It’s a well known fact that wine aficionados can search out California’s Napa Valley to immerse themselves in their passion. But where do the beer connoisseurs go? My mother-in-law loves beer; specifically dark, rich, malty brews, and she passed that passion on to my husband. With more than 300 registered breweries, the state of Colorado is a dream destination for anyone seeking an ale, lager or stout. So, while visiting my sister-in-law in Loveland, CO, Derek requested some visits to local beer-slinging establishments. With a toddler and an infant in tow, I attempted to seek out some of the more family-friendly breweries. Hopefully our experiences can benefit you on your next trip to the Centennial State.
Odell Brewing Co.
As far as a family-friendly atmosphere goes, Odell Brewing Co. in Fort Collins, CO took the cake. With a large outdoor patio, there was plenty of room for Big Bro to run around and explore. And he definitely wasn’t the only one. Plenty of children of all ages could be seen playing on the patio and nearby grassy areas. The open stage caught Big Bro’s heart where he danced the evening away without anyone batting an eye. Live music is featured on the outdoor patio Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
Food trucks are available daily to provide meals and snacks to go along with your beverages. We noshed on some tasty nachos and a filling quesadilla – even Big Bro ate some (a definite feat these days). Like many places in the area, Odell’s is dog-friendly and we happily made friends with the “woof woof” at the table next to ours.
Odell’s offers a variety of beer types (a calendar can be found on their website here: Beer Calendar – Odell Brewing Co). Unfortunately for Derek, when we made our way over to Odell’s, there weren’t any dark beers available. Year-round, they have an abundance of IPAs on selection as well as some delicious sours. I had a Sippin’ Pretty and it was very satisfying (and low alcohol content). Instead, Derek found something to try at Odell’s new winery right next door. Wine and beer can co-mingle and be enjoyed outside on either of the outdoor patios.
Intersect Brewery
Intersect Brewery, a family-owned brewery also located in Fort Collins, was a close second on our family-friendly brewery list. Tucked into an unassuming strip mall, we didn’t expect a lot upon arriving. Boy were we wrong.
With an open concept and high ceilings, sound carried throughout the taproom. However, it was also expected. Neither Big nor Little Bro bothered a soul being inside with us. One wall of the room is dedicated to classic arcade games and the sale of vinyl records. A cabinet along the opposite wall housed a variety of board games to grab at your leisure. They also feature a lovely outdoor patio with plenty of brightly-colored patio furniture for sitting and enjoying a drink. Overall, the atmosphere was laid back and welcoming.
Take your kids with you on a trip to one of the bathrooms. On the way, you can glance through a window to see the beer-making equipment in action… I may have thought it was more cool than the kids did, but it’s still worth a shot.
On their website, food options include selections from local eateries. However, when we arrived, they primarily had prepackaged snacks available. Big Bro was able to enjoy a pack of goldfish crackers.
There were plenty of dark beers available for Derek and my MIL to choose from as well as a great sour for me. My father-in-law prefers wine and they had a decent selection available.
Left Hand
Derek was very excited to put Left Hand Brewing, in Longmont, Colorado, on our list of stops. With an abundance of stouts available on tap, I planned on driving back from the brewery this time. We visited on a Tuesday, so we went to the tasting room, but Wednesday through Sunday there is a beer garden next door. This would be a great option if you are also looking for a pet friendly venue.
Kids were welcome in the taproom, but I had to rely on Disney+ on my phone to keep Big Bro entertained (not my finest hour). And we were lucky, Little Bro decided to take his afternoon nap while we were there. No one minded that our kids were there, but this location had a more “adult” feel to it.
I would be interested in seeing the beer garden instead. Reportedly, there is an open lawn area available for setting up games and/or chairs with live music and events planned.
The “Handhelds Food Truck” is available Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Given our Tuesday visit, we also missed out on this opportunity.
The beer selection, however, was the best for our particular audience. Even in the middle of summer, there were at least four milk stouts on tap. Both Derek and my MIL were very happy. For anyone looking for a drink but not keen on beer, they also had canned cocktails available.
Verboten
Our trip to Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project was actually an impromptu occasion. After catching a flat tire on our rental vehicle, we canceled a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in order to have it repaired. Google maps promised a good time at a nearby park and we obliged. Of course, with Colorado being Colorado, an afternoon thunderstorm cut our park adventure short, and we hightailed it into downtown Loveland and the welcoming arms of Verboten Brewing.
I would say Verboten is on par with Left Hand Brewing on the “family-friendly” scale. Their taproom has a back room lined with barrels of aging beer where we could keep out of the way of adults having their adult-only time. There was little for the kids to really do without having brought entertainment and no real space to run around. I placed Left Hand higher on the list due to the promise of an outdoor venue.
Food was readily available from nearby establishments. Each table in the taproom held an advertisement providing a QR code to order food and have it delivered directly to your table in the brewery. We ordered chicken and fries as well as a sandwich and coleslaw from Comet Chicken next door. The coleslaw was delicious and the chicken moist. There were no complaints.
The beer was also good: a stout for Derek and a hefeweizen for me. A good variety was available on tap.
Don’t Be Afraid to Treat Yourself Sometimes
Most of the time, when I’m planning a vacation with my family, it is centered almost exclusively around my children. Their happiness, their exposure and experience, their preferences are typically at the forefront of my mind. The beautiful thing about marriage, and family, is the input from multiple backgrounds. Two heads are better than one, if you will. Derek helps to remind me that we are people too. We are also a part of the family.
I have personally been trying to come more towards the middle with the belief that indulging in some of what the adults want will keep resentment from building up. I enjoy my time with my kids and I’d like to keep it that way. So, along that vein, go for it! Have a beer in a place where your kids can still be kids. A trip to Colorado would definitely be amiss without a visit to a nearby brewery.
I love your closing paragraphs. You were a couple before you had kids, and you, too, need to have fun that is adult oriented. ; )