This Fort Collins Brewery Is Competing for a Major National Beer Title

Colorado’s Thriving Craft Beer Scene Sets the National Standard

If there's one thing that Colorado is known for, it's the state's thriving beer scene.

According to the Colorado Brewery List, as of the end of 2025, there are 423 open brewery locations in the Centennial State.

Breweries Across Colorado, From Denver to Northern Colorado

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Approximately a third of the breweries in the state are in the Denver Metro Area. However, a pretty sizable chunk can be found here in Northern Colorado.

Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley Lead Northern Colorado Brewing

There are twenty-five breweries in Fort Collins alone.

Loveland has nine breweries and Greeley has six that are currently open.

A Northern Colorado Brewery Competes for USA Today 10Best Recognition

One of these spots is in the running for an impressive recognition from USAToday.

There is currently a USAToday 10Best Reader's Choice competition going on that will hopefully determine the best brewery tour in America for 2026.

USA Today 10Best Nominees for Best Brewery Tour in America

The breweries that are currently on the shortlist for this recognition include:

• Allagash Brewing Company ~ Portland, Maine
• Anheuser-Busch Brewery Experiences ~ St. Louis, Missouri
• Bell's Brewery ~ Comstock, Michigan
• Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp ~ Asheville, North Carolina
• Deschutes Brewery ~ Bend, Oregon
• Dogfish Head Craft Brewery ~ Milton, Delaware
• Dovetail Brewery ~ Chicago, Illinois
• Founders Brewing Co.~ Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Great Lakes Brewing Company ~ Cleveland, Ohio
• Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co.~ Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
• Kona Brewing Co. ~ Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
• Lakefront Brewery ~ Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• New Belgium Brewing Company ~ Fort Collins, Colorado and Asheville, North Carolina
• Russian River Brewing Company ~ Windsor, California
• Samuel Adams ~ Boston, Massachusetts
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.~ Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina
• Spoetzl Brewery ~ Shiner, Texas
• SweetWater Brewing Company ~ Atlanta, Georgia
• Tröegs Independent Brewing ~ Hershey, Pennsylvania
• Yuengling ~ Pottsville, Pennsylvania

New Belgium Brewing Is the Only Colorado Brewery on the 10Best List

Out of all of these breweries that are mentioned, only one of them has a location in Colorado. These rankings were based off of the nominations of a panel of beer experts.

New Belgium Brewing Company, with a location in Fort Collins, is one of the spots that could make the top ten list. Now, it's up to the people to choose.

How to Vote for New Belgium Brewing in the USA Today 10Best Awards

You can vote once per day at the official 10Best Page here. Voting ends on February 23rd at 10:00 AM MT.

On March 5th, the top ten winners will be announced.