A family-run Steamboat Springs staple pouring award-winning hazy IPAs, crisp lagers, and fruited sours across two distinct mountain taprooms.
Storm Peak Brewing Company stands as a cornerstone of Steamboat Springs' vibrant craft beer culture, founded in 2013 by brothers Wyatt, Tyler, and Zach Patterson alongside their father. What began as a modest seven-barrel brewhouse producing just a few hundred barrels a year has matured into a sophisticated 20-barrel operation. In 2016, the brewery relocated to its spacious headquarters on the west side of town at 1885 Elk River Plaza, where the industrial, high-ceilinged warehouse taproom puts the gleaming stainless steel fermentation tanks on full display. A major expansion in 2021 added a sun-drenched rooftop patio, offering panoramic views of the surrounding Yampa Valley and establishing the West Side location as a favorite local gathering spot.
The draft list at Storm Peak reflects a dedication to technical precision and playful experimentation, with up to 20 rotating taps pouring everything from clean lagers to heavy-hitting IPAs. Among their most celebrated creations is Chowder, a 6.1 percent ABV hazy India Pale Ale brewed with a heavy wheat bill and multiple dry-hop additions of Citra, El Dorado, and Simcoe that burst with notes of pineapple and citrus. For those seeking something tart, the brewery's sour program is anchored by Hoochie Mama, a fruited sour blonde brewed with guava that earned a silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival in 2019. Other staples include the Maestro IPA, a smooth and piney classic hopped with Citra and Chinook, and the crisp, lime-kissed Urban Sombrero Mexican Lager, which has become a go-to post-adventure refresher for the town's outdoor community.
While the original West Side facility remains the production heart of the company, Storm Peak expanded its footprint to the base of the mountain with the Bus Stop Taproom and Kitchen, located on the ground floor of the Steamboat Grand hotel. Unlike the West Side taproom, which allows guests to bring in food from neighboring spots like Moe's Original BBQ and How Ya Doin' Pizza N' Eats, the Bus Stop features its own dedicated kitchen concept. Led by Chef Ryan Richards, this mountain-side venue serves up elevated pub fare, including IPA-brined chicken wings and burrata, designed to pair seamlessly with their fresh pours. Whether sipping a Mad Creek Kölsch on the rooftop deck of the West Side brewery or sharing a pint of Money Trees IPA after a day on the slopes, visitors will find that the Pattersons have built a community living room where the mountain lifestyle is distilled into every glass.
Order a pint of the award-winning Hoochie Mama, a guava-infused sour blonde, or grab a table at the West Side taproom and order a fresh pie delivered directly to your seat from How Ya Doin' Pizza next door.
Coffee & Craft — Roadside fuel stops curated by Basecamp West. The best coffee shops, craft breweries, diners, and eateries worth the detour on your next Western road trip.