Even in a state with countless incredible cities and towns, Pagosa Springs, Colorado is a special place. It’s nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountain range, surrounded by national forest land, and home to the world’s deepest geothermal hot spring aquifer. In short, Pagosa Springs is an excellent location for all types of Colorado adventures. It’s also home to one of our favorite Colorado brewpubs: Pagosa Brewing Company.
We fell in love with Pagosa Brewing Company during our first visit in 2013. At some point, while we sipped delicious craft beer in their beer garden, beneath vines bursting with fresh hops, we fell in love with this place. We promised each other we’d come back, and we have, anytime we get to Pagosa Springs. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen as often as we’d like and our last visit was in late 2014.
During the years since we last visited, some significant changes took place. Clearly, it was time for another visit. During our recent road trip to Durango, we made it a priority to stop Pagosa Brewing Company.
Our Visit to Pagosa Brewing Company
We heard that significant changes were coming to Pagosa Brewing Company during our last visit but were still not prepared for what greeted us as we arrived. It was an entirely new Pagosa Brewing Company & Grill! Pagosa Brewing Company completed a long-overdue expansion of their brewpub in early 2016.
To understand how much has changed, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane…
Pagosa Brewing Company Back in the Day
Previously, Pagosa Brewing’s brewpub was a sparse 2400 square feet inside the brewery. Space was tight, and finding a seat inside could be difficult. And while they offered food, the kitchen was confined to an airstream trailer permanently parked just outside the brewery. We have fond memories of the tiny taproom bar, but it was always apparent that the Pagosa Brewing could benefit from more space.
The New Pagosa Brewing Company & Grill
Since our last visit, Pagosa Brewing Company built a new brewpub building. The new space is 7200 square feet and features a full-service restaurant, a sports-themed taproom, and a new, non-mobile kitchen.
We arrived early on a Sunday, choosing seats at the bar while we took in the relative newness of the brewpub. The new space was massive in comparison to the old pub. The bar side alone seems larger than the former space, and there was a full dining room we didn’t even explore. There were indoor games, lots of TVs, plenty of tables, and a large bar. From here they serve more than two dozen beers brewed on-site, along with cocktails, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic options.
Once we settled into our seats at the bar, we spotted one familiar sight: the beer garden. Pagosa Brewing Company’s incredible 10,000 square foot beer garden continues to be an excellent place to enjoy the mild local weather. The beer garden features a large festival tent, stage, and plenty of shady areas beyond the tent for fun and games. We love that the new taproom is adjacent to the beer garden tent; it makes the indoor and outdoor spaces feel more connected.
If you head outside, peek behind the new restaurant, and you’ll still find the original brewery and airstream trailer. They continue to craft their beer in the original brewery, which now has a little extra room for future growth. The airstream was retired as a kitchen but has stuck around for nostalgia’s sake. The hop plants are still growing strong in the back yard, too. They’re harvested annually for Pagosa Brewing Company’s Black Diamond IPA.
The Beer
We arrived thirsty and ready to explore Pagosa Brewing Company’s beer menu. Since it’s been a while, we opted for samplers of 4 beers to start. While they offer several signature taster trays, we went rogue and made a few substitutions to create our sampler. Our taster tray included: Kayaker Cream Ale, Cool Cucumber Wheat, Citra Summer Pale, and Après IPA.
The taster tray was a great way to try all the new and creative brews, but we still wanted to try a few more. We shared a few more pints, including the Powder Day IPA and the Alpine Abbey Cherry Cru.
Our Favorites:
- The Kayaker Cream Ale was light and crisp, with a creamy finish and just a hint of honey. It was delicious.
- The Citra Summer Pale, bursting with citrus aroma and flavor. It was juicy without being hazy, and we both loved it for its bitterness and balance.
- The Powder Day IPA remains a favorite. It’s a classic IPA with a pleasant citrus and pine flavor that balances well with the malt.
- The Alpine Abbey Cherry Cru was a delicious surprise. They added fresh cherries to the fermentation of their Belgian-style Grand Cru, creating a slightly tart, very flavorful fruited beer.
The Food
Admittedly, we didn’t try any of the food at Pagosa Brewing Company & Grill during this visit. We ate before we arrived, which now we recognize was a big mistake. The expanded restaurant and kitchen means that Pagosa Brewing now offers weekend brunch, including scratch-made specialties like Crabcake Benedict and Chicken & Waffle Sliders. Everything looked and smelled delicious.
Pagosa Brewing Company’s regular menu offers plenty more brewpub favorites, including a variety of appetizers, artisan pizzas, and entrees, like their signature Beer-Battered Salmon Fish & Chips. Many of the recipes incorporate their beer, and all options include helpful beer pairing suggestions.
Plan Your Trip to Pagosa Brewing Company & Grill
Tony and Julie Simmons founded Pagosa Brewing Company in 2006. Not only do they make good beer, but they’ve created an entertaining, community-focused gathering space for locals and visitors alike. We think their motto sums the place up best: “Real Beer. Real Food. Real Fun.” Visit Pagosa Brewing Company & Grill for yourself & let us know what you think.
Pagosa Brewing Company & Grill
118 N Pagosa Blvd
Pagosa Springs, Colorado 81147
Website: pagosabrewing.com
Facebook: facebook.com/pagosabrewingcompany/
Instagram: instagram.com/pagosabrewingco/
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