Steamworks Brewing Company

Steamworks Brewing Company poured it first brew in September 1996 in Durango, Colorado, with a very simple mission: brew world class beer; be a value-conscious culinary leader; celebrate the heroes of our community; generate revenue for our shareholders – all while having fun.

Over the years, Steamworks in Durango and Bayfield have endeavored to be community “partners,” stepping up when called upon to support events and activities that allow for the “tide to rise,” knowing when a community is strong, “all boats float.” The Steamworks name is attached, with pride, to an expanding circle of charitable and fun-filled events throughout the region and beyond. In 2005, Steamworks was acknowledged for this community participation, as well as an exemplary business operation, and named Durango’s Business of the Year by the Durango Chamber of Commerce.

Check us out at Steamworks Brewing.

Brewery Vids:


Steam Engine Lager

The one that started it all

Steam Engine Lager is an American classic noted for its malt sweetness and hop spice with a smooth, dry finish. It is arguably the best American-style Amber Lager in the world.

Steam Engine Lager’s balanced profile and crisp finish make it a very versatile beer to pair with many types of foods. A tip: this crisp well-balanced lager goes particularly well with red meat, spicy foods and cheddar cheese.

ABV: 5.3% IBUs: 25

AWARDS

Gold Medal Winner, 2007 Great American Beer Festival

Silver Medal Winner, 2007 Manitou Springs Craft Lager Festival

Bronze Medal Winner, 2006 Manitou Springs Craft Lager Festival

Gold Medal Winner, 2006 Great American Beer Festival

Gold Medal Winner, 2006 Crested Butte Festival

Silver Medal Winner, 2005 Great American Beer Festival

Bronze Medal Winner, 2003 Great American Beer Festival

Gold Medal Winner, 2000 Great American Beer Festival

Silver Medal Winner, 1998 World Beer Cup

Gold Medal Winner, 1997 Great American Beer Festival


Conductor Imperial IPA

Hop aboard and experience the three “all-American” hop varieties – Warrior, Tomahawk and Simcoe – which our brewers have worked into this Imperial India Pale Ale. The team focused on the key attributes of each hop for the best interplay of aromatics and bitterness with the malt extraction. The result is a floral citrus nose, bold bitterness and a hint of sweetness. Once again, the Steam Team is on time and on track.

The Conductor Imperial India Pale Ale pairs well with many of the same foods as our Third Eye Pale Ale. For your additional consideration: try grilled lamb, sausage fritters, sharper blue cheeses and rich desserts (think carrot cake). Flavors as diverse as black pepper or honey also pair remarkably well with this triple-hop ale. You can also think of the Conductor as a palate cleanser – highly hopped beers cut through fat on the palate left from rich and creamy foods like sausage and cheese.

ABV: 8.5% IBUs: 96

AWARDS

The Conductor has been voted most likely to garner our brew crew street credit amongst our brewing brethren in the great state of Colorado and beyond.


Colorado Kolsch

If you could drink our crisp, refreshing mountain air, it might taste like this.

The Colorado Kolsch is a derivative of German Kolschs, which were created in response to the popular lager-based Pilsners being produced in the Czech Republic in the 1840s. For those of you who haven’t studied your beer history, that means it’s a light crisp ale with a hint of sweetness. And very refreshing.

A delicate and crisp beer, Colorado Kolsch pairs well with citrus and seafood like tilapia or halibut. Mild cheese such as Mozzarella and Provolone would be a nice counterpoint to the wheat malt used in the grain bill.

ABV: 4.5% IBUs: 17

AWARDS

Silver Medal Winner, 2007 Great American Beer Festival
Beer voted most likely to be followed by another Colorado Kolsch.


Third Eye Pale Ale

Why seek enlightenment at the ends of the earth when you can find it right here in Durango?

Third Eye Pale Eye is one of our most heavily hopped beers, with a nice, light copper color. In the spirit of the super-hoppy English ales that originated in the early 1800’s, its larger grain bill produces plenty of residual sweetness.

After tasting Third Eye Pale Ale for the magazine All About Beer (Vol. 27, No. 5, pg. 46), author Michael Jackson (Ultimate Beer, the World Guide to Beer, the Simon & Schuster Guide to Beer) was inspired to pen these words:

“An attractive, pale orange color. The aroma reminded me of strawberries. Quite restrained though. Seemed to stand still, quiet for a moment, like a singer composing herself before launching herself into a Sondheim score. The notes are soft and smooth. More flowery and herbaceous, less orangey, than most American contemporaries. Nell Gwynne wasn’t there, but Blossom Dearie was. A touch of acidity and a powerful, bittersweet finish, which is rather abrupt. If you listen to this beer (TM Fred Eckhardt), you will be reminded that every supper club song has a touch of Lady Day.”

Pair Third Eye Ale with spicy foods to enhance the heat. Otherwise, match it with foods that have strong flavors – salmon, arugula and milder blues such as Gorgonzola or Cambozola work wonderfully. Oh, and it’s amazing with a ginger spice cake.

ABV: 6.4% IBUs; 65

AWARDS

The Steam Team’s shift beer of choice. Just tap your third eye and our brew crew will deliver a cold glass of enlightenment.

2007 Mt Crested Butte Fall Festival of Beers and Chili Cook-off People’s Choice Best IPA


Ale Diablo

A sweet little devil

A generous amount of Mt. Hood hops and a huge grain bill give the Ale Diablo a sweet cereal aroma that masks its deceptive nature. This sinfully good blonde ale is true to its name and devilicous!

The Ale Diablo’s alcohol content turns up the heat, while its maltiness puts out the fire. Needless to say, it goes well with spicy food. Its high alcohol content also can hold its own when imbibed with the more bitter cheeses. We also highly recommend pairing it with a shrimp cocktail.

ABV: 8% IBUs: 45

The Ale Diablo’s alcohol content turns up the heat, while its maltiness puts out the fire. Needless to say, it goes well with spicy food. Its high alcohol content also can hold its own when imbibed with the more bitter cheeses. We also highly recommend pairing it with a shrimp cocktail.


Backside Stout

A taste of heaven. Inspired by Purgatory.

Inspired by the turns under Chair 8 on Purgatory Mountain, the Stout has an extremely complex malt and oat flavor. It’s sweet with chocolate and roast overtones. The addition of the perfect amount of brewer’s oats is detectable in the smooth, silky finish. This moderately hopped ale is a great choice for dark beer, chocolate or coffee lovers.

Stouts and chocolate are a natural combination, as are sweet flavors from smoked meats, barbeque sauces and oysters. It may have dark nature, but the Stout makes one sweet dessert. Try Backside Stout with vanilla ice cream for a Stout float (adults only, of course).

ABV: 6% IBUs: 28

AWARDS

Best beer above 10,000 ft. in the San Juan Mountains. Cold pints found at Dante’s on the Backside of Purgatory Mountain Resort. Please tip those bartenders – it’s hard work getting that delicious beer up to elevation.


Lizard Head Red Ale

The Lizard is a complex character.

Dark red in color, our Lizard Head Red is a medium-bodied brew with a nice hop balance. Munich crystal malts are used to produce the complex malt character.
The Lizard Head Red is a malty beer that is great with spicy foods but also tasty with chicken and seafood. The malts quell the heat from spicy foods leaving the palette cleansed. When considering cheese pairing, serve a lightly tangy cheese or a Port-Salut.

ABV: 5.6% IBUs: 25

AWARDS

The Lizard is consistently the second most popular amber beer at our pubs.


Spruce Goose

Inspired by Vikings. It goes without saying that it’s bold.

Beers made with spruce or other types of pine were brought to Scotland by the Vikings who brewed ales and spice with fresh spruce shoots to prevent scurvy on sailing voyages. Spruce beer was also drunk before battle as it was thought to bring out one’s animal instincts. Spruce Goose, our modern-day version of the Viking’s beer, is a darker brew with complex earthy flavors throughout.

This bold ale will stand up to just about any hearty dish you have in mind. It’s earthy underpinnings pair nicely with beef. Take, for instance, this dish that was recently paired with our Spruce Goose at a beer dinner in Vail, Colorado:

14-day dry-aged tenderloin of beef with spruce tip bordelaise and potato and onion confit hash

AWARDS

Most battle worthy brew in our line up.