Best Breweries in Fort Collins: A Local’s Guide for Women Who Love Craft Beer
Curated By
Nicole Brandt
Curator’s statement
If you appreciate a barrel-aged sour, a skillfully brewed IPA, or simply the vibe of a sunny patio with good conversation, Fort Collins is a perfect weekend getaway. Fort Collins is a college town, but not the kind with a loud and crazy bar scene. Its vibrant downtown has unique shopping and thriving local restaurants. If it looks familiar, it might be because Disneyland’s Main Street was inspired by its hometown feel and architecture. The city is exceptionally safe, bike-friendly, and walkable. Fort Collins is also known for its craft breweries—there are over 25 (and counting)! They are all family- and dog-friendly. Best of all, three seasons out of the year, you can comfortably ride between breweries, enjoy a patio flight, and explore the many unique shops and restaurants. If you love a crisp beer on a warm patio, this guide will help you navigate the Fort Collins brewery scene like a local.
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The best breweries in Fort Collins
New Belgium
World-famous brewery with super friendly staff and a great outdoor space. They also have tours that end with a ride down a slide! If you come to FoCo, stopping here is a must.
Odell
They have one of the largest patios in Fort Collins. This place is almost always packed with locals, so you know they make great beer, too.
Konstruct
I am fond of this one, because it is in my neck of the woods! With a modern-chic design, super friendly staff, and live music, I love sitting down for a couple. And they usually have a fun event going on—trivia, music, bingo, and once even a Swiftie party that I definitely wore a costume to.
Purpose
The best sour selection in town. A cozy brewery with small-batch, barrel-aged, and experimental beers. I have heard some insanely good musical talent play here.
Equinox
The dark wood seating and ambiance at this downtown brewery reminds me of an East-Coast Ivy-League vibe. Walk to the back of the brewery to find an almost hidden entrance to the back patio with greenery and fountains. It feels like a secret beer garden that you could sit in for hours, chatting and sipping with friends.
Prost Brewing Co
Located in a big old house downtown, Prost makes German-style beers with German ingredients. Think pilsners, hefeweizens, and dunkels. If you have a large group, they have plenty of rooms and large tables to accommodate.
Honorable mentions
Tap and Handle
Okay, so they aren’t technically a brewery—they are a tap house. But they have over 75 craft brews on draft from Colorado and beyond. Tap and Handle is located downtown and has an adorable outdoor space with several cozy fire pits to sit around. You’ll see friends sharing beer and breathing in the fresh Colorado air on Tap and Handle’s patio all year round.
Mayor of Old Town
Another tap house. And this one has over 100 beers on tap. So whether you like IPAs, lagers, sours, ambers, stouts, Belgians, seltzers, or ciders, you will find it here. Can’t decide? Get a flight.
Other places to eat & drink in Fort Collins
The Colorado Room
A local favorite that many tourists miss. Gourmet slider sandwiches. So good!
415 Restaurant
Elevated American classics with locally sourced ingredients. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options—the best tofu I have ever eaten.
Persimmon
Mediterranean-style sandwiches and creative cocktails in a relaxed setting downtown.
Otto Pint
Casual pizzeria in a reimagined filling station with a magical outdoor space. Beer, pizza, and magic—what more could you want?
Lucile’s
Cajun-Creole breakfast spot in a comfy setting. A perfect brunch spot and the best beignets outside of New Orleans.
Social
Named the Best Speakeasy in America. Intimate setting, but not snooty. Unique cocktails. After 7 pm there will be a line.
Need to know
If you’re planning a brewery-focused getaway and want help choosing the right place to stay, mapping a bike-friendly route, or curating the perfect weekend itinerary, I’d love to help you experience it seamlessly.
Travel Advisor
Nicole Brandt
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