Breckenridge Brewery
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | Richard Squire |
| Headquarters | Littleton, Colorado , United States |
Area served | 42 states in the United States |
Key people | Todd Usry (President) |
| Products | Beer |
| Parent | Tilray (since 2023) |
Breckenridge Brewery is a United States-based brewing company located in Littleton, Colorado. Its beer products are distributed across 42 states nationwide. Founded in 1990 by Richard Squire, it holds the distinction of being the third craft brewery established in Colorado. Todd Usry joined the team in 1991, advancing to brewmaster in 1994 and subsequently taking on the role of president, where he has led the company's strategic initiatives. The brewery became part of Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2016 before being acquired by Tilray in 2023.
Origins
The inception of Breckenridge Brewery took place in Breckenridge, Colorado, founded by entrepreneur Richard Squire. Early on, Todd Usry, an experienced brewing professional, became a key figure and eventually assumed the presidency, guiding both production and sales expansion.
Growth
In 1992, the company extended its operations beyond Breckenridge by establishing a production facility in Denver, near Coors Field. Brewing activities were relocated to a larger site south of downtown Denver by 1996. The original Denver site functioned until 2018 before being repurposed as a dining establishment.
The year 2010 saw Breckenridge merge with Wynkoop Brewing Company, creating Breckenridge-Wynkoop LLC and broadening its portfolio to include Phantom Canyon Brewing along with several restaurants. By 2013, the brewery reached its maximum production capacity of 64,000 barrels annually, prompting plans for a new brewing complex.
In 2015, an investment of $36 million facilitated the launch of an 85,000-square-foot facility in Littleton that incorporated brewing, fermentation, packaging operations, and a Farm House restaurant with seating for 300 guests and a beer garden. This expansion supported continued business growth and enhanced operational capabilities.
Breckenridge ranked number 50 on the Brewers Association’s list of the largest U.S. craft breweries in 2014 and improved to number 47 in 2015. In that same year, it was recognized as Colorado’s fifth-largest craft brewery by volume. Production increased from approximately 1,000 barrels at its founding to more than 70,000 barrels by 2015, with distribution reaching 35 states.
Acquisition by Anheuser-Busch InBev
On December 22, 2015, Anheuser-Busch InBev declared its plans to acquire Breckenridge Brewery from Breckenridge-Wynkoop LLC, incorporating it into its portfolio of premium craft and imported beer brands. The deal was completed in 2016 and included the Littleton brewery and Farm House restaurant along with the Breckenridge brewpub. CEO Todd Usry communicated to customers that the brewery would retain authority over its beer recipes and production choices.
Collaborations
Since the first Denver Comic Con in 2012, Breckenridge Brewery has annually partnered with the event to create a limited-edition comic-themed beer selected through a public contest.
Beginning in 2013, the brewery initiated an ongoing partnership with Never Summer Industries to produce limited edition Artist Series snowboards paired with special release beers, strengthening its engagement within lifestyle markets.
List of Brewed Beers
| Beer | Category | Availability | Style | ABV% | IBU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agave Wheat | Core Range | Available year-round | Unfiltered Wheat Ale | 4.4% | 13 |
| Avalanche Ale | Core Range | Available year-round | Amber Ale | 5.0% | 19 |
| Breck IPA | Core Range | Available year-round | IPA | 6.3% | 66 |
| Breck Lager | Core Range | Available year-round | Lager | 4.5% | 14 |
| Lucky U IPA | Core Range | Available year-round | IPA | 5.7% | 68 |
| Mango Mosaic Pale Ale | Core Range | Available year-round | Pale Ale | 5.5% | 29 |
| Oatmeal Stout | Core Range | Available year-round | Oatmeal Stout | 5.0% | 36 |
| Vanilla Porter | Core Range | Available year-round | Vanilla Porter | 5.4% | 16 |
| Nitro Vanilla Porter | Nitro Series | Available year-round | Nitrogen-infused Vanilla Porter | 5.4% | 16 |
| Nitro Lucky U IPA | Nitro Series | Available year-round | Nitrogenated IPA | 5.7% | 68 |
| Autumn Ale | Seasonal Release | Fall Season Only | Brown Ale | 6.0% | 21 |
| Christmas Ale | Seasonal Release | Winter Season Only | Winter Ale | 7.1% | 22 |
| Snow Glare Hoppy Wheat | Seasonal Release | Spring Season Only | Wheat Ale | 6.0% | 23 |
| Summer Pils | Seasonal Release | Summer Season Only | German-style Pilsner | 5% | 15 |
| King's Dish | Small Batch Series | Limited Edition | Burton Ale | 6.8% | 55 |
| 471 Small Batch IPA | Small Batch Series | Year-round Availability | Double IPA | 9.2% | 70 |
| 72 Imperial | Small Batch Series | Limited Edition | Imperial Chocolate Cream Stout | 7.2% | 11 |
| Palisade Peach Wheat | Seasonal Release | Summer and Fall Availability | Wheat Ale | 5.3% | 7 |
| Hazy Pilsner | Seasonal Release | - Availability Period - | Saaz Dry-Hopped Pilsner | 5% | 30 |
| Hop In Hand - Idaho 7 | Other Releases | - Availability Period - | American IPA | 7.7% | |
| Hugs & High Fives | Other Releases | - Availability Period - | American Lager | 5.3% | |
| Imperial Porter | Other Releases | - Availability Period - | American Porter | 7.5% | |
| Juice Drop Pineapple Orange | Core Range | Year-round Availability | New England IPA | 7.2% | 44 |
| Mile High City Golden Ale | Colorado Exclusive Release | Limited Edition Only | American Ale | 5.5% | 20 |
| Oatmeal Stout Ver. 2.0 | Other Releases | - Availability Period - | Oatmeal Stout | 6% | |
| Peanut Butter Stout | Other Releases | - Availability Period - | American Porter | 5.9% | |
| Peerless Summer IPA | Other Releases | - Availability Period - | American IPA | 6.4% | |
| Summer Pils Shandy | Core Range | Year-round Availability | Fruit and Field Beer Style | 4.3% | 10 |
| Vienna Lager | Other Releases | - Availability Period - | Vienna Lager Style Beer | 5% | |
| Buddy Pass Whiskey Barrel-Aged Oatmeal Stout | Small Batch Series | Limited Edition | American Imperial Stout | 10.5% | N/A |
| Juice Drop Hazy IPA | Core Range | Year-round Availability | Hazy IPA Style | 7% | 60 |
| Strawberry Sky | Core Range | Year-round Availability | Kölsch Style | 4.8% | 23 |