Background – Coopersmith’s Pub and Brewing
Though prohibition in Fort Collins ended in 1969, the breweries that would become a staple in Western college town culture did not arrive for another twenty years. It was Fort Collins’ status as a college town and location near the pristine waters of the Poudre River that drew brewers to the area. As one of Fort Collins’ oldest breweries, Coopersmith’s Pub & Brewing is a cultural mainstay of the college town. It opened in 1989 along with several other breweries that followed the opening of the Anheuser-Busch brewery in 1988, after a law changed allowing Fort Collins to produce and sell beer. Upon learning of the change in law, Coopersmith’s founder Scott Smith took advantage of the opportunity, opening the pub & brewing facility with investors’ assistance. Though several breweries have since opened and closed, Coopersmith’s has survived through the years as a successful model to other similar businesses.
The owner, Scott Smith named the town’s first brewpub after his son Cooper. With the help of original brewer Brad Page and current brewer (soon to be President) Dwight Hall, he’s gone from four house beers on tap to about 20.
Experience
It’s a great place to have lunch or dinner and they have a variety of beer on tap. We enjoyed the Punjabi pale ale it is their IPA, Poudre pale ale and the Columbine Kolsch. It is just up the street my favorite Equinox brewing. We stayed at the historic Armstrong hotel just just around the corner.
5 Oldtown Square
http://Coopersmith’s Pub and Brewing
When in Ft. Collins check out Equinox Brewing !
