With cool mountain waters and an appreciation for high-quality ingredients, Colorado is a mecca of noteworthy beer stops. Whether your taste buds are yearning for a crisp seltzer or the darkest of stouts, this beer tour is one that’ll leave you thirsting for the next stop.
Walter’s Brewery and Taproom
126 Oneida St, Pueblo • WaltersBeer.com
Drinking beer outdoors at sunset under incandescent lighting is dreamy, and Walter’s is all that. A Pueblo tradition since 1889, Walter’s serves up to 30 house brews including guest taps from Colorado microbreweries. The Shoogie Boogie mimics a West Coast IPA and is full of pine, citrus and grapefruit flavor. Their Southern Charm Seltzer tastes of strawberry, melon, and passionfruit, and is a crisp and delicious gluten-free option.
Editors favorites: Pumpkin Ale or Lemon Shandy
Goat Patch Brewing Co.
2727 North Cascade Avenue #123, Colorado Springs • GoatPatchBrewing.com
Goat Patch started around a kitchen table with an agreed set of values: balanced brews, community engagement, and adventure. Their space has beautiful natural light and their well-rounded beer menu frequently features everything from a sour to a Porter-Baltic.
Editors favorites: Goat Patch Punch or Hazy IPA
Trails End Taproom
3103 West Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs • TrailsEndTaproom.com
Voted Colorado Springs’ “Best Taproom” in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, this self-pour taproom brings together local and global craft beer, wine, cider, and even kombucha. The option to sip on a few ounces and try another is amazing; patrons pay by the ounce. Trails End offers over 42 drink options with patio views of the mountains. Live music nights, great food options, and frequent fundraising events, makes this the perfect space to quench your thirst for booze and fun.
Editors favorites: Gluten-free Ghostfish Brewing Grapefruit IPA or Wild Tonic Blackberry Mint Kombucha
Pikes Peak Brewing
1756 Lake Woodmoor Dr, Monument
514 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs
Spacious outdoor areas make Pikes Peak Brewing a popular place for a post-hike ale. With 16 different on-tap options and fantastic buffalo chicken dip, it’s simply delightful–you can even bring your dog to the Monument location. The fruity orange and guava Blue Mesa Tropical Blonde is a favorite drink choice, along with the low calorie and low carb Thin Air India Pale Ale.
Editors favorites: Incline Imperial IPA or Gold Belgian Strong Ale
Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub
242 F Street, Salida • MoonlightPizza.biz
Moonlight’s seven-barrel brewing system rotates 16 house beers daily along with seasonal small batches like the Cinnamon Raisin Stout, Blueberry Cream Ale, and barrel-aged Wee Heavy. The locals love the OG Moonlight Cream Ale – Moonlight’s first brew. This American Style Lager is light and drinkable. And the pizza options are equally amazing.
Editor’s favorites: Skinny Dipper Mexican Lager or Gin Barrel Aged Apricot Maibock
Breckenridge Brewery and Pub
600 South Main Street, Breckenridge • BreckBrew.com
With 32 years experience, Breckenridge Brewery and Pub is a veteran in its field. After a day on the slopes, this expansive brewhouse with an extensive menu is an awesome place to land. At only 100 calories their Palisade Peach Light is an American-style wheat ale with a tantalizing Palisade Peach flavor. The NItro Vanilla Porter combines a variety of malts with flavors of coffee, caramel, chocolate and roasted nut with a complex vanilla finish.
Editors favorites: Avalanche Amber Ale or Strawberry Sky
Bristol Brewing Co.
1604 South Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs • BristolBrewing.com
There’s nothing like enjoying a Beehive Honey Wheat on the sprawling patio of Ivywild School. Once a former schoolhouse, this unique venue has turned into a community marketplace complete with an auditorium and old-school painted restrooms. Bristol Brewing Company’s fan-favorite beer is Laughing Lab, with an adorable label to match. Earning nine medals at the Great American Beer Festival since 1994, it’s mildly sweet and nutty with a complex maltiness–but not over-the-top. Very smooth, and very delicious.
Editor favorites: Yellowkite Summer Pils (summer) or Winter Warlock Oatmeal Stout (winter)
Phantom Canyon
2 Pikes Peak Avenue, Colorado Springs • PhantonCanyon.com
This corner building downtown has gorgeous lighting and a lengthy beer list – all of which are creatively named. Among favorites we have the Cacao-a-bunga at 10.1% ABV and aged on Cacao Nibs, Ceylon Cinnamon, Whole Ancho Peppers, Cayenne and Mexican Vanilla Beans, and the Roberto, a Schwarzbier or Black Lager spotlighting a taste of smoked peppers, a bit of chocolate and heat, and roasted barley. Phantom Canyon is a great place to grab a nice meal before heading to a downtown event.
Editor favorites: The Lord Farquaad or Alpenglow
