FlyteCo Brewing: The ‘Top Gun’ of Beer: These Brewers Literally Fly to Make Their Signature Brew

From FylteCo Brewing in Denver, Colorado:

It looks like a scene out of Narcos—but instead of contraband, it’s just the freshest hops in the Rockies.


Every late summer, Denver’s FlyteCo Brewing takes a mission that feels more like a smuggling run than a brewing errand. In a ritual that marries aviation and artisan beer, the brewery’s pilot-owners hop into tiny passenger planes (just ~six seats each) and take off at dawn for a hop farm tucked into Southwest Colorado.


Their destination: Billy Goat Hop Farm, where they harvest freshly picked hops—still dewy from the field—and load them into the planes. Then it’s wheels up, racing back to Denver to get those green beauties straight into the brew kettle. It all happens in less than five hours, resulting in one of the freshest wet hop beers on the market.


This story has everything: craft beer, small-plane adventure, farmer partnerships, and a bit of maverick charm. It’s a once-a-year tradition that speaks to how far passionate brewers will go in pursuit of flavor and freshness (while indulging their love of flying). The harvest is weather-dependent, but for the past two years the hop haul has landed in the final week of August.

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About FlyteCo Brewing:

FlyteCo Brewing is an aviation-themed brewery in Denver, Colorado, known for its unique concept and dedication to craft beer. The brewery has two locations: the original in the Berkeley neighborhood and FlyteCo Tower in Central Park, located in a former airport control tower. The brewery was founded by Eric Serani, Jason Slingsby, and Morgan O’Sullivan, who share a passion for aviation and brewing. 

Key Features and Aspects:

Aviation Theme:
The brewery’s design and decor are heavily inspired by aviation, incorporating elements like a salvaged plane wing, a replica Boeing 737 fuselage, and aviation-themed exhibits. 

Community Focus:
FlyteCo is committed to supporting the community, donating a portion of its profits to aviation scholarships and youth engagement organizations, according to FlyteCo Tower. 

Experimental Brewing:
FlyteCo utilizes a smaller “pilot system” for experimenting with new beer styles and allowing individuals to brew their own beer for special occasions.
 
Fresh Hop Flight:
The brewery is known for its annual “Fresh Hop Flight,” where pilots fly to a hop farm to pick up fresh hops and transport them back to the brewery for immediate brewing. 

FlyteCo Tower:
The second location, FlyteCo Tower, is situated in the historic Stapleton Airport control tower and offers a unique experience with its aviation-themed setting and brewing facilities.