Colorado breweries take a new path to the taps
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Photo courtesy of Broken Hops Brewing
Starting a new brewery takes vision, talent, equipment, space, money in the bank and future-focused investors.
Yes, but: That's not an easy formula when the industry is seeing sales dips and breweries fight for survival.
- So two Colorado brewers are testing a new path forward — one where you only need a good idea and a little help.
State of play: Neither Broken Hops Brewing nor Andiamo Brew have a taproom or their own brewing space. Instead, they are contracting with existing breweries to make their beer, which is only available in cans at certain retail stores and on draft at select bars.
- Given the stalling market, both breweries are looking to start small and grow sustainably while trying to find their own place in a tight market.
What they're saying: Kevin Barnes, co-founder of Andiamo, which is brewed at Copper Kettle in Aurora, said the business model was a financial decision.
- "We didn't have the resources to fund a physical location, nor the time or the desire to operate that sort of business," he tells us.
The intrigue: What sets both breweries apart is their vision.
- Broken Hops, which debuts Wednesday at a small number of retailers, wants to redefine IPAs with more drinkable, less-filling versions that are not overly bitter. It uses German brewing techniques that differentiate its sips from a crowded field.
- Andiamo Brew specializes in Italian-style, low-alcohol beers at less than 4% ABV that are full flavored. It seeks to fill a gap between traditional beer offerings and nonalcoholic brews.
Between the lines: Beyond their business plan, both breweries share another common thesis: Craft beer is becoming unapproachable with its bitter hop bombs, milkshake-like hazy IPAs and overly sweet adjunct stouts.
- "People want to enjoy more than one drink," says Christopher O'Connor, the creator of Broken Hops and vice president at Prost, where the beer is brewed at its Northglenn location.
- "We look forward to beer but not the strong effects of beer," Barnes adds.
The bottom line: "We are trying to win consumers back to craft beer by elevating the style," O'Conner tells us. "There is more than enough space for new brands in the market if they are executing."