Winter in Colorado is the perfect season to enjoy rich, flavorful craft beers, from bold stouts to spiced winter ales. We’ve rounded up our favorite Colorado winter brews and the best breweries to enjoy them while cozying up in a mountain lodge or unwinding after a day on the slopes.
Roaring Fork Valley’s Favorite Colorado Winter Brews
Aspen Brewing Company/ West Bound & Down | Aspen-Willits
Aspen Brewing Company, a community staple since 2008 and now part of West Bound & Down Brewing Company, continues to offer handcrafted beers, artisan pizzas, and a welcoming atmosphere that reflects Aspen’s vibrant energy and history.
Mountain Heart Brewery | Basalt-Carbondale
Mountain Heart Brewing, located in Carbondale, Colorado, specializes in thoughtfully crafted IPAs, lagers, and fruited sours. Born from the pursuit of living the mountain life, they brew good beer to balance the thrill of the outdoors and the beauty of a place they consider “heaven on earth.”
Casey Brewing Taproom | Glenwood Springs
Casey Brewing and Blending revives old-world brewing techniques using over 99% local Colorado ingredients. Their beers, fermented and aged in vintage oak barrels with a mix of cultures, are unfiltered and 100% bottle-conditioned, developing unique flavors over time.
Vail Valley Breweries
Eagle River Brewing Company | Eagle
At the inaugural Colorado Brewers Cup in January 2025, they earned top honors, winning gold for their ERB Oktoberfest and silver for their Free Stone Lager in the Amber Lagers category.
Vail Brewing Company | Vail
A staple in the Vail Valley craft beer scene, VBC is renowned for its innovative small-batch brews and vibrant mountain-town atmosphere, with locations in Vail and Eagle-Vail.
Craftsman Brew Company | Edwards
Craftsman Brew Co started as a small sandwich shop in Edwards, Colorado, in 2017. This spot has a vision for seasonal, high-quality food in a welcoming space. They expanded into brewing with the help of Outer Range Brew Co, creating a craft beer experience as innovative as our food.
Summit County’s ‘s Favorite Colorado Winter Brews
Outer Range Brewing | Frisco
Their taprooms in the Colorado Rockies and French Alps offer a mountain escape where guests can reconnect with nature over carefully crafted beers. Inspired by the surrounding peaks, they create brews that elevate every moment.
Broken Compass Brewing | Breckenridge
Broken Compass Brewing was founded in 2014 by Jason and Jolene Ford, growing from a small off-the-beaten-path brewery into a must-visit Breckenridge destination. Rooted in community and a love for adventure, BCB crafts unique, high-quality beers inspired by the mountains and the people who explore them.
Angry James Brewery | Silverthorne
Angry James Brewery was born from AJ’s passion for craft beer. Therefore, in 2014, he and his wife, Darcy, sold their Denver home to fund their dream. After years of hard work, they built a community-focused brewery in Silverthorne, opening its doors on a cold January night in 2018.
Learn more Summit County local insights >>
Yampa Valley’s Winter Brews
Storm Peak Brewing Company | Steamboat Springs
Based in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this brewery brews a diverse range of beer styles on a 20-barrel brew house. In addition, the most popular favorites are kept on tap while introducing new additions. Supported by an incredible staff, loyal community, and regulars, they look forward to sharing a beer!
Mountain Tap Brewery | Steamboat Springs
Co-founders Rich and Wendy Tucciarone’s brewing journey took them from Steamboat Springs to Denver, Hawaii, and back before opening Mountain Tap Brewery in 2016. Located near Howelsen Hill and the Yampa River, the brewery serves fresh, innovative beers to locals and visitors who live for mountain adventures.
Yampa Valley Brewing Company | Hayden & Craig
Yampa Valley Brewing Company (YVBC) was founded to meet the growing demand for craft beer in Hayden. You can find the Tap House and Brewery just two miles from the Yampa Valley Airport. Due to strong community support, they’ve expanded to Craig and plan to continue growing throughout the Yampa Valley.
Front Range’s Breweries
4Noses Brewing Company | Broomfield
Founded by a close-knit family inspired by a trip to Ireland, Four Noses Brewing Company crafts unique beers. Some of the flavors include hoppy IPAs and barrel-aged brews while constantly experimenting with new flavors.
Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery | Boulder
Since 1993, Mountain Sun Breweries has been dedicated to creating original, high-quality ales and lagers. Their bold flavors are a true challenge to traditional styles. By sourcing the finest ingredients locally and globally, they deliver beers that inspire and redefine the craft brewing experience.
Denver Beer Company | Denver
Denver Beer Co. was founded from a love for brewing, starting with homebrew batches. Then, this love grew into a brewery known for premium artisan ales and lagers. With a focus on seasonal ingredients and small batches, they offer both timeless favorites and new creations, all inspired by the beer gardens of Bavaria.
Ready to Explore?
As the snow falls and the mountain air turns crisp, there’s no better way to enjoy the season than with a refreshing pint of Colorado winter brews. Whether you’re après-ski or just looking for a cozy spot to unwind, Colorado’s breweries offer something for every taste. Don’t miss out on these local gems—visit SliferSmithandFrampton.com to discover more local spots across the Rockies and plan your next adventure today!
