There are plenty of reasons to visit Fort Collins. Grabbing a drink should be built into any visit. And with such a variety of places to do just that, it’s easy. Fort Collins resident Ron Stern gives In Good Taste Denver readers some ideas for where to go and what to drink there.
A Liquid Tour of the Best Coffeehouses, Breweries, and Distilleries
The City of Fort Collins gained national attention for its award-winning craft beer scene which now supplies 70 percent of the Colorado market. Having paved the way with icons like New Belgium and Odell, there are currently 26 breweries dotting the landscape. With the addition of a flurry of distilleries and coffeehouses, you don’t have to travel to exotic destinations to enjoy your preferred beverage. Whether it’s an authentic cup of aromatic Turkish Coffee, a German-style Bavarian Ale or a Spanish-inspired saffron gin and tonic, Fort Collins has enough liquid diversity to quench any thirst.
Be it brewed, fermented or distilled, these businesses have taken simple, natural ingredients and transformed them into elixirs of joy. With so many from which to choose, you might not be sure where to begin. While not all-inclusive, here are some choices to get your taste buds hopping!
Coffeehouses in Fort Collins
Newly opened on College Ave. in midtown, Murat Tercan has a passion for sharing the tastes and culture of his home country. Offering Turkish and European delights, you can enjoy a full-flavored, unfiltered coffee in a plush and inviting atmosphere.
Additionally, he imports a variety of tempting sweet and savory confections including baklava prepared with 40 ultra-thin layers of dough and creamy mini-cakes. “Food is love,” says Tercan and here you can recline on a couch and imagine yourself at a sidewalk cafe in Istanbul.
Bindle Coffee (Jessup Farm)
After spending many years in the hospitality field, Andrew and Jenn Webb opened Bindle Coffee Roasters in what was formerly the old Jessup Farm (1950s-1963). Now having been reinvented as an artisan village, they are one of several retail shops.
Using single-origin beans from around the world, they roast, brew, and pour some of the most flavorful coffee in town. Their broad menu includes lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, Americanos and more. As a baker, Jenn’s pastries are highly sought after, especially her cinnamon rolls and maple knots. Serving out of what was formerly the mechanics shed, the place does get pretty crowded so come early to get a good spot.
Arboretum Coffee is on a mission. In addition to serving excellent hot beverages, the non-profit provides a training program for immigrants and refugees in all aspects of coffee service. This provides the skills and confidence they need in order to better transition into the community.
They use freshly roasted Huckleberry Coffee from Denver and offer a broad variety of drinks with a hip and casual vibe. Rotating seasonal surprises such as Pistachio Almond Latte and Orange Blossom Matcha are just some of their mouth-pleasing temptations.
Having driven by Lima Coffee Roasters in Midtown a few times, now I had reason to pop in. The interior space was clean and bright, with a contemporary feel. I was drawn to their neon sign on the wall that read, “Love People, Love Coffee.” This, I was told, is their driving ethos and they strive to serve every customer with that in mind.
Sourced from places like Columbia, Guatemala, and Kenya they only import from suppliers that adhere to their high ethical and quality standards. Roasting is done on-site and the results are seen in the smiles and loyal customer base that has developed.
With a variety of seasonal favorites, I sampled their UBE Latte prepared with house-made ube syrup, topped with milk and espresso. The purple color was almost too pretty to drink but now, I am a fan of this sweet and colorful concoction.
While coffee is the preferred beverage in the US, I wanted to include at least one venue for the nearly 160 million tea aficionados out there. My wife lived in England for years and introduced me to afternoon tea. I have been hooked ever since.
We were both excited to learn of this newly opened tearoom in Old Town Fort Collins and made a reservation for their English Afternoon Tea Service ($55 pp*). This includes four tea sandwiches, two scones with clotted cream, three mini desserts, and an unlimited pot of tea.
While we have been disappointed with other similar restaurants for things like dry pastries and skimpy portions, The Duchess Tea Room was spot on! Everything from the sandwich fillings to the moist scones to the loose-leaf tea (We had the Buckingham Palace blend.) was as good or better than anything we have had here or abroad! The owner even designed her own branded china so come discover the pleasures of afternoon tea!
Breweries in Fort Collins
Coop’s Old Town Brewpub (Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing)
The pedestrian-friendly area of Old Town attracts thousands of visitors each year and Coop’s Old Town Brewpub–also known as Coopersmith’s– has been an historic fixture since 1989. Brewing everything on-site, they are known for a wide variety of beers including ales, stouts, sours, and IPAs. Their American Lager called Old Fortwaukee recently won a second silver award at the 2025 World Beer Cup. With a low alcohol content (4.8% ABV), it has a clean, crisp taste and has become a local favorite.
All of their brews pair seamlessly with their pub fare. I highly recommend their English-style fish and chips as well as the bangers and mash–tasty and hearty comfort food at its finest!
Situated in the Campus West area, two veteran brewers teamed up to create this pet-friendly, neighborhood taproom. They carry many of the classical favorites including IPAs as well as experimental brews like a smoked pineapple lager. Their Lichtenhainer smoked sour wheat ale recently won a bronze for its historical beer at the 2025 World Beer Cup.
At this community-oriented space, it’s common to find people working on laptops and socializing while their pets take a nap or interact with fellow animal lovers. Food trucks add to the ambiance and there are a variety of events throughout the week such as bingo and trivia. According to co-owner Sarah Barrow, “Breweries have become like local coffee shops.” So come on by and partake in the fun.
Don’t have the money to fund a trip to Germany for a taste of their beer? No problem, just head to Zwei Brewing. Owned by two brothers (hence the word Zwei for two), they produce German-style lagers, and New World Craft Brews. Additionally, they offer IPAs, stouts, porters, ales, and kettle sours.
All of their ingredients come from Germany and are produced with the time-tested components of grain, water, yeast, and hops. They have a festive seating area inside and a large outdoor biergarten with red tables that were also imported.
One of their most impressive brews is the Weiss, a Bavarian-inspired wheat beer. It has a slight fruity flavor with some spicy notes and tastes just like I remember when I was touring the castle region of Germany.
The River District near Old Town has been transformed into a trendy locale where you can explore art galleries, restaurants, music venues, and cycling routes along the Poudre River. This is also where Hello Brew Co. calls home in a renovated, contemporary 1904 bungalow.
Specializing in Czech-style lagers, hazy IPAs and several experimental brews. The space is small but clean and intimate, exuding a calm and serene charm.
I chose their Petr pilsner which was filled from one of their European side-pull taps. This produced a lovely full head and tasted light and refreshing. So, grab or rent a bike and pedal on up to enjoy a sunny day by the river.
Breckenridge Brewery Fort Collins
Started by a few self-described “ski bums” in 1990 in the mountain town of Breckenridge, this brewery has since grown to three, including the newest one in Fort Collins. Their tap room, one of the largest in town, attracts huge crowds, especially on weekends. They are family-friendly and have quite a few events throughout the week, including an annual one called–wait for it–The Dad Bod–competition.
On tap is a varied selection of craft beers (18 in total) that include ales, hazy IPAs, porters, lagers, and hard seltzers. Palisade Peach Wheat uses fresh peaches from Palisade, Colorado and is a perennial top seller.
With a full-size kitchen, they offer $15 lunch specials that include an entree, fries, and a beer selection. I had their BBQ brisket with pickles, onions, and coleslaw. The slow-cooked beef was tender, juicy, and tangy. Simply fabulous!
I had walked past Gilded Goat Brewing Company in Midtown almost every day on my way to Trader Joe’s but never popped in. Inside is a gorgeous two-story taproom. The sleek and elegant design features tall ceilings and a large viewing window of the brewery. Upstairs, seating is arranged around a rectangular opening where you can look down to observe brewing operations in progress.
Owner Charlie Hoxmeier didn’t set out to open a brewery. With a PhD in microbiology, his early years were spent investigating infectious diseases. Currently, an assistant professor of the fermentation program at Colorado State University, he teaches the intricacies of food science to students from all across the country.
Hoxmeier and his family decided to take the next logical step and opened the Gilded Goat in 2017. Together with his well-trained staff, he enjoys using his extensive knowledge to create the premium craft beers his customers crave. Indeed his “Mug Club” treats regulars as family and his “Beertenders” know exactly what to pour as soon as they walk in the door. The stunning 18-foot mixed Malaysian hardwood bar–handmade by Hoxmeier and his father–is a real showstopper!
The Nokhu American IPA is one of their flagships and Guten Bock lager won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival (2018). You can find out which food trucks will be at the location on their website as well as weekly events and activities.
Distilleries
Joel Gustafson, owner of Seed and Spirit Distilling, aims to create a higher standard of excellence in his industry. Overseeing all aspects of production–-from farming nearby cornfields to in-house malting of grains-–his goal is to become the “pioneer distiller for a new chapter of Colorado whiskey.” Guided by their ‘seed to spirit’ philosophy, this is the first distillery in Colorado to bring all aspects of distilling under one roof–in just three years.
Working out of an industrial park in North Fort Collins his passion for quality and unique products is obvious–and contagious! The most recent innovation, for example, is called Whiszcal – A Borderless Spirit, a hybrid spirit created with American three-grain whiskey and wild Mexican smoked agave spirit. The only product of its kind, the combination of sweet and smoky flavors is quickly gaining local and statewide attention.
He is prioritizing volume-based spirits production over a tasting room at their current location. Meantime, you can find his “Borderless Spirit” or Seed & Spirit’s High Rye Bourbon at hundreds of locations throughout Colorado via their website store locator. Gustafson will also be releasing the Forged in Fire Whiskey brand soon. This is a military nonprofit supporting the whiskey lineup and partners with Semper Fi & America’s Fund to benefit service members of the US Military.
After spending many years in the brewing industry, Lauren Matthews decided to switch directions and follow her passion for distilling. Her grain- to-bottle distillery started in the Scotch Pines Village Shopping Center and 10 years later, it has become a staple of the neighborhood.
Using locally sourced ingredients, she creates cocktail magic with her whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, and liqueurs. These offerings change seasonally, and for spring, Matthews is showcasing a Peach Julep, Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, and a Raspberry Mule. Afterward, when the munchies hit, there are some tasty restaurant options in the same shopping center. One of them, The Taco Stop, was named one of the best restaurants in the country by USA Today (2025).
Having persevered through the pandemic, Mobb Mountain Distillers overcame the odds and firmly established itself as a key player in the Old Town part of the city. Here the owners have designed a safe and welcoming space where locals can connect and savor their expertly crafted cocktails.
You can indulge in their handmade spirits such as their 100% grain-to-glass malted whiskey that has been aged in charred, white oak barrels. Gin, vodka, and hard-to-find genever are also on the menu. I tried their lemon meringue pie cocktail prepared with limoncello liqueur, and it tasted just like a fluid version of the real thing.
Having won numerous awards, including Best Microbrewery in the World by the International Whiskey Competition (2004), it’s no wonder NOCO Distillery has become something of a Fort Collins landmark. Its owner and Master Blender, Sebastien Gavillett has authored several books about whiskey.
A perfectionist in his art, he produces his spirits using triple-filtered pure Rocky Mountain water, copper stills, and a slow distillation process. The results are smoother spirits with a complex flavor profile not available anywhere else. Currently offering 35 products including whiskey, gin, rum, brandy, liqueurs and more, he is perhaps “the most versatile distiller in the country.”
Not willing to compromise quality, Gavillet sources the finest ingredients from all over the world. His saffron-infused gin cocktail, for instance, incorporates this pricey spice, which costs more by weight than gold! As one writer for the Whiskey Advocate aptly put it, “If you only get to one tasting room in Fort Collins, make it NOCO Distillery…”
Fort Collins makes it easy to satisfy your thirst at any time of the day or night. Whether it’s a great cup of Joe in the morning, or a cold brew with lunch and cocktails in the evening, the liquid scene continues to evolve for the better. These venues are some of the perfect places to relax, make new friends, and enjoy the best of the Choice City.
*Price was accurate as of this writing but pricing may change.
-Story and photos by Ron Stern
Please note: As is common practice in our industry, Ron was hosted for his visit but this does not, in any way, affect our opinions or our goal to bring our readers information they can use.
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