Breckenridge Brewery Announces Plans For New $20 Million Brewery

For the third straight year, Breckenridge Brewery of Colorado posted better than 20% growth with 2012 results reaching 30%. This success brings with it some challenges for the regional brewery as it is quickly reaching capacity at its Denver production brewery.

Today the brewery announced that 12 beautiful acres along the South Platte River in Littleton, just south of Denver, will be its new home. The property stretches between South Santa Fe Drive and the Mary Carter Greenway Trail (also known as the Platte River Trail), a trail system enjoyed by bikers, walkers, and explorers of all ages.

Plans for the new, world-class brewery include several rustic buildings arranged across the landscape, much like might seen on a successful farm. The plans also include a hops field as foreground adjacent to South Santa Fe Drive. The farmhouse building will offer the freshest beer and food in a comfortable environment with indoor/outdoor seating, brewery tours, a general store and growler-to-go station, and a sunny beer garden.

“Our brewery was born and raised in Colorado,” shares Todd Usry, brewmaster and director of brewing. “We have our Colorado mountain home [in Breckenridge], and soon, a Colorado country spread along the river. Our Denver brewing operations opened in 1992, so it’s tough to leave Denver, but we’ll still have our two thriving restaurants there.”

Breckenridge Brewery is the 41st largest craft brewery in the United States. Its relocation to Littleton will expand the beer tourism movement that is steadily growing in Denver and Boulder. "Colorado’s Front Range craft beer community continues to attract attention on local, national and international levels," says Steve Kurowski, marketing director for the Colorado Brewers Guild. "Craft beer in Colorado is beyond trendy; it’s a legitimate economic engine that keeps growing and creating jobs. Most importantly, it is respectful to its neighbors."

The new facility will bring 60 jobs to Littleton, quickly growing to approximately 75 by the end of the first year of production. Breckenridge Brewery plans to break ground in the fall of 2013, brewing its first batch and opening to patrons in the fall of 2014.