Colorado Springs and Craft Beer — A Natural Fit
Colorado has earned its reputation as one of the best craft beer states in the country. Cities like Denver and Fort Collins get most of the attention, but Colorado Springs has a legitimate craft beer culture of its own — and with independent liquor stores stocking a serious range of cans and bottles, you don’t have to visit a taproom every time you want something interesting.
At 3 Thirsty Goats Wine & Liquor on Austin Bluffs Pkwy, the beer section is one of the better-curated in Colorado Springs. It goes beyond the obvious national craft brands to include Colorado locals, regional favorites, and styles that don’t usually show up on grocery store shelves. If you’ve been searching for a real craft beer store in Colorado Springs, this is where that search ends.
Craft Beer Styles Worth Exploring
The craft beer world has expanded enormously over the past decade. Here’s a breakdown of the main styles you’ll encounter in any well-stocked Colorado Springs liquor store:
IPAs — India Pale Ales
Still the defining category of American craft beer. West Coast IPAs are bitter, resinous, and dry — think Pliny the Elder or Kern River Citra. New England IPAs (hazy IPAs) are juicy, soft, and tropical with less bitterness — these have taken over the market in the past five years and for good reason. Session IPAs offer the hop flavor at lower alcohol for day-drinking scenarios.
Stouts and Porters
Dark beers with chocolate, coffee, and roasted grain character. Imperial stouts are the prestige category here — high-alcohol, complex, and often aged in bourbon or rum barrels. A good barrel-aged imperial stout from a Colorado brewery is one of the finest things you can drink in this state.
Sour Beers
The most adventurous category. Gose, Berliner Weisse, Flemish reds, and wild ales — these range from refreshingly tart to genuinely funky. They pair well with food in ways that most beers don’t, and they’ve attracted a following among wine drinkers who want something more complex from beer.
Lagers
Having a moment right now. Craft lagers from serious breweries are clean, technical, and surprisingly hard to make well. Mexican-style lagers and Czech pilsners are the entry points — Modelo and Pilsner Urquell set the benchmark that craft versions are working against.
Colorado Craft Beers Worth Picking Up
The Front Range brewing scene produces some outstanding beer. Here are a few names to look for in your local Colorado Springs liquor store:
Odell Brewing out of Fort Collins makes consistently excellent IPAs, stouts, and seasonal releases. Their Rupture IPA is a go-to. New Belgium’s Voodoo Ranger series has become a craft crossover success — the American Haze is one of the best-selling hazy IPAs in the country for good reason. Breckenridge Brewery does a solid range of approachable styles that are always reliable. And Oskar Blues, based in Longmont, proved that canned craft beer could be serious when they launched Dale’s Pale Ale over two decades ago.
How to Shop Craft Beer Like You Know What You’re Doing
A few things to keep in mind when you’re standing in front of a wall of craft beer at a liquor store in Colorado Springs:
Check the canning date. Hoppy beers — IPAs especially — are best fresh. Anything over three months old has lost the aromatics that make it worth buying. A good shop rotates its stock; a great one pulls old cans before they sit too long.
Don’t be afraid to mix a six-pack if the store allows it. Trying one can of six different beers tells you a lot more than buying a full six-pack of something you’ve never had.
Ask what just came in. New releases move fast, and the staff at 3 Thirsty Goats generally know what’s fresh and what’s worth trying before it sells out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 3 Thirsty Goats carry local Colorado Springs craft beer?
Yes. The store carries local Colorado Springs and Front Range craft breweries alongside national craft brands. The selection rotates regularly — call ahead at (719) 264-7930 to ask about specific local breweries or styles.
What’s the best craft beer for someone who doesn’t usually drink beer?
Start with a hazy IPA or a fruit-forward sour — both have a softness and flavor complexity that converts non-beer-drinkers regularly. A good wheat beer or a light lager works too if you want something more neutral. The staff at 3 Thirsty Goats can make a specific recommendation based on what you normally drink.
Are there non-alcoholic craft beers available in Colorado Springs?
Yes. The NA beer category has improved dramatically in recent years. Athletic Brewing’s Run Wild IPA and Upside Dawn are among the best — they actually taste like craft beer, not like something is missing. 3 Thirsty Goats stocks NA options alongside the full range of craft beer.
Visit 3 Thirsty Goats Wine & Liquor at 4150 Austin Bluffs Pkwy or call (719) 264-7930. We’re your local Colorado Springs liquor store — open 7 days a week with a curated selection of bourbon, whiskey, wine, craft beer, and ready-to-drink cocktails.