Your summer 2015 guide to Fort Collins breweries

With school out and weekenders starting to trickle into town for the season, we thought you might need a little help sorting out your first summer priority: brewery touring.

If you're feeling paralyzed by choice (not the worst problem), we've compiled the best ways to enjoy 17 Fort Collins breweries across 18 locations. We've even included a map for the best beer-route planning.

1. Take the tour at New Belgium Brewing

Watch out, Asheville. Fort Collins is still the first home to the cult following that is New Belgium. And with a recently revamped tap room, the best brewery tour in town could get even cooler. Tip: Eat a decent meal beforehand, as you'll be trying a lot of different beers, and book ahead of time or take your chances at a last-minute spot opening. The slowest day is usually Tuesday.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays.

New Belgium gives fermentation science major $1 million

New Belgium completes East Coast distribution center

2. Sit on the patio at Odell Brewing Company

A killer outdoor space with cornhole, live music and food trucks will entertain you all summer. Fort Collins' second brewery has had 26 years to perfect its practice and still only distributes beer to 11 states, focusing mostly on Colorado. Get classics such as 90 Shilling and seasonals such as Tree Shaker at the source, where the suds are sweetest.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and until 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

3. Grab lunch or dinner at CooperSmith's Pub and Brewing

Fort Collins' first brewpub also happens to sit in the heart of its historic downtown. Try the beers that shaped Fort Collins' history while enjoying pub grub and people-watching for lunch or dinner on the Old Town Square patio.

11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on weekends.

4. See the local show at Equinox Brewing

The best of both worlds, this 5-year-old tap room and beer garden is located downtown but tucked away closer to residential areas, with an outdoor patio and live music on the weekends. P.S. The place only distributes about as far as it can throw, so you know you're getting something to drink that's truly Fort Collins.

Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, until 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and until 7 p.m. Sundays.

EQUINOX: FoCo pot shop and brewery collaborate on beer

5. Try award-winning brews at Funkwerks

King of the saisons and sours, this 5-year-old Belgian-style brewery with national award-winning beers is now one of the biggest in Fort Collins. But you couldn't tell by visiting its quaint and colorful hometown tap room.

Noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 9 p.m. on Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.

6. Start your day with a beer brunch at Fort Collins Brewery and Tavern

Grab a flight while watching the brew house over brunch or lunch at FCB's Modern Tavern. You can see the glassed-in brewery from the dining room, where the chef is serving beer-inspired and beer-infused bites and dishes.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 10 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

7. Find late-night food trucks and fun at Pateros Creek Brewing Company

Located in the alcohol triangle, next to CopperMuse Distillery and Compass Cider, this family-run brewery is known for its hospitality, serving up suds and parlor games and inviting over local food trucks for its customers. Also stays open later than most tap rooms.

2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, noon to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sundays.

8. Try strange suds at Black Bottle Brewery

Remember Count Chocula beer? Find cereal beers and other lighthearted creations here, as well as a full food menu and brews on tap from other local breweries. Also stays open late.

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight on weekends.

9. Catch a game at C.B. & Potts

Fort Collins' favorite campus-side tradition is known for its big screens, game nights and family-friendly vibe, featuring a full food menu. Stay later for the college experience.

11 a.m. to 2 a.m. 7 days a week

MORE: C.B. & Potts breweries go employee-owned

10. Or get your golf on at C.B. & Potts

The second Fort Collins' location of this Colorado brewery chain offers an option for south-side residents at the Collindale Golf Course.

9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.

11. Meet your neighbors at 1933 Brewing Company

A newcomer to Fort Collins, even though the head brewer hails from Fort Collins Brewery. 1933's tap room has something of a "Cheers" vibe for the Midtown neighborhood.

3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays.

12. Discover a hidden gem at Horse & Dragon Brewing Company

One of Fort Collins' newest additions, this 1-year-old brewery with a mountain-lodgy vibe in the industrial district was instantly a local hit for its high-quality styles made by an Odell-trained and up-and-coming young brewer.

Noon to 6 p.m. 7 days a week

13. Find your favorite Germans at Zwei Brewing Co.

Two brothers and beer biz veterans, formerly of C.B. & Potts, broke out on their own in 2014 to open this south-side neighborhood tap room with an emphasis on classic German styles with an American twist.

1 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

14. See the rising competition at Snowbank Brewing

Underdog story of a new 2014 business, just around the corner from Fort Collins Brewery and Odell. It was started by an engineer who quit his day job to follow his passion, which is lucky for us, because he's also really good at brewing beer.

2 to 6 p.m. Monday, noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

15. Visit Fort Collins' newest at Rally King Brewing

Hit up these home-brew champions-turned-brewery-owners, and stop in next door at the new Dungeons and Drafts bar while you're at it.

16. Be on the lookout for Soul Squared Brewing Company

You can't visit this brand new CSA-style brewery without a membership, but you can look for its tap handles around Fort Collins bars, as well as four-packs, coming soon to local liquor stores.

17. Watch for Jessup Farm Barrel House

From the owners of Funkwerks comes a barrel-blending and barrel-aging brew house, located in a converted century-old barn in the new Jessup Farm development. Once it opens, you'll be able to take in the views from the second-floor hay loft.

18. Don't forget about Anheuser-Busch InBev

Calm down, craft purists. A-B's Fort Collins facility just got a shiny new restaurant and beer garden, and its brewmaster tour, complete with sensory education, is a fun and thoughtful walk through the history of the world's largest beer business.

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday with brunch from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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