Recommendations – Local gems “near” Estes Park.

While it's not unknown, the original Oskar Blues Grill n Brew in Lyons is must stop in my opinion.

 

Both Oskar Blues locations and Left Hand are close. You can't go wrong with any of them. The food at the OB locations is great, too. If Boulder is in the mix, you have a lot of options. Someone who knows that area better can probably blow your mind with different places.
In Estes Park proper, Estes Park Brewing is an option. I'll toss out some caveats, though. Their service is pretty horrendous, and the food isn't much better. The beers are also as old school as they come. We're talking recipes that harken back to the 1990's. That said, the beers ARE good. It worth stopping in and grabbing some bottles. Their barlewine is full-on excellent IMO. It's worth the trip by itself.

 

Greetings. There are 7 breweries in Loveland right now, which depending on the way you drive, is right on the way to Estes Park. Loveland Alewerks, Grimm Brothers, and Big Beaver are great places to stop. I recommend you make a loop. On your way up, go through Loveland to Estes Park. On the way back, go through Lyons. You see 2 canyons this way.

If you are headed this way (through Loveland), there is only 1 place you need consider to stock up on bottles. Liquormax Warehouse in Loveland. They have a huge selection and decent prices. The craft beer singles selection is unmatched in the area. See my place review -here-

Estes Park is fantastic but the beer scene isn't that great up there. Estes Park brewery, IMO, makes some pretty average stuff. But you might check it out anyway.

Do yourself a favor and take a slight detour to Avery, Oskar Blues, and Left Hand.

Just 15 minutes north of Loveland is Fort Collins. New Belgium, Odells, Fort Collins, Horse and Dragon, Equinox, Funkwerks, Verboten. Craft Beer Cellar and Wilburs are great places to shop.

If you are in decent shape the fairly "easy" hike up to Lily Mountain affords some fantastic views. Should be mostly snow-free at this time of year. Fun little rock scramble at the end. Rocky Mountain National Park is spectacular. An easier hike that is still awesome would be Emerald Lake or The Loch.
Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

 

You may want to check and see if The Barrel is open in Estes Park. They usually have a pretty good selection of craft beers on tap. I'd definitely recommend going to the new Avery Brewery and the Tasty Weasel at Oskar Blues Longmont Brewery.

I also like Powder Keg Brewing in Niwot. They have some good beers that they brew and also have some good guest taps.

 

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/colorado-bas-tips-for-travel.306059/#post-4147214

 

Estes is not a bastion of great food or beer choices especially compared to the cities just 30-45 minutes down the mountain. That being said check out The View at the Historic Crags Lodge for the best food in town. Good eats in Estes are difficult to come by. The View also has a decent bottle list. If The Barrel is open they have a great selection usually. If driving up through Longmont and hitting The Weasel and Left Hand, make the trip to Avery, it's really only a 10 minute detour and then the OG OB in Lyons, great all original 80s arcade in the basement too.

Estes is a gorgeous town. Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite places on earth. Have fun!

 

Barrel's closed for the season.

 

There is a new brewery in Estes Park called Lumpy Ridge. Not the best beer in the world but hey its Estes Park. I don't recommend going to Estes Park Brewery. I have never had good customer service there and the beer is not good. Food wise with beer, Ed's Catina, Smoking Dave's and Poppy's Pizza usually have a pretty decent selection and good food.

Just to add to what peeps have already said about Loveland, Verboten Brewing is a really good brewery but they don't have a home right now (they are moving to a new location that should open downtown in about 2 to 3 months). Dan_K noted Big Beaver but I would recommend either Crow Hop or Big Thompson over them instead. Keep Grimm and Aleworks on the list though. Restaurants, The 222 (use to be called The Next Door) has awesome food. The Laurette has probably the best beer selection but I will add Pourhouse which has 70 handles to the discussion too. If you have the time I would suggest a visit 10 min south of Loveland to Berthoud and City Star Brewing as well. Windsor with is north east of Loveland has High Hops and they are in process of making a bigger tap room (and already have a great patio).

As for Fort Fun, Lyons, Longmont, Boulder...I will let other peeps chime in. Greeley can be an option as well.

 

I've only been to Big Beaver 3 times, but I really liked their beers. It took me a couple years to overcome their name as I always viewed it as childish. I came in hoping their beer was terrible but it really wasn't. YMMV. I haven't been to Crow Hop yet but their Rado's Red Ale won gold last year at GABF so I am guessing they have been doing great things.
Really Verboten being closed is a shame because IMO they have made the most interesting and dynamic beers in Loveland so far.

Also I just realized in my above post that in my haste I said Verboten is in Fort Collins which has never been true.

Also you probably know this, but weather could be interesting at that time of the year. It could be 65 degrees and sunny, or 20 degrees and a blizzard. It will probably freeze every night and gets cold quickly as the sun starts setting. Weather is generally mild and pleasant that time of year unless storms are rolling through. Also drink lots of water due to altitude and remember that UV exposure (should it be warm and sunny) is about 2x what it is at sea level. So if outdoors a lot, wear a hat.

 

Grimm/Loveland Aleworks are great. Beavers- not so much, but very convenient (on US34).

Found Pliny at Poppy's in Estes.

Definitely hit Avery and one of the OBs.

Weldwerks in Greeley has great beer.

Horse & Dragon is a must-stop if you make it to Fort Collins. SAD PANDA!!!!!!!

Go up US34 then down US36 or vice versa. Also COHW7 is another awesome canyon that leads to Estes from the front range.

 

Less known Boulder gems include Upslope (getting better every year, they're now one of the best around), Sanitas, and Finkel & Garf. There are some other good ones like Wild Woods, Bru, Fate, etc. If I had three can't miss beer stops in Boulder it would be Avery, Upslope, and Sanitas. If you want food too, you can't go wrong with Southern Sun.

 

Yes, it is. They are currently brewing on Snowbank's system while the move is taking place. Snowbank is also dedicating (I believe) two lines to their beers, Thinking of Something Orange and Killer Boots.

 

Oh right- you are correct it appears. :/ I forgot all about that. Strike 2, what else can I be wrong about?
AND I think Snowbank is dedicating some of their taps to Verboten as well?

Yes to this. Upslope is good stuff.

 

... I just said that.