Do you love craft beer? Want to get out and see the beautiful state of Colorado? Do you live along the Front Range and want to visit western Colorado breweries, but aren’t sure how to go about it? For those who answered “Yes!” to these questions, this is the eighth article in a series of Colorado Brewery Tours that maps out a route of 10 to 18 breweries you can easily visit over an extended-weekend trip. The previous articles included a Southwest CO Tour, a South Central CO Tour, a San Juan Mountains Tour, a Central Western CO Tour, a Grand Junction Area Tour, a Vail & Aspen Tour, and a Summit County Tour.
Denver is the starting point for each tour since the majority of those that read the Colorado Brewery List blog are from this metropolitan area. However, you can adjust the maps quite easily to start your tour from another location. Each day includes a Google Maps™ link for that day’s destinations. These are a great springboard for planning your personal itinerary.
Most of the tours that I’ve designed are for a full three-day weekend. This allows for full enjoyment of multiple breweries per day often with some time to spare for other activities.
While I did not include each brewery’s hours of operation, in many cases I start each day at the earliest opening brewery and finish it at the last to close. Before your tour, be certain to double check that the breweries you want to visit will be open at the time of your visit because operating hours have a tendency to change depending on season, holiday, and anticipated traffic volume.
The best way to undertake these tours is to have a designated driver, who you should shower with praise, free meals, and gifts. Regardless, I have designed these tours to usually include no more than three or four breweries before checking into your hotel and then walking to the rest of the locations where you and your designated driver can enjoy yourselves fully.
Editor’s Note: This article is a collaboration between Stephen Adams (Colorado Beer Geek) and Jeffrey Parker (Colorado Brewery Master). While Stephen created the route for this tour and the structure of the overall article, Jeff contributed greatly with the brewery descriptions and many of the photographs.
Northwest Tour (14 Breweries mostly between Winter Park and Steamboat Springs)
For this tour, you’ll visit all of the breweries from Winter Park to Steamboat Springs (and a couple others in the area). This tour encompasses 14 currently open breweries, (along with notes about local taprooms) in the towns of Winter Park, Fraser, Granby, Grand Lake, Kremmling, Steamboat Springs, Hayden, & Meeker.
Friday (6 Breweries: 3 in Winter Park and 3 in Fraser)
While I created this tour to be a three-day weekend, you can easily make this Winter Park and Fraser day a separate day trip (from Denver) and make the rest of this tour its own normal weekend trip. The winter drive over Berthoud Pass can be a little harrowing for those that don’t love hairpin turns, but the view as you crest the pass is stunning, and almost as stunning in the summer. The ski resort offers some of the best bumps and trees in the world, particularly on the Mary Jane side. There are wonderful hikes and you can even take the lift to mountain bike in the summer.
We start with a fabulous cluster of mountain town breweries that are super close each other. All six of the Winter Park & Fraser breweries are within only a three-mile stretch!
Map Note: I shifted Vicious Cycle to the final destination on this map because Google Maps creates a weird route since it doesn’t show the parking lot entrance from Old Victory Road. However, you can turn left from the highway onto Old Victory Road and then left into their parking lot (which doesn’t exist on Google maps).
Starting with the Winter Park breweries, which are all within a half mile of each other.
Big Trout Brewing
Big Trout Brewing is a locally owned brewpub situated in downtown Winter Park, at Cooper Creek Square. It’s a little tricky to find at first, but it’s right by the parking garage with a patio that opens to the square. They have a large array of house-made beers and a menu full of all kinds of tasty bites in a laid-back ski-town environment. The brewery has won some awards, including a Silver Medal at the 2023 Colorado State Fair Beer Competition for its Alpine Lake IPA, and was recognized in 2022 with the Best in Grand award for “Best Beers on Tap.”
Big Trout Brewing takes great pride in their state-of-the-art brewing system, which allows for significant environmental and operational efficiencies; including the reduction of water use and improved extraction. Demonstrating the brewery’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility to protecting their home and the rivers they love to fish in.
The patio is a great way to hang out under the lights of Copper Creek Square.
Hideaway Park Brewery
Having opened in 2014, Hideaway Park Brewery is the oldest brewery in all of Grand County. It was started to fill the niche of a small gathering place for friends and acquaintances. In an attempt to garnish the local history, the brewery is named after the original settlement of the area: Hideaway Park.
Hideaway Park Brewery provides a ‘chill’ atmosphere for enjoying craft beer, and grabbing a hot dog. Located on the main highway, with a beautiful sunbathed patio, they have become a community hub, especially for those passionate about skiing and mountain biking; promoting a vibrant social scene where tall-tales and laughter are shared over refreshing beers.
The brewery is known for its handcrafted beers produced on a small system, allowing for a unique and personal touch to each brew.
The Noble Buck
The Noble Buck is a full-service gastro brewery known for its range of creative craft beer selections and a chef-driven food menu that offers modern variations on familiar favorites; with a focus on small plates and elevated comfort food that pairs perfectly with their craft brews. Established to provide both locals and visitors with an engaging place to hang-out either après-ski, après-hike, or après-bike. The Noble Buck has up to a dozen beers on tap, all brewed in-house focusing on premium ingredients. Alongside its impressive beer lineup, the brewery also features a full bar and a variety of signature cocktails, ensuring there’s something for every palate.
They say “We guarantee there will be something on the menu for everyone. Unless you ski in jeans… In that case, we probably can’t help you. Good day.”
Next are the three Fraser breweries which are only three-quarters of a mile from each other!
Vicious Cycle Brewing
On the southern edge of Fraser is Vicious Cycle Brewing which opened in 2022 and was built from the ground up.
Vicious Cycle Brewing, situated just off US 40 was built from the desire and determination of its founders, Nathan Watt and Rebecca Bierden. In 2014, they embarked on an amazing, transformative, journey that took them through 28 countries across 6 continents over 16 months. The name Vicious Cycle Brewing Company is referring to the “vicious cycle of life” where everything is the same and life has become routine and boring. The founders decided to break their own vicious cycle of their previous careers by moving to the mountains and opening a brewery. It is now their mission to help inspire others to try new things, take chances, follow their dreams and break out of their own vicious cycle.
The brewery is a beautiful, dog-friendly environment, with a large outdoor patio, and ever-changing food options primarily from food trucks. They even have some wine options for non-beer drinkers.
Fraser River Beer Co
Fraser River Beer Co is the Valley’s awesome back yard hangout. They are well known for their bold beer selection, with nearly a dozen beers on tap, including house favorites you can count on and a healthy mix of rotating seasonal beers. Beyond beer, they offer Bandwagon hard seltzer, freshly brewed kombucha, and homemade root beer on tap. The brewery aims to be a cozy gathering spot for both locals and visitors, inviting everyone to enjoy a pint or three in their friendly taproom and backyard environment. Several murals highlight the different spaces to quaff your pint in the Colorado Sunshine.
Fraser River Beer Co. has become known for its focus on American-style ales and has quickly gained popularity among locals.
Camber Brewing Co
Camber Brewing Co., right across the street from Fraser River Beer Co., has a welcoming atmosphere that caters to both conversation lovers inside the cozy taproom, and those who prefer to catch some rays on the patio, complete with year-round fire pits. Camber has a wide a selection of distinct beers: from the So Gnar! Eclipse tropical stout, Grand County Gold golden ale, and Zipperline West Coast IPA, with an ever changing tap list geared to customer preferences.
The brewery is characterized by its inviting taproom, which might be small in size but is large in heart and warmth. The owners and staff at Camber Brewing Co. are passionate about meeting new people and fostering a community around their love for craft beer. They have a cute little patio in back and often a food truck. 
Saturday (6 Breweries: 1 in Grand Lake, 1 in Granby, 1 in Kremmling, and 3 in Steamboat Springs)
World’s End Brewpub
About 45 minutes north from Winter Park/Fraser lies the beautiful small town of Grand Lake which is the home of World’s End Brewpub. They are a small spot serving pub grub and small batches of beer from their “boutique size brewery.” They also have a large selection of Scotch and bottled Belgian beers. The entire bar is adorned with signed money, stapled or taped up all over.
World’s End emphasizes craft over fast, encouraging visitors to relax and enjoy their time in Grand Lake. The brewpub is situated on the boardwalk, offering a picturesque setting for enjoying, majestic views with a meal and a drink.
World’s End operates with a small brewing system and strives to keep house-made beers on tap. Due to the limited capacity of their brewing system, they release one keg per week every Thursday, and once it’s gone, it’s gone until the next release. This setup offers a unique and ever-changing beer selection for beer lovers. Make sure to check the hours before you go, they change seasonally and focus on the end of the week.
Never Summer Brewing Co
Never Summer Brewing Co., in Downtown Granby, Colorado, is known for its no-frills ambiance. An intimate setting featuring a small 40-seat space. The brewery is know for its constantly rotating selection of beer styles, all crafted in-house on a single-barrel system.
Their beer lineup includes unique offerings like the 7 Utes Belgian Golden Strong Ale, Up Yer Kilt Scottish/Irish Ale, and the Total Hopulation IPA, among others, ensuring an array of styles for their customers.
Situated between Rocky Mountain National Park and Winter Park, Never Summer Brewing Co. offers an ideal Rocky Mountain setting for enjoying craft beers that embody the essence of Colorado’s never-ending winter.
Grand Adventure Brewing
A half hour west of Granby in the town of Kremmling is Grand Adventure Brewing.
Grand Adventure Brewing Co., offers a a multi-faceted experience as it’s co-located with The Dean West and Blue Valley Spirits, making it Colorado’s first Restaurant & Brewstillery. The brewery is known for its craft beers made with locally sourced (foraged) ingredients, providing a distinctive flavor profile that resonates with the spirit of adventure in Grand County and Colorado. Lots of space inside and out to enjoy your quaff and friends & family.
Grand Adventure Brewing focuses on the finer details to stand out, aiming to cultivate the spirit of adventure and connection to wild spaces.
Next, only an hour away is Steamboat Springs. Here is a closeup map of all Steamboat Springs breweries and taprooms.
Storm Peak Brewing
Starting on the north side of Steamboat Springs is Storm Peak Brewing. Having opened in 2014, they brew a wide range of beer styles on a 20-barrel brew house – keeping favorite beers coming back while continuing to bring something new to their list. Their spacious taproom at their manufacturing facility now includes a rooftop patio! The roof top features amazing views and is always great fun.
The main brewing facility features a 20-barrel brewing system and serves a plethora of beers, in many styles, with as many as twenty beers on tap. The inside areas feature a brewery-forward casual atmosphere. Visitors can bring their own food or choose from all kinds of nearby eateries like pizza, BBQ, and burgers. Dogs are welcome on the patio, and the space is family-friendly.
Note: On the south side of town and located at the base of the Steamboat ski resort is Storm Peak Bus Stop which is a (non-brewing) taproom for Storm Peak. Great location right by the creek, large indoor space with a great patio. And close to the bus stop (duh) so you can get back into town.
Storm Peak Brewing Bus Stop
Conveniently situated near the ski resort base, this new location is great for après-ski beers and for locals living nearby. The space, shared with Antonio’s Pizza, offers a chill vibe and walkable access. Other nearby food options include a burger joint and a café, making it perfect for a laid-back gathering.
After Storm Peak would be a good time to check into a downtown hotel before walking to the remaining breweries in town. Here is a walking map of the downtown area of Steamboat Springs.
Note: Mahogany Ridge has closed since the publishing of this article.
Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill
By far the oldest brewery on this tour at over 30 years, is Mahogany Ridge Brewery & Grill, which has become well-known for its eclectic menu and welcoming atmosphere. The interior features rustic wood accents, creating a warm, inviting environment. Originally the site of the Steamboat Brewery & Tavern (1993-2002), Mahogany Ridge opened its doors March, 2003 when Charlie, the former Brew-master at Steamboat Brewery, became the owner of Mahogany. His love of handcrafted brewing keeps him actively creating new brews all the time. Mahogany is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, celebrated for its dining options and house-brewed beers.
The menu at Mahogany Ridge is varied, offering everything from hand-packed Angus burgers and fresh tuna ceviche to an array of appetizers like twisted pretzels and red curry mussels. Their beer selection is equally impressive, featuring a range of styles including fruit beers, stouts, pale ales, and more, all crafted on-site. The brewery also hosts a full bar with a selection of wines and other beverages. Their lamb dish was easily one of my favorite meals in years!
Guests can choose to enjoy the large tap room and restaurant indoors, but my favorite is the large open-air patio, a great place to soak in Steamboat Springs. Mahogany Ridge is also noted for its strong commitment to quality ingredients and innovative flavors, ensuring a memorable dining experience.
Mountain Tap Brewery
Rich Tucciarone, the owner/brew-master of Mountain Tap Brewery brings a ton of experience after being a head brewer at Breckenridge Brewing in Denver and VP of brewing at Kona Brewing in Hawaii. If you do this tour in the winter, you can drink and dine inside a gondola, but in the summer the patio is packed and a blast!
Mountain Tap Brewery opened in 2016 and quickly became loved for its innovative, locally crafted beers and artisanal wood-fired cuisine. Just walking in makes you both thirsty and hungry! The brewery offers a variety of beers ranging from light and refreshing options like the Passionate Pedal wheat ale to richer choices like the Cliffed Out stout. Their menu features dishes that are cooked in a wood-fired oven, emphasizing fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
This brewpub is designed to be family-friendly and provides a casual atmosphere that’s great for both dining and socializing. They also offer outdoor seating on their patio, which is dog-friendly, allowing patrons to enjoy their meals and drinks in the open air. Mountain Tap Brewery is known for hosting community events and engaging with local patrons through initiatives like their Loyal Locals Rewards Program.
For beer enthusiasts, Mountain Tap offers a range of options including crowlers and growlers to go, ensuring you can enjoy their brews at home. They are also involved in community contributions, including “Token Tuesdays,” where they support local causes.
Note: Also in Steamboat is the latest (non-brewing) taproom for Yampa Valley Brewing called the Yampa Valley Hop House. A fun spot to visit even if you’re continuing on to visit their original brewery the next day. They also have more taps here than at their primary brewery location in Hayden.
Sunday (2 Breweries: 1 in Hayden and 1 in Meeker)
Yampa Valley Brewing Company
Yampa Valley Brewing Company was founded in 2015 to meet the increasing demands of craft beer in the local Hayden community then expanded to include taprooms in both Craig and Steamboat Springs. The small town atmosphere of Hayden is relaxing and a prime spot where locals and tourists alike can meet for a tasty pint in a family-friendly establishment. It’s also only two miles from the Yampa Valley Airport. Dogs are welcome both inside and on the patio.
Note: Just 20 minutes east of Hayden (and on the way to the next location) is the Yampa Valley Brewing Barrel Room (a non-brewing taproom).
Smoking River Brewing
Finally, about an hour south of Craig is Smoking River Brewing. An off-shoot of the Smoking River Hops farm which produces a multitude of hop varieties on the verdant riverbanks of the White River (historically referred to as Smoking River by the local Ute population). Since the hops are all locally grown at their own farm, the hops are fresh and full of flavor which gives the beer a nice hop pop! On our visit, they had a fresh hop beer on tap which was an obvious must-try and it did not disappoint. The owners are avid fishermen and they lean heavily into that theme throughout the brewery. The building was originally a meat processing facility, and they intentionally left some of those elements for decoration. The brewers crank away on their 3.5 BBL system trying to keep up with public demand, and this is a great reason to visit the quiet but scenic town of Meeker.
I hope you enjoy your trip through the Northwest part of Colorado and all of the great breweries in the area. If you take this tour or a similar route, please drop us a line and let us know how it went!
A big thank you to Colorado Beer Guy for some of the photos in this article!
Next Up: Foothills Tour.
