As the aspens change color in the Rocky Mountains, there's no better way to enjoy the season than with a cold craft beer in Colorado. With Oktoberfest celebrations and more than 400 breweries across the state, there's something for everyone. Many of the breweries in Breckenridge are independently and locally owned and serve up a wide variety of artisan craft brews.
In September, the days are warm, perfect for a beer on a sun-soaked deck after a day of hiking or biking. The evenings are cool, perfect for throwing on a fleece jacket and sipping a beer around a fire pit.
Where are the suds flowing in Breck? Check out some of our favorite breweries in Breckenridge, listed below.
If bratwurst and beer and your thing, pull out your lederhosen and dirndls and head to one of the most iconic Oktoberfest events in Colorado:
Grab a beer stein and get ready to party like you’re in Germany. This year the Breckenridge Oktoberfest is returning to a full-blown Munich-style street party with live music, food vendors and plenty of ‘Prost!” The three-day celebration will take over Main Street in historic downtown Breckenridge.
FOOD & WINE recently listed this Breckenridge hot spot as #3 on their list of the 24 can’t-miss breweries in Colorado. First opened in May of 2014 by Jason and Jolene Ford, Broken Compass Brewing offers an impressive selection of craft beers for all wanderers, lost or otherwise. Their beers on tap include their medal-winning Coconut Porter and, for some Oktoberfest vibes, a traditional German style Altbier and a German Dark Lager.
You can enjoy the Broken Compass brews at two locations in Breckenridge: their home base brewery just north of town, and their South Main Street taproom. Both locations are dog-friendly, and you can even bring in outside food from any of the many great restaurants in town or from your own (vacation home) kitchen!
And giving a new meaning to “booze cruise,” you can pedal your way to a cold brew with a fat tire bike and brewery tour. The adventure begins on the south end of town with brief stops at select landmarks as you cruise along the Blue River Rec Path, eventually landing at The Broken Compass Brewery for a tour and a taster.
This Summit County brewery has opened a Breckenridge taproom, in addition to its locations in Frisco and Fairplay. From light to dark, malty to tart, bitter to sweet, High Side has 15 taps of signature brews, so there’s something for every beer lover to enjoy. And bring along your four-legged friends too. The taproom is dog-friendly.
Where it all started! Breckenridge Brewery is the original ski town brewery. Opened in 1990, this brewpub has been serving signature craft brews in Breck for over 30 years. With 28 ales, sours, lagers and more, there’s a beer to thrill any taste bud.
In addition to its mile-long beer menu, Breckenridge Brewery & Pub serves up some of the best pub food in Summit County. Enjoy your cold beer with a hot meal and chat up your bartender to learn a thing or two about the brewery behind the bar.
The views from the Outer Range taproom evoke a sense of awe and return to nature with rugged mountains jutting up in every direction. Their beer is brewed on-site and in open view using hand-selected hops, the highest quality malts, and yeasts with complex ester profiles. Outer Range releases new beers weekly.
So there you have it, our guide to the best places to enjoy a cold craft beer in Breckenridge, Colorado this fall. Whether you're looking for a festive Oktoberfest celebration or a more low-key brewery to relax at after a day of outdoor activities, you're sure to find something to your liking. So grab a stein and raise a glass to the start of the fall season in Breckenridge!
