Prost! To Oktoberfest & Colorado's Craft Beers

As the aspens change color in the Rocky Mountains, there's no better way to enjoy the season than with a cold craft beer in Colorado. With Oktoberfest celebrations and more than 400 breweries across the state, there's something for everyone. Many of the breweries are independently and locally owned and serve up a wide variety of artisan craft brews. 

In September, the days are warm, perfect for a beer on a sun-soaked deck after a day of hiking or biking. The evenings are cool, perfect for throwing on a fleece jacket and sipping a beer around a fire pit. 

Where are the suds flowing in our Colorado mountain towns? Check out some of our favorite breweries in Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs and the Vail Valley listed below.  

If bratwurst and beer are your thing, pull out your lederhosen and dirndls and head to any of our local Oktoberfests!  

Originating in Germany in the early 1800s as a royal wedding jubilee, Oktoberfest has transformed through the ages into what is now the world’s largest folk festival. However, the journey to join in the revelry doesn’t demand a pilgrimage to Munich. Oktoberfest celebrations have spread around the world, and Colorado is as far as you need to go for some of the most raucous Oktoberfest celebrations and tastiest beer! 

Come September, the sounds of accordions, yodeling and the tapping of beer kegs will echo throughout the Colorado Rockies. 

Get ready for a blast of Bavaria at Vail Oktoberfest. The 2026 celebration takes place over two weekends, beginning in Lionshead Village September 11–13 and continuing in Vail Village September 18–20.

Enjoy classic Bavarian fare, German beer, live music, and traditional entertainment throughout the celebration. Guests can join in favorites including stein holding competitions, Bavarian costume contests, keg bowling, and bratwurst eating competitions while soaking up the festive atmosphere in the heart of Vail.

Grab a beer stein and get ready to party like you’re in Germany. The Breckenridge Oktoberfest returns September 25–27, 2026, for its 30th annual celebration. The three-day celebration will take over Main Street in historic downtown Breckenridge with live music, food, drinks, stein hoisting, and plenty of Oktoberfest fun.

After the festivals’ kegs have been tapped dry, our mountain towns have exploded with plenty of craft breweries to quench your thirst. Afterall, there’s nothing more refreshing than throwing back a cold one to cap off a day out on the trails, hiking, biking or skiing! Here’s where you’ll find the Moving Mountains Team raising a glass!

FOOD & WINE recently listed this Breckenridge hot spot as #3 on their list of the 24 can’t-miss breweries in Colorado. First opened in May of 2014 by Jason and Jolene Ford, Broken Compass Brewing offers an impressive selection of craft beers for all wanderers, lost or otherwise. Their beers on tap include their medal-winning Coconut Porter and, for some Oktoberfest vibes, a traditional German style Altbier and a German Dark Lager.

You can enjoy the Broken Compass brews at two locations in Breckenridge: their home base brewery just north of town, and their South Main Street taproom. Both locations are dog-friendly, and you can even bring in outside food from any of the many great restaurants in town or from your own (vacation home) kitchen!

And giving a new meaning to “booze cruise,” you can pedal your way to a cold brew with a fat tire bike and brewery tour. The adventure begins on the south end of town with brief stops at select landmarks as you cruise along the Blue River Rec Path, eventually landing at The Broken Compass Brewery for a tour and a taster.

Crafted with Altitude; Brewed for Adventure is this brewery’s motto! This “Veteran & Ski Bum-owned” brewery has been serving the Vail Valley since 2014, pouring handcrafted beers inspired by Colorado's mountain lifestyle.

Its EagleVail brewery and tasting room, located between Vail and Beaver Creek, features 12 beers on tap, indoor and outdoor gathering space, live music, and food from Barley + Salt Craft Kitchen.

Current selections include Hot Mess Blonde Ale, Pete's Stash Pale Ale, Gore Creek IPA, Eye Candy Hazy IPA, seasonal lagers, wheat beers, sours, and other rotating creations.

Vail Brewing Co. also has a Vail Village tasting room in Solaris Plaza, with 12 beers on tap, beer flights, live music, and a patio in the heart of the village.

Good times are on tap at Storm Peak Brewing's original West Side taproom and brewing facility. The spacious location features 20 rotating taps, a 20-barrel brewing system, indoor gathering space, and both front and rooftop patios. Expect a mix of Storm Peak favorites alongside seasonal releases and fresh experiments from the brewhouse.

Storm Peak also has its Bus Stop Taproom + Kitchen near the base of Steamboat Resort. With Storm Peak beer, a full food menu, and a convenient mountainside location, it is a great stop after hiking, biking, skiing, or exploring the resort.

So there you have it, our guide to the best places to enjoy a cold craft beer in Colorado this fall. Whether you're looking for a festive Oktoberfest celebration or a more low-key brewery to relax at after a day of outdoor activities, you're sure to find something to your liking. So grab a stein and raise a glass to the start of the fall season in Colorado!