Westbound & Down Announces Wheat Ridge Expansion
WHEAT RIDGE, CO – Westbound & Down Brewing, one of Colorado’s fastest-growing and most decorated breweries of the past decade, has announced plans to open a new brewpub and tasting room in Denver’s Wheat Ridge neighborhood.
Photos Courtesy of iso/AD & PorchDrinking.com
New Location in Northwest Denver
Planned for 5540 W. 29th Avenue, the new location will span two adjacent buildings connected by a community courtyard. The project includes a 4,000-square-foot interior space with a full kitchen serving pizza, sandwiches, and elevated pub fare, alongside 18 draft lines for a rotating selection of Westbound & Down beers.
The design will also feature a 1,600-square-foot rooftop patio with mountain views, equipped with an additional 18 draft lines to expand the taproom experience. The combination of indoor-outdoor seating, multiple bar setups, and the courtyard connection will create a flexible environment for gatherings year-round.
The new Wheat Ridge brewpub is expected to open by late 2026 or early 2027.
Crowdfunded Growth Model
The expansion follows the brewery’s recent success with its community-backed crowdfunding raise through the DealMaker platform. The initial round raised over $1.2 million in just under two months, far surpassing expectations.
Westbound & Down has since launched a second round of fundraising aimed at securing long-term ownership of the Wheat Ridge property and supporting the broader buildout. This approach allows everyday beer enthusiasts to invest directly, with escalating tiers of perks such as free beer, discounts, annual investor events, and access to specialty barrel-aged releases.
“This is about meeting demand with intention,” said CEO and Director of Brewing Operations Jake Gardner. “Denver has long been one of our strongest regions, but we haven’t had a true home there — until now. This new location will bring our beer, food, and hospitality under one roof in a space designed for connection.”
Photos Courtesy of iso/AD & PorchDrinking.com
Rapid Growth Across Colorado
Founded in Idaho Springs in 2015, Westbound & Down has expanded rapidly across the state. Its Lafayette brewpub now serves as the company’s main production facility, while additional locations include a downtown Denver taproom at the Dairy Block and recently acquired Aspen Brewing Company in Aspen and Capitol Creek Brewery in Basalt.
Over the last six years, Westbound & Down has grown 2,569%, quadrupling production and securing statewide distribution through Elite Brands. Its beers are now available in nearly 400 bars and restaurants, as well as over 500 retail locations including all Whole Foods stores in Colorado.
The Wheat Ridge expansion represents the next step in building Westbound & Down into one of Colorado’s premier craft beer brands.
Looking Ahead
By opening a destination brewpub in northwest Denver, Westbound & Down aims to solidify its presence in one of its strongest markets. The project blends community-driven investment with a design that reflects the company’s ethos of quality, hospitality, and connection.
“We are beyond ecstatic to bring our full Westbound & Down experience to the greater Denver area,” said Gardner. “The Greater Denver community has always shown us tremendous support, and we are stoked to match that enthusiasm with our coolest buildout yet.”
The Wheat Ridge location is set to open its doors in 2026/2027, offering locals and visitors alike a new place to experience Colorado craft beer culture.
Photos Courtesy of iso/AD & PorchDrinking.com
Development Team
Developer: Forma / Jack Ricci
Operator: Westbound & Down Brewing Company
Architect: iso/AD
Culinary Program: Chef Casey Taylor (building on Lafayette location’s program)
Distributor: Elite Brands (statewide distribution partner)
Thank You to PorchDrinking.com
Developing Denver would like to thank PorchDrinking.com for sharing this story. PorchDrinking has become a cornerstone of the craft beer conversation in Colorado and beyond, building community through meaningful storytelling, humor, and a love for beer culture.
Founded out of a desire to capture the spirit of porch conversations, good friends, cold beers, and wide-ranging discussions. PorchDrinking covers everything from brewery news and industry trends to pop culture mashups and creative beer commentary. At its core, the platform is dedicated to supporting the craft beer industry with equity, inclusion, camaraderie, and positivity.
Their work helps highlight the best of what’s happening in beer while reminding us all not to take ourselves too seriously. If you haven’t already, grab a pint and visit them at PorchDrinking.com.
All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.
4 minute read • Westbound & Down Brewing, one of Colorado’s fastest-growing and most decorated breweries of the past decade, has announced plans to open a new brewpub and tasting room in Denver’s Wheat Ridge neighborhood.