Colorado: Activities with Beer

RMNP is awesome, but there is much in the area as far as craft beer goes. Where are you planning on staying?
For outdoor activities beer that is CANNED is going to be much better for you.
Luckily, there is some great beer in cans now.
Avery, Odell, New Belgium, Ska, Oscar Blues but also look for Station 26 IPAs, 4 Noses, Odd 13, Renegade, Denver Beer Co, Epic, Great Divide, Fate... wow there are a ton.

Depends how good of shape you are in, but there are many great hikes in RMNP, over 200. The key to that is go on a weekday, weekends are swamped. Moderate hike- Chasm Lake (one of my favorites) or Twin Sisters, Easy Hike would be Bear Lake/Emerald Lake chain. You could also consider doing the Loch or Mills Lake from Glacier Gorge. If hiking isn't your thing, perhaps horseback riding, or driving Trail Ridge road might be.

If you want something a little easier, there's always boating on Lake Dillon, and you could stop at Dillon Dam for Lunch or Dinner (great beer and good food). If your there maybe you could also convince your lady to check out Broken Compass. That's also a big area for mountain biking, ATV tours, might be a chairlift running as well that time of year.

If you come down to Colorado Springs, you can drive or take the Cog Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak, or explore Garden of the Gods which is pretty cool. Springs is not the best beer area.

If you are anywhere between Fort Collins, Boulder, or Denver you'll never be more than 15 minutes away from a good Brewery.

Late May is pretty early in the mountains, there could be snow, mud, and ice present at higher elevations. However it's a pretty pleasant time of year overall. Enjoy!

 

I know you would prefer not to spend alot of time in bars and breweries but since you have 4-5 days, my recommendation would be to spend 3/4 of your time seeing the sights 100% sober and the rest visiting breweries. That way, you don't have to be concerned whether or not the place has a problem with incorporating beer into the equation. Another suggestion - if you are renting a car, let your wife drive, buy a cheap cooler and enjoy a few brews while on the way to wherever.

 

Alcohol is prohibited in Garden of the Gods, but it's a great morning activity.
Outside food or drinks are prohibited on the Cog Railway train, but you might be able to get away with bringing a can to the summit, otherwise driving you certainly could.

 

I made a mistake here. I meant to say "there isn't much in the area as far as craft been goes"

I would also not head to Estes immediately, give yourself a night in Denver to acclimate.
There are neat rustic cabins in Estes just outside the park, next to the river with fireplaces. That might be fun to stay a couple nights and use as a base. I would drive up the canyon to Estes from Lyons on the way there, and then come down Big Thompson Canyon in Loveland on the way down.

Loveland has probably the best sculpture park in the US, Benson Park- it's fantastic if you are at all interested in sculptures. Could spend 45-90 minutes there. Loveland? Oh yes, Big Beaver is there, beer is actually pretty good, but there is also a cider place in the same building that she might like.

 

You can always car-camp. While not totally roughing it, there are many places with such campsites. I'm a stargazer from KS, so the mountains offer fantastic viewing...iffin it's clear.

Are pedestrians allowed on the Royal Gorge bridge? That may be...interesting.

You can get a one-day fishing license and go fly-fishing. Last time out I caught 3 bushes, 2 trees and stick. But it was fun! Some places rent equipment and gear. I usually hang around Leadville area, which is very close to Outward Bound school--you could check there for activities.

 

I would caution that a lot of the higher elevation areas will still have a lot of snow at that time. The later months are usually when the mountains experience the most snow fall. Don't let this stop you however. RMNP is awesome with snowshoes/skis. Another cool area is Brainard Lakes which is near Boulder. It is a high elevation area and will get you up into the mountains but close enough that you can make it back down to Boulder for beers by mid afternoon if you start halfway early. Salida would be a good bet too and the drive from Denver to Salida on 285 is one of my favorites. It's 2ish hours drive so might not be want you're looking for. Just a few ideas off the top of my head.

 

Good point regarding the snow.

OP, you trip falls at the tall end of "mud season" in the mountains, but Salida is really good suggestion since it sits in a strange micrcoclimate of warmth and less snow. Depending on weather, you could get some good hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or river rafting in out of that area.

Lower down the Vail Valley, e.g., Edwards and Eagle, might also be clear of snow by then, and the hotels will be cheap because it is the shoulder season. Opportunities up there include hiking, fishing, boating, etc. Beer scene isn't huge compared to Denver/Boulder/Ft. Collins, but you can find good stuff at the local stores and there are a few good breweries up there.

 

Yes they are. I walked it with my son last year. You do have to pay for admission though. You can walk back or talk the new aerial tram.

 

Trinity Brewing is right down the street from Garden of the Gods. If you do the Cog/Pikes Peak definitely hit up Manitou Brewing on the way back. They're flying a bit under the radar but have some really solid beer and excellent food.

Elsewhere in the Springs, Brewer's Republic is by far the best place for craft beer (www.brewersrep.com for the taplist). Bristol Brewing is average beer but one of the best venues in an old schoolhouse with a great outdoor patio. Lots of newer, small breweries in the city, most are pretty meh but Storybook, Smiling Toad and Fossil have done some pretty solid stuff lately.

 

Well, the best beer in the Springs is coming from Pikes Peak brewing in Monument.... just a couple miles north of the Air Force Academy.
I hear the most buzz about Great Storm FWIW.