Menu & Pricing
🍕 Pizza (Giant Slices & Full Pies)
• Pizza by the Slice - ~$5-7 (bigger than your face)
• 19" Full Pizza - ~$20-25
• All Meats Pizza - loaded with toppings
• Garlic Ricotta w/ Mushroom & Chicken - chunks of ricotta, giant garlic cloves
• Veggie Pizza - fresh vegetables, great crust
🥪 Subs & Salads
• Meatball Sub - ~$10-12 (amazing marinara)
• Caesar Salad - ~$8-10
🥃 Moonshine & Whiskey (FREE Tastings)
• Espresso Moonshine - smooth coffee flavor
• Butter Pecan Sipping Cream - dessert in a glass
• Dr Pepper Moonshine - surprisingly good
• Honey Whiskey - local favorite
• Apple Pie Moonshine - classic flavor
What Makes Estes Park Distilling Co. Special
This isn't just a distillery with mediocre food - the pizza genuinely stands on its own. Thin, crispy crust that's light and airy with just the right amount of char. Slices bigger than your face. The meatball sub has marinara that could compete with Italian joints. And it's probably the cheapest meal you'll find in Estes Park.
The real draw is the free tasting experience. Walk in, sample moonshine and whiskey flavors, and somehow leave with 2-6 bottles. The espresso moonshine is smooth enough to sip straight. Mix the apple pie with butter pecan sipping cream and you've got dessert. No pushy sales tactics - the product speaks for itself.
For something completely different from the typical wild game restaurants, this spot offers entertainment plus affordable food. Unlike Full Throttle Distillery's beer garden approach, Estes Park Distilling keeps it simple: free samples, great pizza, flavored spirits to take home.
What to Order (Signature Items)
Pizza by the Slice (~$5-7) - The move for a quick, cheap meal. Slices are genuinely huge - one fills most appetites. The thin crust is crispy, slightly greasy in the good way, with generous toppings. Order the All Meats if you're hungry.
Meatball Sub (~$10-12) - The best meatball sub in Estes Park. The marinara sauce is the star - rich and flavorful. Smaller than the pizza but incredibly satisfying. Worth every penny.
Espresso Moonshine - The most popular tasting flavor. Smooth coffee taste without the harshness. Makes an excellent White Russian base or sip it straight.
Butter Pecan Sipping Cream - Dessert in liquid form. Mix with the apple pie moonshine for an incredible combination. Ask for this pairing during the tasting.
Garlic Ricotta Pizza - Alfredo sauce base with chunks of ricotta cheese and massive garlic cloves. If you like garlic, this is your pizza. Available by slice or full 19" pie.
💡 Pro Tip: Ask for custom tasting combos during your free sampling. The espresso mixed with banana cream or butter pecan is excellent. They'll make creative combinations based on your preferences.
The Honest Take
At 4.8 stars, Estes Park Distilling Co. delivers exceptional value. The pizza is genuinely good - not tourist-trap good, actually good. The free tastings are generous. The atmosphere is fun without being kitschy.
It's not a sit-down dining experience. This is grab-a-slice, do-some-tastings, maybe-buy-bottles. The bar in back serves cocktails, but most people come for the samples and pizza. Space is limited during peak hours. The whiskey is actually produced in Tennessee and flavored in Colorado - worth knowing if you're a purist.
Who It's For (And Who It's Not For)
Best for: Budget-conscious visitors wanting a quick cheap meal, groups exploring downtown Elkhorn Ave, anyone curious about flavored moonshine/whiskey, souvenir hunters looking for unique bottles, and people who appreciate an entertaining experience.
Skip if: You want a sit-down dinner experience or don't drink alcohol (though the pizza alone is worth visiting).
Practical Information
- 📍Location: 124 W Elkhorn Ave - downtown, walking distance from everything
- ⏰Hours: Fri-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun-Thu 11am-8pm
- 🥃Tastings: Free samples available during all operating hours
- 🚗Parking: Street parking on Elkhorn Ave; public lots nearby
- 💳Payment: Credit cards accepted
- 🌿Dietary: Veggie pizza available; limited GF options
- 📦To-Go: Bottles ship or pack for travel; pizza boxes available
💡 Money Hack: One giant slice fills most people for ~$6 - that's the cheapest lunch on Elkhorn Ave. Combine with free tastings and you've got an experience that costs less than most restaurants' appetizers.