Sip, sip, hooray! Longmont's beer scene is hoppin'
Welcome to Longmont, Colorado – a goldmine for craft brew lovers! Whether you're a local or just passing through, this guide will be your passport to Longmont's award-winning brewery scene. From classic ales to innovative brews, it's time to dive into a world of malted magic and hoppy endings.
photo: @lhbtastingroom on Instagram
The Classics: Must-Visit Breweries
Award-Winning Brew: Dale's Pale Ale (Best Pale Ale, 2012, New York Times)
Tasting Notes: Bold and hoppy, with a balanced malt backbone and dark piney hops.
What to Expect: Known as the trailblazer of craft beer in cans, Oskar Blues has a legacy as rich as its brews. Stop by for patio vibes, live music, and rotating food trucks serving up fresh flavors.
Award-Winning Brew: Milk Stout Nitro
Tasting Notes: Creamy and smooth with notes of coffee and chocolate.
What to Expect: A community staple, Left Hand is famed for its Milk Stout Nitro – a true masterpiece in a glass. But this nationally acclaimed brewery has racked up dozens of awards over the years, including a recent Gold Medal for its Saw Tooth Amber Ale at the Great American Beer Festival. Visit their tasting room or beer garden, and check out their event calendar for live music and seasonal festivals.
Award-Winning Brew: Forager IPA (Silver Medal, Great American Beer Festival)
Tasting Notes: Hints of lemon zest and juniper berries make this West Coast-style IPA sing.
What to Expect: This local favorite is known for its satisfying food menu and trendy atmosphere. The brewery is housed in a certified Historic Landmark and prides itself on being the sole seller of their brews–if you want to try their craft beers, the Pumphouse is the place to be.
Award-Winning Brew: Colorado Kind Ale (Silver Medal, Great American Beer Festival)
Tasting Notes: Melted caramel and classic Cascade hops make this a particularly approachable and tasty choice for "non-hoppy" beer drinkers–it may convert you to be a hop lover yet!
What to Expect: Part of the Mountain Sun Brewery family, Longs Peak Pub and Brewhouse is a full-service family favorite that has more than 20 beers on tap, plus seven wines and even a margarita on tap for those craving a cocktail. And with two happy hours a day (3-5 pm and 9 pm to close), there's always a good reason to order another round and a second serving of garlic parmesan fries!
photo: @dunkinthedane on Instagram
The Hidden Gems: Off-the-Beaten-Path Breweries
Award-Winning: Voted Best Locally Owned Pub/Brewery (Times-Call Readers Choice Awards, 2021)
What to Expect: Offering a wide variety of craft beers, 300 Suns is filled with local flavor and pride. Try the Strawberry Blonde Ale or the Lazy Hazy Crazy Day-z juicy IPA. Take to their pet-friendly deck to enjoy treats from the kitchen, like the award-winning Spicy Chicken Sandwich or satisfying poutine, all made from scratch!
Notable Brew: The Satchel (Cream Ale)
Tasting Notes: A rich and creamy blend of peanut butter and marshmallows that creates a delectably sweet surprise in this cream ale.
What to Expect: Bearded Brewer is the new brewery on the block, opening in Longmont in November 2023, but they bring a loyal fanbase from their Nebraska roots. Go for the unexpected and the innovative, with a constantly rotating tap list that favors the experimental and exceptional.
Notable Brew: Red Rambler (flagship brew, Belgian Red Ale)
Tasting Notes: This herbaceous red ale blends fruity and wooden notes into pleasingly refreshing flavors and a fresh take on Belgian ales.
What to Expect: Variety is the spice of life at Collision Brewing, and their full menu and tap list will please all palates and all gearheads! Look for the antique gas pumps out front at this car-themed brewery, which includes a full bar, 28 taps, and mouth-watering options like Mexican street corn nachos.
Notable Brew: Black Is Beautiful 2 (Imperial Milk Stout)
Tasting Notes: A decadent take on Mexican Hot Chocolate with cocoa & cinnamon.
What to Expect: This sci-fi brewpub offers visitors a truly out-of-this-world experience. With starship vibes and adventurous brews, visitors can order from their full menu for earthling favorites like catfish bites, schnitzel, and even pork belly cajun rice!
photo: @outworldbrewing on Instagram
The Innovators: Breweries Pushing the Envelope
Award-Winning Brew: Wibby Jibby (Pilsner Gold Medal & 2023 Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival)
Tasting Notes: A pint of Pilsner perfection, characterized by its crisp, citrus notes and smooth malt body.
What to Expect: This award-winning brewery is the gold standard of Colorado taprooms, offering visitors (and friendly pups!) where greatness is brewed with a hearty blend of ancient craft and modern chemistry. They use their ample outdoor space to support their full events calendar, which includes trivia nights, live music, fundraisers, and more.
Award-Winning Brew: Wreck Havoc Red Ale (Gold Medal, Great American Beer Festival)
Tasting Notes: Mixed malts blended with seven hops create a smooth, hoppy red rye ale.
What to Expect: Known for its award-winning beers and live music, Bootstrap is all about innovation, excellence, and community. This philanthropic brewery hosts fundraisers frequently and welcomes all (including families and well-behaved pups) to their taproom.
Award-Winning Brew: GB's Perfect Pils (Silver Medal, Denver International)
Tasting Notes: Layers of Pilsner malts and Saaz hops create an utterly refreshing brew perfect for easy drinking days.
What to Expect: When beer lovers get to brewing, great breweries like Großen Bart are born. These brewmasters are serious about beer and go for experimental extremes that result in award-winning brews. This tucked-away taproom features rotating food trucks, live music, and an ever-changing events calendar that will make Großen Bart feel like your second home.
Award-Winning Brew: Key Lime Cider (Gold Medal, Cidercraft Awards)
Tasting Notes: Tangy-sweet apple with fresh bursts of zesty lime.
What to Expect: Offering a unique cider experience, St. Vrain is a paradise for cider lovers, featuring 36 ciders on tap, all made in-house or by other local Colorado cideries. With nearly every one of St. Vrain ciders boasting multiple awards, it's not a question of which one to try but how many of you can sample. Fortunately, cider flights are available, and their patio and fire pits make it all the sweeter.
Award-Winning Brew: El Corn, Amber Lager(Gold Medal, Great American Beer Festival)
Tasting Notes: Herbal hops meet toasted malts with hints of spice and namesake maize.
What to Expect: Perfectly pairing brews with comfort food, The Post is where hot chicken meets cold beer, and we are here for it! From chicken & waffles to a fried chicken "Tower of Love," The Post is guaranteed to satisfy whatever you're hungry–or thirsty–for.
photo: @thepostlongmont on Instagram
Brews On the Go: Tours and More
What to Expect: Need a shoe? Want a brew? This unique combination of a running shoe store and taproom is perfect for those who love running and rewarding themselves with liquid gold! Join in a group run or race, or head to the back taproom for in-house brews by Nano Brewery and local guest taps.
What to Expect: Offering a hop-on, hop-off brewery tour service, this is a fun way to explore Longmont's breweries without worrying about driving. On board, you'll receive a rundown of any special events, live music, and more that may be happening at each brewery, allowing you to match your vibe to the brew perfectly. The trolley runs on a continuous loop, stopping by each venue once an hour, allowing you (and your crew) to pace the day at your preference.
There you have it, beer connoisseurs – your ultimate guide to Longmont's breweries! Whether you're in the mood for a classic ale, an experimental brew, or something in between, Longmont has it all. Don't just take our word for it; come and experience these hop havens for yourself. Cheers to your next adventure in Longmont!
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