A Local’s Guide to the Best Fort Collins Breweries
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Over the past 35 years, Fort Collins, Colorado has undoubtedly earned its reputation as a beer lover’s paradise. With a history steeped in brewing innovation plus a rich community of beer enthusiasts, this city offers a diverse range of breweries that cater to a wide variety of tastes.
Fort Collins is currently home to more than 20 craft breweries, including several that are renowned and distributed nationwide. My purpose of this guide is to provide you with some helpful insider knowledge regarding Foco’s craft beer scene, ensuring you experience the very best of Fort Collins breweries.
History of the Fort Collins Brewing Scene
Fort Collins is proudly known as a thriving hub for craft beer aficionados. With roots tracing back to the late 1980s, the city’s brewery scene first blossomed when pioneers such as Coopersmith’s, New Belgium, and Odell laid the groundwork for what is now one of the most-celebrated beer communities in the country. The existing breweries stand out for so many reasons, some of which include their creative approaches to brewing, sustainable practices, and strong sense of community.
Must-Visit Fort Collins Breweries
There are two breweries in Fort Collins that reign supreme when it comes to popularity and unparalleled atmosphere. I can promise, you will not be disappointed by your overall experience when visiting New Belgium Brewing Company and Odell Brewing Company.
New Belgium Brewing Company
500 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | newbelgium.com
Without question, New Belgium Brewing Company is one of the most iconic craft breweries that you will find in Fort Collins, CO. They even rank amongst the largest microbreweries in the U.S. Providing a wide selection of beer and non-beer options, guests are guaranteed to discover a drink they will love.
Visitors can enjoy a free 45-minute tour of the brewery offered at 4PM on weekdays (Mon-Fri) or at 2PM and 4PM on weekends (Sat-Sun), with no reservation required in advanced. One of New Belgium’s most appealing features is their expansive outdoor area, centered around a large turf field. The perfect spot for you to hang out if you have children or furry friends.
Must Try Beer: Trippel (Belgian Style Ale)
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, see all upcoming music & events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Odell Brewing Company
800 E Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | odellbrewing.com
Odell Brewing Company is one of Fort Collins’ flagship breweries, founded in 1989. With ample indoor and outdoor seating, this craft brewery is extremely popular during all four seasons.
Visitors are encouraged to take a free guided tour, providing a behind-the-scenes look at Odell’s brewing process and their commitment to sustainable practices. Brewery tours are offered at 1PM and 3PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Must Try Beer: 90 Shilling (Scottish Amber Ale)
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, see all upcoming music & events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Locals’ Favorite Fort Collins Craft Breweries
We know that Fort Collins is home to an impressive number of breweries, but some have gone a step beyond, earning a special place in the hearts of local residents. These beloved spots stand out not only for their exceptional brews, but also their warm and welcoming environments.
Zwei Brewing Co.
4612 S Mason St #120, Fort Collins, CO 80525 | zweibrewing.com
Zwei Brewing offers the most authentic German-style beers in Foco, giving guests a small taste of Bavaria. This brewery’s general theme follows suit, with colorful flags hung from the ceiling and a large outdoor biergarten. The perfect setup to accommodate large groups.
Must Try Beer: Dunkel (Munich-Style Amber Lager)
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, see all upcoming music & events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Equinox Brewing
133 Remington St, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | equinoxbrewing.com
Located in the heart of Old Town, Equinox Brewing is super convenient for anyone to pop in for a beer or flight while exploring around town. Focusing on seasonal and small-batch beer, their mission is to produce high quality brews while keeping distribution local. This brewery’s cozy interior may make it difficult to snag a table, but they have additional seating on their back patio.
Must Try Beer: Space Ghost IPA
Food Offered: No
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, every Friday & Saturday.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Maxline Brewing
2724 McClelland Dr #190, Fort Collins, CO 80525 | maxlinebrewing.com
Looking for a brewery with a relaxed, neighborhood vibe? Well, Maxline Brewing definitely checks that box and then some. Guests are sure to feel right at home between their friendly hospitality and good beer, making this spot a favorite amongst Fort Collins’ locals.
Must Try Beer: Irish Red
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, see all upcoming music HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Gilded Goat Brewing Company
3500 S College Ave #194, Fort Collins, CO 80525 (Midtown) | 132 W Mountain Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524 (Downtown) | gildedgoatbrewing.com
Gilded Goat Brewing Company currently has two locations in Fort Collins. A larger midtown location, where all of their craft beer is produced, and a more intimate taproom situated in Old Town. They understand the importance of community and foster an enjoyable environment of bringing people together over some great pours.
Must Try Beer: Frumpy MooMoo (Breakfast Stout)
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite at Midtown location only. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes, at both locations.
Live Music: Yes, live music at Downtown location only. See all upcoming music & events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, outdoor patio only.
Mythmaker Brewing
1035 S Taft Hill Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80521 | mythmakerbrewing.com
Mythmaker Brewing is one of the newer microbreweries to join the Fort Collins beer scene, as they recently celebrated their 2nd anniversary in 2024. All of their beers are small-batched and brewed by hand, offering an assortment of fresh and ever-changing taps to try. Featuring a living room area with comfortable seating plus a shaded patio, guests will feel right at home at Mythmaker.
Must Try Beer: Kölsch
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: No live music. See all other upcoming events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Salt Road Brewing
321 Old Firehouse Alley, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | saltroadbrewing.com
With a prime location in Old Town, Salt Road Brewing is an easy spot to hit while exploring downtown Fort Collins. Although it is centrally located, it’s tucked away in an alleyway, creating a much more intimate experience. Local’s recommend guests order a flight for the chance to try a variety of styles offered by this microbrewery.
Must Try Beer: The Wedge (West Coast IPA)
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, see all upcoming music & events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Hello Brew Co.
405 Linden St, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | hellobrewco.com
Hello Brew Co. genuinely feels like you’re enjoying a beer at a neighbor’s house. Partly because this brewery is located within a 100-year-old remodeled abode, complete with a covered porch, front yard, and mailbox.
This women-owned business may be small in square footage, but it is mighty in their quality of beer selection. They do not have their current beer list posted online, so visitors are encouraged to stop in and try out some new brews.
Must Try Beer: Hazy IPA (if available)
Food Offered: No
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, refer to their Instagram page for more info on upcoming music & events.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Unique Pours Found in Fort Collins
A handful of Foco breweries stand out from the rest due to their one-of-a-kind pours. Ranging from experimental small-batch creations to unconventional flavor profiles, these breweries are embracing innovation and offering adventurous drinkers a taste of something they may have never tried before.
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company
124 Racquette Dr, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | horseanddragonbrewing.com
Located away from the main drag, Horse & Dragon Brewing Company has a pleasant set up designed to enjoy a cold beer in either their barn-like taproom or partially shaded outdoor patio.
A core principle that they have built their business upon is to be proactive members of the community. By prioritizing working with numerous non-profits each year, this craft brewery goes above and beyond making great beer.
Must Try Beer: Sad Panda (Coffee Stout)
Food Offered: No, but they allow guests to bring in any outside food. H&D also hosts a community potluck dinner from 5-7PM on the 1st of each month.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: No live music. See all other upcoming events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, outdoor patio only.
Funkwerks
1900 E Lincoln Ave UNIT B, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | funkwerks.com
Appropriately named, Funkwerks tap list provides many one-of-a-kind, “funky” pours highlighting Saisons and Sour Ales. A couple years before Funkwerks even came to fruition, one of the founders notably won a gold medal for his Saison at the National Homebrew Competition.
People typically say, they either love or hate a sour-style beer. I am personally a big fan of them and you’ll never know until you try one for yourself! What better place to start than Funkwerks.
Must Try Beer: Raspberry Provincial (Sour Ale)
Food Offered: Occasional food trucks and snacks available for purchase. Outside food allowed.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: No live music. Refer to their Instagram page for more info on upcoming events.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Stodgy Brewing Company
1802 Laporte Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80521 | stodgybrewing.com
Stodgy Brewing Company has my vote for the most distinctive environment, as compared to other breweries on this list. It is nestled in a neighborhood slightly northwest of town, with a rustic, tree-house style taproom and a lovely outdoor area that offers major forest vibes. It feels like a quiet oasis from the hustle and bustle.
They offer a solid, yet not overwhelming selection of beer alongside some non-alcoholic options. A favorite being their homemade root beer.
Must Try Beer: Rye Farmhouse (Ale)
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, see all upcoming music & events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, both inside & outside.
Peculier Ales Fort Collins
1831 E Mulberry St, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | peculierales.com
Based on the name alone, you could probably guess that Peculier Ales produces some unconventional brews. Acclaimed for their sours and hard seltzers, they still offer many of the more traditional styles of beer. Ensuring that everyone who stops in will have an unforgettable experience.
Fort Collins is actually the second location for Peculier Ales, following the success they have experienced at their original spot in the heart of Windsor, CO. Pretty impressive for only opening in the summer of 2020.
Must Try Beer: Kinda Italian Ice: Cherry Limeade (Sour)
Food Offered: Yes, rotating food trucks onsite. Check out their food truck schedule HERE.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, see all upcoming music & events HERE.
Dogs Allowed: Yes, outdoor patio only.
Best Family-Friendly Breweries in Fort Collins
It’s true that Fort Collins is a craft beer haven and spending your afternoon at brewery sounds like an activity more catered towards those who are 21+. However, it proudly hosts several breweries that welcome both you and your kiddos with open arms.
Between kid-friendly areas, games, and full restaurant menus, these Fort Collins breweries are the perfect spot for parents to enjoy a brew while keeping your little ones entertained. A true win-win for families like my own! New Belgium Brewing Company and Odell Brewing Company (previously listed above) both have an incredible set up for families as well.
Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing
5 Old Town Square, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | coopersmithspub.com
Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing holds the esteemed title of “oldest operating brewery” within Fort Collins, founded just before Odell and New Belgium Brewing Companies entered the scene in the late 1980’s.
Best known for its inviting pub-like ambiance and large selection of handcrafted beers, Coopersmith’s has been a cornerstone of the local brewing scene for over three decades.
Must Try Beer: Punjabi Pale Ale (IPA)
Food Offered: Yes, full restaurant menu linked above.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: No
Dogs Allowed: No, due to local food regulations. However, per their website, they do allow guests to tie up their pup just outside the patio fence beside their table.
Breckenridge Brewery Fort Collins
1020 E Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524 | breckbrew.com
Breckenridge Brewery recently opened their doors in Foco in August 2024, marking their third craft brewery in Colorado. They may be new to Fort Collins scene, but they are a seasoned, well-loved brewery that has been carefully curating brews for over 30 years.
Gaining their start in the Rocky Mountains, they fully embrace the laid-back Coloradan attitude and ski bum mentality. Aside from their beer, they also brew Good Company Hard Seltzers, as an excellent beyond beer option.
Must Try Beer: Avalanche Amber Ale
Food Offered: Yes, full restaurant menu linked above.
Outdoor Patio: Yes
Live Music: Yes, refer to their Facebook page for more info on upcoming music & events.
Dogs Allowed: No, due to local food regulations.
Additional Fort Collins Breweries Worth Checking Out
5 Tips for the Ultimate Brewery Hopping Experience
- Short list the top breweries you want to hit and plan your route, many are conveniently within walking distance from each other. Plans can change and that’s okay, but you can maximize your time if you have a rough idea in mind and start early.
- Consider trying a flight of beer to sample a variety of styles without committing to full pours.
- Plan for safe transportation while drinking, whether that means walking, biking, ride-sharing, public transportation, or having a DD.
- Check out the websites beforehand for special events or experiences, such as live music, brewery tours, festivals, or seasonal releases to enhance your experience.
- Don’t forget to try some of the local food while brewery hopping. As noted above, many of Foco’s breweries provide on-site food trucks or allow you to bring in outside food. Need a recommendation for where to eat? Check out my helpful guide detailing the 35 Best Restaurants in Fort Collins, Colorado (From a Local).
A Fun Brewery-Based Experience
✅Old Town Brewery & Distillery Tour
Learn all about the brewing and distilling process with this one of a kind “back of house” tour. Departing from Old Town Square, a knowledgeable guide will take you to CopperMuse Distillery, CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewing, and Blanchard Family Wines, allowing guests to experience a little taste of everything.
This tour lasts approximately 2 hours and drinks are not included with your ticket, however, there are special drink deals offered to tour participants.
Click HERE to book your Old Town Brewery and Distillery Tour!
Activities Beyond the Brews
While craft beer is definitely a staple in Fort Collins, this city offers so much more to explore beyond the brews. I would even argue that the culinary scene is just as notable. Treat your taste buds to some of Foco’s most delectable dining spots via the recommendations included in my post, 35 Best Restaurants in Fort Collins, Colorado (From a Local).
While strolling through Old Town, you can expect to find an array of cute shops and local history that truly encompasses the heart of Fort Collins. If you’re planning a full day of adventure, my guidebook Plan The Ultimate Day Trip to Downtown Fort Collins, Colorado will help you uncover all of the must-visit spots. Whether you’re here for the beer, food, or lively atmosphere, Fort Collins has a little something for everyone!
Conclusion
By this point, your mouth should be watering to grab a beer at one of the many standout breweries that Fort Collins has to offer. You really can’t go wrong in your decision, but I encourage you to explore at least one of those listed above and help to support the local craft beer scene.
With inclusive family-friendly environments, dog-friendly patios, and a wealth of exciting events, these breweries offer way more than just great beer; they create memorable experiences that embody the welcoming nature of Fort Collins, CO.
I’d love to hear all about your favorite brewery, beer, or experience in the comments below! Your insight could inspire fellow beer enthusiasts to explore the rich craft beer scene in this incredible city.
As always, I hope that you continue to Seek Out Serenity in your life!
