Colorado Springs: 15 Breweries in 7 Days!

During our say in Colorado Springs, we visited fifteen breweries in seven days.  I’d like to think that’s just because Colorado is known for good beer.  Or, perhaps the excuse is that I was celebrating my 50th birthday all week along.  Whatever the reason, I thought folks might like to get our take on each of the breweries.    

For ease of reference, I’ve listed them in alphabetical order.  I’ve also added what I liked best about some of them at the end.  

Brass Brewing

Brass Brewing.  A veteran owned an operated brewery located on the edge of downtown Colorado Springs, Brass Brewing features a narrow sitting area with framed photos of military men and women.  I only recognized a few faces, but it was fun to look at them, and try to remember who they were.  We were there on a weekday mid-afternoon so it was hard to get a good feel for the place.  However, we enjoyed two extremely good and interesting beers.  Kasie thought the Born to Run Watermelon Gose struck just the right amount of fruitiness vs. sourness, and I was delighted with the 2/10 Beserker Blond Stout (usually stouts are dark, and I’ve only sampled a few blonde stouts).  This turned out to be my favorite beer of our stay in Colorado Springs.

Classiest Beer Award to Brass Brewing:  Best Beer I Drank  

Bristol Brewing Company

Bristol Brewing

Bristol Brewing Company.  Raise a glass to Bristol!  The brewery has been around since 1994, and moved to its current location in 2013.  Located in the massive multi-story former IvyWyld elementary school, several rooms have been repurposed to include bars, various sitting areas, and food options. The stairwells, halls, gym, and bathrooms all have original school elements such that nostalgia is brewed here as much as beer.  We sat outside in a second floor area with all of the cool kids eavesdropping on the future business leaders at the adjacent table and watching the jocks play a game of bag toss below.  Even though we found Bristol beer being sold at multiple stores throughout Colorado, the brewery’s home still has an incredibly local feel where neighbors walked to the bar and gathered.  I enjoyed the Beehive Honey Wheat, and Kasie raved about the Mango Pirate Golden Sour.  This was the second and final brewery we visited on the day that I had my bike wreck so the fact that I enjoyed it so much speaks volumes.

Classiest Beer Award to Bristol Brewing:  Best Beer Venue (tie)

Cerberus Brewing Co.

Cerberus Brewing Co.   We ate at Cerberus for lunch one day, while enjoying a Fuzz Off Sour (Kasie) and a Sky Goddess Peanut Butter Stout (Lana).  We shared a pork belly spring roll appetizer that was as unique as it was tasty.  The merch section had a black t-shirt with white lettering:  “Trails & Dogs & Bikes & Beer.”   That pretty much meant that we were going to love the place.   And we did.  

Classiest Beer Award to Cerebus Brewing Co:  Best T-shirt

Cerberus Brewery

Fossil Craft Beer Company.  We stopped by Fossil Craft on a rainy Sunday afternoon to find it bustling with hipsters.   The place has an earthy feel, like everyone there is a religious recycler and eats only organic foods.  I jest, but whatever the brewery is doing, they are doing it well because our Strawberry Crème Ale and Blackberry Raspberry Sour both hit the spot.  The beers were not only flavorful, but also pretty to look at.
Classiest Beer Award:  Best for Hipsters.

Goat Patch Brewing Company

Goat Patch Brewing Company.    The name alone made me want to go here!   And, this was also located in a former elementary school building.  Unlike the grandeur of Bristol’s location, this one-story L-shaped “Lincoln Center” was home not to just the brewery but also businesses ranging from a barber shop to the Nightingale Bread bakery.  The latter was giving away free slices of pizza to celebrates its anniversary so we went to the brewery on a full stomach!  The brewery preserved several aspects of the school — ranging from chalkboards and the hallway where I felt like I still needed a hall pass.  The place was good for people watching, and also had a good local vibe.  I enjoyed the Hazy IPA, while Kasie had a Hibiscus Pale Ale.

Classiest Beer Award to Goat Patch Brewing: Best Beer Venue (tie)

Manitou Brewing

Manitou Brewing.   Located in the downtown Manitou Springs, this is the place to be if you like mingling with tourists.   We went the brewery a few hours right after I had my infamous bike accident. I was hoping that some beer and food would make me feel better, but the truth is that I was still very shaken and a little out of it.  We shared a flight of (1) Chasing Peaks Cherry Wheat, (2) Manitou Lager, (3) Lemon Zinger sour, and (4) Burro barn brown ale.

Classiest Beer Award to Manitou Brewing: Best for Tourists

Mash Mechanix Brewing

Mash Mechanix Brewing.  This brewery is located in an old brick building at the periphery of Colorado Springs downtown area.  We stopped by on a weekday after visiting two other breweries that day (Brass and Phantom Canyon).  Kasie was driving so I had a Blood Orange Pale Ale. We sat outside near some kegs labeled Declaration Brewing Company; it was a little confusing as to whether it was somehow affiliated.   It start raining, and the bar area inside was crowded so we decided to make a fairly early exit.  With all that in mind, I think I’d need to go back there to give a better assessment of the place.  

Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.

Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.   Located in the heart of downtown, the Phantom Canyon’s main floor is really more of a restaurant. The second floor contains several pool tables, along with outdoor seating, and has a little more bar/brewery feel.  We went there for lunch on a Friday around 1:00 pm.  Our service was slow, and the beer was not memorable (except that we did make note of what we had).  I had the Streamliner IPA while Kasie had the Amber lager.

Peaks and Pine Brewing

Peaks and Pines Brewery.   Having launched in 2015  in Colorado Springs, Peaks and Pines opened a second location in Fountain in 2019.   We made it to the southern location for desert beers on my birthday.   Kasie had a Wabo Watermelon Wheat served with an actual chunk of watermelon added, while I had a Peanut Butter Mocha Porter.  We sat at the bar and people-watched a local couple and the bar tender exchange stories.   There’s a decent “bar food” menu from Brewside Eatery food truck so the place checked most of our boxes.

Classiest Beer Award to Peaks and Pine Brewing:  Best for Fountain Colorado Locals

Pikes Peak Brewing

Pikes Peak Brewing.   The original Pikes Peak brewery started a few miles north in Monument, Colorado.  Yet, the Colorado Springs “lager house” appeared to be a true brewery from the tanks visible behind some glass.   The brewery is part of hip communal restaurant space where different vendors offer everything from sandwiches to Korean street eats.  People grab their beer, order food from vendor, and then sit anywhere in the space.   There also a performing stage and a cocktail bar in the shared space.  I wish that other cities would adopt this type of collaborative food/drink environment.   It’s the type of place I’d take someone for a date night or if I wanted to go out with a bunch of friends.   I had the 300 Days IPA, and Kasie had the Pearl De Vere Cherry Lime Sour. 

Classiest Beer Award to Pikes Peak Brewing:  Best for Date Night

Red Leg Brewing Company

Red Leg Brewing

Red Leg Brewing.  Located in an industrial area just off Garden of the Gods Road, we stopped there after visiting the GOTG park.   The brewery’s name is a nod to the Civil War battlefields, where soldiers wore a red stripe on their pant leg to denote their location on the battlefield.  The place is tastefully decorated with patriotic items.  We enjoyed the Hoppin’ on Sunshine Grapefruit IPA and the Disturbing Tan Lines Mango Pineapple Wheat.   Google the logo for the latter beer (hilarious!). We had a nice conversation with the beertender, who told us to check out some of her other favorite breweries.  That gave us the warm and fuzzies; it’s nice when there is a true spirt of collaboration among the local breweries.

Classiest Beer Award to Red Leg Brewing:  Best Craft Beer Venue for Military Folks

Shamrock Brewing

Shamrock Brewing. Located in Pueblo, we ventured to Shamrock on my birthday. Kasie had a tasty Muffin Top Mango Wheat, and I had the West Coast IPA. The venue bills itself as being both a restaurant and a brewery, and we were both very hungry and very thirsty when we went there. I hesitate to call anything “the best ever”….but we did have THE BEST RUEBEN in the world at Shamrock Brewing. Slow-cooked brisket. Jalapenos. Bacon. Just the right amount of sauce. This is one brewery where the loved the food more than the beer.

Classiest Beer Award to Shamrock Brewing:  Best Reuben. Ever. Bam!

Smiling Toad Brewery

The Smiling Toad Brewery

The Smiling Toad Brewery.   This Old Colorado City brewery claims to be “home of the IPA.”  Their most popular beer is the “IPa freely” and has a logo of a dog lifting his leg on the brewery’s owner, a mustached guy named Biff in a red shirt.   Biff appeared to be wearing the same red shirt when we walked in to the brewery, and he chatted us up from our initial encounter.  We sat at a table first, and then moved to the bar area to drink our Gose of the Gods and Spotted Flamingo Guava IPA and to eavesdrop more on Biff as he served other customers.   We ended up sitting next to the head brewer, who was “working” as he sipped from the bar.   Later, he offered us a tour of the brewery, which we graciously accepted.  We’ve been on dozens of brewery tours, but there is something about having the head guy showing such passion in his work that made this place special to us.   The beer here was really good, and the people were exceptional.

Classiest Beer Award to The Smiling Toad Brewery:  Friendliest Bartender

Kasie does her best Christopher Walken impression at Storybook Brewing

Storybook Brewing

Storybook Brewing.   Located in the northern part of Colorado Springs, we went to Storybook at the recommendation of the beertender from Red Leg.   Both the beer and the décor are eclectic.   In one area, patrons tack up photos of their dogs.  In another area, you can find the Christopher Walken Cooler.   We shared a pint of the Pinky the Raspberry Gose.  We purchased a mixed four-pack of the that beer and the Whoa Blackberry BamBaLam for around $24.  Good beer is not cheap!

Classiest Beer Award to Storybook Brewing:  Best Sour Beers

Trinity Brewing

Trinity Brewing.  Located in a strip mall near Garden of the Gods, Trinity at first seems like more of a restaurant since it has a large food menu and also serves both wine and liquor.  Yet, Trinity still maintains a decent craft brewery vibe.   We sat outdoors on some tables made of decorated barrels, and inside, there’s an interesting arch comprised of stacked books. We ordered cheese curds and a delicious burger, while enjoying a Rasberry Kolsch and Apricot Blonde.   Don’t worry…some of their other beers do have clever/catchy names. 

Classiest Beer Award to Trinity Brewing: Best Selections Beyond Beer

Colorado Springs — Welcome to Colorful Colorado!

When:  Wednesday May 26, to Wednesday June 2, 2021
Where:  Cheyenne Mountain State Park (Colorado Springs, Colorado)
Cost:  $41/night for full hook-ups plus $9/day vehicle pass (covers both RV and Jeep)
Biking:   Um….sorta?!#
Bucket Lists: Red Rock Open Canyon
Beer:  Bristol Brewing Company

Cheyenne Mountain State Park:  A (Prairie) Doggone Good Time!

Cheyenne Mountain State Park, which opened just 15 years ago, features four different campgrounds located in the same general area (Swift Puma, Raptor Glen, Gobbler Grove, and The Meadow).   We booked a site in the Swift Puma campground, but because the campground messed up our reservation, they moved us to an adjacent handicap site.   All of the full hook-up sites are large, paved, and level; even the more primitive tent camping areas feature level sites. We were told the park was full, but aside from Memorial Day weekend, several full hook-up sites were not occupied during our stay.  The weather was a little cold and rainy so that perhaps that could have been the reason for some empty sites.   

The campground is set midway up the mountain so sunsets and sunrises are a real treat.  The park’s main entrance is right across from Fort Carson, and there’s also a bird’s eye view of the military base from most sites.   We were treated most mornings to Reveille around 6:30 am. I’m usually up with the sunrise because the dogs start making their own music, but for those who like to sleep in, that might be an issue. 

A number of hiking trails wind between the various campgrounds and other parts of the park.  We were able to walk the dogs and explore many of the trails during our weeklong stay.  Dogs are not permitted on some of the trails so we had to make sure we stayed on the right ones.  Frequent signs display the trail name, as well as GPS coordinates so that is not much of a problem.  Deer, rabbits, and other critters are prevalent on the trails, but our favorite location for spotting wildlife was the fields of prairie dog mounds near the park’s entrance.   On our first day, two little guys scampered out in front of our car.   From then on, we would bring our cameras and binoculars and hunt prairie dogs for several minutes each time we would exit or enter the park, all while periodically exclaiming in our best BBC voice “Alan” and “Steve” like in this video.

Turns out, I fell in love with prairie dogs on this trip. And, like many things I find joy in, I get inspired to write a song about it. My little ditty is nothing like Bruce Hornsby rendition, btw.

RV Set-Up Checklist:  Beer?

Our camping checklist set-up includes searching for a brewery that serves both beer and food.   Pikes Peak Brewing started a few miles north in Monument, Colorado.  Yet, the downtown Colorado Springs “lager house” appeared to be a true working brewery location as well.   The brewery is part of hip communal restaurant space where different vendors offer everything from sandwiches to Korean street eats.  People grab their beer, order food from vendor, and then sit anywhere in the space.   There is also a performing stage and a cocktail bar in the shared space.  I wish that other cities would adopt this type of collaborative food/drink environment.   It’s the type of place I’d take someone for a date night or if I wanted to go out with a bunch of friends.   I had the 300 Days IPA, and Kasie had the Pearl De Vere Cherry Lime Sour.   

Pikes Peak Brewery - downtown Colorado Springs

A Colorful Bike Ride Through Colorado Springs

One of the reasons why I wanted to spend my milestone birthday in Colorado Springs is because the city contains plentiful bike trails and designated bike lanes.  I was excited to spend 2-3 days exploring the city on our bikes!   Among other things, Colorado Springs is home to the Pikes Peak Greenway Trail, which traverses much of the city from north-south direction, meandering along Monument Creek and Fountain Creek in the central part of the city.   Google maps suggested that it would be a colorful ride.   It was…but the color was black, blue, and then purple.   Let me explain….

We started our ride at an unofficial trail head by parking at a Kohls department store located just off South Circle Drive in the southeast part of town.   Less than 20 minutes later, we were crossing Highway 24 via an underpass near a large homeless population.  A police officer was arresting someone, and both people were blocking the bike path.  I slowed down and exited the trail to avoid them, but when I tried to get back on the trail, my front tire struck the trail “curb” and I went a combination of head-first and hands-first into the pavement.  My helmet was a life-saver, but face and hands were bloodied. 

Luckily, the police were literally already on the scene and immediately called an ambulance.  They repeatedly told me that there would be no cost – presumably because the accident had happened on city property.  I was a little wobbly and dizzy at times, but felt like I just needed to cool off, drink some water, and take a view minutes get over the shock of what happened.   Inside the ambulance, the nice paramedics assured me that my vitals were good, gave me a souvenir washcloth and ice pack to take home, and told me to go to a hospital to get checked out further.  When I inquired, they assured me that they were just legally obligated to say this no matter what.   Meanwhile, another police officer accompanied Kasie to our Jeep (still parked at the Kohls), while another police officer watched over the bikes until we could load them on the Jeep.  They were concerned about one of the homeless guys who had a hatchet, and thought the bikes might be a little tempting for him.  “A Hatchet!?!” I exclaimed.   She assured us that they were closely monitoring Mr. Hatchet Man, and helped us on our way.  She also gave us some of her favorite hiking trails that the locals like. 

I cannot say enough about how great the Colorado Springs first responders were.  

Manitou Springs

We went back to the campground, regrouped, and decided that some food/beer would probably be a good next step to salvage our first full day in the Colorado Spring area.   We accelerated our plans to see Manitou Springs by heading to the Manitou Brewing Company.  After the brewery, we strolled around the touristy downtown area, and found several of the springs named for the area (many of which were not flowing).   I wasn’t in the mood for that that many people so we decided to leave the area.  People say wonderful things about Manitou Springs, but I just wasn’t feeling it that day.  

Red Rock Canyon Open Space

The police officer who took Kasie to our Jeep recommended Red Rock Canyon Open Space for hiking.  It’s located just east of Manitou Springs across from Garden of the Gods, but is not crazy busy.   We easily found parking next to the Sand Canyon trailhead, which connects to the Contemplative Trail to form a loop that skirts some massive rock formations.  The 1.75-mile hike includes numerous opportunities to exit the trail, climb a boulder or rest in a crag.  The trail also includes numerous overlook vantage points, including some spectacular views of Garden of the Gods and neighboring homes.   The best part about the hike was that we truly felt like we were in nature in the middle of a city.  We encountered less than a dozen people during our mid-day hike.   I couldn’t imagine anything better than this hike, and completely understood why the locals prefer it to Garden of the Gods.  

Enjoying a beer at Bristol Brewing Company after Lana’s bike ride accident

Bristol Brewing Company

After the hike, we were hungry and thirsty.  Some friends had told us to be sure and check out an old stone school that had been converted to a brewery, Bristol Brewing Company.   When we plugged it into Google maps, we were a little surprised to see that the brewery was just few blocks from where the bike accident occurred.  Although close in proximity, the homeless camp and the neighborhood brewery share little else in common.   The brewery was a nice way to come full circle for the day on a positive note.

Bristol Brewing Company turned out to be one of my favorites of our Colorado brewery stops.  You can read more about all of the breweries we visited in one of my other blog posts.