The 5 Best Breweries/Distilleries Around Vail Valley

Craft beer and small-batch spirits have become an important part of Colorado's mountain-town culture, where locally produced beverages reflect both traditional techniques and creative experimentation. In the Vail Valley, brewers produce everything from crisp lagers and hop-forward IPAs to seasonal specialty beers, while distillers transform carefully selected ingredients into whiskey, gin, vodka and other spirits. Taprooms and tasting rooms provide opportunities to explore these products, learn about their production and gather with friends after a day outdoors. The Best of Vail Valley recognizes breweries and distilleries that contribute to the region's growing craft beverage scene.

Craftsman Brew Co.

Craftsman Brew Co. grew from a small Edwards sandwich shop that opened in 2017 into a brewery and restaurant combining inventive food with handcrafted beer. After outgrowing its original space, the business expanded into a former brewery with help from the brewing team behind Outer Range Brewing Co. Its house-made selections include Schmidt House Premium Lager, Phantom Lord West Coast IPA and Mind Thief Japanese-style rice lager, alongside rotating beers from other Colorado producers. The kitchen complements the beer program with wood-fired pizzas, specialty sandwiches, smash burgers and dishes that change with the seasons.

Eagle River Brewing Company

Eagle River Brewing Company in Gypsum brings a community-focused approach to craft beer, emphasizing approachable lagers and ales inspired by Colorado's outdoor lifestyle. The veteran-owned brewery produces selections including a Helles-style light lager, a traditional pilsner, a Mexican-style lager and a citrus-forward River IPA. Its lineup also features a hefeweizen with banana and clove notes, along with darker lagers and other rotating offerings. A wood-fired pizza station adds to the taproom experience, creating a casual gathering place for residents and visitors returning from the mountains or river.

Vail Brewing Company

Vail Brewing Company produces craft beer inspired by the mountain lifestyle, offering a selection of styles that appeal to a wide range of tastes. The brewery operates a production facility and taproom in Eagle, along with a tasting room in Vail Village, giving customers different settings in which to enjoy its beers. Its brewing program includes hop-forward IPAs, refreshing lagers and other rotating selections that reflect the creativity of Colorado's craft beer industry. By combining locally brewed beer with welcoming gathering spaces, Vail Brewing Company has become part of the region's social and outdoor recreation culture.

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company

10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company honors the soldiers of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division, who trained in Colorado during World War II and helped shape the development of American skiing. The Vail-based company produces small-batch bourbon, rye whiskey, single malt whiskey, vodka, brandy, cordial and moonshine using traditional distilling methods and locally sourced ingredients. Its Gypsum distillery features a 500-gallon copper still, six fermentation tanks and American oak barrels, while tasting rooms in Gypsum and Vail introduce visitors to the spirits through flights and cocktails. Distillery tours provide a closer look at production, connecting the company's craftsmanship with the military and mountain heritage that inspired its name.

Archetype Distillery

Archetype Distillery brings a distinctive approach to craft spirits in the Vail Valley, producing gin and vodka distilled from wine grapes rather than conventional grain-based ingredients. Its signature offerings include Archrival Gin and Archangel Vodka, which form the foundation of the company's cocktail program. Visitors can explore the spirits at its Vail Village tasting room or Gypsum distillery, where the business also serves craft cocktails and light bites. Archetype offers hands-on cocktail classes featuring guided tastings, mixology demonstrations and instruction in preparing drinks, giving participants an opportunity to learn more about the ingredients and techniques behind its products.

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