Great Divide Brewing Company

During the late 80s, Brian Dunn spent 5 years overseas building farms in developing countries. Having grown up in a family that valued good food and drink, Dunn grew his knowledge and passion for beer during his travels. Dunn eventually returned to Colorado, started homebrewing and went to graduate school. Upon graduation in 1993, when the Denver beer scene barely existed, he set out to found what would eventually become one of America’s most decorated and celebrated craft breweries.
Beginning with a marketing study and a business plan, Dunn saw an opportunity in what would soon become Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood to brew uniquely balanced, flavorful beers. With financial help from family, friends and a loan from the City of Denver, his dream of brewing commercially became reality in 1994.
BALLPARK
The brewery started small and in the beginning Dunn was the only full-time employee: brewing, bottling and selling to accounts all in the same day. As the brewery grew, the beer spoke for itself. Dunn’s beers were balanced, flavorful and representative of a lifestyle that is uniquely Colorado. While Great Divide’s ethos may be globally-inspired, our beers are distinctly Denver.
Since 1994 we’ve brewed all sorts of exciting beer styles, added lots of brewing capacity and we’ve assembled a great staff. In 2001, we bought our building – which used to be an old dairy processing plant – and set out for over a decade of exponential growth. In 2011, we realized we would soon outgrow our space and began looking for land to expand– knowing that leaving the city was not an option.
THE BARREL BAR
We are a Denver brewery, and have been involved in the craft beer scene and the community here since the beginning. In 2013, we bought 5 acres in the nearby RiNo neighborhood. It wasn’t easy, but we are so happy to have a place only a mile down the road where we can continue growing for the next 21 years. We broke ground on phase one of our expansion in 2014. In 2015, we finally had the space in our new packaging facility to begin canning. We celebrated the opening of our Barrel Bar in July, and immediately began looking ahead to our Phase Two expansion.
Our brewery has become what it is today thanks to our hardworking, creative and passionate employees. Here at Great Divide, Bold Character is more than just a catchphrase, it’s the philosophy behind what we brew, how we think, and what we believe.
MISSION
The mission of Great Divide Brewing Co. is to produce high-quality, distinctive ales for our customers, and to provide service and education to our customers and the general public in regard to the craft brewing industry. We are a brewery of Great characters, making remarkable beer while being active in the community.
INDEPENDENT THEN. INDEPENDENT NOW. GREAT MINDS DRINK ALIKE.