A six-pack of beers to pair with Colorado 14er hikes

The top five Colorado brews that live up to their massive geographical matches

Text and photos by David Young

What’s better than summiting a fourteener? Perhaps cracking open a nice, refreshing Colorado craft beer on top of the mountain to enhance the view.

Colorado craft beer pairs with most outdoor adventures, but few achievements are as challenging as climbing a 14,000-foot peak. Colorado is home to 58 of these monoliths, and I've climbed 45 of them while exploring local breweries in the respective regions.

From Longs Peak to Crestone Needle, Sneffels to Redcloud Peak, and everywhere in between, whether it is on the summit, in camp, or at the trailhead, having a cold Colorado brew in tow is a must this fourteener season.

We’ve assembled a six-pack of craft beers that pair nicely with some of the state’s most popular fourteeners.

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Sawatch Range

Eddyline Brewing’s Crank Yanker IPA (Buena Vista) + Mount Elbert (14,438 ft)

Mount Elbert is Colorado’s highest fourteener, and a must-climb for anyone looking to conquer this famed peak. The climb is a class two, which means that there are no technical aspects. It is long and often crowded, but is the quintessential Colorado fourteener. We recommend pairing with an Eddyline Brewing Crank Yanker IPA. This peak sits above the Arkansas River Valley near Buena Vista, surrounded by some of Colorado's most rugged high country.

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Front Range

Oskar Blues Brewery’s Mama’s Little Yella Pils  (Lyons) + Longs Peak (14,259 ft)

Longs Peak is the only fourteener in a national park in Colorado—Rocky Mountain National Park. The massive mountain looms large in northern Colorado and involves some technical Class 3 climbing to get to the large, flat summit. Once you make it, crack open a Mama’s Little Yella Pils, which is out of Lyons and is an easy-drinking brew. This Pils is smoother than this hike, but it is a nice reward for a long hike.

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Tenmile Range

Outer Range Brewing Co.’s In The Steep (Frisco) + Quandary Peak (14,265 ft)

Quandary Peak is one of Colorado’s most famous fourteeners for beginner hikers who are just getting into these peaks and preparing for the altitude. It rises to about 14,265 feet and is the highest summit in the Tenmile Range, just south of Breckenridge. An accessible peak pairs well with the Outer Range Brewing Co. in Frisco, which is all about high alpine adventures, and why the In The Steep Hazy IPA is a great pairing for this peak.

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Collegiate Peaks Wilderness

Elevation Beer Co.’s 8 Second Kolsch (Poncha Springs) + Mount Yale (14,197 ft)

Mount Yale is one of Colorado’s classic fourteeners, and a great introduction to high-altitude hiking. It rises to about 14,197 feet in the Sawatch Range’s Collegiate Peaks, north of Poncha Springs, where Elevation Beer Co. is headquartered. Enjoy a refreshing Kolsch post-hike to recharge.

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Sangre de Cristo Range

Three Barrel Brewing Co.’s  Hop Trash IPA (Del Norte) + Crestone Needle (14,196 ft)

One of the more challenging peaks on this list, Crestone Needle is buried in the Sangre de Cristo Range southeast of the Town of Crestone in Saguache County. A solid class 3 to 4 climb, make sure you are prepared for this peak. Try the Hop Trash IPA from Three Barrel Brewing Company when you reach the top of Crestone Needle, one of the closest craft brews to pair with a remote climb.

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San Juan Mountains

SKA Brewing Co.’s Lime Lager (Durango) + Mount Sneffels (14,153 ft)

Mount Sneffels has the honor of being the tallest peak in this range at 14,153 feet at the summit. This fourteener is a remote, challenging peak in the Uncompahgre National Forest. It is southwest of Ouray near Telluride. Sneffels is a challenging technical hike that offers some rewarding views of the Telluride region in Southern Colorado. After you get back to town, check out the brewery and crack open a SKA Brewing Lime Lager with Salt. This beer is made for the mountains as a crushable Mexican-style light lager. After a long hike up Mount Sneffels, this is one of Colorado’s most refreshing brews to pair with a classic climb.