Colorado's best breweries and beers of 2025
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Colorado craft brewers had a banner year with award-winning beers and new venues — a much-needed antidote to the industry's gloomy outlook and recent closures.
State of play: To keep the momentum going, Axios Denver conducted its annual survey of more than 200 industry pros and beer fans to find the best brewery, beer and bar for 2025.
Without further ado, here are the winners.
Best brewery: Cerebral
The best brewery in Colorado is no stranger to this list. Cerebral won in 2022 and returns to the top after launching its third Denver location in the West Highland neighborhood this past April.
- Survey respondents loved the brewery's vibe, its dedication to quality brews and the constant rotation of hazy and West Coast IPAs.
Other top finishers: Comrade, Outer Range and Westbound & Down
Best beer: In the Steep
Outer Range Brewing's flagship IPA is the top beer in Colorado, the survey found.
- It's easy to like this all-citra hopped hazy IPA with its soft mouthfeel and citrus fruit characteristics. And the variants, like In the Deep Steep, are also alluring.
Other top finishers: Comrade Brewing's Superpower IPA, Cerebral's Rare Trait IPA series and WeldWerks' Juicy Bits IPA lineup.
Best up-and-coming brewery: Littleton Brewing
A brewery with good beer — and good food — is hard to find, but it helps explain why Littleton Brewing quickly became a favorite.
- The brewery, which opened in March, is located in a former auto shop on the city's main drag and features a rooftop with good views and good service, survey respondents said.
Other top finishers: Zymos Brewing in Littleton and Milieu Fermentation in Aurora
Best beer bar: Finn's Manor
This Denver beer bar features arguably the best tap list in the city, often with hard-to-find brews and international options.
- The bar is dark and mysterious with bottles of rare spirits along two walls, and opens into an outside courtyard that features the amazing Twans food truck.
Other top finishers: Jake's Brew Bar in Littleton