Colorado Springs is passionate about its beer. That’s really no surprise. So we weren’t surprised to get a big response to our People’s Choice Best Breweries poll — or some passionate comments about our original Best Breweries in Colorado Springs article and list. We think our contributors compiled an excellent list, but we know there are a lot of other great local breweries out there too making exceptional craft beer and providing incredible community experiences. That’s why we asked you to vote to see who your favorite breweries are.
Most of our team had a favorite brewery that didn’t quite get the consensus to make our list. And some of those made your list. Many of your picks are the same as ours, but several are different. Here is that list of People’s Choice Best Breweries in Colorado Springs. And if you want to geek out a little more on beer, keep reading below the list.
2. Mash Mechanix Brewing Company
9. Local Relic
11. FH Beerworks (tie)
11. OCC Brewing (tie)
11. Peaks and Pines Brewing Company (tie)
11. Trinity Brewing Company (tie)
Cheers to these winners! You can read more about our original list at Best Breweries in Colorado Springs and you can take our list of the best breweries with you as you explore the Springs brewery scene with our downloadable Best Breweries pocket guide. The guide features essential details on the top breweries in Colorado Springs. Easily navigate the beer landscape with the handy map and our curated recommendations with information on each brewery’s specialties. Download your guide here and let the brewery adventure begin.
If you want to break things down even more, head to contributor Ryan Hannigan’s Focal Pint blog where you can vote in specific categories for his annual brewery awards.
Fun Facts About Colorado Craft Breweries
If you want to dive into some local and Colorado craft brewery stats, here you go. We think these are some fun numbers and facts.
Colorado has long been a leader in the craft brewing movement. The Brewers Association was founded and is still located in Boulder, and its Great American Beer Festival is held annually in Denver.
Colorado ranks fifth in the nation with 440 craft breweries, according to the Brewers Association.
How many of those breweries are in Colorado Springs? The Brewers Association lists 34 (including a couple multiple locations and a future concept). Colorado Brewery List also counts 34 including multiple locations. We count 42 breweries in the Pikes Peak region (El Paso County plus Woodland Park and Divide), including breweries’ multiple locations.
That’s 10 breweries per capita for Colorado as a whole, which ranks sixth in the U.S., according to the Brewers Association. According to our rough math, El Paso County has 5.4 breweries per capita — that’s an unofficial number based on 40 breweries and 740,567 people in El Paso County.
By comparison, Denver had 75 breweries, Fort Collins had 24 breweries, and Boulder had 17 breweries at the end of 2022, according to Colorado Brewery List.
Colorado breweries produce 834,006 barrels of craft beer each year, says the Brewers Association. That’s 10th in the nation.
And all that beer is making us thirsty. Time to go grab a pint at whatever your favorite brewery is in Colorado Springs and beyond. Cheers!
Read More
Phantom Canyon Brewing Company Celebrates 30 Years
Touring Colorado Wineries Near the Springs
Where the Spirits Lead on the Colorado Spirits Trail
