Big Trout Brewing is a family‑owned and operated brewpub in the heart of Winter Park, serving award-winning craft beer, house‑made food, and genuine mountain‑town hospitality. Located in Cooper Creek Square beside the Winter Park Transit Center, our taproom offers a spacious, open‑brewery atmosphere with plenty of sunshine on the patio and cozy views of the courtyard below.
Our Story
Owners Tom and Emily Caldwell have called Grand County home since 2006. In 2017, they began dreaming up a brewery that would blend Tom’s passion for craft beer with their shared commitment to community, family, and the rivers they love. While walking into daycare one morning, Tom floated the idea of “Trout Brewery” to their two‑year‑old daughter. Without hesitation, she replied, “No, Daddy… BIG Trout Brewery.” And just like that, the name was born. Big Trout Brewing officially opened its doors on June 12, 2020
Crafting the Beer
Co-owner, Tom, has been professionally brewing since 2009, beginning his career at Grand Lake Brewery. What started as a bottling job quickly turned into brewing alongside the head brewer, where his intuition for flavor and balance became unmistakable. Today, Tom continues to craft beers that locals and visitors love, with plans to expand into house‑made craft sodas as well.
Brewing With Purpose
Our brewhouse features a High Efficiency Brewing System (HEBS) from IDD in California — a state‑of‑the‑art system that reflects our commitment to sustainability. The mash filter reduces water waste by 20–30% and increases grain extraction to roughly 98%, allowing us to use fewer raw materials and conserve more of the water that feeds the Colorado River headwaters.
We proudly support American‑made equipment and local craftsmanship, sourcing kegs from American Keg in Pennsylvania, our brewhouse from IDD, and our tanks from Forgeworks in Colorado. Every choice reflects our dedication to quality, environmental stewardship, and the community that has supported us from the beginning.
Big Trout Brewing is more than a place to grab a pint — it’s a gathering place built by family, rooted in Winter Park, and inspired by the mountains and waters that surround us.
Big Trout in the Community
We believe in giving back to the community whenever possible. Since our opening, we have selected certain beers where we donate a percentage of the proceeds to a local non-profit. Here is a list of donations we have been able to make with your help!
2026 Donations to date: Total to be shared at year-end + in-kind donations
- $100 to Grand Foundation for safe after prom activities for MPHS
- $300 to High Country Stampede Rodeo
- $312 to Winter Park Competition Center
- $1,510 to the Wolf Family Fund via Wolf Above the Clouds Sour
2025 Donations: $4,561 + in-kind donations
- $1,023 to Grand Foundation
- $300 to the High Country Stampede Rodeo
- $300 to Gratitude for Grand
- $500 to Grand Kids Learning Center Fall Festival
- $500 to Grand Concerts
- $200 to Trout Unlimited, River Temp Sponsor
- $1,738 to Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishing Film Tour
2024 Donations: $7,057 + in-kind donations
- $1,035 to KFFR
- $300 to the High Country Stampede Rodeo
- $500 to Grand Concerts
- $500 to Grand Kids Learning Center Fall Festival
- $672 to Grand Kids Learning Center
- $495 to Fraser Valley Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee
- $540 to Grand County Advocates
- $2,254 to Trout Unlimited, Fly Fishing Film Tour
- $761 to Grand County Search and Rescue
2023 Donations: $6,441 + in-kind donations
- $300 to the High Country Stampede Rodeo
- $1,100 to the East Grand Volunteer Firefighters Fund
- $2,160 in Beer Donated to the Winter Park Competition Center for Bike Races
- $120 to East Grand School District
- $100 to Fraser Valley Hockey Association
- $500 to Grand Kids Learning Center
- $600 to Grand Concerts
- $761 to Grand County Search and Rescue
- $800 to Scott Ciufo ALS Fund
2022 Donations: $7,300 + in-kind donations
- Mountain Family Center, Giving Tree fundraiser – $2,460 ($1,230 raised by customer donations, with a Big Trout match of $1,200)
- Fraser Elementary School PAC, dining night fundraiser – $500
- Headwaters Center River Journey Museum – $500 (Q2 Rick Stout sales)
- Grand Kids Learning Center, Dining Night fundraiser event – $450
- Grand Kids Learning Center for 2022 Fall Festival & Bert & Ernie Golf Tournament Sponsor – $450
- Grand Concerts – $1,000
- Shining Stars Foundation – $1,010
- Mountain Family Center – $930 (2021 Q3 + Q4 Rick Stout sales, donated in 2022)
- $3,300 In-Kind Donations including, but not limited to, gift cards and gift baskets donations to various fundraisers and events
2021 Donations: $6,854 + in-kind donations
- Headwaters Trails Alliance – $375
- Grand Kids Learning Center, dining night fundraiser – $357.88
- Grand Foundation – $4,100
– Grand County Wildfire Emergency Fund, East Troublesome Pale Ale sales - Grand Foundation Brammer Family Fund, Pilates and Pints event – $350
- Church of Eternal Hills Project 2020 – $741.35
- Grand Concerts – $400
- In-Kind Donations including, but not limited to, gift cards and gift baskets to various local non-profits such as Headwaters Land Trust and Grand Kids Learning Center. In addition, Big Trout donated 1 Half Barrel to Paralympian Patrick Halgren to support his team, 3 Half Barrels to the Annual Headwaters Trout Unlimited Banquet and 5 Half Barrels to the First Annual East Troublesome Fire Memorial.
2020 Donations: $3,481 + in-kind donations
- Colorado State Fire Fighter’s Foundation, via Fight Fire with Beer campaign (related to East Troublesome Fire) – $2,004
- Grand Foundation – $738.52
– General Donation from pre-opening Web Sales – $53
– General Donation from Pint Day 2020 – $66
– Grand County Wildfire Emergency Fund – Rick Stout sales – $619.52 - In-Kind Donations including, but not limited to, gift cards and gift baskets to various local non-profits such as Headwaters Land Trust and Grand Kids Learning Center.
Proud Business Members of Trout Unlimited
