Alamosa, Colorado: The Craft Beer Story

For years, we’ve been stocking up on Alamosa’s San Luis Valley Brewing Company’s green chile beer, Valle Caliente, when we’re in the area. Sadly, we can’t buy it here in Loveland, Colorado. So, obviously, Alamosa’s beer scene has long been on our radar.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (1)

On the most recent trip at the end of January, we spent time at all three breweries in town. In fact, Spare Keg Brewerks, formerly, Square Peg Brewerks, became our Alamosa living room, as we kept finding ourselves there throughout the weekend.

Read my last Alamosa post, A James Beard Nomination & Taco Heaven, to read about the fun we had at San Luis Valley Brewing Company dining on green chile and fish and chips. 

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (1)
Obviously, NOT the Valle Caliente!

Spare Keg Brewerks has that cozy appeal of many breweries in Colorado. It’s a feeling that we’ve grown to love and expect as we travel the state and beyond. We think that the brewery is the United State’s answer to the pub. A lot of these businesses act as the gathering place for a town and everyone is welcome, even dogs.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (3)

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (12)

We’ve visited here several times before and this brewery definitely acted as our gathering place on this trip. We found ourselves there twice after the Rio Frio 5K, our reason for being in town. After all, beer is the answer to the question: what does one drink after a 5K race on ice? I became a real fan of their brown ale called Happy Accidents.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (15)
Meet Po!

I was also a fan of Po, as in Potato not Edgar Allen, the beertender’s Corgi. It eagerly ran to greet us, along with the beertender’s chihuahua each time we ventured into the warm space. We’d hear the tapping of their toenails on hardwood flooring as they hurled towards us at the front door.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (14)

On our first day in town, we were able to visit The Colorado Farm Brewery, about 15 minutes from Alamosa. Due to unfortunate circumstances, they have always been closed when we’re in the area. So, on Friday evening when we arrived, we made a beeline for the brewery.

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Even though we couldn’t enjoy the amazing outdoor space—due to the fact that it was January, it was cold and there was snow on the ground—this taproom didn’t disappoint.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (8)

This is one of the most unique breweries in Colorado in that they grow everything they use in their beer right on this family farm. The farm has been in the same family for four generations. Honestly, if I lived in the valley, I’d stop here regularly. As I mentioned before, Ryan and I are fans of cozy breweries and this is definitely that especially on frigid days.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (7)

We sat sipping beer, shelling and eating peanuts and sipping beer while the sun set all around us. That’s what’s amazing about Alamosa sunsets, because the mountains are all around, there is colorful sky over a mountainscape no matter which way you look. Of course, I ventured into the freezing evening to snap a few photos.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (9)

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (6)

Next to us, a group of women sat. They must meet here regularly. They had a crock pot in the middle of the table and were sharing a meal and pint together. The Colorado Farm Brewery is definitely a gathering place. By the way, the beer is delicious and we got a six pack and bomber to go.

Alamosa, Colorado The Craft Beer Story. HeidiTown (10)

The valley is referred to by some as the “Mystical San Luis Valley.” I admit that Ryan and I are enchanted. I’ve come here officially on writing assignments and on official HeidiTown trips. We’ve also come on several anniversaries (off the clock). Our three-year-old dog Fritzi has been to the valley three times already.

Perhaps it is the sunsets, or the mountain views, or that feeling of complete relaxation that we love, but something keeps us coming back time and again. Maybe, it’s the beer.

1 Comment


  1. I’m terrified that publicity like this will prompt front range folks to come here and gentrify this valley. Nice place to visit….but….
    One of the coldest places in Colorado
    No ski area
    Practically a desert
    Little snow, lots of wind
    That being said, I love living here, and the Farm Brewery is the best place to hang out.

    Reply

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