Sunny weekends in Fort Collins call for a brewery tour… or four. Biking is a possibility in Fort Collins nearly all year long. What better way to enjoy a sunny afternoon than a bike and brew tour?
There are six breweries in Fort Collins, at least two more on the way, and nearly every bar has a fantastic selection of craft beer. Most are within walking or biking distance of each other. The city is to beer what Napa is to wine.
Start your brewery tour at New Belgium Brewing Co., the most famous of Fort Collins’ craft breweries. The tap room fills up fast, as the tastings and tours are free. You can call ahead for tour reservations, and, even when the tap room is overflowing, you can still get your free tastings. They have their standard beers, as well as some seasonal offerings, on tap.
Next, head to Fort Collins Brewery, 1.5 miles up the road (on Lincoln). Try the delicious chocolate stout, the Z lager, or a tasting tray of your choosing. There are usually one or two limited edition offerings on tap as well. Guided brewery tours are also available on the hour every hour (between 1 and 5) on Saturdays.
Then, head back down the road (Lincoln towards Old Town) to O’Dell Brewing Co., home of the 90 Schilling Scottish Ale, and other excellently crafted beer. Their new brewery expansion is almost complete, and they give hourly tours of the brewery. You can purchase a pint, or order from several different tasting trays. They usually have on tap several different offerings from their pilot brewing system, as well as their standards.
End at Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewery, in the Old Town Square, which, in addition to great beer on tap, has a food menu. You’ll appreciate a good pizza, or a cup of the tomato mushroom bisque, after an afternoon of biking and beer. Across the walkway is the Coopersmith’s pool and pizza joint, with a slightly different selection of beer on tap. Coopersmith's offers different size options for their beers (get a half pint rather than the full, and enjoy several different beers), and will bring you a sample first of anything you want. There is also usually a cask condition beer available.
** Illustrated town maps are available almost everywhere in Old Town, and all the breweries mentioned above are shown on the maps.
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