Background
David Cole and Peter Erickson are the founders and co-owners of Epic Brewing Company. Both received degrees in Microbiology in California. In 1992, the duo moved to Utah and started an aquaculture company, which over the next decade grew to the point of international recognition. Over time, however, David and Peter grew bored with the company and began contemplating other options.
Then, in 2008, Utah began a drastic overhaul of its liquor laws. The changes in the laws gave breweries the ability to begin selling “highpoint beer” (beer greater than 3.2% Alcohol by Volume, or ABV) directly to the public. David and Peter saw this as the perfect opportunity.
In 2013, Epic expanded its brewery operations into Colorado by opening a second brewery in the River North district of downtown Denver. The Denver brewery offered enough space to support growing national distribution, expansion of the popular barrel aged beer program and the introduction of a line of sour beers. In September 2014, Epic also opened The Annex, a gastropub in SLC’s hip Sugar House neighborhood.
Cole gives a lot of credit to Brew Master Kevin Crompton for Epic’s high quality and variety.
Experience
There are Epic Brewing Company locations in Salt Lake City and Denver. We enjoyed the one in Denver on Walnut. It is a huge, beautiful tasting room with equipment nearby, including large foeders. They normally have 25 beers on tap if you can believe it and you can actually get all of them in one mega flight. We tried many of them, among the favorites Tart N’ Juicy Sour IPA (Best of both worlds), Elder Brett Saison, and the Imperial IPA #52. There is no food on sight but often have food trucks or you can bring in food if desired. Worth a stop if in the area.
No nearby lodging noted.
When in Denver check out Black Project Brewing and Crooked Stave !
