Breweries and distilleries in Golden

Alcohol is to Golden as mountains are to Colorado: the town has a rich brewery and distillery scene born from the past and present. Enter: breweries and distilleries in Golden.

During the gold rush, miners found relief in the tastes of distilled spirits and moonshine. Then, in the 1870s, Golden faced an industrial boom rooted in business and science. From paper mills to railway exports and coal mining to clay quarries, Golden was considered the “Lowell of the West.” In 1873, Adolph Coors opened a brewery that used the fresh mountain spring waters of Clear Creek. It stuck.

Since then, the town has thrived on beer brewing, tasting, and enjoying.

Here’s a list of breweries and distilleries in Golden.

Note: originally written for and published in the Winter/Spring publication of Golden Magazine

Breweries and distilleries in Golden

New Terrain Brewing Company

As a top-rated brewery in Golden, New Terrain has an expansive and airy taproom, often with food trucks and live music on-site. It’s a slight drive out of town and surrounded by gorgeous mountain and valley views, with seating inside and out. The outdoor patio is pup-friendly.

New Terrain’s beers have been winners at the Great American Beer Fest and are a top choice for locals.

Golden City Brewery

Golden City Brewery (GCB) started in 1993 by two geologists. They filled the old machine shop behind their historic Golden home with used dairy tanks and started playing with German ale recipes. The tasting room was originally located in the sunroom of their house, serving out of half-gallon growlers and kegs.

These days, the brewery expanded in the same spot (still their home), though the carriage house is now the tasting room, the yard is the beer garden, and the recipes have been perfected. GCB has reds, pale ales, pretzels, and brats.

Barrels and Bottles Brewery

Barrels and Bottles Brewery has created a name for itself as a top-notch brewery with something for everyone. Their website’s description is simple: “In the beer industry, everyone wants to play off words that hopefully resemble them in some way. For us, it’s simple: we brew barrels of beer and serve bottles of wine.”

If you’re a first-timer (or even a repeat visitor), you can’t go wrong with a signature wine slushy. Or, if you prefer beer, the orange creamsicle is exactly as delicious as it sounds. Food-wise, there’s baguette sandwiches and other light fare. 

Holidaily Brewing Company

Drinkers with allergies or sensitivities to beer’s main ingredient (wheat) can find relief with Holidaily Brewing’s menu, which is entirely gluten-free.

The owner created Holidaily after undergoing cancer in her early 30s and adopting a gluten-free diet as part of treatment; she quickly realized that, as a beer-lover, the existing gluten-free beers on the market lacked in taste and substance. Holidaily was born out of need: a brewery dedicated to creating delicious, high-quality, gluten-free beer.

Over Yonder Brewing Company

Over Yonder is an artisan brewery in the southwest part of Golden, near Red Rocks. They offer award-winning and experimental beers in a laid-back setting that captures the good-vibe spirit of Colorado. There’s a little something for everyone, from hazy IPAs to fruited sours to barrel-aged stouts.

Over Yonder also has live music, food, concert shuttles, to-go ordering, and a spacious taproom.

Cannonball Creek Brewing Company

Cannonball Creek is an unfussy brewery in Golden. Two beer lovers, inspired by Golden’s history, created CBCB in 2013. The name “Cannonball” is a nod to the original town name of Clear Creek, which runs through Golden’s center.

The microbrewery offers its menu of traditional brews in a relaxed tasting room and features a rotating lineup of food trucks. Dogs are welcome on the patios, too.

Coors Brewing Company

To many, Golden is synonymous with Coors. It’s the largest single-site brewery in the world and has been open since 1873. Most beer drinkers in Colorado have sampled a Coors, Coors Light, Blue Moon, or at least one of their numerous beer brands.  

Though Coors beers are typically purchased from a liquor store, there’s nothing quite like drinking a cold one from the source. They have an iconic tour that recaps the history of brewing and processing on-site. It ends with a complimentary sampling at the bar, making it a popular choice among locals, students and visitors.

Ohm Brewing Company

As a self-titled “neighborhood nanobrewery,” Ohm is the first brewery in Golden’s Applewood Neighborhood. It’s owned by a father-and-son beer-loving duo who quit their day jobs to pursue a passion instead. The menu features a variety of beers made for enjoyment rather than trend chasing. Ohm also has a food truck parked on the property Wednesday through Sunday.

Mountain Toad Brewing

Mountain Toad’s tagline says, “Beer hand-crafted by a small, local, independent brewery.” Sums it up! This spot is a snug microbrewery and taproom in a historic building, and it’s known for its large selection of craft beers, a fun patio, food trucks, and events. Their aesthetic is led by a desire to create funky and innovative brews for the simple love of beer.

Golden Moon Distillery

This Golden-based distillery opened in 2008 with the mission to produce premium herbal spirits and liquors, fermented and distilled using methods originally used in the 1800s—using rare books from the 15, 17, and early 1900s as a guide. Golden Moon Distillery makes whiskey, gin, absinthe, grappa, apple jack, and specialty liquors.

As a special bonus, there may or may not be a swanky speakeasy in downtown Golden serving up vintage-inspired Golden Moon cocktails.  

State 38 Distilling

State 38 Distilling was founded in April 2013. It’s an homage to Colorado, the 38th State, and its drinkable spirits. They’re one of a handful of distilleries in the US to make agave spirits and distill whiskeys on the grain for more flavor.

Utilizing local products, State 38 uses Colorado grains and Rocky Mountain Water to create bourbon, vodka, and gin, as well as the unique flavors of blanco, reposado, and anejo agave spirits, plus absinthe, rye, wheat, and peat-smoked whiskeys.

Golden has been called “the Napa Valley of beer,” and it’s obvious why. Breweries and distilleries in Golden—the unique flavors of locally crafted beer and distilled spirits—contribute to a culture of passion and creativity in the craft alcohol scene.

With all the delicious drinking-out options, there’s plenty to see, sip, and sample around town. 

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