5 Small(er) Colorado Mountain Breweries Worth Road Tripping:
Written by - Thomas Kolicko
After almost a decade of working and telling the stories of countless breweries across the country, we’d like to think we know beer. Whether post-hike or post-ride, here’s our weekend list of breweries to try this summer that offer both world-class brews and a Colorado mountain experience.
1. Outer Range Brewing Company - Frisco, Colorado
A short 1.5-hour drive from Denver, located in the heart of tourist-heavy Summit County, Outer Range just gets it. We’re huge fanboys for both their branding and their well-executed beers (and their poke tots: if you know, then you know.) Outer Range consistently puts out some of the most inspired IPA’s in the state, ones that you can almost always find in our camera shop beer fridge. There’s something special about Outer Range that we still can’t quite define; maybe it’s the Yurt beer in the winter, perhaps the pairing with the breeze on the roof-top patio, or possibly the simple, yet well-executed artwork on their cans that makes each beer we’ve tried from them better than the last. With almost weekly can releases throughout the summer, it’s always getting better. We recommend In the Deep Steep DiPA or Block of Light if it’s on when you visit.
Photo Credit: Ouray Brewery Facebook Page
2. Ouray Brewery - Ouray, Colorado
At 5.5-6.5 hours from the Front Range, Ouray Brewery is definitely the furthest spot on our road tripping list, but make a weekend out of it and you won’t regret it! With tourist season in full effect, this might be a good one to head out to during the week, and don’t wait until the weekends until the white truck rally with Texans flows in. Ouray Brewery has the standard line-up you’ve seen countless times before; wheat pale ale, amber, stout, an IPA or two, but it’s the rooftop patio that offers a 360 degree view of what makes Ouray feel like the Switzerland of America.
Photo Credit: Elevation Beer Co Website
3. Elevation Beer Company - Poncha Springs, Colorado
About 2-2.5 hours from the Front Range, and so much access to some of the best mountain biking in the state, Elevation Beer Company is the perfect post-ride, throwing high-fives, pop’n wheelies and crushing beers brewery. With the esteemed Monarch Crest trail practically emptying out into their parking lot (it’s really a couple of miles), and views that span out over Monarch Pass and Mount Shavano, the vibes on at the brewery in the afternoon are nothing short of great. And the beer is outstanding too: worth noting right? We recommend the SMASH beer if they have it on, and if you know what the acronym means, good on you!
Photo Credit: Casey Brewing Website
4. Casey Brewing and Blending - Glenwood Springs
You almost have to whisper their name, as it’s practically become an alluring legend somewhere located deep in the heart of the mountains. Only a few have ever seen it (and usually they are your biggest beer nerd friends) No one really knows where it’s located, or what they might have on, or if they are out fishing. (True story). Or type it into GPS now, because they have regular tasting room hours, but the beer legend quality of this brewery still hasn't faded.
5. Colorado Farm Brewing Company - Alamosa, Colorado
Okay, this isn’t a “mountain town” brewery by definition, but Colorado Farm Brewery is unlike any other in the entire state. If you need a road trip away from the Front Range, within 3-4 hours (depending on traffic), this is the perfect summer road trip. The Cody Family own and operate the brewery on their 5 generation family farm, using all of their own malts in their beers. And the beers are good! Where else in the state can you actually drink like a farmer, enjoy a Colorado sunset sending its alpenglow over Blanca Peak to the east, and looking out over the field where the grains in your beer were grown? We recommend the rye lager.
Safe travels friends, and as always, don’t be stupid: Don’t Drink and Drive.
Please recreate responsibility.