By Kyle Kirves

Everyone demands choices when searching for great beverages, especially after a full day of Summit County Adventures. Morning, noon or night, the tiny town of Frisco has two breweries, two distilleries and two coffee shops that are as satisfying as a cooling afternoon rain in the high country.

Outer Range Brewing Co. landed a steady following of IPA and Belgian Ale lovers before it expanded with a restaurant and more space. Guests would be hard-pressed to leave without finding a beer that fits their profile.

Highside Brewing has made its mark on the corner of Main Street and Highway 9 since opening in 2018. Formerly Backcountry Brewery, owner Dave Axelrod took over the space and launched Highside with a wide range of styles. Throw in the Coloradoque menu (a variety of barbecued meats), and the evening is set.

Rising Sun Distillery has been open nearly a year on Dillon Dam Road, and the prospects are looking up. A challenging pandemic launch has given way to great craft cocktails featuring whiskey, vodka, gin and liqueurs. Rising Sun’s first location was in Denver before owners Dawn and Sol Richardson launched in Frisco.

Pullman Distilling Co. opened this summer with whiskey and vodka featuring local ingredients, including spring water from nearby Loveland Pass. A train car from the late 1800s is the prominent feature in the tasting room, which is adjacent to the Ein Prosit beer hall on Main Street.

Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters is a locally owned shop that was purchased by former customers Tim Adrian and Nate Post, who used to hang out there when they weren’t in the backcountry. The Main Street location features every spin on the world’s favorite go-to beverage and many of the beans are available in bags.

Mountain Dweller Coffee Roasters is family owned and features a full espresso bar, juices and teas. With pastries, breakfast burritos and other snacks, Mountain Dweller provides the fuel for many high-country adventurers. And it doesn’t hurt that it shares space with Outer Range Brewing.

Kyle Kirves drinks beer, plays guitar, runs trails, and manages projects – all with varying degrees of success. While not a craftsman himself, he is quite content writing about the Colorado artisans who create such wonderful things and memorable experiences.