Best Breweries in Longmont

Breweries in Longmont Colorado Long's Peak

Longmont’s Top 5 Best Craft Beer Breweries

Longmont is home to some of the Front Range’s best craft beer bars and beer-friendly restaurants, delightful breweries and tasting rooms. The beer industry in Longmont is not over-saturated the way it is in Fort Collins, Boulder and Denver. It’s a smaller town with limited space, so the breweries here are definitely NOT a dime a dozen. The best breweries in Longmont are unique and as different from each other as you can get, but they all have common community-centric values.

There are lots of ways to experience the incredible selection and diversity of Longmont’s great craft beer. If you want to go directly to the source and visit all the brewery tasting rooms, you’re in luck; you can easily sample all of them in a weekend, or even a single day! Although this strategy involves covering the entire town, it is small enough that this is not a difficult task. We recommend The Brew Hop as a convenient and super fun way to get around.

You can certainly hit up every brewery, and we certainly recommend doing so, but if you’re a prioritizing type, we suggest the following breweries in Longmont for their outstanding quality beer, atmosphere, accessibility and overall delight factor. It’s very scientific.

1. Left Hand Brewing

Left Hand Brewing

Left Hand is one of two (Oskar Blues) national distributors in Longmont, but don’t let their size fool you! They are one of the best breweries in Longmont, and in all of Colorado. They very much have that local, small town vibe and of course, the beer is fantastic. Left Hand has the best beer in Longmont, in our humble opinion. There is plenty you can’t get on the shelves of your local liquor mart, so be sure to grab a flight of tasters at their amazing tasting room. Left Hand always has an ample rotating selection of experimentals, barrel aged, and nitro brews. Truly excellent quality and uniqueness, and their standard distribution beers are so much better fresh and on tap.

Left Hand takes care of their people – employees and customers alike – and they take care of their community. They are involved in tons of charities and philanthropy throughout the year and really give back to the Longmont / St. Vrain community.

Only downside? They just might be TOO good. Summer weekends tend to be standing room only in the tap room, though they are always doing things to improve their space. Wonderful outdoor area which is great for kids. The brewery and tasting room are on the same property, right along the St. Vrain river. Unfortunately, Left Hand is NOT dog friendly.

2. Oskar Blues (The Tasty Weasel taproom)

Oskar Blues Brewery

The Oskar Blues restaurants are better known as the face of the company. Near-by the Longmont restaurant location is the actual brewery and tasting room (The Tasty Weasel). A bit hidden in an industrial warehouse, but as soon as you walk in, you know you’re in beer mecca. Like Left Hand, Oskar Blues distributes nationally, but of course has plenty of seasonal, small batch and other non-distribution delights. The Tasty Weasel is super chill. Great atmosphere and patronized by lots of great folks. Something we love: the accessibility to the massive brewery complex in the warehouse. You’re virtually surrounded by it in the tasting room, which gives you a sense of just how big they are. The fact that they’re so low-key and accommodating makes for a great experience. Dog friendly!

3. Wibby Brewing

Wibby Brewing

Wibby is a real gem in Longmont. A family-owned and operated establishment, Wibby is relatively new on the scene. Primly situated in a currently redeveloping zone, Wibby has carved out a space – literally – among ruins. They’ve developed an amazing space, with ample outdoor sitting and standing room, a spot that’s GREAT for kids, and they are SUPER dog friendly.

Wibby might rise above all, in our opinion, except for one thing – they ONLY brew lagers. But, they are GREAT lagers. Everything in the lager family you can imagine – hopped, pale, dunkels, dopplebocks, pilsners, dark lagers, light lagers, and any other lager you can think of.

Wibby absolutely throws the BEST Oktoberfest celebration in Longmont – Wibtoberfest. And like Left Hand, this business is all about the community. Very philanthropic and charitable, and absolutely one of the top 5 best breweries in Longmont.

4. Grossen Bart Brewing

Grossenbart Brewery

Not to be confused with the Duck Dynasty guys, the Grossen Bart guys are much cooler. Chill and relaxed environment, a true local watering hole. Not in a bad way though – a refined, but rustic sensibility. Down to earth, blue collar, yet dignified. They’re all about the facial hair and name their beers in kind. But don’t be fooled by the gimmick, these brews are top-notch. Their limited barrel aged brews are a real treat. They’ve carved out another wonderful space in an industrial purgatory that very much feels like a deep-mountain cabin getaway.

Plenty of local live music to liven up the evenings, and a wonderful outdoor space where plenty can gather around a fire. Also very dog friendly…and very accommodating to the youngsters ๐Ÿ™‚

5. Shoes & Brews

Shoes & Brews

Boulder County is known for it’s athletes. Bike riding, hiking, skiing, and of course running. Shoes & Brews is a half-boutique runner’s retail shop (selling shoes, clothes, and everything else you can imagine a runner would need), and half-brewery. A small set up with just a few of their own brews, but they are outstanding. From a beer standpoint, what set’s them apart is the amount of OTHER beer they have on tap. Featuring local, regional and even national brews to compliment their own, they make sure they offer up unique and interesting beer to meet the tastes of each and every runner that comes through the doors.

Yes, it’s a runner’s haven, but in no way are they exclusive. You’ll find plenty of “regulars” (usually ridiculously fit and wearing something shiny and form-fitting), but they – and the staff – are truly some of the nicest and most genuine people you’ll meet in Longmont. A small tasting room, but they like to throw a good outdoor party when the weather’s nice. Live music and charity work is a common theme. Oh, and dogs. And kids. That’s a good thing.

 

It wasn’t easy selecting the 5 best breweries in Longmont, as they all are outstanding. But these five rise above the rest in our most humble opinion ๐Ÿ™‚

 

Cheers!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *