Odell Brewing Company
Front Range, Fort Collins
Bar in Fort Collins, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
Odell Brewing Company is the most practical first stop for craft beer in Fort Collins; no reservation needed, a wide tap selection, outdoor seating that makes it one of the better warm-weather taproom options in the city. Founded in 1989, it has the track record to back up its reputation. Come for the beer; plan your meal elsewhere.
About Odell Brewing Company
Odell Brewing Company: Worth the Stop in Fort Collins?
Yes, book it; or rather, walk in. Odell Brewing Company at 800 E Lincoln Ave is one of Fort Collins' most visited craft breweries, the good news for first-timers is that you don't need a reservation. The taproom operates on a walk-in basis, which makes it an easy call for anyone spending time in northern Colorado and wondering where to anchor an afternoon around beer.
Fort Collins has a legitimate claim to being one of the stronger craft beer cities in the Mountain West, Odell sits near the best of that conversation. Founded in 1989, it's one of Colorado's oldest craft breweries still operating independently, which gives it a track record that newer taprooms in the area simply can't match. For a first-timer, that history matters less than the practical reality: a large, well-run taproom, a rotating tap list that covers most major styles, a crowd that skews local rather than tourist-heavy.
On the value question: craft beer in Colorado taprooms typically runs $6–$9 per pint, Odell sits in that range. If you're doing a flight to sample multiple styles, expect to spend $12–$18 depending on pour sizes and selections. That's reasonable for the category and comparable to what you'd pay at other Fort Collins breweries. The taproom also has outdoor space, which in warmer months makes a round of beers here a noticeably better experience than at smaller, indoor-only spots in the city.
What to expect on your first visit: the space is large enough that you won't feel crowded even on a busy weekend afternoon, the staff are generally knowledgeable about what's on tap. The food program exists but is secondary; come for the beer, not the kitchen. If food is a priority, Odell pairs well with a meal before or after at one of Fort Collins' better dining options: Domenic's Bistro and Wine Bar for a sit-down dinner, or Los Tarascos Restaurant if you want something quick and satisfying.
For a date, Odell works well in the early evening before dinner, particularly if you grab seats outside when the weather cooperates. The atmosphere is relaxed without being loud or chaotic, which gives it an edge over busier, more crowded taprooms in the area. It's not an intimate cocktail bar, if that's what you need, look elsewhere, but as a low-pressure starting point for an evening, it delivers.
If you're building a broader Fort Collins itinerary, check out our full Fort Collins bars guide, our full Fort Collins restaurants guide, and our full Fort Collins experiences guide for more options across the city.
How It Compares
In Fort Collins, the bar and dining scene breaks down by what you're after. Odell is the clearest choice if craft beer is the main event, it has the track record, the tap variety, the space that smaller local spots can't match. Choice City is worth knowing about if you want a more curated, bottle-shop-style experience, but for a direct taproom visit with outdoor seating and a crowd that's more neighborhood than niche, Odell is the easier recommendation for first-timers.
If you're deciding between a beer-focused stop and a full dining experience, Domenic's Bistro and Wine Bar and Maida Trattoria are better fits for a sit-down meal with drinks. For Mexican food in particular, La Buena Vida Mexican Restaurant and Los Tarascos Restaurant both offer more on the food side than Odell's kitchen does. The decision is simpler than it looks: if you're in Fort Collins for beer, Odell is your anchor. If you want a full evening with food as the focus, one of those dining options should lead your plans, with Odell as a pre- or post-dinner stop.
Booking & Practical Details
| Detail | Odell Brewing Company | Choice City | Domenic's Bistro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reservations needed | No, walk-in | No | Recommended |
| Price per round (est.) | $6–$9/pint | Varies | Higher (cocktails/wine) |
| Outdoor seating | Yes | Limited | Limited |
| Good for dates | Yes (early evening) | Yes | Yes |
| Food program | Secondary | No | Primary |
For broader planning in northern Colorado, see our full Fort Collins hotels guide and our full Fort Collins wineries guide. If you're comparing craft beer taprooms nationally, Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, and Julep in Houston represent the cocktail bar tier for reference on what premium bar programs look like at different price points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Odell Brewing Company have happy hour deals?
Specific happy hour details aren't confirmed in our current data, so check directly with the taproom before you visit. That said, craft brewery taprooms in Colorado commonly run weekday afternoon specials, given Odell's size and foot traffic, it's worth asking when you arrive or checking their website for current promotions. Early weekday afternoons are typically the quietest, often the best-value, time to visit any taproom in Fort Collins.
What's the crowd like at Odell Brewing Company?
Predominantly local and mixed-age, this isn't a tourist trap, which is a point in its favor. Weekday afternoons lean toward regulars and remote workers; weekends bring a broader mix of Fort Collins residents and visitors from the Front Range. The crowd is generally laid-back rather than rowdy, which makes it usable for conversations in a way that louder bars in the city are not.
Do I need a reservation at Odell Brewing Company?
No reservation needed, walk-in only. This is one of Odell's practical advantages over Fort Collins dining spots that require advance booking, particularly for spontaneous plans. On busy weekend afternoons, outdoor seating may fill up, so arriving before 3 PM gives you better odds of getting the spot you want.
Is Odell Brewing Company good for a date?
Yes, with some caveats. Early evening on a weekday is the strongest call, quieter, easier to hold a conversation, you can grab outdoor seating if weather permits. It works better as the first stop of an evening (beer, then dinner at somewhere like Domenic's Bistro and Wine Bar) than as a standalone date destination. If you want a more intimate setting from the start, a cocktail-forward bar would serve the occasion better.
Is the food good at Odell Brewing Company?
It's functional rather than a reason to visit on its own. The kitchen supports the beer program rather than competing with it. If food quality is your priority, plan your meal at La Buena Vida Mexican Restaurant or Los Tarascos Restaurant and treat Odell as your drinks stop. For a fuller Fort Collins dining picture, see our full Fort Collins restaurants guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 800 E Lincoln Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80524
- Website
- odellbrewing.com
- Phone
- +1 970 498 9070
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Odell reads like an institutional taproom that foregrounds production. The space places you beside the tanks and keeps the brewery’s machinery visible, giving the room an industrial, working feel rather than a polished hospitality veneer. That visibility is part of its character: the brewery’s longevity and scale mark it as iconic within Fort Collins’ craft-beer scene, while the overall register remains casual and relaxed. The result is a straightforward, unpretentious environment where the craft is on display and the social tone favors slow tasting and easy conversation rather than formality.
Best For
Odell is best for people who want to spend time tasting and learning rather than rushing a drink. The taproom’s rhythm suits afternoon visits and lingering groups who enjoy comparative flights, and it works equally well for small groups of friends who want a casual outing centered on beer. Because the setting emphasizes production—standing by tanks and watching brewing in action—it’s also a good stop for visitors seeking an authentic brewery experience rather than a cocktail-driven night out. Dress and expectations are informal, so visits stay low-pressure and convivial.
Ordering Tips
Start with a flight: the taproom frames the tasting experience around flights that rotate with whatever’s on tap that week. Flights arrive on wooden boards and are intentionally arranged from lighter to heavier, encouraging a methodical, comparative approach to sampling. There’s no cocktail menu to parse, so focus on the beers on draft and ask staff about what’s currently rotating. Expect straightforward, staff-served flights in a production-floor setting—order several small pours to compare styles rather than committing to a single pint right away.
Venue details
Ambiance
Relaxed outdoor patio atmosphere with Colorado mountain backdrop, lively during music events and weekends.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Beer Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by Midnight
- Music
- Live Bands
- Live Music
- Yes
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Choice City; Notable alternative
- Domenic's Bistro and Wine Bar; Notable alternative
- La Buena Vida Mexican Restaurant; Notable alternative
- Los Tarascos Restaurant; Notable alternative
- Maida Trattoria; Notable alternative
Bar context
In Fort Collins, the choice between Odell and its peers comes down to what you're optimizing for. Odell is the clearest pick for craft beer as the main event; it has the tap variety, the outdoor space, the walk-in accessibility that makes it a low-effort, high-return visit. Choice City is the alternative if you want a more curated, specialist approach to beer selection, but for first-timers who want a reliable, spacious taproom experience without advance planning, Odell is the stronger default.
If your group is split between beer drinkers and people who want a full meal, the calculus shifts. Domenic's Bistro and Wine Bar and Maida Trattoria are better fits when food quality needs to match the drinks program. For Mexican food specifically, La Buena Vida Mexican Restaurant and Los Tarascos Restaurant outperform anything Odell's kitchen puts out, both can anchor a meal before or after a taproom visit.
On value per round, Odell sits in the standard Colorado taproom range; roughly $6–$9 per pint; which is competitive with the rest of the Fort Collins craft beer scene. The outdoor seating gives it a practical edge over smaller indoor-only spots in the city, particularly from spring through early fall. For groups that just want a relaxed, easy-to-organize evening with good beer and no booking friction, Odell is the simplest answer in Fort Collins.
Explore Fort Collins
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Odell Brewing Company guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Odell Brewing Company
| Venue | Awards | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Odell Brewing Company | No published awards | Easy |
| Choice City | No published awards | Unknown |
| Domenic's Bistro and Wine Bar | No published awards | Unknown |
| La Buena Vida Mexican Restaurant | No published awards | Unknown |
| Los Tarascos Restaurant | No published awards | Unknown |
| Maida Trattoria | No published awards | Unknown |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Odell Brewing Company have happy hour deals?
Odell's specific happy hour pricing isn't confirmed in public records, the brewery doesn't publish current promotions through an official website listing. Your best move is to call ahead or check on arrival at 800 E Lincoln Ave; Fort Collins taprooms at this scale often rotate specials, weekday afternoons tend to be the window to ask about. If a dedicated happy hour deal is a priority, Choice City downtown is worth checking as an alternative.
What's the crowd like at Odell Brewing Company?
Expect a broad cross-section of Fort Collins locals: CSU students, outdoor-gear types, families in the early evening, out-of-towners who made Odell a deliberate stop. The taproom at 800 E Lincoln Ave skews casual and communal; picnic tables, dogs on the patio, a volume level that makes conversation easy. It's not a quiet date spot on a Saturday afternoon, but it's rarely aggressive either.
Do I need a reservation at Odell Brewing Company?
No reservation needed; Odell Brewing operates as a walk-in taproom. The 800 E Lincoln Ave location handles high foot traffic well, though weekend afternoons and summer evenings can mean a wait for outdoor seating. Arriving before 5 p.m. on weekdays gives you the most relaxed experience. Groups of six or more should plan around peak hours or arrive early.
Is Odell Brewing Company good for a date?
It works for a casual first date or a low-key outing, not a special-occasion dinner. The taproom is relaxed, the beer selection gives you something to talk about, the outdoor patio at 800 E Lincoln Ave is a good setting on a warm evening. If you want something more intimate or food-forward, Maida Trattoria or Domenic's Bistro and Wine Bar are stronger calls for a date night with a sit-down meal.
Is the food good at Odell Brewing Company?
Odell's food program supports the beer rather than competing with it; think snacks and lighter bites designed to keep you at the taproom, not a full dining destination. If food quality is your priority, Fort Collins has better options: Maida Trattoria for Italian, La Buena Vida or Los Tarascos for Mexican. Come to Odell for the beer and treat the food as incidental.
