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 in Steamboat Springs 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. Or at Steamboat's own take on the traditional Oktoberfest celebrations.
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Celebrate the arrival of fall at Steamboat OktoberWest, returning September 11 and 12, 2026. The celebration begins Friday with the Beer Stroll through historic downtown Steamboat Springs from 4 to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, the festivities move to Steamboat Square for craft beverages, the annual beef cook-off, lawn games, a vendor market, and plenty of German-inspired fun. The main Saturday event runs from 1 to 6 p.m., with the Beer Garden open from 2 to 6 p.m.
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!
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, including the Chowder IPA, Mr. Magorium's Pistachio Emporium IPA, and the Hop Mess Express Pale Ale.
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.
Mountain Tap Brewery has been pouring locally crafted beer on Yampa Street since 2016. Located directly across the Yampa River from Howelsen Hill, the downtown brewpub pairs house-made beer with wood-fired cuisine.
Mountain Tap features 12 house-made beers on tap, with selections ranging from refreshing lagers and wheat ales to pale ales, IPAs, sours, and seasonal creations. Current favorites include Locals' Lager, Passionate Pedal, Hoppy Hiker IPA, Elkstone Elixir, and rotating specialty brews.
On a beautiful sunny afternoon, settle into one of the picnic tables on Mountain Tap's outdoor patio. During winter, the brewery brings back three refurbished gondola cabins for a unique dining experience. Each cabin seats up to six adults comfortably and includes twinkling lights, a heater, and a Bluetooth speaker. Reservations for the winter 2026/2027 gondola season are scheduled to open in mid-October.
So there you have it, our guide to some of the best places to enjoy a cold craft beer in Steamboat after a day of outdoor adventures. Whether you're relaxing at a local brewery or joining the festivities at OktoberWest, fall is a perfect time to raise a glass in Steamboat.
