Odell Brewing Company
Odell Brewing Company is a regional brewery located in Fort Collins, Colorado, that has become one of the notable craft beer producers in the state. Founded in 1989, the company has grown from a small homebrew operation into a significant player in Colorado's craft beer industry, producing a variety of ales, IPAs, and seasonal offerings. The brewery is recognized for its commitment to quality ingredients and sustainable brewing practices, serving markets across Colorado and select regions beyond the state. Odell Brewing Company operates a production facility and taproom in Fort Collins, where visitors can sample beers and learn about the brewing process, making it a destination for both beer enthusiasts and casual tourists exploring northern Colorado's craft beverage landscape.
History
Odell Brewing Company was established in 1989 by Doug Odell, an engineer and homebrewing enthusiast who converted a former vegetable processing facility in Fort Collins into a microbrewery.[1] The brewery began operations during the early stages of the American craft beer movement, when microbreweries and brewpubs were beginning to proliferate across the United States. Fort Collins, already home to New Belgium Brewing Company, provided a supportive environment for beer entrepreneurship and craft beverage innovation. Odell's initial production focused on traditional English-style ales and American IPA styles, reflecting brewing trends and consumer preferences of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Odell Brewing Company expanded its production capacity and developed a loyal customer base throughout Colorado. The brewery underwent several facility expansions to meet growing demand, increasing both its brewing equipment and storage capacity. In 2003, Odell Brewing Company was purchased by private investors, marking a transition in ownership that allowed for further modernization and geographic expansion of distribution. The company continued to develop new beer styles and seasonal offerings while maintaining the core products that had established its reputation. By the early 2010s, Odell had become one of Colorado's mid-sized craft breweries, competing with established producers while remaining independent of major corporate consolidation efforts that affected other regional breweries during that period.
Geography and Location
Odell Brewing Company operates its primary facility in Fort Collins, located in Larimer County in northern Colorado, approximately 65 miles north of Denver along the Front Range corridor. The brewery's location in Fort Collins places it within a major hub of Colorado's craft beer industry, alongside New Belgium Brewing, Equinox Brewing, and numerous smaller operations that have made the city a destination for beer tourism.[2] The facility itself occupies a converted industrial space in the city's Old Town district, a location that has become increasingly central to Fort Collins' brewing and hospitality infrastructure. The surrounding area provides access to major transportation routes, including Interstate 25 and Highway 287, facilitating both employee commuting and visitor access.
The geographic positioning of Odell Brewing within Colorado's northern Front Range provides the company with access to water resources necessary for brewing operations, as well as proximity to agricultural suppliers in the region. Northern Colorado has historically supported agriculture and food production, and the craft brewing industry has integrated into this existing economic and resource framework. The brewery's location also places it within reasonable distribution distance from Denver and surrounding metropolitan areas, where a significant portion of Colorado's beer consumption occurs. Fort Collins' elevation of approximately 5,000 feet and cool climate contribute to the local brewing environment, affecting yeast activity and fermentation processes in ways that brewers consider when developing recipes and production methods.
Culture and Community Impact
Odell Brewing Company has established itself as an integrated participant in Fort Collins' cultural and social landscape, hosting events, tastings, and community gatherings at its taproom and production facility. The brewery operates a tasting room that welcomes visitors for beer sampling, brewery tours, and social events, contributing to Fort Collins' reputation as a beer-centric destination for tourists and residents. Seasonal events and special releases at the brewery draw crowds and generate interest within Colorado's craft beer community, where enthusiasts and collectors seek rare or limited-edition offerings. The company has also engaged in sponsorships of local events and organizations, supporting community activities and charitable causes within the Fort Collins area.[3]
The brewery's presence has contributed to broader cultural perceptions of Fort Collins as a beer-friendly city with a developed craft beverage industry, reinforcing the city's identity as a destination for beer tourism and culinary exploration. Odell's products have become recognized symbols of northern Colorado's craft beer scene, and the company's beers appear in restaurants, bars, and retail locations throughout the region. The company has also maintained engagement with industry organizations and associations, participating in trade shows, competitions, and collaborative projects with other breweries. This participation in industry events and community activities has positioned Odell Brewing Company as a representative of Colorado's craft beer sector within broader conversations about regional food and beverage production, sustainability, and economic development.
Economy and Operations
Odell Brewing Company operates as a significant economic actor within Fort Collins and northern Colorado, employing dozens of staff members across brewing, marketing, distribution, and administrative functions. The brewery's operations encompass production scheduling, quality control, recipe development, and equipment maintenance, activities that support job creation and skills development in the region. The company sources ingredients including hops, barley, and specialty grains from suppliers both within Colorado and nationally, contributing to demand for agricultural products and supporting transportation and logistics networks. Distribution of Odell's products occurs through regional wholesale channels, involving relationships with distributors, retailers, and on-premise establishments such as restaurants and bars that serve the company's beers to consumers.[4]
The brewery's operations include both visible aspects such as the taproom and production facility, and less visible components including administrative offices, laboratory facilities for quality testing, and storage areas for finished products. Capital investment in equipment, facility improvements, and technology modernization represents ongoing operational expenses and strategic decisions by company leadership. The company's revenue generation through beer sales supports local economies through employee wages, supplier payments, and taxes paid to city, county, and state governments. Odell Brewing Company's market position reflects broader trends in Colorado's craft beer industry, including consolidation pressures, competition from larger regional breweries, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory environments affecting alcohol production and distribution. The company's ability to maintain independent operations and market presence demonstrates viable business models for mid-sized craft producers operating within Colorado's competitive beverage market.