Inside Armillary Brewing, Colorado Springs' newest brewery

John Frank

Armillary Brewing Company brewer and co-owner Jeff Lockhart. Photo: John Frank/Axios — Armillary Brewing Co. brewer and co-owner Jeff Lockhart. Photo: John Frank/Axios

With roughly 30 years of brewing experience, Jeff Lockhart's vision was crystal clear when he inevitably opened his own place.

The vibe: He preferred a neighborhood, one that caters to locals and regulars, and he wanted to make straightforward beer.

He found a quiet strip mall in Austin Bluffs, a beer desert in the city's Northeast, and built a tap list that he calls "beers that taste like beer."

Welcome to Armillary Brewing, the newest brewery in Colorado Springs.

The big picture: Lockhart's pedigree runs deep. He's worked at more than a half-dozen breweries, mostly in Colorado, including Ouray, Red Leg, Deuces Wild and Pikes Peak.

"I wanted to open my own brewery since, well, since I learned you can brew," Lockhart told Springs magazine.

Between the lines: The name refers to an armillary sphere, an astronomical instrument he saw in a video game.

Lockhart also still works as an airplane mechanic.

If you go: The beer list is constantly changing with the small 7-barrel system Lockhart is using, but look for traditional ales, including a Scotch ale like the award-winning one he made for Deuces Wild.

Also grab a bite. The other side of the business serves pizza with sourdough crust sourced from a nearby bakery.

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Inside Armillary Brewing, Colorado Springs' newest brewery

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