife Brewing Co. beer with medal
Butcherknife Brewing Co.
Butcherknife Brewing Co./Facebook

High Hops Brewery

High Hops is more than a brewery. It’s part garden center, part home brew shop, and part hop farm producing more than 50 different varieties of hop plants — several of which end up in their brews. Plus, 40 taps means the brewery has a ton of styles to sample year-round, whether you’re into wheats or wee heavies.

Outer Range Brewing Co.

“Something hidden. Go and find it,” implores Outer Range Brewing Co.’s homepage. The Rudyard Kipling quote is an apt choice for this adventure-oriented brewery, an easy stop off I-70 and close to ski areas such as Breckenridge and Copper Mountain. The tap list is a New England IPA lover’s dream and the raucous can release parties draw a crowd.

Roaring Fork Beer Co.

Situated in between Aspen and Glenwood Springs, Carbondale draws a crowd no matter the season. Roaring Fork Brewery offers small-batch seasonal brews, from barrel-aged Imperial stouts to refreshing extra pale ales. Visit the tasting room after a day at the hot springs, or fill a growler to enjoy at a backcountry campsite.

Periodic Brewing

Chemistry nerds will get a kick out of Periodic Brewing’s localized logo. For the rest of us, beers like the Sugarloaf Amber Ale and Tourmaline Black Ale offer plenty to geek out about. This family-owned, Leadville-based brewery is situated among 14,000-foot peaks and stunning alpine lakes, making it a prime stop in between outdoor adventures.

Periodic Brewing
Periodic Brewing
Periodic Brewing/Facebook

Palisade Brewing Co.

If you’re ready for a detour from Colorado’s Western Slope wineries then pay a visit to Palisade Brewing Company. Visitors will find plenty of tie-dye décor, lots of live music, and beers such as the Dirty Hippie and the Hula Hoppie.  

Red Leg Brewing Co.

Founded on the Fourth of July, 2013, this veteran-owned brewery creates beer in honor of American servicemen and women. Flagships brews include the Howitzer Amber and the Blue Nose Brown Ale, while frequent new releases and Saturday firkin tappings keep things fresh.

Elevation Beer Co.

Adventure seekers can take a break from hiking, camping, or rafting the Arkansas River at Elevation Beer Co., just four miles from Salida. Craft beer drinkers will dig the pet-friendly patio and 16 beers on tap — plus beer to go — such as the First Cast IPA and 8 Second Kölsch.

Pints of Elevation Beer Co beers
Elevation Beer Co.
Elevation Beer Co./Facebook

Smuggler's Brewpub

A three-minute walk from Telluride’s free gondola, Smuggler’s is a mashup of rustic mountain chalet meets backyard patio chic. Come here to feed your post-skiing, hiking, or festival-ing hunger with scratch-made comfort food while you throw back a Palmyra Pils or a GABF award-winning Daly’s Blonde.

Smuggler’s Brewpub
Smuggler’s Brewpub
Smuggler’s Brewpub/Facebook

The Colorado Farm Brewery

A getaway to Colorado farm country tastes better beer-in-hand. Open to visitors Thursday through Saturday, The Colorado Farm Brewery draws from generations-old agriculture to brew interesting styles like Sahti, Stjordalsol smoked beer, and, of course, farmhouse ales. Visitors can also book a private tour of the farm, malthouse, and brewery.

Steamworks Brewing Co.

One of a handful of quality Durango craft breweries, Steamworks Brewing Co. makes a mean Colorado Kölsch — and serves grub to match. The cicerone certified servers will help patrons decide between the Conductor Imperial IPA, One Wit Wonder unfiltered Belgian white ale, and Steam Engine Lager.

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