USA, CO: Brewers tap into new strategies to stay afloat

More breweries, taprooms, and pubs closed last year than new ones opened in the state, and Southern Colorado was no exception, Fox21News reported on July 9.

50 breweries closed their doors in 2024, but the Colorado Brewers Guild reports the number isn’t entirely accurate because many of the pubs that closed were bought out by an existing business. Taking a closer look at Colorado Springs, it’s been a rough few months.

In May, beer fans mourned the closure of Metric Brewing. Shortly after, 1350 distilling closed on June 8. The following day, Brass Brewing Co. announced that its 7-year-old downtown operation had been sold to a new startup, Gunslinger Brewing.

Atrevida Beer Company, located off North Nevada Avenue, has been fighting strong since 2018, and the proud owners say it’s all about diversifying.

Jess and Rich Fierro, the owners of Atrevida, have decided to change their hours to keep those pints full. They are now closed Monday through Wednesday and open Thursday through Sunday.

“It allows us to focus on the beers, get our back of the house an opportunity to work a little bit more on some of the things that they haven’t had the opportunity to do when you’re open seven days a week,” Rich explained. “We’re just trying to mitigate the costs on our end so that we can then provide a better product on the customer’s end.”

With 16 beers on tap this summer, veteran Rich Fierro and his family decided to bring back local favorites ‘Illegal’s’ and ‘El Dorado,’ brews the small business opened with in 2018.

“We’re all out here trying our best to make things happen, but costs are eating into us just the same way they are eating into everybody else at home, so let’s share in the pain with a beer,” Rich said.

While Colorado has breweries in its DNA, beer sales are down, and 50 breweries closed or left the state last year.

“It is hard out there, and there are many different reasons why breweries are closing,” explained Shawnee Adelson, Executive Director of the Colorado Brewers Guild. “Currently, economic pressures are going on. You know, increased costs, including labor costs. If somebody owns their property, property taxes, but if you’re not, your rents are going up, and at the same time, all of the input costs are going up. We’re seeing impacts from the tariffs and just a general increase in costs on hops as well as malt.”

Experts are also tracking a 25 to 50% tariff on aluminum, something impacting local spots like Atrevida.

“Just to break it down for small craft beer businesses, everything that’s in that glass is imported,” said Rich. “You know, it’s German hops and malts and something from another country or an additive that we pull in from Mexico, just you know, kind of explore. It is a tough business to be in right now because we don’t know what’s coming forward.”

Rich says what works for his business may not help others, but says it’s all about diversifying. That’s why you can find your favorite Atrevida beer now pouring at the Colorado Springs Airport.

“We’re really excited about that piece, kind of getting into that area and getting our name a little bit more seen,” Rich said. “I know it’s hard right now. The cost is way up for us, and we hope the community understands that too, to keep us going and all of the craft beer groups around here.”

While many spots work on new recipes or expand into other locations, the Colorado Brewers Guild is also tracking new breweries planned to open on the Eastern Plains this year or already open, like Ascent Brewing in Peyton.