Brewery & Winery Tour Ideas In and Around Parker

Colorado is known for craft beer, and the Parker area has its own share of taprooms, with more just down the road in Castle Rock and Lone Tree. A brewery tour on a party bus means everyone can taste without anyone needing to drive. Here is a practical guide to building a route, with real venues to start from.

Important: Breweries open, close and change hours often. Every venue listed here was confirmed to exist at the time of writing, but always confirm hours and group policies directly before your tour.

Taprooms in Parker

Downhill Brewing

Located on Plaza Drive in Parker, Downhill Brewing is a local favorite and an easy first stop for a Parker-based group.

Lone Tree Brewing, Parker location

Lone Tree Brewing opened a second location in Parker in early 2024, on Pony Express Drive. It serves as the brewery’s pilot system, so you may find small-batch beers you will not see at the original Lone Tree taproom.

Mainstreet stops

Downtown Parker has restaurants and bars along Mainstreet. Ending a tour with dinner downtown gives the group a chance to sit down and eat.

Castle Rock: A Short Trip Southwest

Castle Rock has several breweries, which makes it a good second leg for a tour from Parker. Options include:

• Rockyard Brewing Company
• Wild Blue Yonder Brewing Co.
• 105 West Brewing Company
• Iron Mule Public House and Brewery
• Alidade Brewing
• Honnibrook Craft Meadery, a mead maker for anyone who prefers something other than beer

Learn more about trips there on our Castle Rock party bus page.

Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch

To the west, the original Lone Tree Brewing Company taproom is in Lone Tree, and Highlands Ranch has others. These pair well with a Park Meadows area dinner. See our Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree party bus page.

What About Wineries?

Colorado’s main wine country is on the Western Slope, a long way from Parker. Wine options closer to home are mostly urban tasting rooms and wine bars, and they change over time. If wine is a priority, mix a wine bar or meadery into your brewery route, or ask us about a day trip with a longer booking. Always call the venue first to confirm hours and group policies.

Sample Route: Parker and Castle Rock Taproom Tour

1. 1:00 p.m. Pickup at a home in Parker.
2. 1:15 p.m. First stop at a Parker taproom.
3. 2:30 p.m. Head to Castle Rock.
4. 3:00 p.m. Second stop at a Castle Rock brewery.
5. 4:15 p.m. Third stop: another Castle Rock brewery or the meadery.
6. 5:00 p.m. Return to Parker for drop-offs.

That works within the 4-hour minimum. Peak weekends have a 6-hour minimum.

Tips for a Good Tour

• Eat first. Start with a meal or pick a taproom with a food truck.
• Drink water between stops. Parker sits at high altitude, and alcohol can hit harder than at sea level.
• Call ahead. Let each taproom know a group is coming.
• Know the rules. Passengers must be 21 or older to drink and must follow Colorado law. No alcohol for anyone under 21.
• Tip your bartenders. A group order is a lot of work.

Make It a Full Day Out

• Start active. Walk a stretch of the Cherry Creek Trail, which runs through Parker, or climb the Incline at Rueter-Hess Reservoir before the first taproom.
• Time it with Parker Days. The June festival on Mainstreet includes beer and wine gardens. Expect road closures and heavy crowds, and plan your pickup spots around them.
• End with dinner downtown. A sit-down meal on Mainstreet is a good way to wrap up the day.

Welcome the Non-Drinkers

Not everyone on a brewery tour wants beer. Many taprooms offer non-alcoholic drinks, sodas or food, and a meadery or cider stop adds variety. Making sure everyone has something to enjoy keeps the whole group in the fun.

Vehicles for a Brewery Tour

A Sprinter van is easy to load at each stop and fits small groups. Larger groups often prefer a full party bus. Read more on our brewery and winery tour party bus page. Turning the tour into a bachelor or bachelorette party? Read our bachelor and bachelorette party ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there breweries in Parker?

Yes. Downhill Brewing on Plaza Drive and Lone Tree Brewing's Parker location on Pony Express Drive are two examples. Openings and closings happen, so confirm hours before you go.

How many stops should we plan?

Three stops is a comfortable pace for most groups, with about an hour at each. Four is possible on a longer booking.

Are there wineries near Parker?

Wine options in Parker itself are limited and change over time. Many groups add a wine bar or a meadery, such as Honnibrook Craft Meadery in Castle Rock, to a brewery route. Call ahead to confirm.

Do we need reservations at breweries?

Many taprooms welcome walk-ins, but a large group showing up at once can be a lot for a small bar. Call ahead to let them know you are coming, especially on weekends.

What is the minimum booking for a tour?

Most brewery and winery tours fall within the 4-hour minimum. Peak weekends have a 6-hour minimum.

Get Your FREE Custom Estimate

Planning a taproom tour from Parker? Call us at (303) 532-8782 or text Text Us with your date, pickup time, pickup address, where you are headed and how many people are riding, and we will send a FREE custom estimate. Remember the 4-hour minimum (6 hours for prom, homecoming and peak weekends), and reach out early for busy Saturdays.