Every day is a good day to be a craft beer fan in Colorado Springs, where even the disappointing brew news arrives in a glass half-full.
Those crying into their beers over the postponed grand opening of WestFax Brewing Co.’s Springs taproom can take heart. By next summer, the city should be home to at least two new taprooms: The aforementioned spot, owned by Lakewood’s WestFax and now set to open later this year on the city’s west-side, as well as location No. 2 of Goat Patch Brewing Co., at 12245 Voyager Parkway, in the city’s Northgate neighborhood.
On Friday, Goat Patch officially went public about plans for its first physical expansion beyond its home base in the redeveloped Lincoln School, at 2727 N. Cascade Ave., where it celebrates its seventh anniversary at the end of July.
“Word was starting to get out, so we wanted to share, have our patrons who have been so loyal to us hear it from us first,” said brewery co-owner Cate Baze, who said she and the ownership team are still “just getting things off the ground, so it’s going to be a minute.”
Even so, Goat Patch owners said they expect doors to open at the new spot in time to celebrate the local craft beer brand’s next birthday, in July 2025.
Brewery co-owner Justin Grant said the decision to open a second location, at a time when many brewers are struggling with rising costs (and prices) as well as generational shifts in adult beverage tastes, still made financial sense for an award-winning local brewer with a growing footprint, big dreams and a business model to see them out.
“It’s an area that doesn’t have a local brewery … until you get to Monument, and Pikes Peak (Brewing Co.). It’s an area with a lot happening,” said Grant. “Honestly we felt like this was the next best move for us.”
A “growing sense of community” in the area — a destination with more lures-in-the-works for local and out-of-state visitors — was another reason Goat Patch chose north Colorado Springs over the other locations it considered.
A search for affordable property led the partners to cast a wide net that extended beyond the Front Range, Baze said.
“We looked around everywhere, further out east near Peyton, as far south as Pueblo … and we’ve seen some of our other friends open up great spots up north,” she said.
Battle Mountain Brewing Co. closed its Colorado Springs location in March 2023 and since has reopened in Castle Rock.
But Baze said her team wanted to keep the expansion as local as possible, if they could afford it. When an ideal location presented itself, they jumped.
”We just were so excited by all the things happening on the north of town,” said Baze, whose Voyager taproom — as at The Lincoln School — will be surrounded by locally owned businesses. “When I moved here, there was The Shops at Briargate and not much else up there. We’re excited to be a part of some of those local businesses that will contribute to growth and vibrancy in that part of town.”
Nearby, the 8,000-seat Ford Amphitheater kicks off its inaugural concert season in August in the Polaris Pointe commercial and entertainment complex southeast of Interstate 25 and North Gate Boulevard.
The new Goat Patch Brewing taproom will have everything that can be found at the Lincoln School location, and at least one thing that can’t. Unlike Goat Patch’s flagship spot, Goat Patch North will have a small kitchen that cooks up “shareable plates and small bites,” according to the brewery, which said it will partner with Jay Gust, of Ascent Restaurant Group, to create the menu.
Beer making will continue to be done at the Lincoln School location, with 16 taps planned for GPB north.
“Patrons can expect the same diverse selection of craft brews alongside a welcoming environment that fosters community,” said Baze, in the announcement.
Construction is slated to begin in the fall.