I will be at a conference in Este park, CO June 8-12 and will have the afternoons mostly free. I will have a rental car so i can travel around (Ft. Collins, etc.) but as I won’t have a designated driver I will have to limit my self to only a couple of stops each afternoon.
What are the most important “Don’t Miss” breweries/brewpubs in that area.
Thanks
Dana
Well, it’s been a long time since I was there but the Estes Park Brewery/pub is a cool place for good food and good beer.
Yeah I don’t think there is much in Estes Park but maybe some new places have popped up that I don’t know about. If you have a car I would recommend shooting down to:
Lyons: Oscar Blues
Longmont: Oscar Blues, Lefthand
Boulder: Mountain Sun, Avery, Upslope, Boulder Beer, & more
Yes, I realize that there isn’t a lot in Estes park itself (and I can walk to those from my hotel at night after the conference evening sessions are over). I am primarily looking for the very best “don’t miss” places that I can drive to on my free afternoons. (perhaps as far as Greeley)
Thanks
Dana
In Fort Collins you should try Funkwerks. Funkwerks was named Small Brewery of the Year two GABFs ago. While you’re there Horse and Dragon just opened around the corner. Equinox Brewing is another don’t miss. Lots of rotating taps with a cool downtown location. Firkin tappins every thursday.
In Loveland you can try Verboten and Grimm Brothers. Verboten just won two awards at World Beer Cup. And there’s a cool distillery across the street. And Grimm Brothers Altbier is fantastic.
+1 Funkwerks
I would also suggest Odell’s
Just thought of another thing to ask about …
If I were to bring back some beer for my local homebrew club to taste, what do you suggest that is not available here in New York State (i.e. from a great but very small brewery with only local distribution)
Thanks again
Dana
Equinox is only available in their taphouse in Old Town Fort Collins plus a few select places around town. You’d have to do growler fills to bring stuff back. The only beer in bottles is their annual Barleywine. I’m not sure if Funkwerks is available there. As of the last time I was back in NY, Odell’s still was not available either. Pretty much all of the Loveland breweries would also be difficult to find anywhere else.
Oskar Blues is moving the taproom at the Longmont location, so you might want to call ahead if you’re planning on stopping in there. I’m not sure if they’re open at the moment.
I know the breweries in Fort Collins well. I would agree with some others on Funkwerks and Equinox. Great beers at both of those places. Odell is a must. Horse and Dragon is a new spot that is really good. CB Potts tap room always has some tasty brews also.
Of course there is New Belgium but many people can get their beers since they have a wide distribution network.
Cheers and have a good time!
The Fort Collins Potts is pretty exceptional. The brewers are a couple of my best friends and I have had the chance to guest brew there. There are two buildings so if you do go there check the tap house for more beers. There’s usually a few beers the restaurant doesn’t have on tap.
Crooked Stave, if you like wild ales.
If I can only go to one Oskar Blues location in Longmont, Which should hit? What is 2nd choice in case the first is closed?
Thanks
Dana
There is the restaurant and the taproom. The taproom is attached to the brewery and features beers they don’t release outside the taproom, or at least rarely release them. The restaurant has good food and several OB beers but not anything crazy. They do carry other breweries so you can sample a lot of different breweries that way.
Crooked Stave moved out of Funkwerks a few years ago. They are now down in Denver in two different locations.
To OP, I’d also add a +1 for Funkwerks but if you’re driving to Fort Collins you might as well hit Odell and Fort Collins Brewing since the three are within a couple blocks of each other. Fort Collins Brewing puts some limited stuff out in the restaurant attached to the brewery.