Road Trip through Colorado

If you are going to take the 285 route (which is a beautiful scenic drive through the mountains), you should definitely stop at Elevation Beer Co. in Poncha Springs, which is just off of 285 near Salida. The location of the brewery surrounded by mountains is beautiful, the tap room is really nice, and they have a lot of great beers on tap.

 

First of all, if you're heading to Frisco you're already going to be near one of CO's gems: Backcountry Brewery. Their DIPA is one of the best in the country, seriously. The food's great if you like pub food, too.
Elevation in Poncha/Salida is another great stop - I highly recommend it, too. Conveniently right in between those two stops is Eddyline in Buena Vista. Their food is similar to Backcountry (pub food) and also good.
If you're looking for something a bit different, you can head into Salida proper for Amicas Brewing and pizza.

 

If you do go through CO springs, be sure to check out trinity. Its only a few mins off 25

 

It could be highly dependent on the weather. 70 will get a lot more attention from the Colorado Department of Transportation than 285 will. If it isn't snowy, that would be a great drive, but you wouldn't want to take that route during a snowstorm.

 

As mentioned already, the 285 route is a great drive...if the weather permits! Along the way, hit Elevation and Eddyline for sure. When you are in Frisco, Backcountry is definitely the destination...If you are in to bourbon (or vodka or rum), check out Breckenridge Distillery. Cool place, fun little tour and tasting for free. Also a new brewery called Broken Compass, but haven't made it there yet...

Personally, not a big fan of Dillon Dam Brewery(in Dillon), but we enjoy Pug Ryans (also in Dillon).

 

I really enjoy San Luis Valley; I hunt in Alamosa and always go into town to San Luis for a burger and a few beers while I'm down there. It's a nice location in an old bank I believe and they've always got solid offerings - nothing wild or too experimental but very well balanced beer and delicious food.

 

Trinidad is...an interesting place. Shamrock in Pueblo has pretty good cheap irish food (think pot roast and corned beef) and their beer is pretty decent. Three Barrel I would probably skip if you aren't there anyways. 285 also does not go through Breck unless you want to take the long way round and visit Backcountry.

Eddyline and Elevation i second wholeheartedly.

 

I only can speak on Trinity, really, and that's the best way to try them - on location and not in their expensive-as-shit bottles. There are a few CO SPGS guys on here that could probably recommend more, I really know nothing south of Denver along the Front Range.

 

If you go to Trinity, don't buy anything in 750mL bottles - it's old. Trading partner of mine was visiting here and they sold him an old ass Slap Yer Mammy DIPA.

 

The 'fastest' route would be to take US50 W from Pueblo to Hwy 9 and go up from there. Concur that 285 , while a LOT longer, would be more scenic, (or even hwy 69 through Westcliffe) but 50 runs through the 'banana belt' along the arkansas valley where you'll be less likely to get significant weather.

If you do go so far north to go through COS (probably about the same time-wise as cutting over @ Pueblo), then you'll keep going to Denver, which opens up a lot, as you know. And if you're in COS, Trinity is a must. You'll be well over halfway by that point, though... Trinidad is about halfway from Amarillo to Frisco.

I Third/Fourth Eddyline and Elevation if you go that way. The HB @ Eddyline was the HB @ Oskar Blues for a long time. I stop @ Royal Gorge in Canon City fairly often returning from fishing/hunting and it's decent. If you're going through CC, definitely stop, but I wouldn't go too far out of my way.

 

Ive heard good things about 3 barrel, but gotta plug the ruby slipper in Alamosa. They have great tacos and burgers, have a few taps of craft, and are family owned. Awesome place for for lunch. SLV brewing has yet to impress me, will be giving them another try this holiday season though.

 

Do Colorado breweries fill different breweries growlers? If so how common is it? Here in California it's about 50% will do it. I'm driving through and was wondering if I should bring my Cali growlers.

 

Bring your growlers. Most places will fill any clean growler of standard size(s).

 

I've had several good beers, primarily sours, from 3 Barrel. I think they would be worth a stop. Plus, you can get Elevation or Eddyline beers, for example, at liquor stores around the state. Here in Denver you never see 3 Barrel. I also second any compliments posted above re Backcountry in Frisco.

 

Trinity, as mentioned. Also, Bristol @ Ivywild (kind of like our version of The Source); Iron Bird / Fieldhouse downtown (food truck options), Rocky Mountain and Nano 108 on the East side; Manitou Brewing in Manitou Springs (duh). Lots of options depending on what you're looking for.

Truth.... but for some of them it's not a bad thing (Old Growth for instance).

I have never had an issue filling any breweries growlers anywhere.