New chapter for Colorado’s Westbound & Down
Westbound & Down Brewing has announced plans for a new tasting room in Denver’s Wheat Ridge neighborhood. The project represents the latest step in nearly a decade of steady growth for one of Colorado’s most decorated breweries. The new brewpub is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027 at 5540 W 29th Ave. The design will link two buildings with a shared courtyard. Inside, 4,000 square feet of space will hold the taproom and kitchen. A rooftop patio will add another 1,600 square feet with mountain views. The space will pour from 36 taps split between the taproom and rooftop bar. Food service will mirror the elevated pub fare introduced at Westbound’s Lafayette location. From the press release:
“We are beyond ecstatic to bring our full Westbound & Down experience to the greater Denver area,” said CEO & Director of Brewing Operations for Westbound & Down Brewing. “The Greater Denver community has always shown us tremendous support, and we are stoked to match that enthusiasm with our coolest buildout yet!”
Why Wheat Ridge
The new project gives Westbound a larger presence in the Denver metro. Until now, the brewery’s footprint in the city has been limited to its Dairy Block taproom. That downtown spot opened in 2022 and helped build demand. The Wheat Ridge buildout will offer a full brewpub experience in one of the metro’s fastest growing neighborhoods. The location fits the brewery’s model of combining beer with community gathering spaces. The courtyard and rooftop patio add flexible options for outdoor seating.
Crowdfunding fuels growth
Westbound has leaned on crowdfunding to support its expansion. Earlier this year, the brewery launched a capital raise through DealMaker. The campaign hit its $1.2 million target in less than two months. A second round is now underway to help finance the Wheat Ridge property outright. That ownership model provides long-term stability and equity. The funding will also support production growth, with a goal of quadrupling capacity by 2028. This approach gives everyday beer drinkers the chance to invest. Minimum investments start at $750, with tiered perks such as free beer and annual events. The model mirrors a growing trend of independent breweries turning to their fans to support expansion. From the press release:
“This is about meeting demand with intention,” said CEO and Director of Brewing Operations Jake Gardner. “Denver has long been one of our strongest regions, but we haven’t had a true home there – until now. This new location will bring our beer, food, and hospitality under one roof in a space designed for connection while helping accelerate retail adoption in Denver and beyond.”
Brewing at scale
The fundraising builds on recent investments in brewing equipment. At its Lafayette facility, Westbound installed new fermenters, a brite tank, and canning line upgrades. These changes nearly doubled production capacity immediately. The Lafayette site now serves as the brewery’s main production hub. It opened in 2021 in the former Endo Brewing space and houses both brewing and a full-service restaurant.
Expanding through acquisitions
Westbound has also grown by acquiring other breweries. In 2023, the company purchased Aspen Brewing Co. in Aspen and Capitol Creek Brewery in Basalt. Both came from High Country Brewing and continue to operate under Westbound ownership. The Aspen location includes a 7,000-barrel production facility and downtown brewpub. Capitol Creek adds another taproom and restaurant in the Roaring Fork Valley. These acquisitions gave Westbound a foothold in two popular mountain towns with strong tourist traffic.
From Idaho Springs to statewide
Westbound & Down started in Idaho Springs in 2015. Founders Geoff McFarlane, Dan Brown, and Jed MacArthur teamed up with brewer Jake Gardner to build the flagship location in a historic downtown building. The brewery’s reputation grew quickly. Awards followed, including multiple medals at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. In 2019, Westbound won Midsize Brewpub of the Year at GABF. Distribution also expanded. A deal with Elite Brands now places Westbound beers in nearly 400 bars and restaurants and more than 500 retail locations across Colorado. That reach includes every Whole Foods in the state.
Looking ahead
The Wheat Ridge project continues Westbound’s pattern of pairing beer with food and gathering spaces. It also strengthens its presence in Denver, a market that has long supported the brand. If timelines hold, the new brewpub will open in late 2026 or early 2027. By then, Westbound expects its expanded production capacity and crowdfunding support to be firmly in place. For now, the brewery operates from five locations: Idaho Springs, Lafayette, Denver’s Dairy Block, Aspen, and Basalt. Wheat Ridge will become the sixth.
