Who's hot (and who's not) in Colorado's beer scene
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The hottest brewery in Colorado right now is Tivoli, thanks to its Outlaw Light brand of light lager.
Why it matters: The venerable brand's growth leads a pack of brewers defying the craft industry's downward slide and rebounding in a tough market with increased production to meet demand, an exclusive Axios analysis finds.
State of play: Tivoli is now the second-largest brewer in the state, producing 115,000 barrels in 2025, according to an analysis of the latest data from the Boulder-based Brewers Association.
- The jump came after the company shuttered its Auraria campus brewhouse in Denver and moved to La Junta's larger Gold Buckle Beer facility, where it brews Outlaw Light, one of the fastest-growing beers in the nation.
Other Colorado leaders are smaller breweries.
- Goat Patch Brewing in Colorado Springs increased output 77% with the acquisition of Pikes Peak Brewery, the addition of a new taproom in Northgate and self-distribution.
- Lariat Lodge Brewing in Evergreen increased production 49% as it expanded its distribution map.
What they're saying: Justin Grant, co-owner of Goat Patch, says its hazy IPA put them on the map, along with its award-winning red ale. And though they've felt the pain of the industry's slide, they pivoted by offering food and spirits at their taproom.
By the numbers: Of the 43 Colorado breweries the Brewers Association tracked year-over-year, about half grew or remained neutral — a notable upswing compared to 2024's numbers.
- Positive-growth brands include Longmont's Left Hand, which ended a three-year production skid, and Durango's Ska Brewing, which grew for the second consecutive year.
Yes, but: Other breweries are struggling to regain footing in a changed and challenging market.
- Wilding Brands, a collective led by Denver Beer Co. and Great Divide Brewing, and Tommyknocker Brewing in Idaho Springs reduced production by 14%.
- Boulder's Upslope Brewing cut beer-making by 13%.
Colorado boasts the fifth-most craft breweries in the nation at 423, but in 2025, 35 closed and only 11 opened, the data shows.
The big picture: The state's largest brewery remains Monster Energy-owned brands, led by Colorado-based Oskar Blues, at 285,000 barrels.
- Odell moved to third-largest at 89,400 barrels.
The fine print: Not all Colorado brewers shared production numbers with the Brewers Association, and some are estimates. The analysis looked at breweries that make at least 1,600 barrels. (A barrel is 31 gallons.)
Two of the state's largest breweries — New Belgium and Avery — aren't included because they're owned by international conglomerates and no longer considered independent craft brewers.
- Worth noting: New Belgium saw production fall 5% in 2025 but produced 1.26 million barrels, the second-most of any American brewer.
- The top U.S. brewer is the one-time Colorado brand Blue Moon at 1.34 million barrels.