FORT COLLINS, Colo.—A new brewery is coming to Fort Collins, but this one has a twist that owners Colin and Shannon Westcott hope sets it apart from others in town.
Rather than trying to get their name on as many bar taps as possible and take up entire shelves at city liquor stores, this brewery is encouraging customers to make the beer themselves.
Colin Westcott, who has nine years of brewing experience and served as the head brewer of the Kettlehouse Brewing Co. in Missoula, Mont., is planning to open Equinox Brewing Co. on April 1 adjacent to his current business, Hops and Berries, a home brew and wine making store.
Westcott said they will serve British-style ales on six taps. While the final beer list isn’t completed, Equinox will offer a porter, IPA, red ale and golden ale.
The small brewery, which won’t offer any food, is installing a brewing system that will brew 8 1/2 barrels at a time, which is about 270 gallons per batch.
The twist: Each beer served will be accompanied by a recipe, ingredients and tasting notes so any home brewer can replicate it.
He said the brewery, which is entering an already crowded Fort Collins market including New Belgium Brewing Co. and Odell Brewing Co., will focus on educating brewers rather than dominating the market.
“I have always been very open about sharing brews…. I never felt like a recipe is a secret,” said Westcott, who isn’t concerned about putting himself out of business because he will continually change some of the beers and add new recipes. Plus, he said, brewers enjoy a good atmosphere where they can enjoy a pint.
A unique offering the Westcotts plan for Equinox is firkin tapping, which involves lifting a keg onto a counter and tapping it, allowing air to get in and change the beer’s taste. It is served from the keg 48 to 72 hours after being tapped, Westcott said. He plans to expand that practice into a “Pandora’s box” series where he does a firkin tap with unorthodox brews.
Other brewers in the region respect his business plan, said Westcott, who went to each commercial brewer in town and shared his intent with Equinox Brewing Co. and received full support.
Doug Odell, owner of Odell Brewing Co., said the history of craft brewing in Fort Collins, as well as the nation, is one of cooperation where people are open to helping others craft great beer. He said that, to an extent, over the years he had helped New Belgium and New Belgium had helped him in terms of trading ingredients.
Odell said he told Wescott he would be happy to help where he could with the new brewery, keeping in mind they are still a potential competitor.
“I have a copy of their business plan and I think all that is great for craft brewing,” Odell said. “The only reason I say they are a bit of a competitor is because it does sell beer by the glass.”
Westcott said the idea of starting his own brewery has always been lurking in the back of his mind, and when the art gallery leasing space in the building he owns adjacent to Hops and Berries relocated, he decided to expand.
