About Ouray Brewery
Known as the “Switzerland of America,” Ouray, Colorado is the perfect travel destination for those who love mountain scenery. In the summer and spring, many couples make their way to this community to be wed under the shadow of majestic mountain peaks. Outdoor enthusiasts don their hiking gear to trek through the mountains and see waterfalls and wildlife close up.
If you are planning travel to this amazing destination, you will want to take some time to plan the right dining experience to keep your Colorado vacation authentic.
One of the highlights of a Colorado travel experience for some is a trip to an authentic brewery. Colorado is known for its excellent beers, and some of the best come from local companies.
Many breweries combine their tasty brew with American style food, so you can create a full dining experience around them. The Ouray Brewery is one of these.
Dine with a View at Ouray Brewery
The Ouray Brewery combines fine local beer with excellent food in one convenient location. Each of the levels of this restaurant and pub provide a different experience. On the first floor, you can dine in the intimate pub, which shares space with the kitchen. Go up a level to the main dining area and the brewery.
The top level features the only rooftop patio in Ouray. Here you can dine out of doors with views of the mountains when the weather permits. On all three levels, you receive the same quality food and locally brewed beer.
For the beer lover, the Ouray Brewery boasts six different brews. This ensures that they have something to meet almost every taste, including yours.
While many come to Ouray Brewery only to enjoy the fresh brewed beers, some come to dine as well. One thing you will notice if you do is that the prices are quite reasonable. You can easily get a full meal for under $10 at this restaurant. Burgers, sandwiches, and salmon all top the menu.
While the food may not be fancy, it is tasty and you will leave with a full belly. You can substitute Front Range bison meet for any beef you order at this location.
If you’ve been to the Ouray Brewery before, you know why people keep going back. “We had a good problem: we kept running out of beer,” says Erin Eddy, owner of the Ouray Brewing Co. Because of that, the brewery decided to open another location just north of town to meet the demand.
This new location will house all the brewing equipment and the new facilities will be able to triple the previous amount of beer produced. Once the new location opens in May 2012, you can visit the tap room, and later this summer, a riverside beer garden.
All of the Ouray Brewery favorites will be available at both locations, so no matter which place you visit, you can still get the local beers you’ve come to love. While the new location will not be a full restaurant, you will have a few snacks to choose from while you enjoy your beer. As an added bonus, you will be able to buy cans of Camp Bird Blonde and San Juan IPA later this fall.
If You Go
The Ouray Brewery is open daily from 11 until 9. The brewery is located right in the heart of downtown Ouray at 607 Main Street. To inquire about reservations, call 970-325-7388. You can view a full menu at www.ouraybrewery.com.
Special thanks to the Ouray Brewery for providing the photos featured in this article!