A Craft Beer Lover’s Guide to Durango, Silverton, Ouray and Lake City
Southwest Colorado pairs mountain adventures with a thriving craft beer culture.
From large, nationally recognized breweries in Durango to small mountain-town taprooms in Silverton, Ouray and Lake City, there are plenty of places to enjoy locally brewed beer while exploring the San Juan Mountains.
Silverton Lakes RV Park provides a central home base for discovering the region’s scenic drives, historic towns and independent breweries. Instead of trying to visit every brewery in one day, turn this guide into a multi-day craft beer adventure.
Choose one town each day, designate a sober driver and leave enough time to enjoy the scenery along the way.
Durango Breweries
Durango has the largest collection of breweries in the region. Plan a full day in town or select two or three stops that best match your taste.
Ska Brewing Company
Location: 225 Girard Street, Durango
Best for: A large beer garden, brewery tours and well-known Colorado beers
Ska Brewing Company has been brewing beer in Durango since 1995 and has become one of the area’s most recognizable craft breweries.
Its World Headquarters includes a tasting room, kitchen and large outdoor beer garden. Ska’s lineup includes flagship, seasonal and limited-release beers, ranging from crisp lagers and blonde ales to West Coast IPAs.
Popular selections include Mexican Logger, Modus Hoperandi IPA and True Blonde Ale. Ska also offers brewery tours on select days.
This is a great stop for visitors who want to experience the larger side of Durango’s brewing scene.
Steamworks Brewing Company
Location: 801 East Second Avenue, Durango
Best for: Award-winning beer, Southwestern food and a lively downtown atmosphere
Steamworks Brewing Company has been part of Durango’s craft beer community since 1996.
The downtown brewpub serves house-brewed beer alongside pizzas, burgers, Southwestern dishes and other pub favorites. Steamworks has earned awards at both the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup.
It is an excellent choice when your group wants a full meal with its brewery experience.
Carver Brewing Company
Location: 1022 Main Avenue, Durango
Best for: Durango brewing history and a downtown meal
Carver Brewing Company is one of Durango’s longest-running craft beer destinations.
The family-owned business traces its history to 1983 and describes itself as the Southwest’s original brewpub. It combines house-brewed beer with a full restaurant menu and a relaxed downtown atmosphere.
Carver is a convenient stop while shopping or walking along Main Avenue.
Animas Brewing Company
Location: 1560 East Second Avenue, Durango
Best for: Riverside access, comfort food and a relaxed atmosphere
Animas Brewing Company is located near the Animas River Trail and serves a rotating selection of house-made beer.
The family-friendly brewpub pairs its beer with comfort food in a casual setting. Its location makes it easy to combine a brewery stop with a walk or bike ride along the river.
During fall, the changing trees along the Animas River make this an especially enjoyable stop.
Anarchy Brewing Company
Location: Horse Gulch area of Durango
Best for: Small batches, rotating beer and a local taproom experience
Anarchy Brewing Company is a neighborhood microbrewery with a personality inspired by punk rock, mountain biking and Durango’s outdoor culture.
The brewery produces small-batch traditional and experimental beers, with selections changing frequently. Its taproom is designed as a welcoming gathering place for individuals, families and leashed dogs.
Choose Anarchy when you want to try something different from Durango’s larger breweries.
Durango Beer and Ice Company
Best for: A rustic taproom, locally brewed beer and a casual deck
Durango Beer and Ice Company draws inspiration from Durango’s original brewery, which dates to 1887.
The modern microbrewery focuses on beer produced by hand using locally or regionally sourced ingredients when available. Its rustic taproom and outdoor deck create a relaxed setting away from downtown.
Because operating conditions can change, confirm that the brewery is open and properly serving before including it in your itinerary.
Silverton Brewery
After exploring Durango, head north on Highway 550 to Silverton and experience craft beer brewed in the heart of the San Juan Mountains.
Golden Block Brewery
Location: 1227 Greene Street, Silverton
Best for: Locally brewed beer, wood-fired pizza and a family-friendly atmosphere
Golden Block Brewery is Silverton’s local craft brewery and neighborhood gathering place.
The brewery produces its beer in Silverton and serves food cooked in a traditional wood-fired brick oven. Its menu includes pizza, sandwiches and other options designed to pair with the brewery’s rotating tap selection.
After a day of hiking, riding the Alpine Loop or exploring historic downtown Silverton, Golden Block is an easy place to settle in for dinner and a locally brewed beer.
Because Silverton Lakes RV Park is nearby, guests can return to the campground after exploring town. Walk when conditions allow, arrange transportation or make sure your group has a designated driver.
Ouray Breweries
Travel north from Silverton over Red Mountain Pass to experience two distinctly different Ouray breweries.
Highway 550 between Silverton and Ouray is beautiful, but it requires a focused and completely sober driver.
Ouray Brewery
Location: 607 Main Street, Ouray
Best for: Rooftop views, craft beer and pub food
Ouray Brewery is located in the center of downtown Ouray and has been pouring locally brewed beer since 2009.
Its beer selection may include seasonal ales, pale ales and darker options such as its Silvershield Stout. The restaurant also serves burgers, sandwiches, wings and other pub-style food.
If the fall weather cooperates, head to the rooftop for expansive views of Main Street and the mountains surrounding Ouray.
Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewery
Location: 703 Main Street, Ouray
Best for: A quirky, small-town brewery experience
Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewery offers a completely different brewery atmosphere.
The small, relaxed brewery is known for its humor, personality and rotating selection of craft beer. Visitors may find anything from hop-forward IPAs to rich, darker beers depending on what is currently available.
Stop here if your ideal brewery experience is casual, unpretentious and filled with local character.
Lake City Brewery
Lake City is reached from Silverton by traveling across the Alpine Loop or by taking a much longer paved route.
The Alpine Loop requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle and is only open seasonally. Never attempt the backcountry route after drinking. If Lake City Brewing Company is part of your Alpine Loop day, the driver should remain completely sober.
Lake City Brewing Company
Location: 130A Bluff Street, Lake City
Best for: Small-town craft beer and a relaxed stop near the Alpine Loop
Lake City Brewing Company was the town’s first new brewery in more than 130 years.
The brewery serves beer made in Lake City along with casual pub food. Depending on the current menu, food options may include gourmet hot dogs, bratwurst, pretzels with beer cheese and deviled eggs.
Lake City businesses often operate on seasonal schedules. Confirm the brewery’s current status and hours before traveling across the mountains.
Turn the Guide Into a Multi-Day Brewery Itinerary
Trying to visit breweries in all four towns during one day would be rushed and unsafe. Instead, spread the experience across your stay at Silverton Lakes RV Park.
Day One: Explore Durango
Choose two or three Durango breweries based on your interests.
Visit Ska Brewing for its large beer garden, Carver for local brewing history or Steamworks for a full dinner. Add Animas or Anarchy if you prefer a smaller taproom atmosphere.
Return to Silverton before dark whenever possible, especially during fall.
Day Two: Stay Local in Silverton
Spend the day hiking, exploring historic Silverton or riding nearby backcountry trails.
Finish your adventure with beer and wood-fired pizza at Golden Block Brewery before returning to Silverton Lakes RV Park.
Day Three: Visit Ouray
Drive the Million Dollar Highway to Ouray and explore the town’s waterfalls, shops and hot springs.
Stop at Ouray Brewery or Mr. Grumpy Pants Brewery, but not both unless you have a sober designated driver or alternative transportation.
Day Four: Experience Lake City
Travel to Lake City as part of an appropriately planned Alpine Loop adventure.
Enjoy lunch and check the current tap selection at Lake City Brewing Company. Your designated driver should avoid alcohol completely before returning across Cinnamon or Engineer Pass.
Tips for Your Southwest Colorado Brewery Adventure
Before beginning your brewery tour:
- Confirm each brewery’s current hours
- Expect seasonal hours during fall
- Choose a sober designated driver
- Never drink before driving Red Mountain Pass or the Alpine Loop
- Never drink and drive and stay safe
- Order small pours or flights instead of full beers
- Drink water between stops
- Eat throughout the day
- Ask about seasonal and limited-release selections
- Purchase packaged beer to enjoy after returning to camp
- Do not take open alcohol into a vehicle
- Respect each brewery’s age and pet policies
Schedules, menus and available beers change frequently, especially in small mountain towns. Check directly with each brewery before making a special trip.
Stay at the Center of Your Craft Beer Adventure
Silverton Lakes RV Park places you near the independent breweries, mountain towns and outdoor adventures that make Southwest Colorado special.
Spend your days exploring Durango, Silverton, Ouray and Lake City, then return to a comfortable campsite or cabin surrounded by the San Juan Mountains.
Reserve your stay at Silverton Lakes RV Park and start planning your Southwest Colorado craft brewery adventure.