Top Craft Breweries In Summit County

(credit: Dillon Dam Brewery)

Easily accessible from I-70, a short distance from Denver and many other great attractions make Summit County a popular destination for locals and tourists. The county is home to four world-class ski resorts and the towns of Dillon, Frisco and Silverthorne, among others. With all of its popular attractions, it's easy to forget that the county also houses high-quality microbreweries as well. Take a long weekend and add some of these breweries and restaurants into your itinerary.

Breckenridge Brewery
600 S. Main St.
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 453-1550
www.breckbrew.com

Located in the heart of Breckenridge, this brewpub offers a wide selection of original, seasonal and barrel-aged brews. Popular flavors include Avalanche Ale, a golden ale with lots of flavor and a refreshing finish, and the Oatmeal Stout, a rich and delicious dark brew. The brewery itself offers tours where people can learn about the brewing process along with the history of the brewery. When you're done with your tour and tasting, you can head over to the brewpub to eat from a traditional pub menu with food pairings designed for different brews.

Pug Ryan's Brewery
104 Village Place
Dillon, CO 80435
(970) 468-2145
www.pugryans.com

Across the lake in Dillon, you'll find Pug Ryan's Brewery and Restaurant. What began as a small operation with the purpose of making brews to complement food available at the steakhouse, Pug Ryan's has transformed into an award-winning brewery. Serving up pale ale, pilsner, stout and more, this brewpub pairs inventive dishes with expertly crafted beer for a must-try experience. The owner of the pub is dedicated to crafting quality beers that can stand on their own in any country, and when you've found your favorite, you can take it home in a growler.

Broken Compass Brewing
68 Continental Court
Breckenridge, CO 80424
(970) 368-2772
www.brokencompassbrewing.com

If you're into creative brews, including chocolate stout and coconut porter, then this is the microbrewery for you. Pairing traditional brews with flavors including those above, chili pepper and more, Broken Compass makes for a fun and flavorful day of tasting. Broken Compass is a traditional brewery, so don't go hungry. But do go ready to sample beers that you will love and will want to take home with you. Its relaxed atmosphere makes for a fun day of beer tasting and people watching. The brewery also has a store in which you can buy merchandise like t-shirts, hats and many different types of drinkware.

Related: Top Beers Brewed In Colorado Springs

Dillon Dam Brewery
100 Little Dam St.
Dillon, CO 80435
(970) 262-7777
www.dambrewery.com

The largest brewpup in the Rocky Mountains, this microbrewery is a must add to your list. Brewing more than 14 beers inspired by different regions all over the world, there is a brew for every palate. Dillon Dam Brewery even brews its own light beer for those who prefer domestic beers to the strong, full-bodied varieties typical in craft breweries. With a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, and a menu full of dishes that are made with as many locally sourced ingredients as possible, this is a great place to take a tour and kick back for a meal.

Backcountry Brewery
720 Main St.
Frisco, CO 80443
(970) 668-2337
www.backcountrybrewery.com

Backcountry Brewery offers a variety of flavors with names that are inspired by popular activities in the mountain region. One notable brew is the Breakfast Stout, which is brewed with coffee beans for a rich flavor reminiscent of a brunch cocktail. One distinctive aspect of this microbrewery is that the owners take customer feedback to heart and use it to make their recipes better and to invent new concoctions. The owners have more than 30 years of combined experience, so they are pros at making the classics, yet creative enough to experiment with different flavor combinations. This brewery also has a restaurant and a space that can be rented for events.

Related: Best Beer Destinations In America

Alaina Brandenburger is a freelance writer living in Denver. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.