Regardless of the season, it’s a good time to have a beer in Colorado — but that’s especially true in the fall, when the mild weather makes both light pilsners and strong imperial stouts taste even better.
And with the fall leaves, crisp air, and opportunity to finally wear that flannel that’s been sitting in your closet for far too long, October is the ideal season to cozy up to a Colorado brewery patio and enjoy a beer (or six).
Here’s a look at some of the coziest October breweries in Colorado, as well as recommendations for some of the beers that best accompany the fall.
Breckenridge Brewery
Fall Beer: Pumpkin Spice Latte Nitro Stout
Yes, this list of cozy October Colorado beers had to start with a pumpkin spice latte nitro stout. We don’t make the rules; this is just what happens in October. And yes, maybe certain people will be embarrassed to order this sweet, creamy, delicious beer, but it’s really their loss. Either way, it’s best enjoyed at the huge Breckenridge Brewery location off the Platte River in Littleton. If the weather’s nice, enjoy the fall colors in the beer garden; if it’s getting a little chilly, step inside the facility’s rustic taproom.
Bruz Beers
Fall Beer: Diablo Colorado
Sure, visitors might come to the Bruz Beers taproom for its renowned selection of creative Belgian beers, but they’ll stay for this bright and cozy taproom with plenty of comfy spots to hang out. The menu has a combination of very sessionable Belgian beers as well as plenty of strong stuff meant to warm you up on a cold fall day. Be sure to check out the Diablo Colorado, a 9.5% ABV Belgian strong ale made up of various ingredients sourced from the Centennial State.
Bull and Bush
Fall Beer: Punk Up the Yams
Here’s the thing at the Bull and Bush: It’s very easy to forget what time of day it is, especially if you’re seated next to the bar. And on a cold fall day, that might be precisely what you need, especially because this Glendale mainstay has some of the best comfort food in town. The beer selection is constantly changing, but during the fall, everyone is all about Punk Up the Yams, the brewery’s famous sweet pumpkin beer that’s refermented with yams and aged in wine barrels.
Cannonball Creek Brewing
Fall Beer: Robust Porter
With its easy access to all of the trails in Golden, Cannonball Creek’s patio is the perfect place to unwind after a day of fall hiking. And with a very comfortable taproom with plenty of seating, it’s also the ultimate spot to while away an October day. This brewery prides itself on its relatively sessionable, light beers, but don’t sleep on the Brickyard Porter, which is just malty enough to warm you up in the brisk fall weather.
Comrade Brewing Company
Fall Beer: Hunt for Red Oktoberfest
With massive garage doors that open during nice days, Comrade Brewing Company’s large taproom brings the outside indoors on the best fall days. Be sure to check out all of the Soviet-themed art on the walls, and enjoy at least one of the very hop-forward beers that it’s named for (the Superpower IPA is a Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner). But during the fall, make sure to leave room for the Hunt for Red Oktoberfest, a Marzen beer brewed with a rich blend of German barley malt and Mandarina Bavarian hops.
Copper Kettle Brewing Company
Fall Beer: Mexican Chocolate Stout
Comfortable is the name of the game at Copper Kettle Brewing Company in southeast Denver, which has everything from fire pits on its expansive patio to an intimate wooden bar if you’re craving some inside time. Either way, October in Denver calls for their Mexican Chocolate Stout. This Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner combines roasted malt flavors with bittersweet chocolate, a blend of Mexican chili peppers, and cinnamon.
Denver Beer Company
Fall Beer: Hey! Pumpkin Ale
With five locations scattered throughout the Front Range, Denver Beer Company can now be considered something of an empire. And each taproom offers a different experience that’s curated for exactly how you’d like your October beer adventure to go, from the very dog-friendly patio at the original location off Platte Street in Denver to the vast, family-friendly space at its new spot amid the fall colors of downtown Littleton. No matter where you choose to go, be sure to sample the legendary Hey! Pumpkin Ale, which comes with a nose full of cinnamon, nutmeg and spice meant for sweater weather.
Dry Dock Brewing Company
Fall Beer: Pumpkin Spice Bligh’s Barleywine Ale
We’re still trying to figure out why, but there’s something about this pirate ship-themed brewery that’s just extra cozy during the fall. It could be the wood paneling. It could just be the fact that it has multiple beers on tap that are the perfect complement to a gentle fall breeze. Either way, it’s worth the trek to Aurora. Once you’re there, be sure to try Pumpkin Spice Bligh’s Barleywine Ale. At 13% ABV, it’s sure to warm even the coldest of hearts, and the combination of a strong caramel backbone and aroma of charred oak (it’s aged 13 months in Heaven Hill barrels) makes it go down way too easily.
Lone Tree Brewing Company
Fall Beer: Vanilla Caramel Amber
Lone Tree Brewing Company’s main taproom near Park Meadows Mall has been a favorite of the south suburbs for years. And with a satellite location in Parker, more people than ever can enjoy its constantly rotating selection of award-winning beers. Both taprooms have plenty of space to bring together big groups, as well as a combination of year-round and seasonal beers on tap. While you’re there in the fall, be sure to try the vanilla caramel amber, which has the distinction of being sweet and drinkable at the same time.
Odell Brewing
Fall Beer: Isolation Ale
Odell Brewing is a Fort Collins institution, and we’re incredibly lucky that it now has two taprooms in Denver. The pilot brewhouse near Sloan’s Lake is a perfect spot for a beer and pizza, but when it comes to the fall, the Five Points location might just have our hearts with its outdoor firepits, patios, and numerous exclusive beers from its 10-barrel taphouse. With that being said, during the fall, beer lovers always come back to Isolation Ale, the brewery’s cold-weather favorite that offers the perfect combination of malt and hops to enjoy outside when the leaves are turning.
Old 121 Brewhouse
Fall Beer: Honey Brown
This Lakewood brewery just off Wadsworth Boulevard won’t stay a local’s secret for long. It’s home to a cozy brewhouse that’s always home to unique art, a cool mural, and activities every day of the week (they even have karaoke starting at 6 p.m. on Fridays!). It’s the perfect spot to sample a beer after checking out the fall colors in Belmar Park, and there’s always something new to try. Even though it’s available year-round, the brewery’s flagship Honey Brown tastes especially great during the fall, especially while cozying up to the bar watching football.
Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company
Fall Beer: Stjørdalsøl
Even though it might not feel that way sometimes, yes, you are cool enough to hang out in this quirky craft brewery in Denver’s River North Arts District. Just believe in yourself. Enjoy plenty of people watching and count the man buns on this very colorful patio overlooking Larimer Street, and along the way, be sure to sample the Stjørdalsøl (but maybe don’t try to pronounce it without help). This smoky Norwegian strong ale packs a punch at 9% ABV, but that’s a good thing in chilly October air — especially when your flannel isn’t quite cutting it.
Prost Brewing
Fall Beer: Marzen
Prost now has four taprooms spread across the Front Range (in Highlands Ranch, Thornton, and Fort Collins to be specific), but we’re partial to the original location near Downtown Denver. This spot brings Oktoberfest vibes to the Rocky Mountains year-round, but it’s especially lovely during the fall when the expansive biergarten practically begs for a long afternoon of sampling the multiple traditional German beers it consistently has on tap. During the fall, be sure to try the Marzen, which starts with light, nutty notes on the nose and ends with a burst of earth hops in the finish. This relatively light beer is perfect for a warm Colorado October day.
Upslope Brewing Company
Fall Beer: Pumpkin Ale
Boulder is home to a litany of craft breweries, but throughout the years, Upslope has managed to distinguish itself as one of the most consistent spots in the city and beyond. It has two cozy taprooms — one in Lee Hill in North Boulder, and the other in a literal office park to the south. Both have numerous beers on tap throughout the year, but during the fall, you’ll want to try a fresh pint of the pumpkin ale. This seasonal beer features organic baby bear pumpkins with six spices and, according to Upslope’s website, pairs best with grilled ham, roasted vegetables, and apple crisp — so do with that information as you will.
