Longtime local brewery Odell plans to open in Denver

The Mile High City is getting its own Odell brewery and taproom.

The Fort Collins-based craft brewer announced its plans Monday to build a two-story, 4,000-square-foot facility at 2945 Larimer Street in Denver’s River North (RiNo) district. Its scheduled to open by the end of the year.

The spot will feature 15 tap handles, two bars, an outdoor patio with two fire pits and a partially-covered rooftop patio. The facility will also have space for live music.

“For years we’ve explored the potential of a second taproom, and Denver has always been at the top of that list,” Odell CEO Wynne Odell said in a statement.

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The new location will feature a 10-barrel pilot brewhouse that will make experimental beers just for the taproom. It will be the first time Odell has brewed outside of Fort Collins since it launched in 1989.

The company will add about 20 new taproom employees in Denver. Odell currently employs about 130 people in total.

Veteran Odell brewer Brent Cordle will lead the new Denver pilot brewery.

“Odell Brewing has placed a lot of importance on our pilot system,” said COO Brendan McGivney in the statement. “It’s been our proving ground where we push ourselves to create new and innovative beers.”

Odell Brewing finished 2016 as the third largest craft brewery in Colorado and 27th largest craft brewery in the country.

“It took a lot of patience, but we’re thrilled to be joining the RiNo community which has a booming craft beer scene and a long history of celebrating independent creative businesses,” Odell said.

Fort Collins neighbor New Belgium is also building a Denver brewery at 3550 Brighton Blvd. at the future Source Hotel. The site scheduled to open this fall will also feature a 10-barrel brewhouse specializing in barrel-aged sour and wild ales.

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