Aspen has been a part of the local food movement long before farm-to-table was a buzz phrase. Originally a farming, ranching and mining community, Aspen locals have been eating the potatoes from their own backyard since the turn of the twentieth century. From potato production to today's world-renowned chefs and restaurants, one thing is clear - Aspen visitors and locals are passionate about their palates. Now that locally grown is desired around the world, we've put together a list of what's locally grown in Aspen's Roaring Fork Valley.
Craft
Farm to Table
Food
Avalanche Cheese Company: Local goat cheeses made in Basalt with milk from goats that are raised and graze in Paonia.
Crystal River Meats: Locally-raised beef, 100% grass-fed on open pastures and locally harvested hay. No hormones or antibiotics are used. Family owned and operated in Carbondale, CO since 1999. The Jacober family is committed to the improvement and prosperity of the town in which they live as well as the relentless pursuit of sustainable and environmental practices both in agriculture and day-to-day. (970) 963-9996
Eagle Butte Ranch: USDA-certified natural grass-fed beef raised without antibiotics or hormones - part of the T Lazy 7 Ranch family.
Mountain Primal Meat Co: Raising purebred Wagyu cattle that are 96% grass and hay-fed, and free of hormones & antibiotics.
Milagro Ranch: Offering the finest locally raised 100% grass-fed beef. No hormones, no antibiotics, no pesticides.
Shanaroba Organic Farm: Farm-raised organic turkeys
Sustainable Settings: Beyond-organic meat, heirloom-variety produce and eggs, and CSA program for omnivores or vegetarians.
Craft Beer/Liquor
Aspen Brewing Company: A brainchild of University of Colorado at Boulder students, the Aspen Brewing Company opened its doors in March 2008. Their taproom is open 7 days a week and they offer tours of the brew facility located just 5 miles from downtown Aspen.
Capitol Creek Brewery: 100% locally owned and brewed, located in Basalt.
Glenwood Canyon Brewing Co: Located in the first floor of the historic Hotel Denver in Glenwood Springs and opened in 1996 in partnership with the Durango Brewing Company.
Marble Distilling Company: Handcrafted spirits. Founders combined their two passions, Craft Distilling and Sustainable Business to create the first distillery in the USA to recycle 100% of process water and capture/reuse the energy from the distilling process.
Woody Creek Distillers: Woody Creek Distillers is the first and only craft distillery in the United States with control over every element of vodka production. Woody Creek Distillers grows its own potatoes at Scanlan Family Farm in Woody Creek, Colorado, and sources local fruits, grains and mountain spring water to produce its line of ultra-premium American spirits.
Coffee/Tea
Bonfire Coffee: The best in craft coffee. They consciously and ethically source the highest quality coffees, and benefit every community involved, from farm to cup. They small batch roast these coffees.
Red Butte Roasters: Organic, shade-grown coffee beans are sustainable and socially responsible. Sold in various locations in Aspen and Snowmass as well as their online shop.
RFMBA Coffee: Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association partnered with Wild Coffee Roasters in Silt. 100% of proceeds support local trails from New Castle to Aspen.
Rock Canyon Coffee: "Great Coffee for Great People" is the philosophy at Rock Canyon Coffee. They believe everyone should have the pleasure of freshly roasted coffee at their table. Whenever possible they use beaks purchased directly from the farmers of origin.
Two Leaves & a Bud Tea: Two leaves tea company visits Darjeeling, Assam and other gardens around the world to select the best whole leaf organic tea in its purest, native form.
Experience
Aspen Saturday Market: From mid-June to mid-October spend your Saturday mornings at the Aspen Saturday Market. At the corner of Galena & Hopkins the market is opened from 8:30am - 2:00pm. The market offers Colorado grown produce, crafts, live music and a food court for lunch or a snack while you peruse.
Rock Bottom Ranch: Rock Bottom Ranch serves as Aspen Center for Environmental Studies' mid-valley hub for environmental education, wildlands preservation and sustainable agriculture. Programming is available for adults and children centered on gardening, farmyard & pasture tours and cooking classes.
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