The Best Breweries In Colorado

Want to know what to drink in the beer mecca of the United States? That’s right; we’re talking about the founders of craft beer as we know it today, Colorado.

Colorado is the king of craft beer. Hundreds of breweries, including new ones popping up all the time, mean you can’t turn your head without seeing a beer you’ve never heard of before. We’ve separated the best breweries from the rest for your next vacation to the craft beer-crazed, colorful state.

If you’re looking for something more local, you can check out our other Colorado brewery articles below.

You can also look at our best breweries in America article if you are looking for something in a different city or state.

Without gilding the lily or much ado, here is a list of the best breweries in Colorado.

• Burns Family Artisan Ales
• River North Brewery
• Great Divide Brewing Company
• Horse and Dragon Brewing Company
• Golden Block Brewery
• Left Hand Brewing
• Fossil Craft Beer Company
• Cerberus Brewing Co
• Wynkoop Brewery
• Golden Block Brewery

Burns Family Artisan Ales

With its many awards and talented founders, the Burns Family Artisan Ales is a famous 30-year-old pilgrimage destination for beer nerds. The “Big Beer King” Wayne burns and professional chef and brewer Laura Worley are experts on high alcohol percentage, balanced, and delicious beers.

Sample their seasonal tier one to five alcohol-level beers in their taproom or buy some bottles to treat yourself at home. Try their Jellyfish Kangaroo if you’re a West Coast IPA fan. It’s summery and fun with punchy lotus, Amarillo, Centennial, and Mandarina hops.

River North Brewery

River North Brewery was founded in 2012 by a Belgian-style beer fan, home brewing enthusiast, and former mechanical engineer. This is the place to get dry yeast-driven beers like Pilsners, Belgian-style beers, IPAs, Stouts, and more. Enjoy both barrel-aged and freshly brewed alcohol,

We recommend their nightmare fuel, an imperial coffee stout. Hints of chocolate, vanilla, and caramel with a coffee kick!

Great Divide Brewing Company

Starting in 1994, Great Divide was a pioneer in creating distinctively Denver-flavored beers. They keep mixing things up and experimenting. With four Denver locations, they stay active in the community and have won some awards, including 18 Great American Beer Festival medals.

Try their impressive, award-winning Yeti Imperial Stout to knock out your senses with a rich malty flavor, caramel, toffee hints, and plenty of American hops. With its solid 9.5 ABV and year-round availability, it is our favorite.

Horse and Dragon Brewing Company

A family-owned and run business started by carol and Tim Cochran in pursuit of their long-held shared dream. This quaint brewery tucked away in fort Collins produces excellent experimental beers that leave us wanting more.

We recommend their Haze and Dragon, which has everything you could desire in a hazy IPA. A smooth mouthfeel and malt flavor with Citra, Mosaic, Sabro, and Simcoe hops. This tropical medley of passionfruit, coconut, and citrus provides a beach party in a can!

Golden Block Brewery

Floyd Barela opened the Golden Block Brewery in Silverton in 2014 with Molly Barela after 20 years of brewing at home. Refining his skills with a master brewers certificate from the University of Wisconsin. The great beer and contributions to the community make it a local favorite.

If you go to Silverton, do not miss the chance to try their Dreamy Sicle, a nice Kolsch with orange zest and notes of vanilla. If you’d like to try something with a little smokiness, we recommend their Whoop Arse Scottish Ale for its roasted malt flavor and brown sugar notes.

Left Hand Brewing

Started by two Air Force friends, Eric Wallace and Dick Doore, who got tired of beer that didn’t excite them. Their motto is to go against the grain and mainstream culture. They do things their own way and face all challenges head-on, whether it’s figuring out how to bottle their amazing nitro beer or how to help people with MS.

You should try their ode to the continental state, their Colorful Colorado Pale Ale. Taste the magic of the wilderness in this beautiful ale made from Rocky Mountain water, freshly squeezed grapefruit, and candied mandarin orange dry-hopped with Citra and Cascade hops. A perfect citrusy punch to take on a hike.

Fossil Craft Beer Company

Fossil Craft has great servers who help you order the perfect beer or non-alcoholic beverage for the mood. With light beer, pale ales, sours, stouts, and seltzers to choose from, along with interesting non-alcoholic beverages like rotating kombucha or Hoplark Citra hop tea.

We recommend trying their freshly tapped Mexican Laager. It’s so delicious you’ll finish the glass before you think of taking a picture to show it off to your friends. You could also go for their several IPAs or Milky Stout if they have it on tap.

Cerberus Brewing Co

A complete dining restaurant and craft brewery experience on the west side of Colorado Springs – they have a nice menu featuring starters, soups, salads, and full-steak entrees. They can also prepare many items on their menus for vegan or vegetarian customers.

We recommend trying their Diablos Bombon, a Mexican hot chocolate stout with their bone-in smoked pork chop or choppahawk. The sturdy stout can carry itself next to the rich smoked fatty flavor of the pork chop. There is lighter food and beer, but we like it rich and heavy.

Wynkoop Brewery

If you want a glass of award-winning house craft beer with over 40 styles to choose from brewed with a state-of-the-art 20-barrel system, then look no further. Wynkoop Brewery is known for great classic, balanced beers, seasonal sensations, and rule-breakers. Ever heard of green chilies in beer? Choose between lunch and dinner or a buffet dining experience.

We recommend trying their pineapple burger with their Foggy Locomotive IPA. The New England Hazy treat has two pounds of hops per barrel and complements the pineapple in the burger with its own pineapple hints.

Golden Block Brewery

The perfect place to enjoy a good glass of beer with an eclectic menu of Pizza and sandwiches prepared exclusively in a wood-fired brick oven. If you like the taste of fancy food cooked by rustic methods, then Golden Block is the Spot. We had no choice but to mention this place again for its amazing food.

You should try their Maggie pizza, which has a balanced spread of mozzarelle, prosciutto, spinach, pesto, and olive oil. This fresh leafy green pizza is best enjoyed with their golden bock, a Maibock light spring/summer brew with a deep golden hue, and fresh, dry floral, peppery notes.