Colorado Springs' craft beer story arguably starts in 1994 with Bristol, and these days there's a taproom in nearly every corner of town. These are the ones we send friends to, from the Westside to Briargate, plus the best reasons to drive to Manitou and Monument.
Urban Animal Beer Co.
📍 Southwest (Star Ranch, near Cheyenne Mountain) · 3629 Star Ranch Rd. A second taproom is downtown at 521 S. Tejon St.
Why go: Our pick for the best under-the-radar brewery in town. It's a neighborhood taproom on Star Ranch Road, and its brewers say they're "chasing flavors, not numbers." It's military-, veteran-, medical- and neighborhood-owned.
Order: Start with Propaganda, the hazy IPA, then get adventurous. Recent taps have included Real Deal, a dill pickle ale, and Hangover, a blueberry pancake ale. The permanent food truck (Urban Animal by Chef Eve Natasha) does pretzels with beer cheese and house-made green chili.
Good to know: Open Mon–Thu 2–9 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–10 p.m. and Sun noon–8 p.m. Monday is trivia night, Tuesday is run club and Wednesday is music video bingo.
Official site ↗
Goat Patch Brewing Co.
📍 North Cascade (Lincoln Center) · 2727 N. Cascade Ave. #123. A second taproom is at 12245 Voyager Pkwy. in Northgate.
Why go: Best of the Springs voters gave it gold for breweries. The Gazette credits "The Home of Balanced Brews" with expanding local palates, and its hazy IPA is the crowd favorite.
Order: The hazy IPA, obviously. There are daily food trucks.
Good to know: Well-behaved dogs are welcome inside and out at Lincoln Center, but only in the outdoor areas at Northgate and Monument. No reservations. Lincoln Center hours: Mon 12–9 p.m., Tue–Thu 12–10 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Official site ↗
Red Leg Brewing Co.
📍 Garden of the Gods Road · 2323 Garden of the Gods Rd.
Why go: A veteran-owned brewery that grew from an industrial-park start into a shipping-container hangout. It's a short drive from Garden of the Gods.
Order: The Howitzer amber, a favorite since the early days. Grab food from the shipping-container food vendors.
Official site ↗
Bristol Brewing Co.
📍 Ivywild · 1604 S. Cascade Ave., inside the old Ivywild School
Why go: Bristol has been pouring since 1994, and many credit it with starting the Springs' craft scene. The historic schoolhouse is the place locals take visitors for a beer.
Order: Laughing Lab Scottish Ale, the flagship. In fall, look for the Venetucci Pumpkin Ale. Spark Beer + BBQ serves barbecue out of a shipping container on site.
Official site ↗
Fossil Craft Beer Co.
📍 Westside · 2845 Ore Mill Rd., Suite 1
Why go: A brewer-owned spot with a true neighborhood-brewery feel. It was the Gazette's own pick when it ran the Best of the Springs brewery results.
Order: Their hazy IPA, which the Gazette says might beat the town favorite. There are 18 taps: 6 flagships and 12 rotating, plus seltzer and kombucha.
Good to know: Rotating food trucks. You can also bring in takeout from nearby restaurants.
Official site ↗
Cerberus Brewing Co.
📍 West Colorado Ave. (between Downtown and Old Colorado City) · 702 W. Colorado Ave.
Why go: A big dog-friendly beer garden with a fire pit and Adirondack chairs, plus heaters on the patio in winter. Every front-of-house staffer is Cicerone Level 1 certified.
Order: A custom flight and whatever's on the always-changing menu. Your dog can get a "puppy patty."
Good to know: It's right by the Midland Trail and a PikeRide stop. Its sister bar, Seven's Gate Taproom, is around the corner at 77 S. 7th St.
Official site ↗
Lost Friend Brewing Co.
📍 Montebello · 2458 Montebello Square Dr.
Why go: A woman- and veteran-owned, dog-loving neighborhood brewery with a sunny taproom and a Pikes Peak view.
Order: A pint, plus whatever the day's food truck is serving. Hours: Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Official site ↗
Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.
📍 Downtown · 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
Why go: Three floors of brewpub in the historic Cheyenne Hotel, with a rooftop patio and a billiards hall.
Order: A flagship pint during happy hour (3–6 p.m. daily, all day Sunday).
Official site ↗
Manitou Brewing Co.
📍 Manitou Springs · 725 Manitou Ave.
Why go: The brewpub sits in the old Manitou burro line barn, where 1800s visitors rented burros to ride up Pikes Peak. They call themselves the number one brewery in Manitou Springs ("lol, only brewery").
Order: "I Just Did The Incline" Hazy Pale Ale (earned or not), or the Free Parking After Six Green Chile Blonde. There are 18 taps that change with the seasons.
Good to know: No reservations. Crowlers to go.
Official site ↗
Goat Patch Brewing – Monument
📍 Monument / Tri-Lakes · 1756 Lake Woodmoor Dr.
Why go: The longtime Pikes Peak Brewing taproom became Goat Patch's Monument location in January 2026. It's a north-end stop on the way to or from Denver.
Order: Goat Patch's balanced lineup, hazies included.
Good to know: Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas.
Official site ↗
Every pick was checked against its official site or a recent local news report in October 2026. Hours, menus and trail conditions change, so tap through before you head out. Spot something out of date? Email hello@cosscoop.com.
