Tim Harty, The Business Times 

Before WestCo Brewing Co. opens in the former Edgewater Brewery, 905 Struthers Ave., it will return brewing capability to the building.

An ownership group led by Handlebar Tap House co-owner/operator Adam Kinsey finalized the purchase of Kannah Creek Brewing Company’s former second location on Feb. 27. The new owners have begun renovating the building and are targeting mid to late summer for opening.

“We are planning a small interior remodel to increase the restaurant and bar seating, while providing us the space to re-install a new production-level brewery in the building,” Kinsey wrote in an email interview. “We think the overall feel will change quite a bit, more of an industrial brewery setting with a fun atmosphere and food.”

For the craft brewing, he added, “The building was originally built for a 30-barrel brewery. We are installing a new system that will give us the flexibility of a brewpub but is large enough for production and distribution.”

Joining Kinsey in WestCo Brewing’s management as co-owners are: General Manager Jeff Walker, currently co-owner and GM of Handlebar Tap House; Head of Brewing Operations Danny Wilson, formerly of Palisade Brewing Company; Front-of-House Manager Nathan Wood; and Head of Sales Zac Grant, formerly of Palisade Brewing Company.

Kinsey added there are “a handful of other private investors.”

Kinsey said the new owners feel comfortable opening another craft brewery in the Grand Junction area.

“The brewery/brewpub industry in the Grand Valley exploded (along with nationally) in the past 5-10 years,” he wrote. “Within the past year or two there has been a correction in the craft brewing industry, and the overall sales and number of breweries has somewhat declined.

“As for breweries, we are replacing the former Edgewater Brewery, which originally was a large-scale production facility. There are a few other breweries that are changing hands in the valley, and the overall number of breweries isn’t really expanding.

“Overall, I’ve seen craft beer culture grow in the valley quite a bit since opening Handlebar Tap House almost seven years ago. We are excited to continue that culture and collaboration that has been built in that time by all the brewers and craft beer pubs in the valley.

“Overall, we feel good about the pace of growth and economy in the Grand Valley, and in particular, we continue to be starved for locally-owned restaurants. Our focus will be to offer you a new restaurant option in a fun and comfortable atmosphere while working our way into producing and distributing high-quality beer on the Western Slope.”

Kinsey also likes the location for WestCo Brewing Co., because it’s in the Riverfront at Las Colonias development (130 acres), near the Riverfront at Dos Rios development (58 acres) and right off the busy Riverside Parkway.

“We are about one mile on the bike path from the new Dos Rios development,” he said, “and Las Colonias continues to gain traction and development.”