Steamboat Living: Fermenting business: 2 new beer breweries open doors

Of water and wort: Butcherknife Brewing Co.

Butcherknife Brewing Co. founders Mark Fitzgerald and Nathan Johansing began serving small home-brewed batches of beer in 2011, donating a large percentage to local charities and fundraisers. Now theyve opened up full time in a 4,000-square-foot brewery with a tap room complete with large tasting room and two garage doors opening to a patio at 2875 Elk River Road.

Right now, were producing 60 kegs every 20 days, Fitzgerald says, adding that their beer can be found at 21 locations in Steamboat, including 15 bars and restaurants downtown. But the majority of our beer is sold through bottles and cans.

The brewery prides itself on its recipes, attention to detail and good ol Steamboat water. Its the best water in Colorado, he says. Our location provides us first use off the Continental Divide, which means pure, clean water in the heart of every batch. It also helps to have someone with Johansings stripes on board; he earned his masters degree in brewing from the Siebel Institute of Technology and Doemens Academy in Munich, Germany.

Were thrilled to finally be able to deliver our beer to Steamboat, Fitzgerald says, adding that they plan to deliver more than 1,000 barrels in Butcherknifes first year of operation.

Brotherly beer: Storm Peak Brewing Co.

Its 3,832 vertical feet from the top of Storm Peak to the tasting room of its new namesake brewery at 1744 Lincoln Ave. west of town, and youll be thinking of its wares every turn of the way.

Founded by Colorado natives and brothers Wyatt and Tyler Patterson, the seven-barrel, three-employee brewhouse enjoyed its grand opening Aug. 2. Brewed in a 2,000-square-foot facility with tap room and bar up front, its beers explore a range of styles from light, crisp golden ale to darker black ale and a range of seasonal styles in between.

Were focused on tap room sales and creating an atmosphere where people can enjoy our product and spend some time with us, says Wyatt, whose other brother, Zach, and father, Erik, are also partners in the business. Our equipment is all in the open so people can see the materials and machinery in action.

So far, patrons enjoying the fruits of its tap room have kept any larger-scale distribution plans on hold. The company is selling every drop it makes before it even leaves the premises. Our plan is to grow organically, says Wyatt, who has brewed beer with his brother for years. Eventually well start distributing, but for now its hard enough just keeping enough on hand in the tap room. But were proud to call Steamboat home, and we love sharing our passion for beer with as many people as possible.

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Steamboat Living: Fermenting business: 2 new beer breweries open doors