Craft beer, spirits, and coffee keep the masses well lubricated and caffeinated in Fort Collins. Meanwhile, the craft scene continues to get spicier, too.
The region is home to several hot sauce and salsa companies that are providing tongue tingles not only on a local level but a national one as well!
Horsetooth Hot Sauce
Since 2008, owners John and his sister, Michael Ann Comeau, have been crafting tasty hot sauces, choice barbecue sauces, and non-alcoholic mixers. Along with producing some of the most delectable sauces, you’ll taste, they all have imaginative, clever names, like Cinco de Cuatro, a spicy margarita mix; Hot Mess barbecue sauce; and Rubin’s Red, a sauce named after their ever-feisty blue heeler, Rubin, who has since gone on to doggy heaven.
The company’s hot sauce philosophy is “simple heat mixed with great flavor is best,” according to the company’s website. “Each fruit, vegetable, or spice has been carefully selected to add unique flavor while allowing the hot pepper to do its job. And its job is to make you sweat. Profusely.”
The Hot Sauce Realm
The Hot Sauce Realm, located inside Walnut Creek in Downtown Fort Collins, is the only retail space dedicated exclusively to hot sauces in Fort Collins.
"For 20+ years I’ve had a dream of opening up a Hot Sauce store. Sharing delicious bottles of heat, having tasting challenges and delighting in the endorphin-releasing power of the mighty hot pepper.
During the Pandemic of 2020, we wanted to give business to small sauce companies from all over the nation so we took to the internet for recommendations……3 months later, we had tried over 150 sauces and decided to turn it into our own retail business! Started small with one stand in an upscale vintage market, expanded to another in the 2nd month and growing everyday! We are so excited to have a fun, family business and share the hard work of so many different and talented sauce makers!" - Ashley Ruffer
Roberto's Salsa
Not hot sauce, but in the same realm is Roberto's Salsa! First debuted in Roberto’s restaurant, word about—and demand for—this exceptional salsa spread like wildfire through the Rocky Mountain region. While, sadly, the restaurant is no more, Roberto’s salsa lives on in the capable and loving hands of the restaurant’s former partner, Doug, and his wife Beth.
For The Win Hot Sauce
FTW Hot Sauce was created in May 2021 in Fort Collins, Colorado by Nick Armstrong. Nick's goals in starting FTW Hot Sauce were to craft great-tasting hot sauces that were not intolerably spicy and to also do good work with each bottle sold.
Nanita's Finest
Proudly crafted in Fort Collins by the family behind Consuelo’s New Mexican Restaurant, the Nanita's Finest sauces are built on decades of tradition, with deep roots in New Mexican flavor and culture. From their kitchen to yours—this is chile worth sharing.
Honorable Mentions
Gilberto’s Gourmet Goodness was founded in 2006 by CSU alum Jay Iglehart and Danielle Gilbert Iglehart, but now calls Denver home. Burns & McCoy also started in Fort Collins, but have moved operations to the state's capital.
