Explore these 11 elevated brewery hot spots across Colorado

By Dylan Hochstedler and Natasha Lovato

Editor’s Note: Because we are all spending so much time at home, in addition to publishing fresh content, Thirst Colorado will also republish a few stories that will help keep you entertained.

Colorado possesses the highest low point and mean elevation of any state. According to the New World Encyclopedia, the lowest point in Colorado is 3,315 feet and the mean elevation is 6,800 feet - both valid arguments for Colorado being the most elevated state in the U.S. Do you see how we pulled off that claim, Alaska and California? And with this elevation comes a thirst that breweries are more than willing to quench. We’ve compiled a list of locations that are worth visiting or picking- up beer to-go. In case we’ve missed one or a new brewery opened up overnight, please let us know.

1. Leadville - Elevation 10,152

At an elevation of 10,152 feet, Leadville is the highest municipality in the United States. The town is rich in history, dating back to the 1850s when placer gold was discovered in nearby California Gulch during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.

Nowadays, Leadville is known for hosting numerous events for runners and cyclists and it serves as a popular base for altitude training. But if you plan to train that hard, you deserve a reward. Enter Periodic Brewing, which lays claim to “The World’s Highest Craft Brewery” on its website. Grab a sandwich and a Bleidorf Kölsch-style Ale.

Another brewery is slated to open in Leadville later this year. According to Sean Terrill, brewer at Two Mile Brewing Co., he plans to start pouring in November. How long can it be before the town of 2,500 people announces a third brewery or plans for a distillery?

Bonus fun: For you old-timers, Rosie's Brewpub in Leadville closed in 2009.

2. Fairplay - Elevation 9,950

Fairplay is another small mountain town steeped in mining history. When the Gold Rush sparked, thousands of miners settled in the South Park area. But the latecomers were not greeted with open arms in South Park. So, they established a mining camp slightly to the west, which would become known as Fairplay.

Today, with a strong art scene and world-class skiing just a short ride away over Hoosier Pass, Fairplay serves as a destination for both summer and winter explorers.

For entertainment, tentatively during this time, the annual Burro Days coming up July 29 and 30 date back to 1948. The festivities include burro races, llama races, parades, contests and all kinds of vendors and craft booths for the children. The town has also dubbed itself the “Fly-Fishing Capital of Colorado,” and ice fishing is ample during the winter months. Fairplay also serves as a winter playground for any enthusiast who might want to cross-country ski, ice climb, snowmobile or snowshoe.

When you arrive at the only traffic light in town, you’ll see South Park Brewing. The brewery opened in 2014 and features southwest-inspired food, including tacos, burritos and smoked BBQ sandwiches. At 9,953 feet, the Mad Juicy IPA might taste just right.

3. Breckenridge - Elevation 9,602

At 9,602 feet, Breckenridge is the highest of the four Summit County towns that contain a brewery. There are plenty of options in Breckenridge for beer lovers and adventure-seekers year round. Everyone already knows about the amazing skiing that can be found at Breckenridge Resort, but the town also features craft beverages with several large beer festivals, two breweries and a distillery.

Each year, sans a pandemic, the town hosts a Breckenridge Spring Beer Festival, Breckenridge Summer Beer Festival, Breckenridge Oktoberfest, Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival, and the Still on the Hill spirits shindig.

Although they have since built a brewing campus in Littleton, behemoth Breckenridge Brewery originated in Breckenridge in 1990. The original brewery and pub resides on South Main Street.

Located on the northern outskirts of town along Hwy. 9 is Broken Compass Brewing. With no kitchen, they have chosen to focus solely on beer and a bring-your-own-food model. You will find classic beer styles like a Helles or Hefeweizen, as well as new beer flavors such as Ginger Pale Ale, Chocolate Coffee Stout or the crazy-popular Coconut Porter.

If you’re looking for something other than a tasteful craft beer, pay a visit to Breckenridge Distillery, which has two locations in Breckenridge, a tasting room on Main Street and their production facility and restaurant located at 1925 Airport Rd. They host after hours VIP tours for those who are looking for a private tour and unique samplings of spirits they don’t offer on their tours to the general public.

4. Silverton - Elevation 9,305

At 9,305, Silverton is a destination known for its annual Skijoring Race, as well as the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Skijoring originated in Norway and Sweden, and involves a horse and rider that pull a skier as fast as they can through an obstacle course designed with jumps. Throughout the course, the skier is required to jump off the obstacles and collect rings along the way. A two-second penalty is assessed for missing obstacles and rings, and the team with the fastest time wins the competition or at least has a lot of fun trying.

The two breweries tucked into Silverton are Avalanche Brewing Co. and Golden Block Brewery. Each of the two offers exceptional beer and food menus. Avalanche Brewing Co. offers appetizers and pizza, while Golden Block has a wood-fired brick oven that heats appetizers, panini sandwiches and pizza. But, look out for double the beer with Avalanche Brewing 2.0, set to open in November.

5. Divide - Elevation 9,165

This town of 125 - give or take a few people who own summer homes - is perfect for a small but focused brewery such as Paradox Beer Co., which is making waves across our semi-arid state. North of Pikes Peak on Hwy. 24, Divide is just 10 minutes from Mueller State Park. It shares Teller County with the gambling town of Cripple Creek. Far enough away from Colorado Springs to be comfortable and kicked back, Paradox is rocking some incredible sour beers and other ales. Apricot, lime and ginger pear sours are a few examples of beers that are dialed in at Paradox. As the pandemic restrictions clear, those who show up hungry will be greeted with a tasty charcuterie plate that works really well with the beers.

6. Dillon - Elevation 9,087

Dillon is another Summit County adventure hangout and a water sports oasis. Dillon Reservoir spans across 3,300 acres and is accompanied by 25 miles of shoreline. At over 9,000 feet, boating season in the reservoir is dependent on the weather, but typically runs from early June to mid-September.

The two brewery offerings in this town are Dillon Dam Brewery and Pug Ryan’s. Dillon Dam Brewery, one of the largest brewpubs in the Rockies, is known for its handcrafted ales and lagers, great food, and for providing a warm, family like atmosphere. Look forward to prime rib, angus strip steak or maple bourbon pecan trout that match up nicely with the beers.

Pug Ryan’s Brewery brews several classic styles of beers such as a helles, pilsner, dunkel and more. They also offer slow roasted prime rib, baby back ribs, and fresh seafood dishes all while sitting close to the water at their beach tiki bar.

7. Frisco - Elevation 9,042

Frisco is loaded with summertime activities. The Adventure Park offers amenities such as a bike park, skate park, disc golf course, chuck wagon rides and plenty of hiking trails and campsites. The town is located along Dillon Reservoir and includes the Frisco Bay Marina. The full-service marina is open for individual activity whether you have your own kayak, canoe, stand up paddle board, fishing gear or boat even though rentals are currently closed.

Craft beer enthusiasts in Frisco quench their thirst at Highside Brewing and Outer Range Brewing Co., both passionate about their individual crafts.

8. Winter Park - Elevation 9,040

There is always something going on in Winter Park. From the skiing, snowshoeing and tubing in the winter, to music festivals, all kinds of biking and an alpine slide in the summer, this is a year-round vacation destination. The Park is also the only town on the list with three breweries.

Hideaway Park Brewery is the brainchild of a drunken evening after a long day on the slopes. Although most of these types of ideas are forgotten about the next morning, construction on the brewery started about six months after the brainstorming session among friends. Their four core beers include BruBrew IPA, Pocket Rocket Red Ale, Rye Not Try It Stout and Wapiti Golden Ale, but they always have rotating beers to go with the season.

The Peak Bistro and Brewery serves wraps, sandwiches, oak-fired pizza and also have a late-night menu. On the brewery side, they have a WPA, Winter Park Ale that was brewed exclusively with cascade hops to combine a light hop flavor with a nice hint of malt.

Bonus fun: Swing by Idlewild Spirits for a highly elevated cocktail or two and their sister company Moonshine Distiller, which provides all the tools and grains your heart could possibly desire for an at-home distilling start-up of your own.

9. Crested Butte - Elevation 8,908

Crested Butte has long been a go-to for the more adventurous outdoor explorers of Colorado. If you visit during the winter, you will find excellent slopes as well as backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. Hop on the saddle in the summer for a horseback ride, followed by a bike ride or music festival. Oh, and every road out of town leads to backcountry trails.

Irwin Brewing Co. has a wide range of craft brews that pair nicely apres the wide range of outdoor recreational activities from their Local Pride Pilsner to their Teocalli Mexican Lager.

10. Telluride - Elevation 8,792

The once dusty town that was hard to get to is now known for its multi-million dollar homes and world-class slopes. With a plethora of summer and winter activities, excellent dining and extensive arts offerings, Telluride attracts the glitterati. You may catch celebrity property owners like Tom Cruise or Oprah Winfrey toying around the town.

Telluride Brewing Co. is a must if you are anywhere close to town. Having been open since 2011, Telluride Brewing has won several GABF and World Beer Cup awards for its popular Face Down Brown. Owner Chris Fish is always looking to create the perfect beer, and many would agree he has done so with his Face Down Brown and also the Fishwater Double IPA.

The other brewery in Telluride is Smuggler’s Brewpub, which includes beers brewed in house and a full bar with an extensive whiskey selection. You can’t go wrong in Ta-hell-u-ride

11. Silverthorne - Elevation 8,751

Silverthorne is the last of the elevated towns and it rests along the I-70 corridor. It’s a perfect place to crash for the night after completing a Summit County brewery tour provided by a designated driver. The town is surrounded by jagged peaks, which offer great summer hiking and even better winter skiing.

There are two breweries in this roadside town with a smattering of outlet stores. Bakers’ Brewery is located just off Exit 205 as you drop down from the tunnel. The from-scratch kitchen uses local ingredients whenever possible and their brew house constantly comes up with new beer recipes and infusions.

Angry James Brewing is ready for your Summit County recreation with portable summer beers like their Citra Lager and Alpen Weisse.

*All municipality elevations courtesy of Colorado.com