[wiley]

Back in 2009, my wife and I aimed to hit every brewery in Colorado (at the time, not including duplicates, there were 104). I'm at 83 and have a little catching up to do with all of the smaller breweries popping up. Not sure how many you plan on hitting in a day (my record is 7 in one day... and yes, the wife was driving), but here are my suggestions for the south route:

If you're taking 191 south out of Moab through Cortez to Pagosa Springs, be sure to stop at:
1. Main Street Brewing in Cortez
2. Ska, Durango Brewing, and Steamworks in the Durango area
3. Pagosa Brewing and Pagosa Pub Works (haven't been to PPW) in Pagosa Springs. Pagosa Brewing has a coconut porter that is amazing -- almost always "sells out" at GABF...
4. Three Barrel Brewing in Del Norte -- this is possibly my favorite brewery in Colorado and practically no one knows about it. We stopped by on a Thursday afternoon to find the brewery run by John Bricker out of the back of his insurance agency (the cold room literally separated the insurance business from the brewhouse!). Be sure to call ahead -- it looks like they may be running a brewpub now, but it's been a couple of years since I've been there. If they're not open when you're passing through, you can always stop at Farrago Markets Cafe in Pagosa Springs and get a sandwich and some Three Barrel Beer.
5. San Luis Valley Brewing -- nice brewpub in the middle of downtown Alamosa.

Those are the high points I can speak to in Southern Colorado. If you're going to go back to Grand Junction and drop in through Telluride, you've got:
1. Kannah Creek and Rockslide in Grand Junction, Palisade Brewing in Palisade (sister city of GJ) -- there's also a decent micro distillery pretty much in the parking lot of Palisade Brewing. Depending upon when you're going, Palisade has some great peach orchards you should check out. There's also a number of wineries in Palisade, but don't expect Napa.
2. Horsefly Brewing in Montrose
3. Colorado Boy in Ridgway
4. Smugglers in Telluride
5. Ouray Brewing and Ourayle House in Ouray
6. Silverton Brewing in Silverton
7. Then on to Durango.

As far as places to stay are concerned, I would highly recommend checking out VRBO. My wife and I are taking a class from Tom at Colorado Boy in October and found a great apartment in downtown Ridgway for a very reasonable rate. Traveling south from Grand Junction to Durango will take a good chunk of the day, especially if your plan is to go through Telluride. Let me know if you have any questions on the other breweries in the Denver area.

Just a minor correction on Crooked Stave: they're currently an alt-prop (I believe) with Funkwerks in the old Fort Collins Brewery location (Fort Collins built a new brewery a few blocks away and FW/CS moved in). Hop you enjoy the trip – Cheers!

[csu007]

My parents live near Alamosa and mentioned a brewpub there - San Luis Valley Brewing Co.
 
www.slvbrewco.com
 
Never been there though.

great beer, the menu looked great however, we didn't have time to eat.

I think it really depends on the route and time schedule the OP wants to take as to what breweries to hit. There are more breweries on the I-25 and I-70 corridors but some pf the small towns have great beer as well. If you happen to stop in the Lake Dillon area Tommyknockers (Idaho Springs) and Dillon Dam Brewery (Dillon)  are great wide range of beers (about 12-16 varieties each) and have great food and are close to many hotels and recreational activities.

[brewmasternpb]

One more thing... If you decide to take 285 back to Denver from Pagosa, stop at Elevation brewing in Poncha Springs, outside of Salida.  They are a new brewery, trying to focus on Barrel aged and sour stuff....

[thebigbaker]

+1 to Dillon Dam Brewery.  Good beer and good food and beautiful area.

[csu007]

Back in 2009, my wife and I aimed to hit every brewery in Colorado (at the time, not including duplicates, there were 104). I'm at 83 and have a little catching up to do with all of the smaller breweries popping up. Not sure how many you plan on hitting in a day (my record is 7 in one day... and yes, the wife was driving), but here are my suggestions for the south route:

If you're taking 191 south out of Moab through Cortez to Pagosa Springs, be sure to stop at:
1. Main Street Brewing in Cortez
2. Ska, Durango Brewing, and Steamworks in the Durango area
3. Pagosa Brewing and Pagosa Pub Works (haven't been to PPW) in Pagosa Springs. Pagosa Brewing has a coconut porter that is amazing -- almost always "sells out" at GABF...
4. Three Barrel Brewing in Del Norte -- this is possibly my favorite brewery in Colorado and practically no one knows about it. We stopped by on a Thursday afternoon to find the brewery run by John Bricker out of the back of his insurance agency (the cold room literally separated the insurance business from the brewhouse!). Be sure to call ahead -- it looks like they may be running a brewpub now, but it's been a couple of years since I've been there. If they're not open when you're passing through, you can always stop at Farrago Markets Cafe in Pagosa Springs and get a sandwich and some Three Barrel Beer.
5. San Luis Valley Brewing -- nice brewpub in the middle of downtown Alamosa.

Those are the high points I can speak to in Southern Colorado. If you're going to go back to Grand Junction and drop in through Telluride, you've got:
1. Kannah Creek and Rockslide in Grand Junction, Palisade Brewing in Palisade (sister city of GJ) -- there's also a decent micro distillery pretty much in the parking lot of Palisade Brewing. Depending upon when you're going, Palisade has some great peach orchards you should check out. There's also a number of wineries in Palisade, but don't expect Napa.
2. Horsefly Brewing in Montrose
3. Colorado Boy in Ridgway
4. Smugglers in Telluride
5. Ouray Brewing and Ourayle House in Ouray
6. Silverton Brewing in Silverton
7. Then on to Durango.

As far as places to stay are concerned, I would highly recommend checking out VRBO. My wife and I are taking a class from Tom at Colorado Boy in October and found a great apartment in downtown Ridgway for a very reasonable rate. Traveling south from Grand Junction to Durango will take a good chunk of the day, especially if your plan is to go through Telluride. Let me know if you have any questions on the other breweries in the Denver area.

Just a minor correction on Crooked Stave: they're currently an alt-prop (I believe) with Funkwerks in the old Fort Collins Brewery location (Fort Collins built a new brewery a few blocks away and FW/CS moved in). Hop you enjoy the trip – Cheers!

I seem to remember seeing on facebook that crooked stave has actually moved to a Denver Location now, but i'm sure funkwerks still has some on tap.

I really like the idea of traveling to all the breweries in the state, however, with all the new breweries that have opened in the past 2 years it seems like that would be lifelong quest (not necessarily a bad thing)

I have always wanted to travel and the state and visit the breweries and disc golf courses, just got to win the lotto, haha.

Thanks to the dozens of brewfests i think i have tried about 80% of the breweries, but then again every fest has new breweries and i don't see that changing anytime soon.

[a10t2]

Pagosa Pub Works (haven't been to PPW) in Pagosa Springs.

I wouldn't bother. It's literally across the street from Pagosa Brewing, but it's an extract system, and the beers aren't even worth trying. The waitress actually recommended we order something else. (Full disclosure: it's been 5 months since I went in.)

6. Silverton Brewing in Silverton

Again, I wouldn't bother. They aren't brewing in Silverton presently, just pouring beers contract-brewed on the Front Range, so you can get the same in any liquor store. If you do want to stop in Silverton, the Avalanche Cafe has started brewing recently.

[wiley]

I seem to remember seeing on facebook that crooked stave has actually moved to a Denver Location now, but i'm sure funkwerks still has some on tap.

Crooked Stave is in the process of moving to Denver; don't think they're open quite yet.

6. Silverton Brewing in Silverton

Again, I wouldn't bother. They aren't brewing in Silverton presently, just pouring beers contract-brewed on the Front Range, so you can get the same in any liquor store. If you do want to stop in Silverton, the Avalanche Cafe has started brewing recently.

Last I'd checked, Fort Collins Brewery was contract brewing their beer. Probably still the same and I'd shy away if there are any time constraints.

I really like the idea of traveling to all the breweries in the state, however, with all the new breweries that have opened in the past 2 years it seems like that would be lifelong quest (not necessarily a bad thing)

It's been quite the task keeping up. Luckily, my wife likes spreadsheets 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhiXVXcViEkJdFF6OTVSclJNZWhCQm5HWGtuR0NiZlE

[csu007]

That is awesome, i think i may have to borrow that for my future endeavors 

[Jimmy K]

San Luis Valley Brewing Co.

Very, very good IPA.

+1. 

Awesome! There is also Revolution Brewing in Paonia. Small with a few great reviews around the internet.

[hopfenundmalz]

Some great infromation. I am thinking of going south from Moab, through Nurita to Teluride (never been) and then to Durango. We have driven south of Grand Junction a several times, a couple of times doing a loop around the LaSal mountains and through Gateway (Gateway was a town lost in time until the guy who owns the Dicovery channel ruined it with the huge resort - or imporved it based on your viewpoint). It is very scenic that way, as you are in a long redrock canyon following the Delores river.

There are more breweries than I can visit. Will also be driving, so if I stop it will be lunch+one and done. In Durango I should be able to walk to several places.

[brewtrek]

Is Glenwood Springs brewing still a good place?

Thanks to all for the good advice. I really am thinking of a swing through Durango and then to Pagosa Springs to see some new country.

Glenwood, in my opinion, is hit or miss. Sometimes their beers are interesting, other times not.

If you're going through Durango, you have to hit Ska. Not only are their beers great, but the tasting room and brewery are incredible. Zia Taqueria has a trailer there that serves up some awesome tacos. Steamworks and Durango Brewing are cool too, and Carver is worth the visit since they are the second oldest brewpub in the state.

Stopped in at Pagosa last June and they've got a good line up, food is good too.

[csu007]

[quote/]


Glenwood, in my opinion, is hit or miss. Sometimes their beers are interesting, other times not.

If you're going through Durango, you have to hit Ska. Not only are their beers great, but the tasting room and brewery are incredible.
[/quote]

agree with this

[csu007]

So i just remember a another great brewery in the Denver metro area, if you pass by Golden a must stop is the second largest brewery in Golden- Golden City Brewing, great beer, cool location and atmosphere, also somewhere on the complex of Coors's is AC Golden- makers of Colorado native (only sold in the state) and winterfest and few other very small batch beers, i have not been there yet, but i have heard good things about it

[hopfenundmalz]

I see Prost is now open in Denver, making German style beers. It will be walkable from where we are staying the last night.

Has anyone been yet?
http://www.prostbrewing.com/

[thebigbaker]

I see Prost is now open in Denver, making German style beers. It will be walkable from where we are staying the last night.

Has anyone been yet?
http://www.prostbrewing.com/

I believe they just opened last week and haven't been by there yet, but will try and get by there soon.  Bill did great things while w/ Dry Dock, so looking forward to his brews @ Prost.