Colorado BAs - Tips for travel

Cheers! Happy to have you around!

Firstly, if you are hitting Great Divide and Crooked Stave you'll be in RiNo (River North). In that area you can't throw a rock without hitting another brewery. As for which ones are worth visiting in that area, I am not the right person to ask @Domingo and @Mebuzzard seem to be all knowing though.

As for the rest of town breweries, there are even more insane breweries that have been talked about for days on the Mountain forum (Cough Comrade Cough)

My recommendation would be to take the back route to Boulder (it's beautiful). Hit Red Rocks for a hike and then head to Cannonball Creek and wave at Coors before hitting Avery. They are only a little out of the way, but man they're worth it.

 

In RiNo those (GD & CS) are the best breweries, at least in my opinion. I'd also recommend Epic and the Wynkoop, too. If you like cider, Stem Ciders is also an excellent stop over there. The others can be a crap shoot at times, but I've had some really good beers from River North and Black Shirt as well. If you're in that area, I'd recommend hitting the Falling Rock Taphouse if you can. Even instead of a brewery stop. They have taps from all over the place including a few places (like Comrade, Dry Dock, and the Bull & Bush) that are our all-stars from the Denver 'burbs.

 

Check out Chautauqua park in Boulder. It's always busy, but worth braving the crowds. Follow the trails up the first flatiron to get amazing panorama views of the Rockies. It'll take decently fit out-of-towners about an hour and 30 minutes.

 

If you go to Cannonball Creek, I'd recommend hiking Mt. Galbraith; there are two trailheads, both in the north Golden area not far from the brewery. It's a nice 5-ish mile lollipop route that isn't too strenuous but will give a good workout. The easiest trailhead to find is about a half mile up Golden Gate Canyon road on the left. There's no mountain biking there, and it doesn't get insane amounts of traffic, like the trails up in Boulder.

 

Since you're staying in Estes Park, The Loch/Sky Pond at Rocky Mountain National Park is a good hike.

 

I'll second the Comrade call. If you want to seek out an awesome beer their Superpower IPA is top notch. It's a bit out of the way from the Rino District but I would say it's worth it. If you're in Longmont and have the time, Left hand brewery is just up Hover Road from Oskar Blues and has been known to put out some really good stuff. The Longmont stop for Oskar Blues is great but if you want to go to the original spot you'll most likely pass it going through Lyons to get to Estes, you may want to look into that as well. Chautauqua park in Boulder would probably be the your best bet for a scenic hike in Boulder before hitting up Avery. You almost run right into it off of highway 36 coming into Boulder from Denver.

 

A good day hike that won't be too tough for out of towners and has a good payoff is Dream Lake at RMNP

 

Ratio or Mockery are the best smaller breweries, both a stone's throw from Great Divide & Crooked Stave.

Epic is awesome too and right next to it is Stem Ciders (already mentioned as well) and Mile High Winery.

 

Don't forget isn't Black Shirt (or is it Balck Sky) right around the corner from Crooked Stave?

 

Hitting the Oskar Blues in Lyons after Avery is a great recommendation!

Great way to go.. U.S. 36 and CO7 come right out of Lyons and both take you to Estes. Lots of hiking options and general beauty to enjoy taking either route.

 

I haven't personally been there to verify, but have heard a lot of great things about Powder Keg, which is just down the road from Avery and along the route to Longmont for Oskar Blues.

 

This would be my recommendation as well. A great hike and the most convenient.

 

I took the above advice this weekend and it worked out amazingly!
Hit the Oskar Blues in Lyons for dinner Friday. First time there... food was great and really enjoyed the Death By Coconut.

Headed up CO-7 and camped at the top of the St. Vrain canyon, then hiked in RMNP on Saturday AM. Took US-36 down from Estes Park and stopped by Avery's new facility in Boulder (try the Ratman 10,000 if it's still there!!!). Great beer and nature weekend for this guy!

 

Heck yea, glad you enjoyed yourself!

 

We're staying and hiking in Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National Park for about a week - can anyone recommend a good bottle shop in the area? I found Rambo's Liquor Mart on the "Places" section of BA but wanted to see if there are any others within a short distance. Thanks!

 

I would stop at Boulder Liquor Mart, or Hazel's, or Whole Foods on the way up. Dunno what's in Estes, but I do know driving around up there is a shit-show.

 

Definitely this. Pick up all you can before you get up there, then don't drive all week once you're there.

 

Perfect, thanks beer lovers, just exactly what I was looking for. Sucks to get stranded and have to rely on the local deli or gas station with a range of 3 - 6 mass produced lagers..! Cheers!

 

Rambo's is good stuff...best beer store in Estes and you drive right by it if you're heading in on 34 just outside of town.