Great Divide Brewing Downsizes In Denver

, Great Divide Brewing Downsizes In Denver

(Courtesy Great Divide Brewing)

Heritage brewer Great Divide is taking steps to weather the economic impact of COVID-19 by closing its enormous taproom, packaging and barrel-aging facility in Denver’s trendy RiNo neighborhood.

The brewery will consolidate its operations at its Ballpark neighborhood production facility back where it all began in 1994.

In 2015, Great Divide opened the Barrel Bar as part of an almost 5-acre warehouse $38.2 million, campus in Denver’s eclectic River North neighborhood, a former auto-parts lot and junkyard that currently serves as the brewery’s packaging operation and a barrel-aging space.

Great Divide had hoped to eventually build an even bigger brewery in the now for-sale space, but with craft beer’s boom years slowing, as well as the economic toll inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic, the company is now taking a more defensive posture.

The move is a “dramatic but necessary shift,” Great Divide Founder and President Brian Dunn told Westword

, Great Divide Brewing Downsizes In Denver

(Courtesy Great Divide Brewing)

“We had three options on the table: move all operations to RiNo, move everything to a new location outside of Denver, or relocate to our original location. In the end, returning to our roots made the most business sense.”

“Despite the strong upward trajectory of Great Divide sales when we decided to expand, building the Brighton facility was a huge leap for a brewery of our size,” Dunn added.

 “While we’ve thoroughly enjoyed being in the RiNo neighborhood and are sad to say goodbye, we’re fortunate to be in a position to adapt our business plan and make a decision that will benefit the company and our employees.

“One of the largest benefits is that the consolidation of operations will allow us to remain fiercely independent.”

, Great Divide Brewing Downsizes In DenverAccording to Westword “the brewery will make some changes in the brewhouse to handle increased production (it can handle about 60,000 barrels a year) and will refresh the taproom, which is smaller than its Barrel Bar taproom in RiNo.”

Beer is not brewed at its RiNo site, it continues to be produced at Great Divide’s original location in Denver’s Ballpark neighborhood.

“We’ve been brewing beer in the Ballpark neighborhood since 1994, and this move ensures the longevity and prosperity of our brewery,” marketing manager Matt Sandy told The Know. “Our roots are urban and gritty, and the Ballpark neighborhood brewery and tap room reflect that.”

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