Interview with David Levesque, owner and brew master
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: I started home brewing in 2007 after the guys at the Brew Hut taught me a few things. I’ve been home brewing and visiting many breweries in Colorado since then. One day, we were having a get together at the house and someone said, “You should open a brewery, your beer is really good.” This got me thinking of the idea. Two years later, we are open for business.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: We try to have fun with our beers, brewing beer that tastes great and does not necessarily follow strict style guidelines. We want to experiment and continually advance the craft beer culture, potentially to some undiscovered frontier.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: Being my own boss, for a start. I have been in the corporate world for many years and this is finally giving me a chance to break free. Another great part about this line of work is the amazing people and companies that I meet and get involved with. It definitely brings a smile to my face every day.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: Maintaining production. We are on a 1.5-barrel Ruby Street brewing system with three-barrel fermenters. On a typical brew day it takes about nine hours from start to pitching yeast, we are trying to brew four days a week, which makes for some long hours.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: We are 100 percent veteran-owned and -operated. My business partner Henry Rusch and myself are both Air Force veterans. As for the staff, they all are active military or the spouse of a military veteran.
Profile
Business: Launch Pad Brewery
Address: 884 S. Buckley Road
Hours: 3-9 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-9 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 2014
Contact: 303-745-4599, ,
Employees: 7
