Colorado's Upper Arkansas Valley has a way of slowing life down just enough for you to take it all in—the sawtooth peaks, the rushing river, the warmth of two small mountain towns that know how to welcome weekend travelers and longtime residents alike. Buena Vista and Salida may be best known for outdoor adventure, but their brewery scenes have become a notable regional draw. It's a place where small-batch craftsmanship thrives, where creativity runs as wide as the river, and where each taproom brings a slightly different flavor to the valley's laid-back, high-country lifestyle.
Whether you're in search of a crisp post-hike pint or a relaxed afternoon with friends, the brewery trails across Buena Vista, Salida, and even nearby Poncha Springs offer an experience that feels distinctly local and wonderfully unhurried.
Brown's Canyon Brewing Company
23850 US Hwy 285, Buena Vista, CO
Tucked just south of town, Brown's Canyon Brewing Company pairs its easygoing riverside atmosphere with an inventive beer lineup that plays well with Buena Vista's adventurous spirit. Their focus leans toward balanced American IPAs and rotating seasonal releases that showcase mountain-town creativity. Outdoor seating, mountain views, and a calendar dotted with community events make it a natural stop after a day on the river or the trails.
Tucked just south of town, Brown's Canyon Brewing Company pairs its easygoing riverside atmosphere with an inventive beer lineup that plays well with Buena Vista's adventurous spirit. Their focus leans toward balanced American IPAs and rotating seasonal releases that showcase mountain-town creativity. Outdoor seating, mountain views, and a calendar dotted with community events make it a natural stop after a day on the river or the trails.
Eddyline Brewery and Taproom
102 Linderman Avenue, Buena Vista, CO
The Eddyline Brewery and Taproom is a Chaffee County institution that locals flock to time and again to capture care and craftsmanship in the art of brewing. Known for a wide variety of flavorful beers inspired by Colorado's lifestyle, the brewery excels at both easy-drinking favorites and bold, full-bodied styles. From pilsners and IPAs to lagers, blonde ales, and seasonal offerings, Eddyline beers are community staples, and the taproom's relaxed setting, including a large outdoor patio, makes it a comfortable landing spot for après-adventure meals and pints.
Strange Craft Beer Company
324 East Main Street, Buena Vista
Bringing a Denver favorite to the mountains, Strange Craft Beer Company offers a refined, small-batch approach rooted in experimentation. The Buena Vista taproom is a showcase for Strange Craft's award-winning lineup, including IPAs, pale ales, lagers, and Belgians, while also making room for local exclusives and rotating one-offs. It's the kind of place where beer lovers enjoy discovering something unexpected—perfect for a leisurely afternoon tucked into the heart of Buena Vista.
Bringing a Denver favorite to the mountains, Strange Craft Beer Company offers a refined, small-batch approach rooted in experimentation. The Buena Vista taproom is a showcase for Strange Craft's award-winning lineup, including IPAs, pale ales, lagers, and Belgians, while also making room for local exclusives and rotating one-offs. It's the kind of place where beer lovers enjoy discovering something unexpected—perfect for a leisurely afternoon tucked into the heart of Buena Vista.
Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub
242 F Street, Salida
Head 30 minutes south of Buena Vista and you'll find Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub, which has long been a cornerstone of Salida's social scene. It's a place where the beer is local, the pizza is excellent, and the mood is always a little celebratory. Moonlight's brewhouse focuses on approachable, flavor-driven beers (approximately 16 of which remain on tap any given time), a delicious pub and pizza menu, and a vibe designed around community, including monthly customer appreciation days, weekly kids nights, and numerous fundraising initiatives. The lively patio and friendly downtown location make it one of Salida's most beloved gathering spots.
Head 30 minutes south of Buena Vista and you'll find Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub, which has long been a cornerstone of Salida's social scene. It's a place where the beer is local, the pizza is excellent, and the mood is always a little celebratory. Moonlight's brewhouse focuses on approachable, flavor-driven beers (approximately 16 of which remain on tap any given time), a delicious pub and pizza menu, and a vibe designed around community, including monthly customer appreciation days, weekly kids nights, and numerous fundraising initiatives. The lively patio and friendly downtown location make it one of Salida's most beloved gathering spots.
Soulcraft Brewing
248 West Rainbow Boulevard, Salida
Just west of downtown Salida, Soulcraft Brewing brings a polished, modern approach to the valley's beer landscape. Boasting a selection that includes everything from German-inspired lagers to full-body IPAs to seasonal small-batch releases, each ale showcases the brewer's craftsmanship and Colorado character. The spacious taproom, live music, mountain-view patio, and limited but on-point sandwich and burger menu (also free of fried foods) make Soulcraft a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Just west of downtown Salida, Soulcraft Brewing brings a polished, modern approach to the valley's beer landscape. Boasting a selection that includes everything from German-inspired lagers to full-body IPAs to seasonal small-batch releases, each ale showcases the brewer's craftsmanship and Colorado character. The spacious taproom, live music, mountain-view patio, and limited but on-point sandwich and burger menu (also free of fried foods) make Soulcraft a favorite for both locals and visitors.
Salida Brewing Company
228 North F Street, Salida
Among the newest of Chaffee County's outstanding breweries, Salida Brewing Company focuses on quality, low-alcohol, highly drinkable "sessional" beers meant to be enjoyed with views of the mountains. Their lean lineup of beers, including lite and Mexican lagers, a hazy IPA, and wheat, red ale, and pilsner offerings, highlights the brewers' love for traditional styles. With a taproom inside the Boathouse, visitors have access to one of Salida's best food menus.
Among the newest of Chaffee County's outstanding breweries, Salida Brewing Company focuses on quality, low-alcohol, highly drinkable "sessional" beers meant to be enjoyed with views of the mountains. Their lean lineup of beers, including lite and Mexican lagers, a hazy IPA, and wheat, red ale, and pilsner offerings, highlights the brewers' love for traditional styles. With a taproom inside the Boathouse, visitors have access to one of Salida's best food menus.
Tres Litros Beer Company
118 North E Street, Salida
Tres Litros Beer Company has carved out its own creative niche in Salida's downtown scene, bringing an adventurous, flavor-forward approach to brewing. Their beer list often features offbeat combinations, bold IPAs, and easygoing crowd-pleasers, all poured in a lively—and recently refreshed—taproom steps from Salida's riverfront. With its focus on brewhouse events, including one of Salida's best live-music lineups and a strong sense of community, Tres Litros fits seamlessly with the town's energetic personality.
Tres Litros Beer Company has carved out its own creative niche in Salida's downtown scene, bringing an adventurous, flavor-forward approach to brewing. Their beer list often features offbeat combinations, bold IPAs, and easygoing crowd-pleasers, all poured in a lively—and recently refreshed—taproom steps from Salida's riverfront. With its focus on brewhouse events, including one of Salida's best live-music lineups and a strong sense of community, Tres Litros fits seamlessly with the town's energetic personality.
Elevation Beer Company
115 Pahlone Parkway, Poncha Springs
Finally, 10 minutes west of Salida, you'll find the town of Poncha Springs, and the Elevation Beer Company, which has earned statewide recognition for its balanced, well-crafted beers that range from crisp alpine ales to bourbon barrel-aged specialties. As with the other breweries on our list, Elevation mixes a thoughtful collection of year-round staples and experimental releases enjoyed in a relaxed setting with sweeping mountain views. Patrons can also pair an Elevation ale with food from its in-house food truck, Mangia, featuring fresh, made-to-order pub favorites.
Finally, 10 minutes west of Salida, you'll find the town of Poncha Springs, and the Elevation Beer Company, which has earned statewide recognition for its balanced, well-crafted beers that range from crisp alpine ales to bourbon barrel-aged specialties. As with the other breweries on our list, Elevation mixes a thoughtful collection of year-round staples and experimental releases enjoyed in a relaxed setting with sweeping mountain views. Patrons can also pair an Elevation ale with food from its in-house food truck, Mangia, featuring fresh, made-to-order pub favorites.
Explore the Chaffee County, Colorado, Lifestyle with First Colorado Land Office
One of the charms of this region is how naturally the brewery landscape complements the lifestyle. Buena Vista tends to lean toward small-town warmth and riverside relaxation, while Salida brings a creative edge backed by an eclectic downtown and year-round events. Poncha Springs offers its own worthy perspective while staying true to the rustic roots of brewing in the Arkansas River Valley. Together, they form a distinctive and wonderfully vibrant brewery circuit in the heart of Colorado.
Beyond the region's dining and social landscape, if you're interested in learning more about available homes and land for sale in Buena Vista or Salida—or if you're interested in listing a Chaffee County property for sale—contact First Colorado Land Office today to begin your real estate journey.
