Jason and Jolene Ford opened Broken Compass Brewing on May 30, 2014, fulfilling a lifelong dream, and it quickly became a Breckenridge staple. The original taproom sits on Continental Court near the free skier parking north of downtown — an off-Main location that suits the house philosophy that getting lost leads to the best discoveries. A second taproom at 520 S Main Street brings the beer into the historic district.

Flagships like Coconut Porter and Chili Pepper Pale built the reputation, and locals have voted Broken Compass the best brewery in Summit County year after year.

The Fords keep distribution deliberately tight: these beers are brewed for the Breckenridge community and poured mostly in town, not shipped wide. To drink one, you more or less have to show up — which is the point.