The craft scene in Fort Collins is no longer limited to only beer. The Craft beer scene has been a big deal in Fort Collins for some time now, ranging from Whiskey to Chocolate to even hot sauces. Here are the artisans pushing Fort Collins' craft reputation in bold new directions.
The Non-Beer Craft Scene in Fort Collins
A Cider a Day Keeps the Doctors Away
Craft cider is starting to become a new hit for craft beer lovers looking for a new spin on things. Brewed in a similar manner to craft beer, craft cider has a long standing history in the United States and is now making a comeback right here in Fort Collins. Ciders range in flavors depending on how they are crafted but the sweet-sour taste of the apples are sure to gleam through on any cider. Scrumpy's Hard Cider in Old Town Fort Collins is doing the craft scene right and serving a wide range of cider flavors for all palates, including their Branch Out ciders. Locust Cider also boasts a wide range of cider flavors and a completely celiac-safe food menu.
The Art of Distilling
Fort Collins’ craft scene is giving way to all forms of craft beverage making and recent craft distillers have started popping up around town. Whiskey distilling at Old Elk results in quality spirits made with the Slow Cut™ Proofing Process. Stop by the tasting room for a flight, expertly crafted whiskey cocktail, or to sample their curated food menu. Seed & Spirit grows their own grain or locally sources what they can't grow, in-house malting those very grains, fermenting, distilling, aging, and bottling every drop they sell, right here in Fort Collins. Elevation 5003 Distillery is a woman-owned distillery with a focus on innovative, hand-crafted distilled spirits.
Get Caffeinated with Craft Coffee
Third-wave coffee is making a splash in this burgeoning craft scene, including Harbinger Coffee, Lima Coffee, Bindle Coffee, and Wander Coffee - this trend is brewing much like the Fort Collins beer scene...rapidly. Not only will you learn the craft behind roasting and brewing coffee but you might even find that your days of drinking Folgers Coffee from the coffee pot are long gone. If you want to know more about the coffee scene in Fort Collins, Barista Magazine spent its 50th Caffeine Crawl in Northern Colorado and did a great write up about the java culture in Fort Collins.
Warm the soul with sipping chocolate
One of Fort Collins’ most unique small batch business is Nuance Chocolate, serving in-house crafted chocolate in an ever changing range of flavors to pair with the changing seasons and demands. One of the best ways to experience this fresh chocolate is in a thick, hot chocolate form known as sipping chocolate. This decadent treat is a perfect way to end a winter evening in Old Town or curb that sweet-tooth while sticking with the craft scene theme. This business is unique in the fact they make chocolate from start to finish. Nuance Chocolate does bean-to-bar chocolate, meaning the chocolate they make is straight from beans roasted and ground then formed into the delicious chocolate you see in the store front. Nuance Chocolate is one of a very small number of true bean-to-bar chocolate makers in the United States today.
It's Time for Tea
We can't talk craft without talking tea. Fort Collins has many great options if tea is your craft beverage of choice. Happy Lucky's Teahouse is home to the largest loose-leaf selection in the state of Colorado. With over 200 options ranging from green to oolong to herbal blends, Happy Lucky's is a tea lovers paradise. Ku Cha House of Tea also has a wide variety of tea options, including canned iced tea to-go, perfect for a picnic. Wonder Tea, conveniently located in Mid-Town, is a great stop for bubble tea lovers, and the Spice & Tea Exchange in South Fort Collins features rotating seasonal flavors.
Light Up Your Taste Buds
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! Since 2008, Horsetooth Hot Sauce owners John and his sister, Michael Ann Comeau, have been crafting tasty hot sauces, choice barbecue sauces, and non-alcoholic mixers. 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. Proudly crafted in Fort Collins by the family behind Consuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, the Nanita's Finest sauces are built on decades of tradition, with deep roots in New Mexican flavor and culture. More local options are highlighted in our hot sauce and salsa blog.
Fort Collins' craft spirit runs deeper than any single pint—it's a community of makers turning passion into something you can taste, sip, and savor."
