Colorado's 400+ Craft Breweries

The Napa Valley of Beer

Craft Beer Capital

Why Colorado leads the craft beer revolution

Colorado has more craft breweries per capita than almost any other state. The Rockies' pure water, the state's pioneering spirit, and a population that genuinely loves good beer have created a craft brewing scene that rivals anywhere in the world.

The modern craft beer movement has Colorado roots. Coors has been brewing in Golden since 1873. The Boulder Beer Company, founded in 1979, was one of America's first craft breweries. New Belgium and Odell put Fort Collins on the beer map in the 1990s. Today, the state hosts the Great American Beer Festival - the Olympics of American brewing.

From massive production facilities to tiny neighborhood taprooms, Colorado breweries produce everything from traditional German lagers to experimental sours, barrel-aged stouts, and hazy IPAs. Many have become destinations in their own right, with restaurants, outdoor spaces, and events that draw locals and tourists alike.

Major Brewery Cities

Where to find the best beer

DENVER

Denver

150+ breweries in the metro area. RiNo and LoHi pack taprooms into walkable districts. Great Divide, Denver Beer Co, Ratio, and dozens more. Host city for the Great American Beer Festival.

FOCO

Fort Collins

The original craft beer capital. Home to New Belgium, Odell, and Horse & Dragon. 30+ breweries in a college town setting. Walking and biking brewery trails through Old Town.

BOULDER

Boulder

Where craft beer began. Avery Brewing's massive facility anchors the scene. Mountain Sun, Twisted Pine, and numerous taprooms near Pearl Street.

GOLDEN

Golden

Coors Brewing's hometown (free tours!). Now also home to Golden City Brewery, Cannonball Creek, and others. Brewing heritage meets new craft.

Legendary Colorado Breweries

The names that define Colorado beer

NEW BELGIUM

New Belgium

Fat Tire was born here. Fort Collins campus offers tours and a massive taproom. Employee-owned until 2019 sale. Still the vibe of a company that cares.

ODELL

Odell Brewing

Fort Collins institution since 1989. 90 Shilling is a Colorado classic. Beautiful taproom and patio. Still independent, still excellent.

GREAT DIVIDE

Great Divide

Denver institution known for Yeti Imperial Stout and Titan IPA. Two locations - original brewery and the Barrel Bar in RiNo.

AVERY

Avery Brewing

Boulder's biggest. Known for bold, experimental beers and barrel-aged specialties. Massive facility with restaurant and tours.

OSKAR BLUES

Oskar Blues

Pioneered craft beer in cans with Dale's Pale Ale. Lyons location is a music venue too. Changed how craft beer gets to consumers.

LEFT HAND

Left Hand Brewing

Longmont's pride. Nitro Milk Stout revolutionized bottled nitrogen beers. Excellent taproom with views of the mountains.

Mountain Breweries

Apres-ski and mountain town taprooms

BRECK

Breckenridge Brewery

Main Street staple since 1990. Avalanche Amber is a Colorado classic. Littleton facility has a massive restaurant, but the original location has the charm.

STEAMBOAT

Mahogany Ridge

Steamboat Springs brewpub with solid beers and great food. Perfect apres-ski. Several other breweries in town now too.

TELLURIDE

Telluride Brewing

Face Down Brown won World Beer Cup gold. Small town brewery with big reputation. Taproom in the industrial area outside town.

ESTES

Estes Park Brewery

Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park deserves good beer. Several breweries in town now serve hikers and tourists year-round.

Colorado Beer FAQs

Getting the most from the brewery scene

What is the Great American Beer Festival?

GABF is the largest beer festival in the United States, held in Denver each October. Over 800 breweries pour 4,000+ beers. Tickets sell out in minutes. The competition medals are the most prestigious in American brewing.

Can I tour the big breweries?

Yes. Coors in Golden offers free tours (America's largest single-site brewery). New Belgium, Odell, and Avery have excellent paid tours. Most large breweries have taprooms open daily without tours.

What's a Colorado beer style?

Colorado doesn't have one style - brewers here do everything. The state helped popularize American IPAs, but also excels at German lagers, Belgian styles, barrel-aged beers, and sours. High altitude affects fermentation, giving some beers distinctive character.

Best brewery district for walking?

Denver's RiNo has the highest concentration - hit Ratio, Great Divide Barrel Bar, Epic, Our Mutual Friend, and more in one afternoon. Fort Collins' Old Town is similarly walkable. Boulder has Avery and Mountain Sun within range.

Are Colorado breweries dog-friendly?

Many taprooms welcome dogs on patios, and some allow them inside. Denver's laws are relaxed about dogs in breweries (not restaurants that serve food beyond snacks). Always check individual policies.

Start Your Brewery Tour

Explore Colorado's best beer cities