Introduction to Colorado Breweries
If you like beer, you’d love Colorado. The Centennial State has one of the largest concentrations of craft breweries in the nation; over 10% of the nation’s craft breweries are found within the state. In fact, the Great American Beer Festival, the largest domestic beer festival in the US, is held every year in Denver, Colorado.
With our list of unique breweries in the state, you’ll find out just why Colorado deserves to be proudly called The State of the Craft Beer.
Left Hand Brewing – Longmont
Starting from a dream to make beer that excited them, Left Hand Brewing has been a pioneer in craft beer since it opened in 1994. It is also one of the most award-winning breweries in the state as its creations have garnered awards and allocated within the country and internationally.
Left Hand Brewing prides itself on creating the first Nitro beer in a bottle, so don’t forget to try the Milk Stout Nitro!
Must-Try Beer: Milk Stout Nitro – Silky smooth with rich chocolate, roasted coffee, and a hint of sweetness. Creamy mouthfeel from the nitrogen pour.
Features and Facilities: Pioneers in nitro beers. Spacious tasting room, regular live music, food trucks, and beer garden. Offers brewery tours.
Left Hand Brewing Company
1265 Boston Ave, Longmont, CO 80501, United States
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company – Fort Collins
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company believes that craft beer is the catalyst for bringing people together—the small, family-run brewery endeavors to bring people together while operating a sustainable business.
Must-Try Beers: Sad Panda Coffee Stout – Bold and smooth with strong cold brew coffee, vanilla, and a touch of dark chocolate. And the Naughty ‘Nana Belgian Dubbel, a brew fermented with bananas.
Features and Facilities: Cozy taproom with a laid-back, friendly vibe. Rotating taps, local art, and outdoor seating.
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company
124 Racquette Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
Avery Brewing Company – Boulder
A legend in the Colorado craft beer industry for over 25 years, Avery Brewing is dedicated to creating the perfect beer. Starting with the four key ingredients (water, grain, hops, and yeast) and focusing on quality took a lot of drinking, failing, and drinking some more to achieve it. They have some of the most popular craft beers in the US.
Must-Try Beer: Any of the limited-edition creations or the Tweak Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout – Intense and boozy—expect espresso, dark chocolate, caramel, and warming bourbon heat.
Features and Facilities: Sleek, modern brewery with a full restaurant, large indoor/outdoor seating, and guided brewery tours.
Avery Brewing Company
4910 Nautilus Ct N, Boulder, CO 80301, United States
Fiction Beer Company – Denver
If you love beer and literary adventures, Fiction Beer Company is the place for you. The brewery rewrote the Denver beer scene by combining the two wonderfully imaginative crafts of beer and literature. In this brewery, every craft beer tells a different story with unique flavors, aromas, and textures that are inspired by works of fiction.
Must-Try Beer: A Beer of Very Little Brain (Amber Wheat Lager) – Malty, smooth, and easy-drinking with caramel and subtle fruitiness.
Features and Facilities: Literature-themed taproom with book-lined walls, board games, and seasonal beer releases inspired by stories.
Fiction Beer Company
7101 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80220, United States
Dry Dock Brewing Company – Aurora
To say that Dry Dock Brewing Company is well known in the state is an understatement. This popular nautical-themed brewery is one of the state’s most award-winning. Since its opening in 2005, they have won 23 Great American Beer Festival Medals, 7 World Beer Cup awards, and a Brewery of the Year award.
Must-Try Beer: Try the ever-popular and award-winning fruity Apricot Blonde – Light-bodied and crisp with juicy apricot aroma and a balanced fruity finish.
Features and Facilities: 16 rotating taps, a spacious family-friendly taproom, and a dog-friendly patio. Also offers homebrewing classes and has a private event space.
Dry Dock Brewing Co – South Dock
15120 E Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80014, United States
New Belgium Brewing Company – Fort Collins
New Belgium Brewing manifests its love and talent by crafting beers beloved by its customers. A leader in sustainability and social responsibility, the brewery commits to using the business for the good of the community. If you want a unique nighttime experience with beer and fun, every year they invite their customers to an adventurous exploration through their renowned Foeder Forest while dancing to DJs and sipping on sours.
Must-Try Beer: Fat Tire Amber Ale – Toasty malts, toffee, and a slightly sweet, balanced finish. A classic American amber.
Features and Facilities: Award-winning tours, a large taproom with a lawn, and food trucks. Eco-conscious operations and lively atmosphere.
New Belgium Brewing Company
500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
Cerebral Brewing – Denver
Cerebral Brewing is a neighborhood brewery devoted to creating brews that range from traditional to creative. A science-themed brewery, their goal is to combine scientific methodology with an artistic viewpoint to craft new beers.
Must-Try Beer: Rare Trait (IPA) – Juicy and hazy with notes of mango, pineapple, and orange zest. Soft mouthfeel with balanced bitterness.
Features and Facilities: Scientific approach to brewing. Cozy taproom, food trucks, and often releases small-batch experimental brews.
Cerebral Brewing
1477 Monroe St, Denver, CO 80206, United States
FlyteCo Tower – Denver
Flyteco Tower is located in the historic Stapleton Airport air traffic control tower, in Denver’s Central Park neighborhood. This unique brewery is aviation-themed, with over 25,000 square feet of space and panoramic views from the tower. It serves great beer and is jam-packed with fun activities, including bowling, mini golf, and axe throwing.
Must-Try Beer: FlyteCo IPA – Citrus-forward with pine and grapefruit. A clean, West Coast-style IPA with a snappy finish.
Features and Facilities: Located in a historic airport tower. Aviation theme, coffee shop, bowling lanes, mini-golf, axe throwing, and a rooftop patio.
FlyteCo Tower
3120 Uinta St, Denver, CO 80238, United States
https://flyteco.beer/
Odell Brewing Co. – Fort Collins
Odell Brewing Co. is one of Colorado’s craft beer pioneers. Established in 1989, it has built a loyal following by consistently producing great beers with a laid-back, community-focused vibe. The brewery has a beautiful taproom with an outdoor patio to enjoy their delicious brews.
Must-Try Beer: 90 Shilling Ale – Malty and smooth with toffee, caramel, and just a kiss of hops. Balanced and easy to sip.
Features and Facilities: Beautiful garden patio, fire pits, live music, food trucks, and a pilot system producing taproom-only beers.
Odell Brewing Co.
800 E Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524, United States
Great Divide Brewing Co. – Denver
Great Divide Brewing Co. has been a staple of Denver’s craft beer scene since the 90s. They are famous for their bold, flavour-packed beers and iconic Yeti series, which helped define American imperial stouts. You can’t go past any of their rotating seasonal and barrel-aged releases—a craft beer hot spot for beer lovers wanting a nice mix of heritage and high gravity.
Must-Try Beer: Yeti Imperial Stout – Rich and roasty with deep notes of espresso, dark chocolate, and licorice. Full-bodied and bold.
Features and Facilities: Urban taproom near Coors Field, brewery tours, seasonal barrel-aged releases, and outdoor seating.
Great Divide Brewing Co.
2201 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205, United States
