Why Colorado Craft Distilleries Matter to Local Spirits Drinkers
Colorado craft distilleries have grown from a niche curiosity into a genuinely competitive segment of American spirits production. The state’s elevation, water quality, and grain-growing regions create natural advantages for distillation, and Colorado distillers have invested serious time into understanding their craft rather than relying on novelty marketing. When you choose a Colorado craft spirit, you’re typically supporting a small business that has spent years perfecting their production methods and sourcing local ingredients whenever possible.
For Colorado Springs residents, this matters because the craft distillery movement here represents real economic activity in your community. Many local distillers work with grain suppliers from the Eastern Plains, source botanicals from regional growers, and employ people you might actually meet. The quality has improved dramatically over the past decade as these producers have matured and refined their approaches.
Understanding Colorado’s Craft Distillery Landscape
Colorado currently has more than 40 craft distilleries operating across the state, ranging from tiny operations producing a few barrels annually to larger facilities with substantial distribution. The diversity of styles is remarkable. You’ll find traditional Scottish-style whiskeys, high-proof ryes, gin made with local botanicals, vodka, brandy, and experimental spirits that blend spirits with local fruit or herbs.
What separates craft distilleries from larger commercial operations isn’t primarily size, but approach. A craft distillery typically controls multiple steps of production in-house rather than sourcing pre-made spirits and bottling them. This means the actual distillation, aging, and bottling decisions reflect the owner’s vision and expertise. Quality control is tighter, experimentation is more common, and the relationship between maker and drinker is more direct.
The Colorado Advantage for Spirit Production
Colorado’s elevation presents both challenges and opportunities for distillers. Higher altitude means lower atmospheric pressure, which affects boiling points and fermentation rates. Experienced Colorado distillers have learned to work with these variables rather than against them, often producing spirits with distinctive character that reflects the region. The dry climate is excellent for aging spirits, and the natural water sources found throughout the state vary enough that different regions produce noticeably different spirits.
Temperature swings between seasons also matter for whiskey aging. Colorado’s cold winters and hot summers accelerate the interaction between spirits and barrel wood compared to some other regions, which can lead to faster flavor development and more complex profiles in younger spirits.
Notable Colorado Craft Distilleries and Their Specialties
Several Colorado distilleries have built serious reputations for specific spirit categories. Stranahan’s, located in Denver, focuses on single-barrel Colorado whiskey and has become one of the most recognized craft whiskeys in the country. Their approach emphasizes local barley and Colorado water, and their whiskeys showcase how elevation and climate affect aging.
Leopold Bros, also based in Denver, represents the experimental side of Colorado distilling. They produce gin, whiskey, and absinthe, and their distillery includes a museum explaining the history of American distillation. Their approach to botanical selection for gin is methodical and reflects genuine research into flavor combinations.
Breckenridge Distillery sits at 9,600 feet elevation, making it one of the highest distilleries in America. This altitude advantage means faster aging and different flavor development characteristics. Their bourbon and rye focus on traditional styles executed with technical precision.
Deviation Distillery in Colorado Springs offers local drinkers a chance to explore craft spirits without leaving the area. They produce bourbon, gin, and vodka, and their location means you can visit their production facility directly and meet the people making your spirits.
Wood’s High Mountain Distillery near Grand Lake represents the craft approach focused on regional identity. Their spirits reflect their location and emphasize quality over volume.
Styles You’ll Find in Colorado Craft Distilleries
- Craft Whiskey and Bourbon: Colorado distillers produce both traditional American bourbon-style whiskeys and high-rye expressions. Many focus on single-barrel releases and non-chill-filtered bottles that showcase flavor complexity.
- Gin: This category shows real creativity among Colorado makers, with distillers using local botanicals like Rocky Mountain juniper, regional wildflowers, and herbs grown in Colorado.
- Rye Whiskey: Several Colorado distilleries specialize in rye, ranging from lower-proof spirits designed for mixing to high-proof bottled-in-bond expressions for sipping.
- Specialty Spirits: Look for brandy, absinthe, amaro, and experimental spirits that blend base spirits with local fruits and botanicals.
- Vodka: Colorado vodka producers often market their spirits’ smoothness and purity, emphasizing water quality and distillation technique over marketing gimmicks.
Finding Colorado Craft Spirits in Colorado Springs
If you’re shopping in Colorado Springs, ask your local spirits retailer which Colorado distillery products they stock. Many retailers prioritize local and regional spirits, and staff can often explain the story behind each distillery and what makes their products distinctive. The northeast side of Colorado Springs has several retailers that specifically focus on craft and local spirits, making it worth asking around if you’re looking for something specific.
Many Colorado distilleries offer online ordering with local delivery or shipping to states where that’s legal, so you’re not limited to what’s in stock locally. Some distilleries also offer visitor experiences where you can tour production facilities and taste spirits directly from their makers. This approach gives you real understanding of how they work and why their spirits taste the way they do.
Tasting events and spirits festivals in Colorado Springs periodically feature local distillers, which provides another way to sample multiple Colorado products and speak with producers directly about their work.
What to Expect When Trying Colorado Craft Spirits
Colorado craft spirits often reflect their makers’ personalities and philosophies in ways that mass-produced spirits typically don’t. You might notice greater variation between bottles than you’d expect from mainstream brands, not because of quality issues, but because small-batch production and bottling-in-bond approaches show more natural variation. Many craft distillers view this variation as desirable evidence of minimal processing and individual character.
Price points for Colorado craft spirits vary significantly. Entry-level craft spirits might run comparable to mainstream options, while single-barrel releases and aged expressions command premium pricing that reflects the age, rarity, and production method. Understanding what you’re paying for helps you make choices that match your actual budget and preferences.
The spirits you find from Colorado distilleries reflect genuine craftsmanship and regional character. Whether you’re interested in whiskey, gin, or experimental spirits, exploring what Colorado makers produce offers concrete alternatives to mainstream options and direct connection to the people creating your drinks.
Getting Started with Colorado Craft Distillery Spirits
Begin by visiting your local Colorado Springs retailer and asking what Colorado distillery products they currently have in stock. This gives you access to what’s readily available without special ordering. Try a few different categories rather than committing to a full bottle immediately, as this helps you understand which styles match your actual preferences.
Talk to retail staff about Colorado distilleries they recommend. People working in spirits retail typically have genuine knowledge about what makes different producers distinctive, and they can point you toward options you’ll actually enjoy rather than novelty purchases based purely on local connection.
Visit Colorado craft distillery websites and read about their production methods and sourcing. This context makes the spirits themselves more interesting and helps you appreciate what you’re tasting. When you understand why a particular choice was made during production, the final spirit becomes more meaningful than if you approached it as just another bottle.
Consider visiting a distillery if you’re interested in deeper understanding. Direct conversations with people making spirits give you insight into their decision-making, sourcing approaches, and what they’re trying to accomplish. This experience makes enjoying their products at home or in a local bar more rewarding because you understand the work behind the bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Colorado craft distilleries different from large commercial spirits producers?
Colorado craft distilleries typically control the entire production process in-house, from fermentation through distillation and bottling, rather than sourcing pre-made spirits. This hands-on approach means each distillery’s unique philosophy directly influences the final product. Craft producers also tend to focus on quality and experimentation over volume, often working with smaller batch sizes and adjusting their techniques based on seasonal variations and specific goals for each release.
Where can I find Colorado craft distillery spirits in Colorado Springs?
Ask at local spirits retailers about their Colorado craft distillery selection. Many Colorado Springs retailers, particularly those in the northeast area, prioritize local and regional spirits. You can also check individual Colorado distillery websites for online ordering and shipping options, or visit distillery tasting rooms directly if you’re willing to travel to Denver or other production locations. Some distilleries offer distribution through specific retail partners in the Colorado Springs area.
Are Colorado craft spirits worth the higher price compared to mainstream brands?
Colorado craft spirits vary in price, with some comparable to mainstream options and others commanding premium pricing for aged expressions or single-barrel releases. The value depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to support local business, taste spirits reflecting Colorado’s unique terroir, or explore distinctive flavor profiles, craft spirits typically deliver genuine value. If you’re solely focused on lowest cost per bottle, mainstream spirits may offer better per-ounce pricing. Consider trying smaller formats or visiting tasting events to sample craft spirits before committing to full bottles.
Sources & Further Reading
Visit 3 Thirsty Goats at 4150 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs. Browse our premium bourbon selection and see why we are the best liquor store in northeast Colorado Springs. Near King Soopers, Lazy Dog Restaurant, and Wells Fargo. www.3thirstygoats.com