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.  

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.