Outside Colorado

Get OUT! Get outside, get on the trails and remember what CO is really known for

• Jared Black
• Jun 11, 2019
• Travel Colorado

Get outside and explore Colorado! Here are a few local beer and activity tips

Living in Colorado means a few things..or maybe a few hundred things! Being a Coloradan is amazing for so many reasons and I want to touch upon some of the best things to do in our beautiful state, whether it be a long weekend or a day trip! One of my personal favorites has to be our beer. Colorado is home to Coors of course but we also have hundreds of craft breweries. Colorado is home to 348 micro/craft breweries which means we have 6 breweries per 100,000 people in our state. What's interesting is the association with beer and activities in CO. Businesses working skiing into beer, hiking trails that end at brewpubs, bike tours, walking tours, bus tours, all focused around our amazing beer scene.

My top three, so far, are Broken Compass in Breckenridge which is a small craft brewery that's been open for just over 5 years. Owner/Head brewer Ford can be seen walking the streets of Breckenridge looking about as much a mountain man as one can and if you ask him to a beer you can almost guarantee he'll sit down for one. Number 2 on my list is Alpine Dog Brewing off of 15th and Ogden in Denver, CO. Positioned near the popular Ogden Theather, Filmore, and 1up a popular arcade bar it gives guests the ability to pregame a bit before a show or just enjoy the establishment's fantastic beer. It's not as much the brewery atmosphere at this watering hole that I love but more a particular beer. While working at Novel Cowork a beer on tap was provided call Thunder Puppy and by the name alone you should love it but it had the perfect bite of fruit and hops and it was just a truly fantastic beverage. Number 3! Number 3 on the list should honestly probably be number 2 but they're all just so good. Ring the bell folks because I am introducing 4 Noses Brewing out of Broomfield. This place has been seriously upping the ante. While at a super cool bar called RMU in Breckenridge which is a ski shop/bar I stumbled across a faint purple colored beer can called Pineapple Velvet by 4 Noses.  This beer features pineapple, vanilla beans, and lactose. The beer has a more thick mouthfeel but complemented very well with a slight hop forward flavor profile.

Now that we've started this list with some of my favorite beers it's probably best to touch upon some of the great activities you can pair with these activities, after, after these activities folks. Biking! Biking is a great way to explore, whether you be in the city or you be in the mountains biking is a great way to kill calories and see a new area. The cherry creek bike path is a fantastic way to get out and see parts of Denver and a few breweries are even located not far off the trail! I recommend taking the Cherry Creek bike path for a few miles and stopping into these breweries and then continuing on. If you're in the mountains a number of bike paths are available and doing an out and back trip is a great way to get some exercise in and then enjoy some beer afterward. 

Hiking - Hiking is an activity you can even incorporate a beer into while trekking if you'd like but I recommend waiting. Nothing like climbing a mountain for a few hours to give yourself the urge for a solid achievement brew once you arrive at the top. I recommend something in IPA world because, after all, you busted your butt getting to the top so you mind as well enjoy something with as much a kick as you just put in. My recommendation for a nice hike near Denver is the Chimney Gulch Trail near Golden, CO. It's an out and back trail that's moderate/difficult and will take you about 5 hours to complete. Though the trail is certainly a bit of a workout the views at the top are amazing so sit back, relax, and enjoy that beer I was telling you about. 

I also feel I have to mention Paddle-boarding on lake Dillon or going fly fishing on the Blue River! Catch and release people, catch and release.