Grand County’s Best Distilleries, Breweries, and Food Pairings
Grand County, Colorado, is more than just breathtaking mountain landscapes—it’s a hub for craft distilleries and breweries that offer unique flavors and memorable dining experiences. Whether you’re into craft spirits or local brews, here’s a guide to the top spots in the area, each offering something special for your taste buds and more.
Winter Park Distilling Company
Story: Established in 2009 by three friends, Winter Park Distilling Company was the first legal distillery in Grand County since Prohibition.
What Makes It Unique: Famous for its Bear Creek Bourbon, aged in charred oak barrels, this distillery offers rich, complex flavors. Their tasting room provides an intimate setting to sample their spirits.
Food Pairing: Enjoy their spirits alongside artisan charcuterie boards featuring cheeses, cured meats.
Idlewild Spirts
Story: Idlewild Spirits, the dream project of a former engineer, embodies the adventurous spirit of the Rockies.
What Makes It Unique: Using locally sourced ingredients, Idlewild’s gin, infused with mountain botanicals, stands out. The rustic tasting room serves craft cocktails in a cozy atmosphere.
Food Pairing: Complement your cocktail with a menu of locally sourced, farm-to-table dishes, including fresh salads, gourmet burgers, and seasonal small plates.
Fraser Valley Distilling
Story: Founded by a husband-and-wife team, this Fraser brewery emphasizes community and quality.
What Makes It Unique: Known for easy-drinking beers like the Fraser River Pale Ale, the relaxed, family-friendly taproom is perfect for unwinding.
Food Pairing: Pair their rye whiskey with a plate of slow-roasted pork belly, served with apple chutney and a side of creamy mashed potatoes. For something lighter, try their smoked trout crostini, topped with dill cream cheese and capers. Their fries are amazing.
Hideaway Park Brewery
Story: This community-focused brewery in Winter Park is known for its creative, rotating small-batch brews.
What Makes It Unique: The Pow Day IPA is a local favorite, and the brewery’s lively events, such as trivia nights, make it a popular gathering spot.
Food Pairing: Enjoy your beer with food truck offerings that rotate regularly, featuring everything from gourmet tacos to wood-fired pizzas, providing the perfect complement to their innovative brew
Fraser River Beer CO
Story: Founded by a husband-and-wife team, this Fraser brewery emphasizes community and quality.
What Makes It Unique: Known for easy-drinking beers like the Fraser River Pale Ale, the relaxed, family-friendly taproom is perfect for unwinding.
Food Pairing: The brewery partners with local eateries to offer pub-style favorites. Enjoy their pale ale with a classic bacon cheeseburger, served with hand-cut fries. For a shareable option, order a platter of crispy chicken wings, tossed in a house-made honey Sriracha sauce.
Big Trout Brewing Company
Story: As the newest brewery in Grand County, Big Trout brings a sense of adventure to the craft beer scene with bold flavors that reflect the Rockies. What Makes It Unique: Their Big Trout Stout, brewed with locally roasted coffee, offers a rich, robust flavor. The spacious outdoor patio is ideal for enjoying a brew with a view. Food Pairing: Big Trout offers a BBQ-inspired menu, featuring smoked brisket served with tangy coleslaw and cornbread, or a rack of tender ribs glazed with a house-made bourbon BBQ sauce. Pair these with their stout for a hearty meal.
Taste and Enjoy the Rockies
Grand County, Colorado, is a destination where craft beverages meet exceptional cuisine. Whether you’re sipping on a rich bourbon at Winter Park Distilling or enjoying a pale ale at Fraser River Beer Co or Idlewild Spirits for an old fashioned you’ll find that these local gems offer both outstanding drinks and mouthwatering food. Be sure to explore these spots on your next visit and savor the best of what Grand County has to offer.
