From the annual sell-out at Denver’s Great American Beer Festival — the largest domestic beer festival in the United States — to popular restaurant pairing events, Colorado has a knack for marrying small-batch suds with delicious dishes for an unforgettable gourmet experience.
Here are our favorite places around the state to drink local beer and savor delicious beyond-pub grub.
Pueblo
Beer: In Pueblo, Shamrock Brewing Company’s Irish Red Ale is easy drinking, which means you should probably save room for more than one.
Food: Can’t leave Colorado without gobblin’ up a buffalo burger. They’re lean (but not mean), so you’ll feel zero guilt afterward.
Buena Vista
Beer: EddyLine Brewing in Buena Vista has concocted a Grapefruit Yanker IPA with crisp, citrusy notes of mango and grapefruit that will brighten up any day; try it on draft and then take it along on your winter adventure in 16-ounce to-go cans.
Food: Step out of the ordinary with the salmon BLT, made with wild-caught sockeye, crispy bacon and microgreens on a perfectly chewy pretzel bun.
Denver
Beer: In Denver, the Sloan's Lake Brewhouse's Lagerado (yes, this is an Odell Brewing Co. taproom) is touted for its light, crisp finish and for being oh-so-very drinkable.
Food: We can’t shut up about the handmade pizzas made with farm-to-table ingredients like fresh micro-cilantro and Rock River Ranches' speciality bison meatballs.
Idaho Springs
Beer: In Idaho Springs, Tommyknocker Brewery’s Maple Nut Brown Ale is, well, nutty and sweet — just like the name implies.
Food: The Gold Rush Pork Green Chile favors Colorado’s Southwestern flavors and is served with a warm tortilla.
Durango
Beer: Push the citrusy envelope in Durango with Ska Brewing Company’s IPA With a Twist.
Food: Pop out to The Container, a culinary-repurposed shipping unit, for the piled-high burger or a mushroom goat-cheese pizza.
Palisade
Beer: Palisade Brewing Company’s chocolatey, toffee-y, hoppy Porter of Love is the perfect winter warmer.
Food: The sandwiches here rival those of any five-star deli — whether you're into tender brisket or the bright pesto vibes of a caprese — and we wholeheartedly recommend the potato salad.
Montrose, Ridgway & Ouray
Beer: Watch the bubbles rise in a Colorado Boy Brewing Company chilled-cask English Pub Ale.
Food: Choose from a dozen artisan pizzas to further warm your belly, including delish ingredients like capicola ham, gorgonzola, and local sausage.
Grand Junction
Beer: Go decadent in Grand Junction from start to finish at Rockslide Brew Pub with the Big Bear Stout.
Food: The pecan-crusted chicken salad is topped with pecan chicken, bacon and … who cares? Chicken and bacon is all you need!
Fort Collins
Beer: Sip Coopersmith Pub & Brewing’s generously spiced Sigda's Green Chili in Fort Collins, which'll light you up with delight on so many levels.
Food: Eat your beer with stout-simmered bangers and mash, served with a side of applesauce.
Pagosa Springs
Beer: Sit on a patio overlooking the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs and inhale flavors of the Southwest with Riff Raff on the Rio's El Duende Green Chile ale.
Food: Try something new — a burger made of locally sourced ground goat meat, onions caramelized with beer and cotija cheese.
Salida
Beer: Start the night off in Salida with a bang and a pint of Amica’s Pizza & Microbrewery’s Big S Brown Ale, tinged with caramel and chocolate malt.
Food: Those who’ve hopped off the gluten train will be happy to find many gluten-free options, including crowd-pleasing, wood-fired pizzas.
Alamosa
Beer: San Luis Valley Brewing’s bold Valle Caliente Lager is infused with Hatch green chiles in Alamosa.
Food: Made by hand for six generations, Gosar’s European-style sausages come in flavors like chicken, chile and chive; pork, cheddar and chipotle; and turkey cranberry chipotle. (Extra credit: Step around the corner to the brewery’s sister operation, Roast ~ Craft Coffee & Libations).
