The 5 Best Locally Brewed Beers Around Summit County

Brewing at high elevation comes with its own set of considerations, from boiling temperatures to fermentation and the practical realities of operating in a mountain community. It also gives brewers plenty of inspiration. Crisp lagers, hop-forward ales and unconventional flavor combinations all have a place in Summit County's craft beverage scene, where breweries create beers suited to everything from an après-ski gathering to a relaxed summer patio. Best of Summit gives readers an opportunity to recognize individual pours that capture the creativity of the local brewing community.

Jake's Pils | Angry James Brewery

Jake's Pils represents Angry James Brewery's take on a classic pilsner, emphasizing the crisp, approachable qualities associated with the style. The beer comes from a Silverthorne brewery founded by AJ Brinling and Darcy Brinling, who turned years of homebrewing and an interest in craft beer into Angry James. The brewery opened its taproom in 2018 and produces its beers on-site. Jake's Pils sits within a lineup that spans lagers, pale ales, IPAs and other rotating releases, giving drinkers a lighter counterpoint to the brewery's more hop-forward offerings.

Citra Lager | Angry James Brewery

Citra Lager brings a hop-focused variation to the lager side of Angry James Brewery's lineup. Its name points to Citra, a hop variety widely associated with citrus and tropical characteristics, while the lager format provides a different foundation from the brewery's ales. Angry James brews its beer in Silverthorne and serves its creations from a taproom designed as a gathering place for the local community. The brewery's selection changes over time, allowing beers such as Citra Lager to share the board with established offerings and seasonal or experimental releases.

Ginger Pale Ale | Broken Compass Brewing

Broken Compass Brewing's Ginger Pale Ale pairs the familiar structure of a pale ale with the distinct character of ginger. Broken Compass opened in Breckenridge in 2014 and has built its brewing identity around both traditional styles and recipes that move in less expected directions. The Ginger Pale Ale fits that philosophy, bringing spice into a beer style more commonly associated primarily with malt and hops. It joins a lineup that has included other distinctive creations such as Coconut Porter, showing the brewery's willingness to use recognizable flavors without abandoning the underlying character of the beer.

Mountain Juice Hazy IPA | Steep Brewing & Coffee Co.

Mountain Juice Hazy IPA comes from Steep Brewing & Coffee Co., a Keystone operation that brings craft brewing and specialty coffee together in one mountain-town business. The beer occupies the hazy side of the IPA spectrum, a style known for emphasizing hop aroma and flavor alongside a softer appearance and mouthfeel than many traditional IPAs. Steep brews its beer in Keystone and complements its brewing operation with coffee and food, allowing the business to serve guests from the morning coffee hours into the après-ski and evening portions of the day. Mountain Juice reflects the brewing side of that dual identity.

Snow Blind Double IPA | Broken Compass Brewing

Snow Blind Double IPA takes Broken Compass Brewing into stronger, more hop-driven territory. The double IPA format gives the brewery room to emphasize the intensity associated with the style while offering a contrast to beers such as its Ginger Pale Ale and darker selections. Broken Compass produces its beer in Breckenridge, where its independently minded approach has supported a diverse lineup since 2014. Snow Blind demonstrates that range from another angle, giving drinkers looking for a bigger IPA an option within a portfolio that moves comfortably between familiar craft styles and more unconventional recipes.

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