The 5 Best Breweries/Distilleries/Wineries Around Summit County

Fermentation may be ancient, but Colorado’s beverage makers continue to find new ways to work with yeast, grain, grapes, barrels and the state’s mountain environment. Elevation adds another dimension in Summit County, where beer is brewed near the Continental Divide, whiskey incorporates Rocky Mountain snowmelt and wine is produced at approximately 10,000 feet. Taprooms and tasting rooms also bring consumers closer to the production process, turning a glass of beer, wine or spirits into an opportunity to learn about ingredients and technique. The Best of Summit toasts local producers contributing their own approaches to Colorado’s craft beverage culture.

Breckenridge Distillery

Breckenridge Distillery has produced spirits in the mountains since 2008 and bills itself as the world’s highest distillery. Its best-known product is Breckenridge Bourbon, a blended, high-rye American-style whiskey made with Rocky Mountain snowmelt water. The portfolio has expanded considerably, encompassing high-proof and cask-finished whiskeys as well as vodka, gin, rum, aquavit and other spirits. Several releases have earned international recognition, including Breckenridge Port Cask Finish, which was named World’s Best Finished Bourbon at the 2024 World Whiskies Awards. Visitors can get closer to the process through production tours, tastings and more specialized experiences, including whiskey flights and opportunities centered on blending and bottling. The Airport Road property also includes a restaurant and bar, giving the distillery another avenue for showing how its spirits work in cocktails and alongside food.

Angry James Brewery

Angry James Brewery grew from AJ Brinkerhoff’s years of homebrewing and professional brewery work. In 2014, AJ and his wife, Darcy, sold their Denver home to help fund the venture, bought land in Silverthorne and spent the next several years bringing their brewery to life. Angry James opened in January 2018 with a philosophy that combines respect for established brewing traditions with experimentation and collaboration. Its 16 taps give the brewers room to work across styles and rotate different releases through the Silverthorne taproom. Community is equally important to the operation. The brewery’s annual Mug Club makes a limited number of numbered mugs available each year, with a portion of each purchase benefiting a local nonprofit. A heated, dog-friendly patio expands the gathering space, while Mountain Melt adds grilled cheese sandwiches made with local bread and fresh ingredients to the taproom experience.

Outer Range Brewing Co.

Outer Range Brewing Co. connects its beer closely to mountain culture through the guiding idea “Leave the Life Below.” Founded in Frisco, the brewery became particularly associated with hazy, hop-forward beers, while its brewing program has grown to encompass lagers, pale ales, stouts and other rotating releases. That Colorado operation is now one half of an unusual international mountain pairing: Outer Range also has a taproom in the French Alps, extending the concept from the Rockies to another major alpine region. The Frisco location has grown beyond beer as well. Bird Craft serves Thai-inspired fried chicken and other food, while Mountain Dweller Coffee covers the morning side of the day. Outer Range also participates in the 1% Pledge Community, committing portions of its equity, profit, product and time to the Summit Foundation and paying employees for volunteer hours. That combination links brewing, mountain recreation and local involvement under one roof.

Broken Compass Brewing

Broken Compass Brewing opened May 30, 2014, fulfilling a longtime goal for owners Jason and Jolene Ford. What began as a small brewery and taproom away from central Breckenridge grew into a larger local presence, including a South Main Street taproom that opened in 2021. The brewery’s “Get Lost” identity draws directly from the outdoor experiences surrounding Breckenridge, connecting the discovery of a new beer with the unexpected turns that can lead to a powder stash, campsite or memorable day in the mountains. Broken Compass has become known for distinctive recipes such as Coconut Porter and Ginger Pale Ale while also brewing IPAs and other changing styles. Its focus extends beyond what is in the glass. The Fords describe community as central to the brewery, creating taprooms intended for conversation and shared experiences rather than simply serving as places to pick up a pint.

Continental Divide Winery

Continental Divide Winery began with a chance meeting between two wine-loving families on Breckenridge’s Main Street. California vintners and part-time Breckenridge residents Jeffrey and Ana Maltzman met Kent Hutchison and Angela Bryan in 2014, and their shared interest eventually led to the winery’s creation in 2016. Today, the Maltzman family continues to run the locally owned operation, producing small-batch wines from grapes grown in Colorado and selected California mountain vineyards. Production takes place at approximately 10,000 feet, which Continental Divide identifies as the highest elevation of any producing winery in the world. Its winemaking process uses the alpine environment to help control fermentation and incorporates a patented closed-cell system designed to minimize oxygen exposure. In Breckenridge, guests can compare wines through red, white, reserve and sweet tasting flights or take part in a wine-blending experience. By working with fruit from both Colorado and California, Continental Divide also gives visitors an opportunity to explore how differences in elevation, soil and climate influence the finished wine.

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