Brewery Tour
The Summit County rec path offers easy access to a number of our award-winning local breweries. No matter which location you book from, you are most likely passing right by...
The Summit County rec path offers easy access to a number of our award-winning local breweries. No matter which location you book from, you are most likely passing right by one or more of our local spots, even if you didn’t know it! We’re here to give you the scoop on the best routes and brewpubs to hit up on your afternoon ride. Remember to always drink responsibly - bikes are classified as vehicles in Colorado, which means all normal DUI rules apply. Please remember to eat, and alternate beers with water, and understand that at 9000+ feet, drinks will affect you more strongly than they might at home. Now, let’s get started:
Breckenridge Beer Tour:
After leaving Craniologie Breckenridge, follow the rec path and enjoy the mountain views on your way to Frisco. The first stop is Outer Range Brewing. It’s nestled in the arm of I-70 on the far north end of Frisco (near our new Craniologie Frisco location!). A friendly, open atmosphere awaits you here, as well as a huge selection of Pale Ale and IPA style beers. Their taps are always rotating, so you never know what new style will await you - but if they have In The Steep on tap, that’s my favorite. In addition to beverages, you can find Bird Craft restaurant and Mountain Dweller Coffee inside Outer Range’s walls. It’s a one-stop shop!
You won’t have far to go to get to the next attraction. Even though Highside Brewing has a new spot on Main Street Breckenridge, it’s always fun to visit the original location! You’ll find yourself just on the cusp of Frisco Main Street for this one - Highside Brewing offers the broadest beer variety selection of the breweries on this list, and their kitchen specializes in some wicked BBQ. It’s great to stop here in the middle of your day and fill up on slow-smoked ribs and brisket.
Bonus: Ein Prosit is just down the street. While not technically a brewery, this place features an amazing atmosphere of a traditional German watering hole, replete with 22 oz steins of beer and traditional sausages and pretzels for food. It’s an awesome little hole in the wall!
Head back up the rec path towards Breckenridge and keep an eye out for the entrance to Airport Rd. Here you’ll find the original location of Broken Compass Brewing - truly the local hangout in Breckenridge. Broken Compass knows what they do well - so your favorite beer is always on tap here (and your favorite bartender, too!). Their beer list is a little more focused than some of the others on this tour, but their Irish Red is a great place to start - and if you want to mix it up with the local crowd, this is definitely the spot for you. Out back some food carts may pull up - but we won’t make any promises on this one.
Bonus: You’re just across the street from the Breckenridge Distillery at this point! They don’t produce beer here, but have you seen any local restaurants offering drinks with Breckenridge Bourbon? This is where it’s born. The Breck Distillery features a full food menu with out-of-this-world cuisine - but be prepared to pay for it! Food and drinks both are the draw here - I recommend you reserve a table and come back for dinner.
That’s it! You’re back close to Craniologie Breckenridge and can return your e-bikes. Our staff can help point you towards your next destinations.
Bonus: The only reason the Breckenridge Brewery didn’t make this list is because it’s in the opposite direction from the rest of the stops on the tour. You might enjoy a short walk at this point in the evening - Breck Brewery is on the south end of Breckenridge Main Street. Maybe you’ll recognize their Avalanche Amber Ale, as they bottle and ship it all over the region.
Frisco Beer Tour:
Even though you’re practically already at Outer Range Brewing, we recommend you spend some time riding before drinking to make sure that first beer hits the way it should! You have two options from Frisco - the best bang for your buck will have you essentially taking the tour in reverse from the Breckenridge tour (so go read
that one!).
Option 1: The easy route. Start by riding most of the way into Breckenridge. A couple miles before town is Airport Rd, where you’ll find Broken Compass Brewing and the Breckenridge Distillery! Mix it up with the locals and their dogs at Broken Compass, before heading back down the rec path to Frisco. Broken Compass has a Ginger Pale Ale on tap that adds an interesting spin to a classic flavor, and it’s an easier drinker than most pale ales, if you ask me.
Leave from Broken Compass and head back down the path to Frisco. When you arrive on Main Street, you’ve also arrived at Highside Brewing. The BBQ here is the best in the county, so if you haven’t had lunch yet, this is an excellent spot. Across the street from Highside Brewing is the Frisco Marina - even though they don’t produce their own food or beverage products, it’s a killer place to hang out and enjoy some rays, if you need to relax for a while before continuing the tour. And don’t forget Ein Prosit is just a few blocks away - it’s truly a unique experience and a fun place to get a feel for Frisco Main Street.
Wrap up your tour at Outer Range Brewing, before or after dropping your bikes back off at Craniologie Frisco. You can walk between the two! Outer Range often has events in the evenings, be it trivia, live music, or even comedy shows. It’s a great place to finish up a day’s worth of adventures and watch the always beautiful sunset over the I-70 corridor.
Option 2: The hard route. Your other option is to head east on the rec path, towards the Dillon Dam Rd. This is arguably the most beautiful stretch of path we have in the whole county - and that’s saying something. What makes this option a little more challenging is the fact that neither brewery I’m about to recommend is quite as easy to find as the previous ones on this list. You’ll want to have your phone and map app of choice handy to make sure you’re in the right spot, but your reward will be the most beautiful and dynamic ride we offer, along with a truly hidden gem.
As you ride towards Dillon, You’ll have multiple turn-offs and beach access points, and you’ll encounter most of the recreation along the lake here. Keep riding until you’ve crossed the dam, and keep your eyes peeled for the turnout pictured below. You’re aiming to turn and head towards Silverthorne.
Not too long after this turn, the rec path will have you hop on the road briefly, across from a purple (or blue?) house. This road is called E Anemone Trail. The rec path signs will encourage you to continue to the left, but you actually want to hang a right onto this road. Dillon Dam Brewery awaits you shortly - definitely keep an eye on your map app! This is the most restaurant-focused of all the breweries, so if you enjoy some good bar food, this is the place for you. Their Farmhouse Saison is a phenomenal take on a Belgian-style classic, and ends up being a relatively unique offering for Summit county. The Dam Brewery is also the best spot on this list to watch a game - multiple TVs enhance the ambiance here, so if you’re looking for a sports bar, this is a great spot.
This is a good time to turn back and head back into Frisco, where you’ll be able to hang out at Highside Brewing and Outer Range. But if you’re not ready to end your tour quite yet, and you’re willing to get a little lost, Angry James Brewery is like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Read on:
Remember the E Anemone that you turned right on to get to the Dillon Dam Brewery? Head back out the same way. But instead of turning back the way you came, heed the signs pointing you deeper into Silverthorne. You’ll descend on a fun, winding stretch of path and eventually find yourself riding along the Blue River. You’ll pass fishermen and folks playing in the water, and all sorts of businesses and restaurants on your way deeper into Silverthorne. I fully recommend exploring Silverthorne via electric bike - it’s a much better experience than a car.
Angry James Brewery is a tough one to find. The easiest way is to set your course for the Silverthorne Pavillion. This is about a mile away from your original turnoff, back off the Dam Road. When you’re in the general vicinity, there will be a few bridges to your left leading across the Blue River. Pick one, head across, and then use the traffic light to cross the Blue River Parkway. If you did it right, Angry James should be just a block or two away. Again, your map app is going to be your best co-pilot to find this place.
So, what do you get for your effort? Angry James has the largest selection of different beer varieties, coupled with an in-house restaurant featuring an extensive menu of grilled cheeses, and a relaxing covered patio to boot. It’s the perfect spot to kick back and pat yourself on the back for a job well done. It’s not easy to find from the rec path, but if you do, you’ll want to stay here all day. I asked the bartender for her favorite beer, and she served up the Two-Tone Footer Coffee Stout. Even in the dead of summer, this was a deliciously refreshing choice, and I paired it with a pastrami grilled cheese to refuel for my ride back to Frisco.
Finish up your ride at Outer Range Brewing, before or after dropping off your bike back at Craniologie Frisco. Outer Range usually has events in the evening, which makes it a perfect place to watch the sun set over the picturesque Peak 10 range.
There’s not a bad way to spend a day on a Craniologie E-bike, but this is my personal favorite. Let us know which beer was your favorite when you get back!
-Joe