Wish you were beer - in Winter Park Colorado...A self-guided brewery tour
Winter Park, Colorado is the place to go to get away from all the hustle and bustle. In the winter, it is the perfect place to ski, board, snowmobile, snow shoe, cross country ski, sled and more. In the summer, Winter Park hosts the best down hill mountain biking trails around, but visitors (and locals) also enjoy hiking, fishing, boating, camping and so much more. Though appreciating the outdoors and taking time to relax is amazing...when you need a beer, Winter Park and Fraser provides some Beer-tiful Breweries in a Pitcher Perfect setting.
History of Winter Park
Winter Park and Fraser Valley sits on the land once home to the Ute and Arapaho Indian Tribes. In the 1820s the first European's made their way to the area and began setting down in the 1850s. With the need to build railroad tracks west, in the early 1900's, Tabernash, a small town north of Winter Park, became a booming railroad town. When the Moffat Tunnel was built in 1928, the necessity of the railroad diminished which pushed the population growth to Winter Park and Fraser. In 1932, Hideaway Park, a collection of small tourist cabins were built at the current location of Winter Park by Doc and Helen Graves. Winter Park ski resort opened on January 28, 1940 with a tow rope built in 1939. Winter Park was incorporated in 1978 and renamed Winter Park.Learn more about the area here and here.
A self-guided brewery tour through Winter Park and Fraser, Colorado
Winter Park and Fraser are small towns in Grand County, Colorado, about 90 minutes West of Denver. This area boasts SIX craft breweries, each located on or just off of US40. You can easily drive, ride a bike or take the free bus - the Lift. We recommend that you start at either Camber or Big Trout and hop from one to the next.
Camber Brewing
365 Zerex St, Fraser, CO 80442
https://camberbrewing.com/Start your self-guided brewery tour at Camber Brewing. You can't miss this small brewery on US40, it has a HUGE moose painted on the side of the building.
Nick and Karen Crabb, owners of this brewery & tap room, put their blood sweat and tears into this brewery with a mountain vibe.
This is a great place to chat with the locals, play a game or get in on Trivia (Wednesdays). Inside, there is a very small amount of seating, however, you can also sit outside on the patio and enjoy the Rocky Mountains. If you are hungry, grab some food from the resident food truck Colorado Corndog. Clearly we enjoy their beer - I have a mug.
Fraser River Beer Company
218 Eisenhower Dr, Fraser, CO 80442https://www.fraserriverbeerco.com/
Next, walk up 40 one block to Fraser River Beer Company. You can't miss this one either...it is the small house with the big BREWERY sign on it and picnic tables and food truck parked out front.
Owners, Brian & Angie Nichols, doubled down on everything related to mountains and skiing inside this small, old house with a beautiful beer garden. Though the wood tables and bar inside are beautiful and you relax with a beer on the couch, if the weather is nice, we strongly recommend pulling up a ski chair and enjoying the mountain air. You might even luck out and have some live music.
Vicious Cycle Brewing Company
751 Zerex St, Fraser, CO 80442https://www.viciouscyclebrewery.com/
If you are ready to try brewery number 3, head toward Winter Park on 40 and check out Vicious Cycle.
Owners, Rebecca Bierden and Nathan Watt want us all to 'break the vicious cycle of life by pursing change and new adventures,' which is exactly what they did when they opened this brewery and tap room with a modern, industrial style.
Choose from one of 12 beers on tap, grab a bite to eat from the on-site food truck "Phlavor" sells Asian fusion, and enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains from either inside or the large patio.
The Nobel Buck Brewing Co
78491 Us Hwy 40, Winter Park, CO 80482
https://www.noblebuckbrewing.com/
And on to the next brewery, The Nobel Buck Brewing, is a gastro brewery - a restaurant and bar with a brewery located inside. Purchased in 2022 (used to be The Peak) and rebranded by Tim Hubbard.
Brewer, Taylor Kuck, brought his own recipes and has brewed some great beers. Pair these beers with upscale food choices and beautiful pairing make for a nice dinner.
The large patio overlooks US40 and the mountains - beautiful on a nice Colorado day. If it is a bit chilly to sit outside, there is a large bar and plenty of seating inside.
Hideaway Park Brewery
78927 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80446
https://www.hideawayparkbrewery.com/
Hideaway Park is just a few blocks down 40 from The Nobel Buck Brewing Co.
Andy Brumenschenkel, opened this brewery in 2014 and has built a gathering place for locals and tourists alike. You will often find Andy and his dog running around, visiting, drinking beer (of course) or getting ready for a bike ride.
This is our favorite brewery and tap room in town, mostly because the people. You can sit inside on the first or second floor. On the 2nd floor, you can play foosball and you have a great view of the mountains. The front patio is also a great place to relax and socialize with a beer.
If you are here early enough, grab a dog from Fraser Dog (https://www.fraservalleyhotdog.com/) Yum! The Ditch on 40 (https://www.theditchon40.com/) is a good option if you like green chili.
Big Trout Brewing Company
50 Vasquez Rd, Winter Park, CO 80482
https://bigtroutbrewing.com/
Located at Cooper Creek, this is a great location!
Big Trout brewpub is a reasonably sized brewpub and restaurant with some out door seating on the patio. They often host live music which makes for a fun evening with a good beer.
Google Map of Breweries in Winter Park & Fraser
A Bite to Eat
There are many options for places to eat in the Winter Park/Fraser area, but these are our (and the local) favorites!Deno's Mountain Bistro - America Food
78911 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482Durbar - Nepalese & Indian Bistro
47 Cooper Creek Way #222, Winter Park, CO 80482Hernando's Pizza Pub
78199 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482Tabernash Tavern - Upscale, fresh, delicious (more pricy, but worth it)
72287 US-40, Tabernash, CO 80478Carver's Bakery Cafe - Breakfast!
78336 US-40, Winter Park, CO 80482Things to do...
In the Summer....
- Go to the Winter Park resort and ride the Alpine Slide- Mountain bike downhill at Trestle Bike Park
- Ride the Winter Park Gondola and see the amazing views
- Play miniature golf at the resort
- Go on a hike or a mountain bike ride on one of the MANY trails
- Head over to Grand Lake and rent a boat or paddle board or just play at the beach
- Heal your body and soul at the Hot Sulphur Springs and Spa
- Go to the park on a Thursday evening for music in the park or attend a music festival
In the Winter...
- Ski or board at the resort - of course- Go sledding
- Go cross country skiing
- Check out a distillery -- Idlewild Spirits Brewpub and Restaurant or Fraser Valley Distilling
- Go snowmobiling
- Heal your body and soul at the Hot Sulphur Springs and Spa
- Go shopping at Cooper Creek Square
- Go bowling or watch a movie at The Foundry
“Everybody’s got to believe in something. I believe I’ll have another beer.” W.C. Fields
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