A Walkable Beer Trail in Greeley, Colorado

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I wanted to visit Greeley, Colorado’s craft breweries, but couldn’t find an “official” map for a brewery tour.  So, I created my own walkable beer trail in downtown Greeley, which has four outstanding microbreweries.  My beer trail starts at the central location of Lincoln Park and visits each via a loop just shy of two miles (3 km) long.  As a bonus, an additional 6-block walk (0.6 mile, 1 km) brings you to a tap house serving up beers from all over Colorado. 

Greeley has two additional breweries outside of downtown that don’t neatly fit into a walking route.  Their descriptions are below as well.  

Keep reading to learn more about my Greeley Beer Trail and the breweries of Greeley.  

About Greeley, Colorado

Greeley is about 50 miles (80.5 km) north-northeast of Denver, Colorado. With a population of approximately 110,000 people, Greeley is the 12th most populous city in Colorado.

Greeley is known for its agricultural and ranching roots. The name is after Horace Greeley, a prominent New York newspaper editor who allegedly urged westward expansion around 1865 with the command, “Go west, young man.” Greeley backed a venture to create a communal farm community at the Cache la Poudre and South Platte Rivers confluence in the Colorado Territory.  Nathan C. Meeker, one of his newspaper editors, headed this plan.  Meeker named the colony Union City at its founding in 1869. Shortly afterward, The town was renamed Greeley. 

Greeley is also a college town, the site of the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), which has about 9,000 students.  

Greeley hosts several annual events and festivals, including the famous Greeley Stampede, a multiweek summer celebration with a carnival, live music, and a rodeo. 

Although farming and ranching are part of Greeley’s DNA, the city continues to grow steadily, developing other industries and expanding its economic base.  Despite its small size, Greeley has an abundance of art galleries, theaters, and music venues.  Greeley’s food and drink industry has kept pace with this growth.  

The Breweries of Greeley, Colorado

Greeley has six breweries, which is a lot for this small, laid-back city, but it’s right in line with Colorado’s craft beer scene, with seven breweries per 100,000 people over the age of 21.  Overall, Colorado has about ten breweries per 100,000 people over 21.  (For comparison, Nebraska’s rate is 4.6, and Wisconsin’s is 5.7).

It’s a cliche to say that a craft brewery taproom fosters a sense of community and camaraderie among beer lovers.  But honestly, Greeley’s breweries are legit!  Additionally, the staff were exceptionally friendly.  I also found that they were knowledgeable about their particular brewery and the beer selections.  Their enthusiasm allowed them to give recommendations and answer questions posed by thirsty customers.  

Greeley’s Beer Trail

As mentioned above, the city is home to six craft breweries, four of which are included on the walkable route below (plus a bonus tap house).   

Warning and Disclaimer for the Greeley Beer Trail

Although I have made every effort to be accurate, accuracy is not guaranteed. So, I’ve got to urge caution at this point. 

This article discusses drinking alcohol and walking around in public. These activities pose certain risks and hazards, including—but not limited to—loss, property damage, and personal injury, either to you or someone else. Additional risks, such as excessive physical exertion and weather extremes, may also be present.

So be sure you’re aware of pedestrian safety rules and follow them. Stay on designated walkways, be mindful of traffic and trains, and obey all signs. 

Alcohol consumption is potentially dangerous: be sure you acknowledge and understand the downsides. 

• Enjoy your beers responsibly. 
• Pace yourself and know your limits. 
• If at any time you feel unable to complete or participate in this walking route, you must stop.
• Have a backup plan ready. 
• Use a designated driver if you drive to or from any part of the route. 
• Taxis or rideshare services are also your friends in this situation.  

In other words: Be safe out there!  With that, let’s get started on Greeley’s Beer Trail. 

Start: Downtown Greeley’s Lincoln Park

My self-styled beer trail starts at Lincoln Park near the center of Greeley’s downtown. I visit the breweries from north to south, beginning with Wiley Roots Brewing Company. The entire route is about 1.9 miles (3.1 km). I’ll jump right into the brewery descriptions here, while the map of this beer walk and route information are below. 

Stop #1: Wiley Roots Brewing Company   

Wiley Root Brewing Company (625 3rd St D) is in an industrial complex about three-quarters of a mile (1.2 km) from Lincoln Park. The brewery has taken over the end of 3rd Street, where the taproom and a large outdoor courtyard (partially covered) are adjacent to the train tracks.

Since 2013, Wiley Roots beer has been known for innovation, such as the creation of the Milkshake Sour IPA (IPA stands for “India Pale Ale”).  The on-site menu included a robust selection of standard beers like lagers, pilsners, and IPAs.   Since I came for the sour beers, I was pleased to see that over a dozen fruited, smoothie and pastry-type sours were on tap.  The flight of 4-ounce pours I ordered was served elegantly in stemless wine glasses.  Flavors ranged from peaches and lemon to strawberry colada to cherry vanilla.  My favorite was the Blueberry and Lime Imperial Berliner Weisse.  

Wiley Roots also pushes the envelope with frozen beer slushies, soft-serve ice cream made with their beers, and hard seltzers, which can be ordered alone or in a cocktail. 

The on-site kitchen, Tony P’s Pizza, serves pizza and brew-friendly bites like pretzel knots. 

As impressive as the beverage lineup is at Wiley Roots, it’s only the beginning. So we’ll move on to the next stop. 

Stop #2: WeldWerks Brewing Co 

The name WeldWerks is a nod to Greeley’s Weld County location. A sizeable outdoor patio and picnic tables complement the spacious and welcoming taproom at WeldWerks Brewing Co (508 8th Ave).

WeldWerks is another inventive brewery that continuously produces high-quality beers in various styles. Perhaps best known for its Juicy Bits Hazy IPA, the menu has an impressive roster with many beer styles, but on my visit, it was biased toward sours and IPAs.   My favorite was the Key Lime Pie Berliner Weisse. It had all the flavors of the actual pie, including lots of tart lime flavor, a hint of vanilla, and a good graham cracker flavor to represent a crumbly pie crust.  

Other standouts included a Strawberry Daquiri sour ale with Strawberry and Vanilla flavors and the Lime and Sea Salt Long Bones Mexican Lager, which may transport the drinker to a south-of-the-border beach.  

WeldWerks’ kitchen doesn’t have an extensive menu but serves a surprisingly tasty cheeseburger and staples like salads, fries, and a vegetarian selection. 

Stop #3: TightKnit Brewing

In the heart of downtown, TightKnit Brewing (813 8th Street) is a modern brewery and taproom installed in a long, narrow space with brick walls and a stamped tin ceiling reminiscent of an old west saloon. TightKnit serves a robust selection of beer styles but focuses on lagers and ales. 

Take in a brew or two while admiring the funky wall art at tables topped with old wooden doors, or head to the adjacent outdoor space, a site for live music performances.  

TightKnit’s Hyper Child tangerine basil blond ale and the Don Cadillac margarita gose were instant favorites. The pink Himalayan salt in this beer seemed to pop in my mouth, living up to its description of “an ode to the famous Cadillac margarita.”

TightKnit’s Kitchen serves toasted sandwiches, variations on loaded curly fries, and sharable nibbles.  

The brewery advertises its commitment to “people, community, and quality,” which was evident at the cozy downtown location.  

Stop #4: Yetters Brewing Company 

Yetters Brewing Company (1011 9th Ave., Greeley, CO) is just a short stroll from TightKnit Brewing and the 1917 Weld County Courthouse (901 9th Ave). 

Yetters, opened in August of 2024, is the creation of Daniel Yetter. On my visit, Dan himself was serving up brews from behind the long wooden bar in the spacious and modern taproom. There is plenty of seating for customers at the bar and tables around the brewery, as well as an outdoor patio.  Styles on tap included the standards: lager, blonde, amber, IPA, stout, and porter, as well as a seltzer.  My favorite was the Black Hat porter, which had a slightly smoky flavor with notes of coffee.  

As I contemplated my beer tasters, Dan offered me a sample of a not-yet-released beer, and a group of friendly regulars added to the laid-back and welcoming vibe.  The inviting ambiance at Yetters makes it a notable venue for the end of beer trail.

After finishing at Yetters, close the trail loop by walking back to Lincoln Park, heading north on 9th Street, then west on 9th Avenue, and finally reaching the park on N 8th St.  

Bonus Stop #5: High Brau Tap Haus  

Anyone looking for more beer and a longer walk can head to the bonus location of the High Brau Tap Haus, six blocks south of Yetters.  While not a brewery itself, the High Brau Tap Haus (915 16th St.) exclusively features beers from independent Colorado breweries, ensuring a constantly rotating and exciting lineup of 30 taps. Each beer is available in limited quantities, with one barrel per offering.

In addition to beer, High Brau serves a variety of other Colorado-produced beverages, including cider, wine, kombucha, mead, spirits, craft soda, and cold-brew coffee. Most are on tap. Others, including non-alcoholic options, are available in cans or bottles.  

Map of the Greeley Beer Trail 

Don’t see the map or want to see the original?  Click here to see the map on AllTrails.  

Walking Directions for the Beer Trail in Greeley

(Remember that the numbered Streets run east-west, and the numbered Avenues run north-south.)  

I’ve set up this Greeley walk to visit the breweries from North to South from the central location of Lincoln Park.  

To Wiley Roots Brewing Co: From Lincoln Park, head north on 9th Ave. and turn right (east) onto 5th Street.  Continue on 5th Street, crossing the train tracks. Turn left (north) on 6th Avenue and walk to 3rd Street, where you’ll see a sign for Wiley Roots and the brewery at the end of the street (625 3rd St D).

To WeldWerks Brewing Co: To get to WeldWerks Brewing, leave Wiley Roots and retrace your steps, crossing over the train tracks on 5th Street and proceeding to the intersection with 8th Ave.  Make a left turn on 8th Ave, and the entrance to WeldWerks (508 8th Ave.) will be just steps away.  

To TightKnit Brewing Co: From WeldWerks, head south on 8th Ave. to 8th Street.  Turn left on 8th Street and walk a short distance into the heart of Greeley’s downtown to arrive at the third brewery, TightKnit Brewing (813 8th Street).  

To Yetters Brewing Co.: From TightKnit, walk west on 8th Street toward the start point in Lincoln Park, and turn left (south) on 9th Ave. Pass the Weld County Courthouse on the right.  After crossing 10th Street, Yetters will be on your right at 1011 9th Ave.     

Add-on Bonus Location: to High Brau Tap Haus: From Yetters, continue south on 9th Ave. for about 0.6 miles (1 km) and turn right on 16th Street. High Brau will be on your right at 915 16th St.  

Return to Start: From Yetters or High Brau, return to the starting point in Lincoln Park by retracing your steps to the north along 9th Ave.  

Additional Greeley Breweries off the Beer Trail 

Greeley has two additional breweries outside the beer trail area, about a 10-minute drive from downtown’s Lincoln Park.  

Rule 105 Brewing

Rule 105 Brewing (4731 West 10th Street) sits in a quiet strip mall on 10th Street with the inspiring tagline “Beer is the answer.” The interior layout is classic brewpub style, and a semi-covered patio with picnic tables allows outdoor drinking.  

Owned by a PhD Chemist and a similarly educated molecular biologist, you can be assured that there is attention to detail in the brewing process.  The beer list isn’t extensive, but it includes various styles.  

Compared to the strong tastes at Wiley Roots and WeldWerks, the flavors at Rule 105 are subtle and almost muted.  It’s a brewery for the thoughtful beer drinker who wants to take some time to savor and explore delicate flavors.  For example, the Vicious Greality Belgian-style blond ale had a hint of pear aftertaste. Similarly, the Apricot Wheat had a distinctive smell and light fruit flavor.  Pancho & Lefty’s Mexican Lager with a lime slice was incredibly refreshing.  The Chili Wheat was a little more powerful, with a noticeable but not overwhelming smoky hatch chili flavor.  

Pizzas, calzones, burgers, and other classic bar fare dominate the on-site kitchen menu. Note that the kitchen isn’t open on Sundays.  

If you don’t want to drive, take the number 1 bus.  It’s a 12-minute ride from downtown, and the stop for Rule 105 is right out front.

Crabtree Brewing

Crabtree Brewing (2961 29th St) claims to be Greeley’s first brewery.  The understated building is near the Greeley Mall and multiple hotels lining Highway 34. 

The taproom has an airy, comfortable feel. It has a welcoming bar, cozy couches, and some rustic-style furniture. Look for decor with crabs, trees, wheat, and unlikely combinations of these icons! 

The well-rounded beer list includes classics like a Czech-style pilsner, Light Cycle, the Crabtree American Porter, ambers, brown ales, and IPAs. I also enjoyed the citrus in the Grapefruit Radler, a pilsner with grapefruit added.

Crabtree has no kitchen, so look for a food truck outside if you’re hungry.  

Where to Stay in Greeley

Greeley has a handful of downtown hotels that are convenient for walking to the breweries on the beer trail.   

The Doubletree by Hilton at Lincoln Park (919 7th St) has a spacious lobby, indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, gym, and an on-site restaurant (Meeker’s). For a more upscale experience, book a room overlooking the park.

Consider the Greeley University Inn (721 13th St) for a budget option. This 2-star property is a no-frills pick and consistently gets good reviews.  

Finally, the Currier Inn (1221 9th Ave) is Greeley’s boutique hotel.  This octagon-shaped Victorian building has ten guestrooms, each named and distinctively decorated. 

Outside of downtown, most other Greeley hotels are chains clustered near the Greeley Mall on Highway 34. Use the map below to book your lodging in Greeley.  

Wrapping Up Greeley’s Beer Trail

My personalized Beer Trail and Brewery Tour Map for downtown Greeley, Colorado, encompasses four exceptional microbreweries. On a loop spanning just under two miles (3 km), visit Wiley Roots, WeldWerks, TightKnit, and Yetters.  

The High Brau Tap Haus, just six blocks from this route, offers a diverse selection of Colorado beers. And finally, breweries outside the downtown area include Crabtree and Rule 105.  

If you’re a beer drinker, Greeley’s microbreweries and tap rooms will not disappoint! 

Here are a couple of Greeley brewery pins for your Pinterest Boards:

This post was updated on September 16, 2024