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Colorado -- The "Napa Valley of the Beer World"
Colorado has perfected the recipe for brewery success
Colorado ranks first in the nation in beer production per capita and second in the number of breweries. There are more than 100 breweries statewide, each with its own style and flare. Colorado's capital city of Denver brews more beer than any other city in America.
 Coors Brewery
Founded in 1873 by a young German brewer named Adolph Coors, Coors Brewery (800-642-6116; www.coors.com) in Golden is the largest single brewery in the world, producing more than 17 million barrels of beer each year. Their secret to success -- the 44 natural springs that dot their property. While most breweries have to treat water before it can be used in the brewing process, Coors' water is naturally filtered in the Rocky Mountains over miles of gravel, sand and rock and is immediately ready to be used.
Rockies Brewing Company
Colorado's first micro brewery, Rockies Brewing Company (303-444-8448; www.boulderbeer.com) in Boulder, was established in 1979 by two University of Colorado professors. This one-of-a kind brewhouse handcrafts many award winning beers, including the well-known Buffalo Gold.
Bristol Brewing
Since June 1994, Bristol Brewing (719-633-2555; www.bristolbrewing.com) in Colorado Springs has been formulating one-of-a-kind ales for micro brew lovers. Laughing Lab, one of its most popular beers, took a silver medal at the 2002 Great American Beer Festival in the Best Scottish Ales category.
 Breckenridge Bewery
Over the past 10 years, Breckenridge Brewery (303-623-2739; www.breckenridgebrewery.com) has grown from a small 3,000-barrels-per-year-brewpub to one of the most successful craft bee companies in the nation. Breckenridge handcrafts nearly 30,000 barrels of fresh beer each year and sells its popular brews throughout Colorado and 13 other states.
 New Belgium Brewing
This state-of-the-art brewery in Fort Collins was the first wind-powered brewery in the U. S. and is currently the largest of its kind in the world. New Belgium Brewing (1-888-NBB-4044; www.newbelgium.com), prides itself on having an innovative and environmentally-friendly production process, and boasts 11 brands, including the Colorado favorite Fat Tire Amber Ale.
For a complete list of Colorado Breweries, and their tours and tastings, log on to www.members.beertown.org/Brewery/breweries.asp.
Beer Festivals
Visitors can also enjoy one of the state's many brew festivals.
The Great American Beer Festival
Sept. 25-27, 2003
Denver (303-447-0816; www.beertown.org)
Hosts thousands of people every year for tastings, live music and entertainment. Brewmasters compete for coveted medals in more than 58 categories.
 Farther north, visitors can enjoy the
14th Annual Colorado Brewers' Festival
June 28-29, 2003
Fort Collins
(970-484-6500; www.downtownfortcollins.com).
Enjoy music, food, games, entertainment and beer sampling.
Don't miss the
10th Annual Telluride Blues and Brews Festival
Sept. 12-14, 2003
(970)-728-8037; www.tellurideblues.com).
This Colorado favorite combines the best brews with the finest in traditional blues music.
Colorado vacation information including lodging, transportation, dining, attractions and recreation is available on www.colorado.com. or call 800-COLORADO for a free state vacation guide.
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