90 |^5280 |^ AUGUST^2019
Fromtop:CourtesyofOdell^ Brewing;^ Courtesyof^363PhotographyWith 20-plus breweries in
town, the FoCo suds scene
can be overwhelming. Our
best simplify-it suggestion?
Choose your pints based on
the time of year.
1
SUMMIT HARD CIDER
Owners Jennifer and Rodney Sei-
wald pick up rejected (read: bruised
or blemished) apples, cherries, and
peaches from Colorado producers,
reducing food waste as they crank out
fanciful hard ciders in flavors like blue-
berry lavender, strawberry basil, and
the evergreen-infused Campfire. 215
N. College Ave.; summithardcider.comBEYOND BEER
It’s not all about
the hops. These three
alternative beverage
makers complete
the local drinking
experience.A BEER FOR
ALL SEASONS
BLACK BOTTLE BREWERY
Why: The closest brewery to the CSU stadium,
Black Bottle hosts lively tailgate parties before
home games. Build the pregame stoke with
the Great American Beer Festival award-win-
ning Belgian Tripel, a spicy-sweet fall seasonal.PURPOSE BREWING AND CELLARS
Why: The brews at this experimental spot
change weekly, showcasing owner/brewmaster
Peter Bouckaert’s unique creations. Come fall,
you can bank on at least one tap being re-
served for a complex barrel-aged brew.JESSUP FARM BARREL HOUSE
Why: Not only is the cozy tasting room a respite
on a chilly day and the Wheelhouse brown ale
just what you need to battle holiday stress, but
you can also get some holiday shopping done
at Jessup Farm Artisan Village.FA
LL
FUNKWERKS
Why: Nobody does warm-weather saisons
better than Funkwerks—and the eight-year-old
brewing company has a slew of Great Ameri-
can Beer Festival and World Beer Cup awards
to prove it.ODELL BREWING CO.
Why: Celebrate Odell’s 30th anni-
versary this year on the city’s best
brewery patio, where musicians
play free shows while revelers
quaff the summer-only St. Lupulin,
a fragrant, hoppy ale.COOPERSMITH’S PUB & BREWING
Why: This Old Town watering hole serves Fort
Collins’ best Oktoberfest, a smooth amber
ale with sweet, malty notes that arrives in pint
glasses in early September. That still counts as
summer in these parts.S
U
M
M
ER
NEW BELGIUM BREWING COMPANY
Why: The slower midwinter season means a
better chance of snagging free tour tickets at
this storied brewery. Plus, New Belgium’s 1554
dark ale, which lands between a porter and a
stout, has that warm-you-from-the-inside-out
property that’s perfect for cold days.HORSE & DRAGON
BREWING COMPANY
Why: Savor the heady (seven per-
cent ABV) Sad Panda coffee stout,
hailed as the best winter drink in
town by local beer snobs for its
rich notes of vanilla and chocolate.EQUINOX BREWING
Why: You might not be able to count on a thaw
in northern Colorado until late spring, but you
can always dream of warmer temps with the
crisp Vernal Hefeweizen, released every year
on the vernal equinox (of course).W
IN
TE
R
2
OLD ELK DISTILLERY
Specializing in bourbon, bourbon
cream (kind of like, but technically
not, a liqueur), and gin, Old Elk has
brought home a bevy of Colorado
Distillery of the Year awards since
its debut in 2016. And, as of a year
ago, Old Elk also has a dark-paneled
tasting room for sampling flights and
cocktails. 253 Linden St.; oldelk.com3
BLENDINGS AT THE PRESERVE
Take BYO to the next level at this
two-month-old microblending spot,
where a winemaker guides you
through a tasting and mixing pro-
cess to create custom bottles of red
or white (or both). Come away with
your own distinct wine creation and
a personalized label to boot. 3924A
Bingham Hill Road; blendings.wineDRINK
SNOWBANK BREWING
Why: The tart, refreshing Sourado Session
Sour IPA pairs nicely with longer days and
blooming flowers. Brighten the season up even
more by asking for a Solar Flare—the bartend-
er will add a glug of orange juice to highlight
the fruity flavors in the hoppy brew.ZWEI BREWING
Why: Grab the delicious spring special Heller
Bock—a strong-ish (6.8 percent ABV), bright,
Bavarian-style maibock that’s released around
May Day every year. Then find a spot on the
sunny patio on warm days (or a pingpong table
inside if the spring air is still too cool).RALLY KING BREWING
Why: Sipping one of Rally King’s constantly
rotating, small-batch sours, fruited beers, or
IPAs on its intimate outdoor patio signals that
S summer is just around the corner.
PR
IN
G
Jessup Farm
Barrel House