- What's Happenin' Fort Collins
- Posts
- Fort Collins’ Own Odell Brewing Just Made a National Best Bars List 🍻
Fort Collins’ Own Odell Brewing Just Made a National Best Bars List 🍻
From grain elevator roots to USA TODAY’s spotlight — here’s why Odell Brewing is a must-visit.
Odell Brewing Co. Gets National Love — Here’s Why We’re Not Surprised

Hey there, FoCo,
Started in a grain elevator and now pouring greatness — Odell Brewing Co. just landed on USA TODAY’s 2025 Best Bars in America list. But Fort Collins locals have known all along: it’s more than just a brewery. It’s a backyard hangout with beer, live music, wine, and a whole lot of heart.

🧠 Fort Collins Trivia Time
What award-winning wine helped put Odell’s OBC Wine Project on the map in 2023? |
👉 Tap to vote—we’ll reveal the answer in the outro!

🍻 Cheers to the Hometown Hero: Odell Brewing Makes National ‘Best Bars’ List
What do grain elevators, hop-forward IPAs, and USA TODAY have in common? Odell Brewing Co.
This Fort Collins classic just landed on USA TODAY’s 2025 Bars of the Year list — and while technically not a bar (shh), locals know it’s a cornerstone of the city’s craft beer scene. Since opening in 1989, Odell has grown from humble beginnings across the railroad tracks into the 27th largest craft brewery in the country, all while keeping that laid-back, dog-on-the-patio, let’s-meet-after-work energy.
So what sets Odell apart?
The Vibe: Breezy patio, fire pits, live music twice a week, cozy indoor booths, and a tucked-away back bar called the Wheelhouse.
The Beer: Fan favorites like Odell IPA and 90 Shilling. Peach Stand Rambler’s back, and there’s even hop water and gluten-free seltzer if beer’s not your thing.
The Wine: Head next door to The OBC Wine Project for frozen rosé, a refreshing spritz, or a wine flight under the sun.
The Food: Rotating food trucks. One day it’s tacos, the next it’s gourmet grilled cheese.
The Tour: $10 brewery tours (Fri–Sun) include pours and peeks behind the scenes.
Odell isn’t just a brewery — it’s a full-blown Fort Collins experience. From the taproom to the turf, it’s no wonder the rest of the country is finally catching on

🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings
🎭 Wednesday, July 30 🎤 Weekly Open Mic Comedy (recurring Wednesday)📍 Slyce Pizza Co. | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free 🎵 An evening with Davey and the Midnights📍 830 North College Avenue | ⏰ 8:30 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 🎨 Drag Bingo with Krisa Gonna📍 1020 E Lincoln Ave | ⏰ 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 🎨 Beyond Resilience, Shawn Bush- Angle of Draw, Justin Carney- When All Is Said and When All Is Done📍 201 S. College Avenue | ⏰ Time TBD | 🎟️ Ticketed | Thursday, July 31🧠 Thursday Night Trivia (recurring Thursday) 📍 Jessup Farm Barrel House | ⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 🆓 Free 🎵 The Positive Spin: Vinyl Record Night at Mobb Mountain Distillers(Recurring Thursdays)📍 400 Linden Street, Fort Collins | ⏰ 6pm-9pm | 🎟️ Ticketed 📅 Move in the Park: Cars📍 112 Willow St | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 🎵 Colorado Cello Intensive Live!📍 1400 Remington Street, University Center for the Arts | ⏰ 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed 🍺 Beer & Skewers Beer Dinner feat. Friendly Nick the Butcher📍 124 Racquette Drive | ⏰ 6pm | 🎟️ Ticketed 🎵 Charlie Stevens Band📍 204 S. College Ave | ⏰ 8:00 PM to 11:55 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed |
Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar

🍽 Not sure where to eat tonight?Our Restaurant Finder takes the guesswork out of dining by showing you the best local restaurants based on real reviews and vibes, not just ratings. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a date-night spot, we’ve got you. No endless scrolling, no decision fatigue...just solid recs. | 🧠 Need a brain break?![]() Play trivia, crosswords, and word searches built just for locals. These games aren’t just fun...they’ll test how well you actually know your city. Great for killing time, learning something new, or proving you’re the true local legend. | 🌮 Who’s Got the Best Tacos in FoCo?We’re on a mission to crown FoCo’s top taco spot—from OG taquerías to bold fusion joints. Vote for your favorite and help settle the salsa-fueled debate once and for all. 🌶️ |

🍷 From Hops to Grapes — Odell Does It All
Raise a glass to our hometown brewmasters! Odell Brewing isn’t just crushing it with award-winning beers — its B) Colorado Red wine was named the #1 wine in Colorado in 2023. Whether you’re in it for the hops or the grapes, there’s always something worth toasting at Odell. 🍷🍻 —Your What’s Happenin’ Fort Collins crew 💛 |
Did you enjoy this post? |

Interested in other What’s Happenin’ newsletters?